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silver_queen said:

Do you have new coping techniques you use now instead of SI?

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Not really. Okay, thats not entirely true. I've noticed that I feel the urge to drink more than before - but thankfully that's controlled because I have no money because I am a student. My friends also know I have a bit of an impulse control problem and I am not allowed to drink by myself and they stop me from drinking myself silly - just drinking for enjoyment and not really a coping mechanism. Also having people to talk to is important, even if they don't know about the SI.

It's odd - I think about it occassionally but no longer feel the urge to do it (in the beginning, and this is outside of the 60 day period - I did do some minor SI behaviour but nothing that left actual scarring).

Maybe I've just not hit on anything that has triggered me to the point that I feel there is no other way to cope - but only time will tell.

Getting through some things that were bothering me in one piece (university, some family issues and a very good friend leaving me temporarily) really helped to cement the idea that I don't want to use it as a coping mechanism for the rest of my life. I have one friend who still SIs on occassion IRL but thats more her personality and she's got control over it. I have a more addictive personality and if I ever get addicted to something, its nearly impossible to quit. So hopefully I managed to force myself to quit before that happened.

Thanks everyone