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.

[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.