A Theory??? Addiction Recovery and this Website

[xru11]

I have a theory.  Now hear me out and don't get me wrong.  First I wanna say that if it wasn't for this website and specifically, if it wasn't for certain members here, I don't think I would have made it to my Day (7).  Really, I woulda broke down out of sheer duty to work and family with a:

                               "I have to function, I'll just wait till a time with less stress in my life."

But No.

You folks (and one person in particular): (1) Underscored how really bad this stuff is (2) the cold sober truth that it can be done but that it sure as hek won't be easy (3) I am not alone (4) the longer I wait the harder it will be (5) life gets better

Now here's the rub.

What if obsessing over the problem by daily visits and posts here on this site well after a reasonable withdrawal period, what if co-miserating with others in similar circumstances merely reinforces a psychosomatic feedback loop and thereby exacerbates the perception of symptoms that wouldn't be there if you just stopped thinking about it so much.  If you expect to be miserable and in pain you will be.

Its been been 7 days for me, and its still not great, but hey I can't complain.  I feel Okay?!?.  The mind is a powerful tool.  It can be used for or against you.  But if every day we wake up we start here on this site, we reprogram our mind to expect pain and misery or at least the dull malaise and if every night before we go to bed we do it again (by visiting this site) aren't we merely reinforcing expectations?

What if as an experiment, we decided to convince ourselves that we are healed and healed completely.  That we are normal.  What if we swore off the site for three days.  It would be easier for me cuz except for one or two of you I haven't really bonded with anyone.

I just want your thoughts on this, I'm not asking you folks to quit corresponding with me.  Frankly I kinda look forward to hearing from you guys n gals each day but think about this.
Let me reiterate that I am so grateful for find this place on the web.  But food for thought.  Now go think happy and healthy!

[sadinmichigan]

I think it's all in how you look at it. I do not find for me personally that this site makes it harder.and in fact, when I have felt very weak and had the thoughts of using again creep back into my mind..the friends I have made here have reminded me why I need to keep going.I have been here for 10 months and besides meeting some very good people..I have been also able to help and give back. However, I do not think that staying on this site is good for everybody. Some need to get through whatever it is they need to get through and be done with it and for others ..well, we simply feel the need to give back and help people like we were helped. I have battled drugs for so long that somehow I feel like my suffering wasn't all in vain because I understand what people are going through . I also think though that some people may leave a bit too realy thinking that they have it beat only to relapse and end back here. There is much encouragement here and the times when the cravings hit etc..seem to be the worst when we least expect it and think we have it under control...

[Sunnyd210]

I understand what you are saying and this is a topic that has been mentioned before. I guess for some its easier to stay away but having a support system of some sort is so important to recovery. Helping others to get through it is my biggest reason for coming back. I felt so alone and had no where to turn when I was stuck in the quicksand of addiction I want others to know they have options.