Motivation!! How are you motivated to get and stay clean??

[JVegas50]

Hello everyone.  I wanted to post this because I think it will help everyone, especially the new people that are trying to beat their addiction.  I believe it will also help someone that has beat the initial part of the detox or recovery and maybe need some kind of motivation to keep going.  Motivation!!...That’s the theme of this question \ post.  As you know, I am in the middle of opiate detox and the only way I am going to beat it is by being motivated to be clean and healthy.  I’m  also personally really motivated by the money that I will be saving.  If you know my story, you know that my addiction is Oxycondone.  I purchased all of my pills off the street and it cost me on average $120 a day = $3600 a month = $43,200 a year.  So I have put a few numbers in front of me for motivation.  On my desk at work I have the number that I have spent on pills which is about $80,000.  Also, every single day that I’m clean I add $120 to the list and total it up.  In the past 3 weeks, I have already saved $1680.  These are tools for me to stay motivated to quit.  Another thing I have done to motivate myself... I made a list of all the reasons why my life will be better without pills or alcohol or whatever.  I made a list of about 15 things.  The first one for me is: I do not want to die from pills. Second: I will have a ton of extra cash, etc.  
Motivation is one of the main factors of getting clean and beating your addiction…even more so, actually staying clean.   I would appreciate it if everyone would share what worked for them. If you had a system or some tools that worked or if you have any ideas of things that will help people get and stay motivated.  

I think this can really help a lot of people.  Maybe something that helped you will be the thing that gets someone through detox or maybe it gets someone like myself to quit forever. It could make a huge impact on someones life.
Thank you to everyone that responds.

[ariley13]

I didn't spend extra money buying my pills off of the street. (So, I can't use that as a deterrent.) I had a script for a legitimate pain issue and took them like prescribed. I noticed that I had gone from taking a rather small amount to maxing out the highest dose for Norco in a little over a year. I am a recovering alcoholic and saw where this was going. I liked them way too much. I quit for me. I didn't do this for anyone else. I went through hell with my alcoholism and 2 trips through the DTs. It's a miracle I am here today. My father was an alcoholic and ended up losing his life to it at a young age. I don't want to end up like that. I quit because I want to be present in my life. I don't want to numb myself, or miss out on any emotion, good or bad, they are mine dang it! I quit because I am an addict and I will find a way to abuse any and all substances. I quit because my life depended on it and this chick ain't going out like that!! I stay clean by knowing in my heart that if I drink or use, I will end up dead. I truly feel that another of my benders will do me in. If the using doesn't, the detox will. I remain hyper aware to my triggers, always keep my guard up, and reach out instead of isolating any time I am craving.

[mommymarieme]

My kids and my mother. I never want them to think they were not worth it to me i want to watch them grow up and i dont want my mother to have to bury her daughter.  

[JVegas50]

Well at least you spent less than me... Im at about 40K a year...lol.

Thanks for sharing Andie :)

[Andie015]

That was a very powerful poem... Thanks for sharing that. One of my motivations of course are my kids and my wonderful husband. Making him proud of me on a daily basis just makes me glow, but my main motivation is my sanity. I have worked way too hard to give up the sense of peace and calm I have regained in my life.   I no longer live in chaos in my own mind... My thoughts are my own again...The pills are no longer ruling my psyche.   My complete daily freedom to live my life the way it is supposed to be lived, the way I want to live it...is my ultimate motivation to never look back....

[msdelight]

7300 pills in career.  $43,800. Almost $11,000 a year.  Low estimate.  Frickin mind boggling!

[Leaveurfearsbehind]

One thing that helps me stay motivated Is this poem. Drugs can take away lots more than just your money.


I destroy homes, tear families apart, take your children, and that’s just the start.
I’m more costly than diamonds, more costly than gold; the sorrow I bring is a sight to behold.
And if you need me, remember I’m easily found; I live all around you, in schools and in town.
I live with the rich, I live with the poor; I live down the street, and maybe next door.
My power is awesome; try me — you’ll see; but if you do, you may never break free.
Just try me once and I might let you go, but try me twice, and I’ll own your soul.
When I possess you, you’ll steal and you’ll lie. You do what you have to just to get high.
The crimes you’ll commit, for my narcotic charms, will be worth the pleasure you’ll feel in your arms.
You’ll lie to your mother, you’ll steal from your dad; When you see their tears, you should feel sad.
But you’ll forget your morals and how you were raised, I’ll be your conscience, I’ll teach you my ways.
I take kids from parents, and parents from kids; I turn people from god, and separate from friends.
I’ll take everything from you, your looks and your pride; I’ll be with you always, right by your side.
You’ll give up everything, your family, your home, your friends, your money, then you’ll be alone.
I’ll take and take, till you have nothing more to give; When I’m finished with you, you’ll be lucky to live.
If you try me– be warned– this is no game; If given the chance, I’ll drive you insane.
I’ll ravish your body, I’ll control your mind; I’ll own you completely, your soul will be mine.
The nightmares I’ll give you while lying in bed, the voices you’ll hear from inside your head; the sweats, the shakes, the visions you’ll see– I want you to know, these are all gifts from me.
But then it’s too late, and you’ll know in your heart, that you are mine, and we shall not part.
You’ll regret that you tried me, they always do, but you came to me, not I to you.
You knew this would happen; Many times you were told– but you challenged my power, and chose to be bold.
You could have said no, and just walked away; If you could live that day over, now what would you say? I’ll be your master; you will be my slave; I’ll even go with you, when you go to your grave.
Now that you have met me, what will you do? Will you try me or not? It’s all up to you.
I can bring you more misery than words can tell; Come take my hand, let me lead you to hell……
Author Unknown