Rough Start to '15

[GoodOldDays]

Hi everyone - was 9 days free of vicodin. Unlucky me I found a pill that I didn't know I had. Fortunately that didn't do much for me and I'm committed to stay off. The more disappointing thing was going out on New Years and drinking and partying in excess. In the past 3 months I've had a few beers. I have been staying home and keeping myself away from temptation, but eventually it's a little boring and I feel the need to blow off some steam. I ended up out of control and CANNOT stand the feeling afterwards...complete disappointment :( I don't like to drink because odds are I'm going to go down a path I regret (1 is too many, 12 isn't enough). It's time to get back to staying at home, being productive and feeling good. The past week without pills was terrific - I loved how I felt! Apparently I need to keep focus on all things that I struggle with. Today is a new day and I looking forward to seeing permanent change for the rest of 2015 one day at a time.  Take care and thanks for listening!

[Cricketk92]

Glad to hear you say your committed to stay off now!  I cant speak for anyone but myself but if I went out and drank right now I would be on a disaster course right back to the pills!!!  I need to stay away from all of it or Ill wind up right back where I started!  Im sure there are some people who can continue to drink or smoke pot after getting off the opiates but I dont think too many can!!!  Do you do any kind of aftercare?  Going to NA/AA meetings...see a therapist or anything like that?  That might really help right now instead of just staying home and keeping yourself from temptation!  I can imagine that would get a little boring!  Finding other sober people is a godsend for me!  And certainly posting on here helps keep me accountable to myself!!!  Wishing you the best of things in 2015!!!!

[treedr]

You slipped; but, don't trade one master for another. I'm the only person in my family who isn't alcoholic. Just don't like drinking enough to put up with the hangover. Get involved in somethin: time to start prepping gardens, take a class on campus or on-line. A lot of folks think life has to be either high or low. In lobe or in hate. In my "extensive" experience the best that you can ask for is for things to stay level. If you're bored, read a book, watch a movie, wash your dog. Those are good times in life.

Good luck and stay well.

[ChasingFreedom]

I love your positive energy.  It is VERY hard to stay focused when our body keeps nagging at us.  The trick to get past the boredom of a clean life is to find something that sparks your interest...Maybe a hobby, volunteer work, a new subject to study in great depth.  There are thousands of possibilities.  Keep reminding yourself that everyday you are clean is another day closer to being free from the hold the poison has on you.  YOU are the only one who can do this for you.  Keep pushing forward and never look back, friend.

[motye51]

You don't need to stay home.....and life doesn't have to be boring with not using....you need to find a form of aftercare that works for you. And doing it on your own.........................usually doesn't work!  Stay on this site long enough and see the names that are moving forward and not relapsing........99% of them work an aftercare program i.e., counselor, addict behavior specialist, N/A, A/A.....something!  Don't sit in your house, b/c you will, absolutly, get bored again....

[jifmoc]

I was gonna write exactly what Motye but she said it better. It's aftercare that will save you. She got a chunk of clean time: listen to her!:)

[GoodOldDays]

Thanks to everyone for the positive support! I felt better after venting a bit, but even better after reading the responses! I have to be honest, after reading the replies I recognized that saying I get bored was total b.s. and nothing more than an excuse. Truth is I have plenty to do and even worked out 4 times since not using (can't do much better than that)! I had 2 alternatives to sitting home New Year's Eve. One would have been perfectly fine with no drinking or temptations. Unfortunately I made the wrong decision.

In a month I am finishing up my bachelors degree which will also be time well spent!

Thanks again everyone!

[dedicatedtostop]

Hey there! Hope your doing well! I had a month clean and ended up getting pneumonia and the flu right on my 30 day mark... I ended up filling my script and long story short, I have slipped for the past month. Lucky for you, you caught it in time. Move forward and don't look back! I actually consider myself lucky that I didn't keep using pad that month. I guess the bottom line is, it happens to the best of us! I have been dealing with shame and guilt for the past 3 days and I have finally realized that I have to let it go and move forward. Here's to a clean new year my friend!

[treedr]

You don't have to stay home, you just need to stay sober

[jugglin]

Yep, I ended up trading vodka for vicodin.  Drank most of my life socially, but finally realized I was substituting one for he other after I kicked the vicodin to the curb.  Your life does not have to end or be boring.  It really doesn't.  You will feel so much better if you are in aftercare dealing with the reasons of "why" you are an addict.  
Keep up that positive spirit and open your soul up to other opportunities.  You are doing a great job and now are "getting it".
May 2015 bring you inner peace, comfort, and good health!