restless,irritable,discontent

[catholic12yooper]

I'm really struggling with sobriety I've been having drug dreams every night, driving past my old spots and wicked cravings. I feel hopeless and that I'll never get off this merry-go-round I've been to rehab several times there's no meetings around me either unfortunately. Does anyone have any general advice or verses? Also I I'd appreciate any sort of prayer you could say for me.

 

[If Not For Grace]

There are several groups of AA members on Facebook. Step Chat is another site that has meetings.

Do you have some literature? The Big Book is available on line (free) as well.

Try and look at sobriety not as something you "have" to achieve, but something you get to do. Have a funeral for the old haunts and playmates who hopefully one day you will see again "in the rooms". Seriously-write them a letter, say goodbye and burn the letter-cremate all that is the past. You are young and can have a bright future.

It's not going to be easy, but it is doable, but it does take commitment. You don't want to have to go through detox again. Are you taking Antabuse (Disulfiram), if not try it (even your local GP can prescribe it)

Of course you are restless, right now you are a little lost. It's like you have just been born a full grown up. Grown up in size, but lost as a baby..because it's a whole new life. Give yourself a time to adjust. ALL changes require an adjustment period. Be gentle with yourself, but KEEP yourself busy.

Make a "Serenity" notebook, Use a 3 ring binder with sheet protectors (can get em at a thrift store) It does not have to be fancy just handy . Print out the 12-Steps, The Serenity Prayer, Slogans, Affirmations, Inspirational Quotes, The 3rs Step Prayer. and Start you day with some daily readings (they are on-line if you don't have any books). Amazon sells AA, Touchstone & other Recovery books used, or some public libraries have em. Get busy and get better. Find some new activities, join a gym, play intramural sports, take up fishing or woodworking. Learn something new. In you note book, make a section for lists. Make a gratitude list, a victory list, a list of goals..say 10 short term and 10 long term ones. Make a reasons to stay sober list. Pull em out when you are feeling anxious.

The serenity prayer is one of your best tools right now. You need to be serene, before you can make good decisions about what to change, what to keep and what to discard. First Things First. Sober is first.

I promise you there is a meeting somewhere near you, call the last treatment center you went to and ask em. If there is no AA, look for open NA, a church group with a Celebrate Recovery group (very similar to AA). On this forum there are some more pages on Recovery. But get involved Face to Face with a support group somewhere. You have come to far to let a few cravings or dreams cause a relapse.

Reaching out here is a great first step. Now just keep moving forward..baby steps are fine they are still steps. Onward and Upward.

 

[Autumnleaf]

Go to a meeting. But first say the Serenity Prayer out loud.