When does addiction end?

[newleaf]

Or is an addict always an addict, no matter how long he or she goes without? Does the urge to use ever go away?

 

[Amin]

I used to take all kinds of stuff.
I never wanted to give it up.
It's been a long time since i've
done anything.
I still get an urge once in a while, but nothing that can't be handled.
I have a friend who's an alcoholic. He said he'll always be an alcoholic, even if he doesn't drink because 1 drink would start him over again.
I think it would always be in your mind. You become more able to resist as time goes on.
Depending what it is you're addicted to, you may need professioal help.
Chuck.

 

[newleaf]

How often do you feel the urge? I quit cigarretes, years ago, and almost never desire them anymore.

 

[AngelDove1]

you may still get the urge every so often,
it creeps up on ya....
but the choice is still yours....

Drugs....I'll never forget where it got me,
and who's hand.... who's power that pulled me out of it.
Non other than my Savior Jesus.

"but for the grace of God,there go I"

stinkin thinkin....nor at a pity party...
are were I do not want to be.
else I'd be back to peg 1....nowhere land.

don't wake that ugly gorrilla,or you'll
be sooooooorry.

 

[LoG]

Through working the 12 Steps of AA/NA, God removed the obsession to drink or use. By His grace I can have my drug(s) of choice sitting in front of me and yet the thought of picking it up is repulsive.

 

[borderliner]

I think cravings will always stay with us. The main thing is to be strong enough to fight those cravings. The struggle is difficult, but possible.

 

[newleaf]

Thanks everyone. I love your positiveness.

 

[Gentle]

and you know what man
it's very cool you are on top of it and aware of addiction but never label yourself an addict / ex addict
it makes you part of the same game
is this a pot thing or an H thing? kinda deal

 

[sdmsanjose]

Through working the 12 Steps of AA/NA, God removed the obsession to drink or use. By His grace I can have my drug(s) of choice sitting in front of me and yet the thought of picking it up is repulsive.

Thanks Lion, that is VERY encouraging!!!

 

[loveiseverywhere]

I have been in meetings with people who say they never get another urge and then there are some who still get cravings after twenty years. I guess it all depends on the person. Personally I will keep praying for God to remove the desire and the thoughts of drugs from me completely and I believe he will. I love AA but I wish I didn't have to depend on it to keep me sober. I want to depend on God.

 

[LoG]

I have been in meetings with people who say they never get another urge and then there are some who still get cravings after twenty years. I guess it all depends on the person. Personally I will keep praying for God to remove the desire and the thoughts of drugs from me completely and I believe he will.

I think it depends on whether someone has worked the Steps to the best of their ability and continue to do so.The only time that I have experienced a craving is when I held on to a resentment.

I love AA but I wish I didn't have to depend on it to keep me sober. I want to depend on God.

We do depend on God as He works through AA. God often reveals His will for me and answers prayer requests in the AA meetings. About seven or eight years ago I struggled with whether I should leave AA and start attending a church instead but these verses kept coming to mind:

Mar 5:18 As he was getting into the boat, the man who had been demon-possessed kept begging him to let him go with him.
Mar 5:19 But Jesus wouldn't let him. Instead, he told him, "Go home to your family, and tell them how much the Lord has done for you and how merciful he has been to you."
Mar 5:20 So the man left and began proclaiming in the Decapolis how much Jesus had done for him. And everyone was utterly amazed.

From that I had a strong sense that I was to stay in AA and tell new people what God had done for me.

Don't forget too:

Ecc 4:12 Two people can resist an attack that would defeat one person alone. A rope made of three cords is hard to break.

and:

Mat 18:20 For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.

God's power is often manifested through the community of the saints and have no doubt that there are saints in the rooms of AA.

 

[chilehed]

newleaf,

I've been clean for over 19 years, and it's been so long since I craved dope that I don't remember when it was. By the grace of God I no longer struggle against drug use, and I don't go around destroying my relationships with other people.

On occasion the thought of using pops into my head, some momentary attraction that comes in from left field and can be shaken off by a "where the heck did THAT come from?" response, by remembering where using will lead me, and mostly by turning to God.

I'm still an addict. I know people who've been clean as long as I have who've gone back out, and I have no doubt that if I stop working my program I'll go out too. It may not happen next week, or next month, or even next year - but it will happen.

But God's grace is more than sufficient, I know that I never have to use again and by his grace I won't.

 

[newleaf]

newleaf,

I've been clean for over 19 years, and it's been so long since I craved dope that I don't remember when it was. By the grace of God I no longer struggle against drug use, and I don't go around destroying my relationships with other people.

On occasion the thought of using pops into my head, some momentary attraction that comes in from left field and can be shaken off by a "where the heck did THAT come from?" response, by remembering where using will lead me, and mostly by turning to God.

I'm still an addict. I know people who've been clean as long as I have who've gone back out, and I have no doubt that if I stop working my program I'll go out too. It may not happen next week, or next month, or even next year - but it will happen.

But God's grace is more than sufficient, I know that I never have to use again and by his grace I won't.

Thanks. That's encouraging. Could you please elaborate on what you mean by if you stop "working the program" ? Isn't there ever an end to the twelve steps?

 

[chilehed]

Thanks. That's encouraging. Could you please elaborate on what you mean by if you stop "working the program" ? Isn't there ever an end to the twelve steps?

I look at the steps as a set of tools that help me to effectively deal with life. I can use them formally and in order (for example, as in going through the NA step working guide under the guidance of my sponsor), or informally on a moment by moment basis (for example, when I've harmed someone and need to make an immediate amends).

I suppose that it's possible (at least in principle) to get to a place where one would not need to formally work through the steps any more, but I don't see that it's possible to get to where one won't need them at all - at least, not in this life.

 

[BigToe]

The "program" goes beyond the 12 steps. And some of the steps aren't just temporary but involve life long commitment, like the continual making of amends when appropriate. The 12 Steps don't cure you from your addiction, but give you the tools to help live with your disease in recovery.

 

[justforgiven06]

An addiction does not begin overnight and our desires to still do them will not leave overnight, but if we continue to renew our mind and spirit with the good from the word of God it will one day take over all of the bad we put in and our desire will no longer exist.