Relapse is not the end of the world

[leeisgettingclean]

Hello everyone, I have seen some post lately about relapse and just wanted to share my thoughts on it. I myself have been clean now for like 115 days, however this did not come without relapse, i relapsed several times and i also felt like i had let everyone down, including myself, however this is not true, yeah it hurts to sat idle and watch someone relapse, but in my opition when you relapse it helps everyone including yourself to talk about it, and by doing so you and we learn from it. When someone relapse and are willing to talk about it, we can work together to figure out why, how, what triggers, were people involved, what you didnt do to prevent it, and by doing so we learn alot about what we need to do to prevent a relapse. I was always told that the only bad relapse was the one you didnt learn from. Relapse is not only an issue for the first 30-60-or 90 days, its always going to be an issue. Once you get so far in recovery its almost like you forget the reasons u quit using, or you start to ignore your triggers and thats why when addicts relaspe it is helpfull to all if they share their experince, that way they say it out loud and relize why they relapsed and we hear it and are remimnded how easy we can relapse.
  I do also feel that its important to try with every fiber of your being to prevent relapse. I think its helpfull every time you relapse to write down EVERYTHING surrounding that relaspe in a journel so that you will have some to reflect back on daily, also going to meeting daily will keep the thought of recovery and relapse in your mind helping to prevent it from acually accuring. Relapse is a part of recovery, when and if you relapse the most important thing IMO is to be able to pull yourself out of it quickly, the longer the relapse last the harder the w/ds will be again. Also, after a relapse its so important to reevalulate your recovery program, find out were you went wrong. After my last relapse I did a "30 in 30" meeting program, and I feel that it changed the direction of my life, It instilled in me the importance of them meetings.
  Anyways sorry for making a long post I only wanted to share my thoughts.  Thanks, Lee
P.S. Dont ever be ashamed to "show face" after a relapse, we are not here to judge you, only to help each other

[newstart730]

Yup, you nailed it.  I wonder how many addicts never relapsed?  I think they must be a rare, elusive breed.  I relapsed several times, but I learned something each time.  Kind of like learning from "what NOT to do."  Today, I am 15 days clean and happy to be fighting the fight.  Thanks for the great post, Lee.

[salsinator]

Awesome Post Lee, thanks for sharing with everyone.  S

[leeisgettingclean]

yeah, i would not call it the "norm" and i do know what you mean, however telling an addict "you have no more relapse, you might OD this time" as you already know is not going to keep them from usin, all we can do is make them feel welcomed to come back after "this relaspe" and we can only pray that "this " one is the last one. You never know when its really the last one, or the one that you might not come back from, you are right about that!

[bigoc1655]

its not the norm a reservation is 4 whe u do relapse so u can get better which is what we are all trying to do if u have n=been 2 na u would have to read your phamplet then youll have a better un =derstanding

[LateAugust]

when do you know what relapse will be your last one?    before one will OD?   I am sorry,  I have heard "relapse is part of recovery"  and yes I get that......but I also have grave concern when it is viewed as the norm....  because for some,  one more relapse is one too many  and there are no tomorrows.........

[bigoc1655]

yes there is in na n they say that its called a reservation for when u do relapse

[NorcoQueenoftheUniverse]

It's been said that Relapse is part of Recovery...

For all those out there that are just starting over again.. KNOW THAT you can do this...Learn from it and keep on keeping on...

There is LOTS of LOVE here on Medhelp... and ALOT OF SUPPORT...

[leeisgettingclean]

well you are right, the w/ds are about to start. Just be ready for them to come, be prepared, dont let them beat you, man you are going to be fine! Just keep posting  here and keep moving. Man just think that in a matter of days it is going to be better. You already know what to expect--you can beat this--man we are all here for you!!!

[bigoc1655]

yeah im just real nervous for when the w/d do start tohappen i hate that i have to put my body thriugh this again im so scared but i know i justhave to get 2 monday and ill be okay or almost okay i hope i donthavre any way of getting them my script is gone and i cant get it 4 12 days so there is no excuse and i gave allmy money 2 my brother to hold so i cant buy them so its just me and my house and u guys thx lee 4 helping me get through this demon

[leeisgettingclean]

yeah man i am here, how are you doing?  You doin alright?

[bigoc1655]

lee u there buddy

[narla]

Great post Lee,tour very wise for someone so young-Love and Big Hugs  Denise

[bigoc1655]

i actually if u can belive snorted half an oxy 80 and that was the last thing i had so no more not getting any that was around 2pm so only a couple hours ago i never snorted anything in my life thats why im so sard though cause what i been taking is so much more then the perks i was taking perk 10/325 about 8-10 a day now the past 2weeks iv been taking 2 80's 160mg compared to 100mg tops with the perks i dont really snort them just started doiung that this week thats when i decided last night thats enough before i go past the point of no return even though there is no such thing but i know if i start snorting them everyday im done for all my money that i am saving for my baby would be gone and as a man i cannot allow that to happen thx lee ill be on here forever hopefully im so blessed to have all u guys to help me thx lee and everyone let the battle begin.

[leeisgettingclean]

thanks kiylan.

bigoc1655- man i will be here to help you through this and after. You are right, tonight is going to be rough but guess what after a couple rough nights you are going to feel SOOOO much better. Just stay here and keep posting! So when was your last pills and how many was it?

[bigoc1655]

thx man your absolulty right im so glad we met on here and i should have stayed on here im so happy to be back but i know as it was last time its goin to be crzy come 2night when my body hasent had anything i hope u can stay on and help me threw this thx lee.

[kiylen]

Lee, that was very well said.  You've really grown as a person since becoming so dedicated to your recovery which is a blessing to you but also very much to others.

[leeisgettingclean]

you are 100% right about that man!

[122 Tactical Fighter Group]

If people that relapsed did not post on this forum it would be a very lonely place.  

[dominosarah]

Good post lee and so true.......