28 Days Clean-but worried about temptation on vacation...

[lesson_learned]

So it's been 28 days clean from the vicodin/percocet addiction. I'm feeling better, improved mood, and such. Now that I don't have my doc's though, I'm finding I get pretty lonely these days. But that isn't the main concern. I'm visiting some friends this weekend, friends who *always* have some sort of doc hanging around, and always willing to share. I don't have any cravings right now but when I get put face to face with it, I'm worried I will cave. Any ideas on how to politely refuse without offending? I haven't been around any narcotics the whole time I've been getting clean, so this is really a big concern for me.

[IBKleen]

Congrats on your 28 days. One of the first things I learned was that I needed to change people, places & things. I do not go to places where there are drugs and I don't associate with people who do drugs. This is something you may want to consider before going.

The temptation is great and at 28 days I do not believe you are anywhere near ready to be around it. I am almost 3 years clean this go round and I could do it, nor would I want to.

I hope you think it over before you put yourself in jeopardy.

[dominosarah]

Oh man this just gave me the shivers......I couldnt imagine putting myself in that situation.  Your clean time is sacred and you need to do whatever it takes to protect that.  If you go i would make dam sure they know where you stand and everything they have is out of sight.......Please think this one over real carefully.

Congrats on the clean time!!!

[igotthis508]

ive tried the same thing. i went 42 day before and hung out with my old friends,being around the temptation is hard and i ended up caving. now  6 months later and im worse than i was before quitting. i know its hard but you have to think of whats more important to you. is it really worth getting high then youll have to got through w/d allover again . its not worth it. be strong youve done great so far i know you can do it.

[jjbird]

I agree with previous posts that it will be difficult. And if you end of caving you will start back at day 1 from what I have been told or could go back to using. I have a friend that used alot....the one that got me started but she has quit now. But now she is able to take one in blue moon and not go back to where she was or have withdrawals from just taking one but at sometime this isnt the case. Some people can never do that and honestly she could be lying to me. So if you go on trip tell them BEFORE you get there that you dont want any. That way its in there head already.

[bkjay18]

just think of those terrible sleepless nights of withdrawing!!!! nd ask ur self if your ready to go thru that again

[gnarly_1]

HI and congrats on 28 days clean.....this is a tuff one....im 320 days clean and dnt think I could do what your talking about doing....ebven if the stuff is out of sight just the fact that everyone is going to be high around you is enough to make somebody cave
IF there is anyway of getting out of this I would if I could....this is really dangerous ground here....the only way I would go is if you tell them your a recovering addict and cant be around pills weed alcohol AT ALL and it will make the difference of you being able to come or not..so if they can handle a sober weekend go if not your risking your sobriety more then you know...please think long and hard about this one...good luck and God bless....Gnarly    

[pillfree21]

If you do happen to go anyway, (which I would not recommend) at least go knowing that this could be a breakthrough opportunity for you to build a wall betwen you and your DOC.  Most of us admit that we could not do it, but every once in a while a special time comes in your life where you can be around your past DOC and resist it.  It happened with me and some previous addicitions, like alcohol and cocaine.  I abused them to the hilt but one day came where I just was able to resist, it took a long time for me to be around them and resist, but the day came.  I look forward to that day with pills, but it is not here for me.

I am not encouraging you to do by no means, but I know how sometimes people are going to do what they are going to do, so I wanted to put something on your mind to help you think about staying clean when you get there.  Good Luck, this could be your breakthrough weekend, or at least one of them.

[dominosarah]

Are you going?

[Storme]

I know this is a tough choice. I have a twin sister who is on my DOC for pain and she lives very close to me and we are still very close to each other. She knows how easy it would be for me to cave so she always keeps her pills far, far out of sight. It is just enough for me to know she is there, and she has them that keeps me away from her home now and I am 61 days clean. I know that if the thought of going to her house can make me want to cave, then I am definitely NOT ready to face her or anyone else who has my DOC or uses. You need to truly reconsider going to your friend's place this weekend. In writing your concerns here, you know full well that it may cause you to cave in. You don't want to go through withdrawals again. Look how far you have come already! Either tell them you need the drugs far away from you or tell them politely that you can't be there please!!

[lesson_learned]

@ Storme that's awesome 61 Days woot! Good for you! I decided I am going. But we already talked via phone about this. She respects my decision to not use anymore, and won't around me. This is good, since I can still have a great time. Plus I am meeting someone next week too! Little nervous about that! I guess all these emotions are difficult to get a handle on without the crutch of opiates. It's like that for everyone. Thanks everyone for your support, I appreciate it truly.

[GoingToMakeIt]

Just remember that it only takes ONE pill to ruin you and your clean time. Enjoy your visit but be very careful. Very few people could attempt to do what you are planning.
Let us know how it goes. Better yet, stay on the forum while you are there.

[dominosarah]

Please be very careful.  Your mind will play some serious games with you.....keep your guard up and let us know how it goes.......sara

[lesson_learned]

I know that's why I've got a back up place to stay too. If I'm feeling tempted to blow oxys I will definitely be logging in!! I will stay in touch while I'm gone. Thanks again :)  My mind....yea I'm worried if i -see- people doing it, then I will want

[dominosarah]

Just be safe lesson~~~~

[lesson_learned]

Thanks, Sarah :)  
I'm actually also debating attending n/a meetings. Does anyone go here? If so do you find it helpful? I guess my concern is that if I talk about use a lot, it is sort of a trigger for me. Last night I had a dream about putting my fingers in a hydrocodone bottle -_-. Oy.

[IBKleen]

I do attend meetings but I do not go to meetings where they talk war stories. I isn't what they are about. I go to be around people who are in recovery and can help show me how to live life on life's terms.

If you go a meeting and you find it is uncomfortable, try another one. Keep an open mind and it may be something that will help you.

[Back2Me]

What do you mean "how do you politely refuse"??????
Ever heard the word NO. To me that sounds very weak. Just look at that comment. Who in the hell CARES what they think??? You should never run your life worried about what people think! The biggest thing and the ONLY thing that matters is what is best for YOU. **** I've told friends, family and whoever to get f'd if they didn't like something i was doing. As long as you know you are doing right. And I still don't talk to them today! It was not all about drugs either. You just have to stand up for your weak self. Because NOTHING is as important as STAYING your *** CLEAN! NOTHING. You tell them you don't want that **** around you at all. That you don't want to see it or hear anyone talk abou it. Trust me. I'm on my like 6th relapse. I would KILL to be at 28 days like you!

[bucksfan]

Lesson_learned, I think you read the post a little wrong as I did at first. I dont think he was jumping down your throat but more just trying to build up your courage/strength to say NO with authority. You are right, as long as you say NO that is what matters, just make sure you say it!! Good Luck and I am not to far behind ya, cant wait til I get to 30 days!

[lesson_learned]

Good luck to you bucksfan, hold strong! You will be there soon! I'm still going strong at 33 days. Life without narcotics is so worth it. We deserve true happiness!

[lesson_learned]

I understand your frustration. But I reserve the right to refuse however I so wish it. I do not need someone badgering me on how to do it, thank you. I deserve more respect that that. Not to be rude, but I am just fed up with guys telling me what to do. It pisses me off! That's another thing that is changing since I'm more empowered and embracing my true self. I'm quite capable of steering clear, just wanted to get out my thoughts on the matter. You will get there too, remain strong, and get right back up.  More importantly, if you see any drugs run the other way!! That is what I do =)

[LeaAnn807]

Hey!  I am glad you have made it this far and doing well.  The thing about meetings is that you have to find one that suits you.  A lot of people like the stories and pill talk.  I DO NOT!  I had to find one I was comfy with, or I would not have been too good about going.  I also had a trigger problem in that the times I went to rehab, they took us to these meetings that were just.....unreal!  I don't know how else to put it.  The talk was awful!  I sat there and craved the whole way through it!!!!!!!!  I refuse to go to a meeting like that again, EVER!

[FassFeat]

What ever you decided to do, it sounds like you came through it just fine. From the tone of your last post, I can tell you will make it and you are going to correct more than just addiction issues. Congrats on being so resolved and strong. I am proud of you and am looking very much forward to day 33. Big shout out.

[gnarly_1]

HEY Lesson.....how was your weekend??? your still clean so it must have went pritty well
did you have to come face to face with people using ?? or was it just a casual weekend with some friends...sometimes the most unevent filled weekends are best just to kick back with some friends and relax.....im Glad you made it threw clean congrats on that...and I agree with you it doesnt mater how we go about saying no just so we do it...I try not to offend people ether ............Gnarly

[lesson_learned]

I guess the problem with me, is that I'm also one who does not like the pills talk and the nearly bragging about how much one did, or how bad it was before they got help. I want to be in the here and now, you know? So I get how you feel about that too. Just explaining to people how I tapered kinda triggers me. I feel like that guy in the cigarette commercial, cigarette, cigarette, cigarette,............. SHARKKKKKK! SHARKKKK! I've discovered its important to know what your triggers are. Talking and Seeing are mine.