Does this EVER end?

[Newabuser]

My God, I've been clean for over two years now after a stint with Vicodin and Oxy's and the temptation still arises every now and then. Just this past weekend I visited a friend that recently had fairly major surgery and sitting right there on his bathroom countertop was a big bottle of Vicodin. I didn't pinch any but the temptation was almost overwhelming! Now it's all I can think about. I'm not going to do it and I'm sure this temptation will soon dissipate but does this go on forever?

[clean_in_ks]

I'm QUITE sure I would be triggered if I saw a bottle of my former lover/pills sitting right in front of my face.  My addiction lives in my brain....and using again is NOT an option so I have to quickly entrench myself in ALL things recovery when triggered.  That is:  recognize it, talk about it, and re-direct my thinking.  Otherwise....I'm a goner.

I'm coming up on 2 yrs myself.....having ongoing pain issues....so I don't put myself in situations that I know will trigger me.  Visiting a friend post surgery is kind of us....but also flirting with the beast that is always waiting for us to return to that life of hell.  Anyone I would visit would probably already be aware of my past abuse/addiction...so I would feel free to talk about the temptation it presents.  Anyone that cares about me understands and would be happy to put up the pill bottle if they were made aware of the triggers going off like fireworks.
SO GLAD you came back here and talked about it.....now time to counter the mental flirt....with some after care support of some kind.  Then your mind will replace the addictive thinking with some recovery thinking~

[EvolverU]

@ msdelight: Ha! Birth, Death, Taxes & Triggers! I love it!! :))

@ All: I only have l year & 5 months but Yup, it's a lifelong battle! (It ends when we're six ft. under). The irony is that as the cravings decrease in frequency, the new danger lies in becoming complacent or even cocky about it & convincing ourselves that we've beaten it. That's often when people in long-term recovery seem to fall. So, I guess we'll have to be vigilant for the rest of our days. It's worth it, no?

[bahamamama13165]

Unfortunately, you have a life long disease. Keep up with your recovery methods (meetings, whatever) don't let your guard down.  I think as time goes on, the cravings get further apart and dissipate quicker.  I only have 11 months sober, so your further along then me.  Hopefully, someone with longtime sobriety can offer advice.

[msdelight]

Hi there and congratulations on two years clean! I only have 8 months, but yes unfortunately this is a life long battle. Things are going along well and boom, Trigger. Like Pavlovs dogs, the bell rings. Just reading about it kind of gave me a twinge! Lol. Birth, death, taxes and triggers! So put up the guards, you can assume any newly post op person is going to have opiates on hand.  You can avoid visiting for example, although I don't know the particulars. Anyway, you should probably hit a meeting right about now especially if you never have. Wishing you strength and peace. Using didn't help 2.years ago, and will only be a giant step backward.