Many Struggles today~

[dominosarah]

I saw so many people struggling today.  My question is why didnt anyone post a thread on the forum.  This is a "we" thing, not an "i" thing.  Cravings are a very difficult thing and should be taken seriously.  This needs to be talked about as it helps us all.

[gnarly_1]

Hi great post Sara ......well I have shared my heart and soul  on this forum one time I was having a bipolar melt down and also about my addiction to bezos ..just remember  our secrets keep us sick and venting them here will get you nothing but support we need to see both the successes and the pitfalls of this disease so post away.......................................Gnarly.............................  

[vicki595]

I'm sorry I missed it...I think it was during the time I was away...UGH! I want to forget that period of time...

You sound better to me and I'm happy you got your NFL picks in!  I'm watching the game right now and loving The Ravens!

[quitinoxys]

Sara, Vicki and ALL---I am feeling somewhat better today and I guess it will get better and easier to cope with day by day. Thank you all for your well wishes and concerns.

PS yes Miss Vicki you missed my 3 year anniversary LOL it was a couple of months ago boy how time flies when your sober----Rick

[vicki595]

I think we've posted about our pain and struggles...Sara has suffered many losses recently; most importantly her Mother... and she shared all of it! Rick recently lost his beloved niece, wrote about it, and shared his deepest thoughts...In mid July, my own Mother died very unexpectedly. I posted about it my status...I just couldn't begin a thread...and received much comfort and support which I needed...

I mention this now to point out that we Old Timers struggle and need to deal with the harsh realities of life, as well.  We try to make ourselves available and try to be alert to who's struggling and who's celebrating.  Sometimes we miss something...   The other night, a member was having a difficult time and posted in her status. I never saw it BUT meeg sent me a PM which triggered an email and that alerted me.  Another member posted for some veterans to respond in HER status...and I just saw that today...

So, please, if anyone is having a rough time and wants to speak with an Old Timer...PM that person and try to post in the forum, also.  

I hope folks are feeling better and staying on track.  This process is not always easy but it's definitely worth it!

Oh and Rick: did I miss your 3 Year Anniversary or did it just slip by??  My heartfelt congrats to you!

[weaver71]

I love to post my problems, just wish the bipolar forum was as active. I don't feel right posting those things on this forum, but I don't know, it has helped the times I've done it. Lots of us bipolars are addicts, so maybe it's more appropriate than I thought. You guys are so awesome, trial and error right? I'll get smarter some day, I have to.

[VICourageous]

I am glad to see some of you out here today. I know for myself that you guys post because I always read what YOU ALL say and I learn so much. I guess posting about our struggles when we have some time in is good. When I had my own struggles a couple of days ago, I put it in the Status but It is only caught by a few who seen it on the side in the recent activity. This is a real disease and it becomes a life long Journey..Thanks Gang. SO next time for me, and I can only speak for me, I will do a post out here for ALL to reach in and HELP Me!!! lol
I am still a babe in the woods. Baby steps and I am not quite at the Pullups stage..haha

[dominosarah]

I hope you are feeling better.  We have all lost alot since we started this journey havent we?

[quitinoxys]

We "OldTimers" do post our struggles, trials and tribulations. If I didn't come here and post stressful and sad things in my life I would probably use. I have come to regard all the fine people here as my Friends and Family. I have cried my heart out in some posts. So to say the "OldTimers" don't post their struggle is not correct---Rick

[tryingtocope39]

I just wanted to add one small thing. For those who say they don't post because they don't want to scare the newbies with struggles at 30 days & beyond, I say please don't be scared. By painting the picture that everything is rosy after 30 days, 60 days, etc, it does them a disservice. I know I for one was surprised that I was still having issues after the first month. Because I had not seen any posts about people still struggling, I thought maybe something was wrong with ME or maybe I hadn't done something right. I think if we post about our struggles, it gives the newly detoxing peeps an accurate view on what to expect. Just my thoughts.

[Emily_MHManager]

Hi there -

To find the tracker, click on Tools, then All Trackers. Then click on the Trackers icon.

You can find all of our trackers here - http://www.medhelp.org/health_tools?type=Trackers

The addiction tracker - http://www.medhelp.org/user_trackers/gallery/addiction

We also have a ton of other trackers and apps, so be sure to check them out.

Emily

[Emily_MHManager]

Hi everyone -

I wanted to comment on a couple of things, just to clarify and maybe encourage.

First, let me say that I am in awe of this group, and the members in it. Your strength, individually and collectively, is amazing and inspiring.

We don't have rules as to where or how someone can reach out for support, and as nursegirl said, we offer many ways to do this - in the communities by posting, journals, user groups, statuses and private messages. None of these are more right than others, none are wrong. There may be some things you'd rather just share with one person, and private messages are a great way to do that, or you may want a larger audience, so a post in a community would be a better option.

One of the great things about communities like this is that people in all stages of a disease or other medical problem can offer support and information. It can be really beneficial for people newly recovering to hear that members who have more experience still struggle, that it's okay to struggle, and expected that you will from time to time, but there are ways to get through it. It also allows newer members to bond with others, and offer help. (Who doesn't feel good when helping someone else?)

It's normal and a wonderful thing to bond with others who are at the same place in recovery as you are, but it's also a great thing to get advice from others who have been where you are now, and get info and inspiration from them.

Maybe people can use all of the options (and no, this isn't just a shameless plug for these services lol). Post in the communities, AND in your journals for sharing things or writings more like you'd put in a journal/diary, AND create a user group for the people you've bonded with, AND do quick updates/quotes/etc. in your statuses, AND send private messages for things you'd rather not share in an open forum. (We also have an Addiction Tracker that can help you track your use and/or clean days. Go to Tools at the top of every page.)

Recovery is hard, and support is such an important part of it. If anyone has any questions about the site, or how to use it, just let us know. You can send me a PM at any time.

Emily

[ang_811]

Ego is a great destroyer of so many. We must b humbled n order to teach others. Once we tell on our disease it has no power over us.

[ROSYouralright]

You always have great advice and give of yourself to this community so unselfishly! NEVER DOUBT the difference you are making! I think this was a GREAT reminder that WE ALL need to share! People may actually get scared but this is the TRUTH of ADDICTION and RECOVERY! Any one of our stories and struggles may be just what someone else NEEDS to see! Also we are ALL here because we can't fight this alone!!!!! ONE YEAR or ONE DAY .... Its OK to share your struggles..... To reach out for help... NONE OF US are perfect and we are going to need help from time too time! THANK YOU SARA for the reminder..............

[dominosarah]

You always know the right time to come around.  I for one am so glad you are clean and sober cuz i would of never gotten the chance to find such a wonderful friend and one who tells me like it is.  You have always stood strong and honest with me in my struggles and for that i thank you~

[meegWpaw]

me too, ditto, copy that, aye aye, affirmative (re:  Vickie's post above)

much love, respect and big ups to Domino!!!!!

Meegy

[addict3]

I am a little reluctant to post sometimes when I struggle or am stressing over something that brings those old feelings to the surface. Only because I feel I might scare someone who has a small amount of clean time.

I have not had a drink of whiskey in over 15 years. If I were to take a drink now I know one would not be enough and I fear what I would end up doing!
Do I think about it?.....Every single day! But I remember what things were like when I was not a sober person and It has gotten easier to deal with.

I'm closing in on 6 years clean from opiates and it is the same thing as the booze. Ive had stretches of clean time in the past but I have hopefully learned from my mistakes.  I get on here every day.

This is serious stuff for me. I love to play around and crack jokes now and then, but this is not a game to me. It literally is life or death for me and many others.

I like being sober. Every day.

Probably the most Ive said in a long time here. I'm getting down off of my soapbox now!!

[VICourageous]

I agree with lesa, You have been here for me many, many times either in a PM or on the Form or even a Note. I might not have made it this far with out you. WE ALL need you guys. YOU are LOVED by many here, that you do not even know..I love you and respect you all the way.

[dominosarah]

Big hugs to you~

[10356]

It is ok to cry my friend, sometimes it is needed..

[vicki595]

I didn't get that either about posting somewhere else when you're an old timer...Oh,well.  I know you've posted on the forum and in a journal and in a status update about some recent struggles...and I know I have, too, when necessary...I think after some time has gone by, some of us just don't have to share as much and start a thread...But, I agree, the open forum is the vehicle for reaching out. Mainly because it's all archived and available to others in the future.

I hope everyone has had a better day, today!

[dominosarah]

I think maybe a good cry is in order~

[10356]

No sara I know this is not about you. I know your heart is in helping the struggling addict..  

[dominosarah]

Thank you Lesa, My heart is very heavy tonight and i know you know that.  All i wanted to know is why when people are struggling they dont post.  You and i both know what it is like to be alone in our head.  This wasnt about me but it sure turned into it..........

[10356]

Sara has been here everyday and had a word for most of you on here.. she has helped encouraged and picked up those that have fallen.. she post when she is struggling and she journals when it is very personal. she walks the talk there should be no doubt.. I for one appreciate all she has done for us as a group... If it were not for those that post on the forum None of us would be here but long after we are gone this forum will be for there will always be addicts that need picked up.. Thank you Sarah for all the time you give this place.. lesa