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Member Since Oct 2012
Location: in my head
Posts: 73
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#1
Hello all!
I was curious if anyone else here can relate to relapsing into self harm again after many years being clean. I have been clean from self harm for 6 years, but I have begun to self injure again occasionally when I am under intense emotional stress. I know this is not good. It worries me that my coping skills have begun to slip lately. I have been sober from alcohol for almost 3 years, I feel I have no release from my emotions. I just don't know what to do. __________________ |
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Aardwolf, Anonymous32448, SlumberKitty, WanderingCat
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Legendary Wise Elder
Member Since Jul 2018
Location: CA
Posts: 27,329
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#2
I haven't been in that exact position, no, I am still working on getting several years under my belt. 15 months and two days at the moment. But I am sure one of these days that will be a post of mine. I think it will be something that is always with me and something I will always struggle with. Do you have a therapist? Might help to go to one for a few sessions and get your tool kit refreshed. HUGS Kit
__________________ Dum Spiro Spero IC XC NIKA |
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jai-jai
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Junior Member
Member Since Jul 2019
Location: Italy
Posts: 24
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#3
I think I was clean for about 3 years when I relapsed. What helped me was to acknowledge that it had happened and that is was not the end of the world. It was frustrating, but I did not make a big deal about it. It might now work for everyone, but it helped me to rationalize that all my hard work had not gone to waste because of one relapse.
I agree that talking with a therapist is a good idea. I also "forced" myself to reflect on why I did relapse, what were the emotions behind the act. It was painful, I cried a lot, but it was also useful. You say you can't release your emotions: can you name those emotions? Why can't you let them out? I struggled with anger, and I did not want to admit that even to myself since I kind of see anger as a negative emotion, which of course does not make sense, and I am working on it. Now I meditate everyday, I have made a calming bottle, I keep a diary and I have a playlist with songs that kind of allow me to feel that anger without hurting myself or other people. Of course that was just my experience, you might be struggling with a different emotion and you might find useful other methods. __________________ I'm so happy, 'cause today I've found my friends
They're in my head |
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SlumberKitty
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SlumberKitty
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Member
Member Since Jun 2010
Posts: 98
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#4
I started again after almost 4 years, but I did have this reflection:
Quote:
Time passes so fast these days, didn't realize it's already been 5 years since I started again __________________ *for those wondering, my username is pronounced as it is spelled: bee-why-ef-en-vee-why. |
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Skeezyks
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Member
Member Since Sep 2008
Location: Seattle, WA
Posts: 112
15 53 hugs
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#5
Hi Abby,
I relapsed for about 2 months, after probably a 9 or 10 year gap. It was a rough ride. I'm sorry you are struggling with emotional release. Have you spoken with a Therapist? I began using the elastic band technique, and the ice cube technique, which sometimes work. Otherwise I jump into the chat rooms here, and that helps. I've recently had a diagnoses of PTSD, and a whole load of emotions and past things have resurfaced and its been a really rough time. Always feel free to send me PM, I'm happy to chat. Take care and in those moments when you feel it necessary to harm, just know there is a community of people who understand. <3 Joanna. __________________ If life was just ... |
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SlumberKitty
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SlumberKitty
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Veteran Member
Member Since Nov 2009
Location: SpACE
Posts: 597
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#6
was there not anymore...
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Junior Member
Member Since May 2022
Location: Hiawatha, Iowa
Posts: 13
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#7
Hang in there! You are only human!
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Disreputable Old Troll
Member Since Oct 2015
Location: The Star of the North
Posts: 32,762
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#8
Yes, I relapsed after... oh... probably 10 years or so... give-or-take a couple of years. (Memory fails me.) I don't know why I did it. I knew it would only make matters even worse than they already were. But I did it anyway and, sure enough, it made matters even worse than they already were. Hopefully I'm done now.
__________________ "I may be older but I am not wise / I'm still a child's grown-up disguise / and I never can tell you what you want to know / You will find out as you go." (from: "A Nightengale's Lullaby" - Julie Last) |
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byfnvy
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Guest
Posts: n/a
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#9
I relapsed after 4 years of stopping, when my angel cat Ebony died
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SlumberKitty
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Legendary
Member Since Oct 2004
Location: usa
Posts: 11,198
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#10
I’ve relapsed several
Times. It is a part of recovery. __________________ Bipolar 1 w/psychotic features or schizoaffective bipolar type PTSD generalized anxiety OCD celexa, prazosin, Lybalvi and prn zyprexa and klonopin |
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SlumberKitty
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Legendary Wise Elder
Member Since Jul 2018
Location: CA
Posts: 27,329
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5 117.7k hugs
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#11
__________________ Dum Spiro Spero IC XC NIKA |
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