comment on our community

[1234betterlife]

i have been a member on this forum since september 2007. i have seen many changes since that time. there are many that have come and gone. there are several that have been here for quite some time. in the last month i feel there has been an increase of newcomers, faster than any time i have been here. i just wanted to comment on the comaraderie i have witnessed lately. there will always be a few that cause strife but all in all i have seen an increase in positive support and community "togetherness". i feel very good about this. i see people not only supporting one another but "referring" people to others within the community that may have more expertise on specific things. i think this is wonderful. i think if you are new you have the benefit of a wealth of information. i felt the need to offer kudos to everyone here. you are all very special.

[coconuts27]

I am new here and I think that this is a great forum. Everyone here has been great at offering their support, encouragement and suggestions. I came here trying to figure out what kind of symptoms to expect while quitting, and I have found so many good people that have made me want to stay. I think that this forum is going to really give me the help and support I need while I try to kick this habit. Thanks everyone for being there.

[1234betterlife]

yes, something definately goes bump in the night....lol

[Mikeinthesouth]

I whole heartidly agree with you and have found so much help here.

[CATUF]

as in "something went bump in the night"?

[confused456]

Brian, wow!! You worded that great!!! Great response!!!!!

[1234betterlife]

bump

[bmc1976]

Just wanted to bring this to the top. I think these posts can help by letting people share their thoughts about this forum. We all need to realize that this forum is for support not to be judged. The main purpose is to overcome our addictions and get advice on how to go about it by sharing personal experiences and not to be ridiculed by poor judgement we have made. I wrote the post above last night. It is just my feelings on some things I've noticed.

[bmc1976]

With so many different people and with personal experience on different medications there is bound to be some turmoil on here at times. There are medications that might work wonders for one and have nothing but positive results. Then the exact same medication and have a horrible experience with. People come on here asking for advice and 9 at of 10 times their advice is from their personal experience with a certain medication. Everyone has their own experience whether it be good or bad. I think one of the many great things about this forum is that people can read about both the good and the bad effects of each. Everyone has their own opinion on things and has every right to let them express their feelings. As a example if somebody gets bit by a snake, more than likely they will hate them and say nothing but bad things about them. Then you have people that have had nothing but great experiences with them and love them. If you get those two people together to talk about snakes, there more than likely will be an argument and they will never see eye to eye. People come here and they have to realize that they will get conflicting advice about things. It is the original posters job to take the information, do their own research whether it is on the net or with their doctor and make a educated decision that is in their best interests. There are bound to be differences and a few arguments at times. I still feel the best way to go about things is to take the advice you want and let what you don't need or don't want to hear go through one ear and out the other. If we could do that, I feel it would really cut down on arguments. Most of them start off simple but after a few more responses back and forth to one another it escalades way out of control. We just have to remember we all have our own thoughts and experiences but we need to respect the opinions of others. In my opinion if we do not agree we need to respect the opinion and just give your advice on the topic. I think that would help considerably with the tension between members. But I know that it is going to happen. It happens here and every other place on this earth whether it be at work, college, or even at home. It's just human nature. But I do think we need to be somewhat open minded on things. Just because something didn't work for you doesn't mean it wont work for someone else. But please give your experience because I think it is helpful for others in doing the research needed to make a wise decision in their recovery. Different advice will point them in the right direction on what to research.
Well, I didn't mean to type this much! Remember, this is just my opinion on all of this. I'm not saying I'm right about any of this. But I'm not saying I'm wrong either! lol. I just thought I'd type some input that may help all of us when answering questions.
Like Sael said. He is hoping he can help with narrow views. I think it may be hard to do that though. (see snake story example above) I just think we as adults should not let it get that far. I honestly think that respecting everyone's opinion would really help. Give your advice and experience and if you completely disagree we should be able to discuss this in a mature way. For those of who that have been here awhile wont be scared off by stuff like this. But newcomers may think we are a bunch of mean and hurtful people. A few days ago someone new to this forum happened to come here while some negative posts were going back and forth. He said something like, I'm not sure if this is the place for me. Why are you all arguing so much? I think it would help to discuss major differences in messages so it wont show up on the board and discourage others from sticking around. I hope this can help keep this forum a wonderful place! There are so many wonderful people on here that I care about so much. I have made some great friends. It's amazing all the helpful people that are here. Between all of us on here this has to be the most knowledgeable place on addiction. We are changing the lives of people for the better and that is truly priceless for us all! Thank you all for everything! Who knows where I'd be without all of you and this forum! It is so amazing how everyone looks out for one another. Thank you all again and best of luck no matter what addiction you are battling!
Thanks for reading my very long winded post! I didn't think it would end up this long!
Brian

[catmagnet]

Thank you! I'm very open to any and all suggestions, I think this place is helping me out a lot. If anyone told me even 3 months ago I would ever even consider heading toward sobriety, I would have said they were crazy! I just stumbled across this one night when I finally realized I would probably eventually die from this and I was fed up, and ever since, I have met some very kind and compassionate people on here! I can't believe it took me this long to finally realize something had to be done...

[Sael]

I'm here to help others and I am new. I have a lot of experience in narcotics. While I have found some great people here, there are some that are intolerant of certain aspects or forms of addiction. I hope to educate those people and get rid of the stigma and the ignorance that comes from such narrow views.

On the whole I have found this community very encouraging.

[Dieing2Live]

this forum has proven to be very effective for me. being that i am only 18 my family doesnt know about my addiction and all of my friends are still addicts so i do not really have anyone to confide in in this time of grief. this forum allows me to do just that and i have met some people who have just inspired me.
relax and take life as it comes.

[dnsmommy]

I believe that we were all brought here for a reason whether it be to get info on how to stop our addictions whatever that may be, or to stay off, and I personally am so grateful for this forum and the generous, loving people here.  Some of you said it perfect that we all have something in common...Addiction in one form or another and we do know what eachother is going through in some form or another.  I am glad to see that in this world of war, hate, ignorance, etc. that in the end we are all human and we all need love and support especially when we are fighting our demons.  I am one of the new one's but since no one in my life knows my "secret"  I feel that this is the one and only place that i can be understood and recieve the help that I need to fight.  God Bless all of you and I hope to be a help to someone too at some point.  Peace and Love.

[kris123]

Their are a few on every forum.  They are all over women's forum

[CATUF]

nice post, 1234 - you are a special and wise person.    : )  

it reminds me of the fact that when i get out-of-myself and focus on others, i am helping my Recovery.  when i stay focused on myself, i am hurting my Recovery.  self-centeredness is at the heart of active addiction.

catuf
1025

[persnick38]

I stumbled upon this site three weeks ago on my 3rd day of ct from hydrocodone. I can say with absolute certainty that I would not be on my 22nd day clean without all of the support, encouragement and advice I have received on this forum. Had I not been able to hear about others in the same situation, others who have come out on the other side, I am certain that I would have given up and gone back to the pills when the wd's kicked in.

What makes this forum work is that regardless of our doc, we all have addiction in common and can relate to each other on a level that isn't possible with someone who hasn't been down this road.

You guys have been so great and helped me through so much. Thanks for that.

[Avalancheblanche]

Oh girl.....I think I am going to cry!  That was beautiful!  
I really wish I could post more, but I do check in and I agree.  Welcome to all you newbies!  

[GoingToMakeIt]

I so agree, this place is a gelling.
It also came together much faster after the note thingy started. Usually change totally disrupts this forum and it takes several weeks to come back together.

1234 I have seen your presence a bit more lately. It is a good thing. I know you have always been around but it is good to see your input on the posts.

[sadinmichigan]

This forum has been a life saver to many..including me. In one respect..it is so sad how much of an epidemic rx drugs are..but it is forums like this,that has helped so many. Thankyou for your post.

[122 Tactical Fighter Group]

Ditto - I dont think that I can improve on your post - so lets just say that I feel that way too - - everybody keepit up - this site is a Godsend

[what2donow]

I have said this before but it seems like it fits now too so here goes :  

It is simply amazing to me that we are all so different, different ages,races,sex,drug of choice,walk of life, yet we are so much alike. We have this common thread that all brought us together here.Addiction.
Addiction will take anyone hostage and captive.It doesnt care. Thats scary.
This forum is awsome.There is somthing very powerful about a group of people that come together and understand each other and support one another.I am very thankful for this place and all of you guys!

[Destiny4]

I just joined a few days ago and I LOVE this place.  NEVER have i had so many people that REALLY care and want to see me and many others suceed.  I think this site is a god send and i love you all for it.

Thank you
Des

[poetrygirl1960]

Wow what a great post!  Mcray really hit the nail on the head.  We as a group have this sort of sympatico that creates comfort among us, draws us close, and gives the right words to that specific person for that moment.

Thank you so much for the encouragement!

Lisa

[toxictome]

Good Post ...I couldn't have said it better....

and you know.....

your life is about to get BETTER once you get to Washington...thanks for referring me on to the "gorge"...

yeehaw!!!   dmb...LOL

[mcray]

I also believe it is ONE of the factors that make success possible, rather than failure. I think talking to a counselor at my school, having a friend on campus that lives near me going through the same things, and my girlfriend are the other factors. I hope to add meetings and writing in a journal to that list very soon.