[lollipopgirl]

has anyone here quit using cocaine and weed before? i am a regular user of both and have been for several years, i am fed up of relying on drugs to control my mood and want to be myself again. im not sure how to start with quitting, iv tried cold turkey before but it never worked, if anyone knows any tips that could help me i would be really grateful! thanks, Lol xx

[madisgram]

hi lolly, that's a great thing you want to do!! i'm curious tho, why did the cold turkey not work before? from my understanding of addiction or useage one usually is either trying to gain a feeling or get rid of one. that is the payoff for users usually. so have you used in the past to forget something for a while or felt down or hyper and just wanted to chill, etc.? unless you get at the root of the reason you have used i feel you will continue to use...now, or pick it back up after u quit.
idk but maybe you could give us some feedback and be able to help you more with suggestions. i'm in recovery so i do know some good tips but hopefully you will respond first and i can add more.
ooops..sorry, welcome to pc!!

[Leed]

Hi Lollipopgirl ~ I'm a recovering alcoholic, but addiction is addiction. It doesn't matter what we're addicted to.

Have you thought about going to NA?? Or you could go to AA for that matter. Alot of addicts go to AA cause they don't like NA. They are both run on the 12 Step Program, but NA can be a bit harsher. Just what I've heard.

AA saved my life - I would be dead right now if it hadn't been for AA. I didn't drink to change my mood or to forget anything. I drank because I didn't know how to live everyday life. It was the everyday stuff that got me. I was GREAT in a crisis, but I couldn't live the normal stuff that happens everyday. I just couldn't handle it. So I drank. BOY did I drink!

Finally I'd had enough - it took me 20 years to have enough!!! Don't wait that long to quit or your brain will be mush. I have damaged a part of my brain that controls memory. I have lost YEARS of my memory and it won't come back. Tragically, I don't remember my children's growing up years. If it wasn't for pictures, I would have NO idea what it was like.

Talk to your doctor and be open and honest and go to either NA or AA. Believe me, we're talking about your LIFE here. I've seen more people get buried due to drugs and alcohol than I care to think about. Don't be a statistic, please!! God bless. Hugs, Lee

[lollipopgirl]

i tend to use drugs mostly to help me feel in control of my moods, im bipolar and taking coke is a surefire way of giving me a little high even when i feel really depressed and works similarly when im manic, i mean obviously when im manic i dont need to get high but if i take some drug when i feel manic then iguess it makes me feel more like iv made me manic. i struggle with everything when i am in a depressed episode and i hate feeling useless and constantly fighting urges to cut just tire me out, whenever i get like that i reach for coke, well it started like that anyway, now i find myself looking for excuses for me to take it cos i dont wanna face the day without it.
i am glad you are both in recovery and hope both of you are doing well!! lee, i have considered na but i dont really know how to find a local meeting, would searching on the internet show me local meetings?

thankyou for all your help, Lol x

[madisgram]

hi lol, yes you can find na or aa, both apply, online for meetings near you and schedules. sounds like you did what i did with our bipolar...self medicated. it ended up being even worse than being bipolar!
as for your depression-me too-i'd speak with your pdoc re this. perhaps meds need tweaking to help you. when one stops using/drinking it can put bipolars in a spiral. so expect this...it's usually the end result at first of being without the drug. but do speak with your pdoc too.
keep us posted on your progress. we care.

[Leed]

Lollipopgirl ~ If you go to an NA meeting and find that you don't like it, don't give up ~ go to an AA meeting. Lots of people like those better. They're friendlier according to NA'ers who I've talked to. I'm praying for you ~ best of luck! Hugs, Lee

[lollipopgirl]

i dont have a pdoc or meds at the moment. but i will be aware of spiralling, i dont want to make my bipolar or anything else worse by quitting the drugs, i guess im really scared of how i will handle other stuff without being able to rely on drugs.
thanks for all your help!! Lol xx

[madisgram]

please keep us posted on how you are doing. we do careand know this is a big step for you. the fact that you wish to stop is a very important step...one that can help you when you crave. i wish you the very best. my life has been so much better, 20 years, just by not being a slave to this addiction. hugs.

[lollipopgirl]

i havent been able to find any na or aa meetings that i could get to, i have tried cuttting down gradually but its not really worked, i feel like i should just stop trying.

[madisgram]

oh lolly i encourage you to keep trying. your life will be so beautiful if you do.
most places have an incredible number of meetings to accomodate everyone's schedules. may i ask why you're having a time of it getting to one? they can really help us get thru the process of stopping and many other benefits too about living life.
i'm glad you posted. you can do this and i know in your heart you want to.

[lollipopgirl]

one problem is i dont drive and the nearest meeting iv found is pretty much the other side of town, it would take me 50 minutes to get there which would be good if i could get that evening off every week but im a waitress and my rota changes loads, im still looking for meetings nearer to me, i think i wanna quit but i dunno, it just soo scary to let go ya know?

[madisgram]

look in phone book and call aa central office in your area. tell them you need a ride to get to a meeting. we offer our names/phone numbers and rides to meetings to help the newcomer. it's our way of helping the next person. just like neiki, sp? just do it! u will not be disappointed, hun. keep us posted and you can pm me anytime. you've got nothing to lose by going and a whole lot to gain. i've never regretted getting up the courage to go.

[lollipopgirl]

really they can organise lifts and stuff? that sounds kinda positive you really think i should?

[madisgram]

oh yeah, gf . let me know how it goes. we are taught to give back to the next guy/gal. it's like "paying it forward". keep in touch, k????

[lollipopgirl]

iv not managed to sorta, work up the guts to call yet.