friend is nodding out right now...

[newgirl286]

I'm almost a year off opiates and last night was a great test.  Pills abound and I noticed the difference in my friends who took pills.  I could see it in their behavior and in their faces.  Today is a wonderful day for laying around and so we were doing a movie a thon and she's nodding out pretty bad right now.  She's pretending she's playing on her computer as she moves in and out.  I feel like I'm watching intervention.  She's not always this bad, I suppose new years eve excitement is getting to her but its hard.  Makes me afraid for her and uncomfortable...  
I don't really know how to handle the situation, I'm just acting like I don't notice.  Am I being a bad friend?  Can't help her if she doesn't want help but she doesn't have many people in her life so I feel a responsible to help her and be there for her.   Not really a question but maybe some of you are dealing with this?

[kmb22]

my roomate well ex roomate we kicked him out FINALLY still does tons and tons of pills.  yes, as i quit i noticed the difference in behavior and was like whoa is that how i acted?  and as well, i have sat there and watched him on my computer nod out, it's very scary.  and it makes me uncomfortable, but a new year and finally i am pretty much clean of all the pill poppers that used to be in my life.

[dominosarah]

You know we have to be the No1 priority and our recovery comes first and foremost.  Our clean time has to be sacred and protected.  I understand your worries with your friend.  All you can do is let her know you are there for her.  The rest will be up to her.  Hopefully she will see the light one of these days.         sara

[newgirl286]

Thanks everyone for the comments...  I know your all right.  It's not the best situation to be and last night it was real bad.  Even today I'm acting like nothing happened last night but it did.  This girl is my best friend and she knows about my addiction...  So she doesn't take pills right in front of me anymore but she still uses...  In retrospect I should've just said that I should go and leave.  Maybe tell her it's hard for me to watch her nod out and I love her but it's best if I leave for now?  I'm just so afraid that she will o.d. and no one will be around....  
I had to deal with addicts around me since the first moment I quit vicodins.  The second week clean I went to work and met a few people who at any moment could get me any pill I wanted.  They had bags filled with full bottles of pills.  That was when I knew I had to be strong and stand my ground.  I don't have a lot of friends who don't use, it seems opiates have become like party favors these days....  It's hard.  But I know I can't handle one pill and being aware of that reality makes the decision easier.  I feel like I am better and more fun that those who are using...  
Good luck everyone!  This site is the main reason I am still clean and I will always come back to it.  I was addicted to hydro's for about 5 years and there wasn't a day I didn't take at least one pill in all that time. I had no idea how bad they were until I quit and going through that withdrawal is something I don't ever want to do again!  Good luck everyone, stay strong!

[CATUF]

"People, Places & Things."

I don't spend time with people, places or things that are associated with using.  

I avoid People, Places and Things because they are DANGEROUS to my recovery.

Recovery requires significant changes in pretty much all areas of life.  Hanging out not-using with friends who are using isn't where anyone who wants to stay in recovery should be.

I wouldn't say you're being a bad friend to your friend - you can lead a horse to water, but you can't make him stop drinking.  But I don't think you're being a good friend to yourself.

Pay attention to yourself.  Get to and stay in places of safety, or you're going to find yourself back in active addiction asking "how did this happen (again)?

CATUF
1699

[dominosarah]

Does she know about your addiction?  You may want to bring it up to her and just make small talk.  Feel her out a bit and see if she is willing to talk about it.  Congrats on your clean time newgirl....nice to see you here again!!!        sara