10 Tips for Living Drug, Alcohol, Smoke Free
96You Don't Have to be a Slave to Your Addictions
Are drugs, alcohol or cigarettes ruling your life? Have you tried quitting only to pick back up again -- even though you really, really want to stop? A healthier life awaits you. You can do it -- I promise! Here are ten ideas to get you on and keep you on the road to recovery.
Tip#1: Accept Help
It doesn't matter if you're a meth addict or a pill popper, a binge drinker or bottle hider, smoke 3 packs a day or 6 joints a day. The chances of kicking your habit on your own -- and sticking with it -- are slim at best. You cannot fight true addiction with willpower. It's a physiological and psychological craving -- way too strong at the cellular level to "just say no."
But you've already figured that out. So now what?
If you have an honest, trusting relationship with your healthcare provider, mention to him/her that you're trying to quit. Many health plans offer smoking cessation and chemical dependency programs.
You'll also want to check out how real people (who once were struggling just like you) live drug/alcohol free. Go to a meeting of Alcoholics Anonymous or Narcotics Anonymous. It's free and there's no obligation. The members will welcome you with open arms and share everything you need to know. Peer-to-peer support is incredibly powerful and effective.
Tip #2 Do Whatever it Takes
Chances are you didn't develop your habit last week. Don't expect to break it overnight, either. It takes time and patience and work. Yes, work. You need to be committed to changing yourself.
If at first you don't succeed, try something different. For some people, attending 12-Step (AA or NA) meetings is enough. Many sufferers require more help. You can try an outpatient program where you take classes to learn about addiction and yourself. These programs will drug/alcohol test you to make sure you're not using between sessions. For some people, this level of accountability is sufficient.
For others, an inpatient rehabilitation (aka "rehab") is needed. These 30, 60 or 90-day programs immerse you in recovery. One to three months in a drug/alcohol-free environment can be a great way to jump-start your clean and sober life.
If you're trying to put down the cancer sticks, there are different schools of thought. Some people advocate going cold turkey for best results. But again, it doesn't work for everybody. That's why they make nicotine patches and gum! There's even a smoker's anonymous group.
Tip #3 Change Your Attitude
Those irresistable cravings will go away in time. To keep them at bay and keep yourself safe from relapsing into old behaviors, you'll need to change your mindset from "addict" to "in recovery." As you learn about the reasons behind your drinking/using, you will discover some very interesting things about yourself. And not just you, but every alcoholic/addict (which is why accepting help from others who have walked the path before you really works).
Changing your attitude about drugs/alcohol/smoking is twofold. First, your relationship to your drug(s) of choice will shift. It will stop being the center of your universe. You'll stop romancing and depending on it to get through your day. You'll start viewing it as poison, lethal, disgusting.
At the same time, your attitude about yourself and your place in the world -- including what the world owes you or has or hasn't done to/for you -- will evolve. The process of giving up an addiction is actually a process of "getting." You get a positive outlook -- an outlook you likely haven't felt since you started using... if ever.
Tip #4 Change Your Playground
So much of recovery is about breaking routines as well as actual habits. I bet you've worn a groove in the route to your local liquor store or favorite bar. You know exactly where your connection lives or hangs.
If you continue to go to your old haunts, you're putting a lot of undue pressure on yourself. Why tempt fate? Take a different route home from work so you don't pass your usual supplier.
So what about your home? Obviously you'll want to cleanse your environment of anything and everything that might be a "trigger" for relapse. It's not uncommon for newly sober people to move from rehab into a transitional sober living situation to give themselves a stronger foundation before going "back there." It's usually not necessary to relocate, but it's an option if your home environment is just too toxic.
A note about smoking. Once your eyes, nose and throat become sensitized, you'll realize what others have been complaining about. It's a good idea to ban smoking in your home and car and seek out smoke-free environments to support your quitting.
Tip #5 Change Your Playmates
The decision to live without alcohol, drugs and smoking is a selfish one -- but selfish in the best possible way. It means you are serious about taking care of yourself and your health.
It also means you are going to have some weeding out to do. Some old "friends" will naturally fall by the wayside. When the main thing you have in common with someone is getting loaded, and one of you stops getting loaded, what's left? Nothing. If you're used to hanging with a hard-drinking crowd, you will suddenly notice they're not nearly as entertaining how that they're slipping into silliness and you're sober.
Believe it or not, some people may not support your new lifestyle. They may not like the "new you" and seek to sabotage your efforts. Many people don't quite understand addiction and recovery and may (even innocently) offer you your old favorite ("just one drink won't hurt you!". Actually, it can). Such people may or may not mean well. However, you can't let their ignorance or ulterior motives get under your skin.
Can you realistically "fire" every person from your old life? Obviously that's impractical. But successful people in recovery naturally gravitate away from toxic old companions and replace them with a support system of clean and sober friends.
Tip #6 Feel Your Feelings
So you've cleaned out your body and are feeling pretty good. You've cut ties with the old gang and made new friends to support you in your new life. That part's all good.
But, after numbing your feelings for years with drugs/alcohol, you've forgotten what they feel like. Re-experiencing true happiness, joy, sadness, grief, frustration -- whatever it is -- can be unnerving at first. Don't worry. You'll get used to it!
Being responsible feels good
Tip #7 Revel in Your Relationships
Tip #5 advised you to get rid of unhealthy relationships. But there will be many relationships -- family, friends, bosses, coworkers, teammates, neighbors, even strangers -- for whom the opposite is true.
As a clean/sober person, you get to "reinvent" yourself in the eyes of people you care about (and probably have hurt). Focus on being the best "you" you can be every day, being kind, helpful and generous. As you find yourself more engaged with other people, you'll discover you're much better able to deal with conflict and problems.
This is definitely an area where the "selfishness" of recovery leads to becoming more selfless.
Tip #8 Do Things -- Even Amazing Things
Think about all the energy you used to devote to your addiction. Planning, thinking about, buying, hiding, lying, using, recovering from using. That's a lot of wasted time and effort.
Take way the alcohol, drugs and smokes and you find yourself with a lot of extra time, energy and money on your hands! I bet you once had interests that you gave up (to some degree, if not totally) because of your addiction. I bet there's at least one dream you'd love to pursue.
With a clear mind and cleansed body, clean/sober people can rise to a new level of personal excellence. It's not uncommon to take up new hobbies, change careers or go back to school. On a daily basis, you'll find opportunities for accomplishment where you once found frustation and failure.
Tip #9 HALT ... and Gentle With Yourself
It's all too easy to get trapped in guilt, shame and remorse. With all these feelings flooding back, you may be tempted to feel like a failure or a bad person. You are NOT a bad person and you are anything but a failure! You are a miracle!
People overcoming addiction have escaped the clutches of a progressive, fatal illness. If you had survived cancer or a heart attack, would you beat yourself up for getting sick in the first place? Of course not.
It is important to stay in touch with your body and your feelings. If you start to feel restless, unsettled or angry with no obvious provocation, try this: H.A.L.T. It means, never let yourself get too Hungry, Angry, Lonely or Tired.
Trust me, it's much better to tend to these simple physical and emotional needs than to risk relapsing.
Another Hubber's Take on Quitting Smoking
- How to Quit Smoking: An Easy Method
Almost five months ago, I quit smoking after fifteen years as a smoker. I had tried and tried in the past to put the cigarettes down, but nothing worked. I hated the chiding that I received from family, and...
Tip #10 Celebrate Each Day, but Don't Get Cocky
Recovery is a combination of carrots and sticks. There will be days when you feel great and love life. There will be days when everything seems like a challenge to your sanity. That's perfectly normal. You're human!!
The key to living without your former crutch(es) is to recognize that both days are good for your growth in recovery. And both days are potentially dangerous -- if you don't stay vigilant.
Remember, you're dealing with a foe that's cunning, baffling, powerful, persuasive, and extraordinarily patient. You may feel you've got the tiger by the tail. But if you let down your guard even momentarily, that tiger will pounce.
Happy occasions are just as likely to invite relapse as stressful situations. But as long as you keep your guard up and don't allow yourself to be seduced into thinking you're "cured" (you're not)... you'll be fine.
Anonymous Groups
- Alcoholics Anonymous :
Alcoholics Anonymous Official Web site - Narcotics Anonymous, NA, homepage
- Nicotine Anonymous- A 12 Step Program offering support to those who want to quit cigarettes and quit
Nicotine Anonymous- A 12 Step Program offering support to those who want to quit cigarettes and quit smoking and stop other forms of tobacco and nicotine addiction. Our website offers smoking cessation support for men and woman, facts about the eff
Women for Sobriety
If at First You Don't Succeed
You're definitely not alone. Very, very few people get recovery -- or quit smoking -- on their first try. Don't despair. Go back to Tip #1 and ask for help. Recommit yourself to trying again. And as they say in the rooms of AA -- keep coming back, it works!
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Mighty Mom,
Thanks for the good and workable advice.
For those who would like to read more on the subject, please also refer to the following hub I wrote last month:
How To Quit A Bad Habit
Really good Hub, as I too battle with quitting smoking, and our local Quitline Group recently 'expelled' both my Husband and I as we admitted we were still smoking a few per week. They talked to us like we were kids in front of everyone, and said we had broken our committment to quitting and cannot go back for subsidised NRT drugs such as Champix or Zyban for 6 months. I left feeling pretty annoyed, as they didn't offer to continue conselling us for that 6 months, and failed to recognise that we had been honest by saying that we had still been lapsing and having a few here and there. It would have been better to lie about it and then we could have continued to go back each week until we cracked it. Anyway, will try to achieve it without needing to go back now, as I am loathe to return to the place after how they treated us.
Wow -- great advice and a great hub. I think that changing your playground and changing your playmates is the best advice for anyone with a bad habit.
Thanks Benson. I will check out your hub. I wrote this one in response to a request (although recovery is a subject near and dear to my heart).
Pam, Misty and NY Lady, thanks for your kind words. Pretty difficult to simplify 164 pages of the Big Book of AA + 12 Steps into a 10-tips hub (while patently avoiding any mention of God or a Higher Power!).
Misty, I'm very distressed to read of your experience. Sounds like your Quitline Group is somehow tied to getting subsidized drugs and is into group humiliation - very different model than Nicotine Anonymous of other 12-Step Programs. You sound like you need a little love and props for being able to cut down on your smoking. So (((Misty and her husband))). For an uplifting experience, go to any AA or NA meeting. Addiction is addiction is addiction -- and I bet you will hear yourself (and your husband) in the stories there.
I didn't say but should have -- quitting smoking is harder than quitting drinking. And it's not a good idea to try to quit them both at the same time. Our sick little bodies can only take so much trauma at a time.
Thanks Mighty mom, but I don't think there is an NA group in Guernsey other than Quitline. (It is only a very small island). Will have to perservere with willpower I suspect :)
I chewed tobacco for 17 years (growing up on a cattle ranch, it's pretty much mandatory). I wanted to quit so bad for so many years. I can't even tell you how many full cans I threw out, deterined that "today will be the day."
It took a day of thinking I had mouth cancer to stop me finally. (I didn't have it, but I didn't know that the whole night I "discovered the tumor" on my gum, and the whole time waiting in my dentist's parking lot to literally leap on him coming to work and tell him that he WAS GOING TO SEE ME. I didn't sleep at all and I was so anxious). I was able to go cold turkey after that.
Great hub MM, your kindness is palpable here.
Umm, does it all refer to Hugpages, too? ;)
Shadesbreath, thanks for your honesty. I had a boyfriend once who had a "snuff habit." I had no idea, and that's the thing. He would go out in the back alley "with the dogs." When you're hiding what you're doing... that's abnormal and you have un problemo.
Misha, Sure thing! See "Are you a Problem Hubber." I can easily see how HubPages could become an alternate addiction for those of us so inclined.
Please also note I pointedly left out any mention of God or a Higher Power in the solution here. Not that it's not a huge part of recovery, but too big a can of worms to open in a "10 tips" hub. Besides, I tend to leave that topic to the theology pros like T. Keeley:-).
what if 12 steps don't work? you know, there's good advice here but not all shoes fit all feet. something to think about. addiction is different for the individual.
I agree annonny! I tried to make that point that different people have different paths. Addiction is different for the individual and I do know people who have been able to stay clean/sober without the 12 steps. If you are not drinking and are still miserable, however, then you need to still treat your addiction. If your brain and body are telling you to treat it with drugs/alcohol and you have no defense -- what's gonna happen? If you have a plan, a program, a support system in place to live a different life, you have a much better chance.
It's not my place to convert anyone to 12-step life. Just introduce the general topic of living without the monkey of drugs, alcohol or ciggies on your back!
Thanks again for stopping by!
While I tend to agree on cigarettes, I do believe alcohol and many drugs are demonized by government(s) for their own agenda. I would not put them all in the same basket :)
So, I do not think that living alcohol or pot free is necessarily something to strive for :)
I appreciate this Hub. Thank you for sharing these excellent points. I have been a counselor in the substance abuse treatment field for many years. Please feel free to check out my new hub, Emotional Recovery. Sincerely: Gary Eby, author and therapist.
Misha,glcoach, thanks for commenting. I will definitely check out Emotional Recovery -- GREAT topic.
Misha, I don't think our (US) government demonizes alcohol for any agenda. But the so-called "War on Drugs" is a joke. I do agree with you, living alcohol or pot free is not necessarily something to strive for. The vast majority of people who drink or even smoke recreational pot are able to enjoy their buzz/high and it's not a problem for them. There is, however a percentage of the population (10% -- qlcoach correct me if this stat is outdated) who are physically and mentally different. They are allergic to the effects of alcohol. They don't know that, so they keep trying to "get it right." This hub is only intended for those people who have reached the point where they WANT to quit but don't know how, or have tried and failed.
You are right, tho. They are not all in the same basket. If anything, cigarettes get the most government attention/money/efforts to snuff out this habit by forcing smokers to go outside, 20 to 50 feet away from buildings, not in parks, etc. What's coming next, criminalization?
LOL MM, I disagree about not demonizing alcohol.
If someone can legally join the army and kill and be killed at the age of 18, and s/he can't legally consume alcohol until s/he is 21, alcohol seems to be a bit worse thing than the death itself...
Oh, I see what you mean, Misha. I think America is pretty schizo about booze. We glamorize it and let the beer and wine companies subsidize our sports programming. But at the same time, we don't teach people to drink responsibly. That's the "demonizing" I believe you're referring to -- the effects of irresponsible drinking which are often lethal. Drinking in and of itself is not the issue. It's drinking and doing stupid things and driving.
I do agree with you about legal drinking age being 21 vs. 18. Pick one age for everything -- voting, serving in the army, and drinking. Having the age be 21 (IMO) encourages MORE underage binging and abuse. But what do I know:-)
I don't really think there should be any legal age for this, it should be left to parents' discretion. I know people will beat me for this, but this is how I think :)
Some people will definitely lash you for that opinion, Misha, LOL. Me, I think it's a very European and genteel attitude. I suspect it already is in quite a few families. Starting the kids sipping on daddy's beer or watered down wine with dinner at the tender age of 5 requires (IMO) a mature parent and a mature relationship yourself with alcohol. Starting 'em young will not turn a "normie" into an alcoholic. Nor will setting the legal drinking age to 21 prevent people who are going to become problem drinkers from becoming problem drinkers.
I do get concerned when I hear (and I do hear quite often) about middle school kids (10 and 11 year olds) who are drinking every day. They are hurting their own development.
But one thing we know: alcohol has been around since the dawn of man and isn't going away anytime soon! Slainche, as they say in my pubs:-)
MM...your piece was a winner. You reminded me of the why and wherefore of recovery...friends always. xo cw
Actually I am not advocating regular alcohol consumption for minors MM. I tend to agree that their metabolism is not suited for that, and they shouldn't be given alcohol on the regular basis.
And they usually don't demand that, too. My experience shows that if you let them try when they got interested in this - and it usually comes somewhere between 3 and 5 years - they tend to forget about alcohol till they are teens, and definitely don't demand it daily, even if parents drink casualy.
And then in teen years I think it is very important that they have parents around when they first got drunk, so parents can help, guide, and explain. And prevent anti-social behavior, if needed. Among all other things, we have to teach them how to drink :)
its realy nice staffe i liked it n i hope i ll use it n stop,
it would be nice if u add some websites about the same things so that we can read a littel bit more n stop.thank you.
what if this doesn't work?.
Cabin Girl, you are a loyal and supportive crew member. BC is lucky to have you watching out for him:-)!! Hope it helps. Lots of us here on HP with firsthand experience to share, so online/offline communication always welcomed. MM
Great article....not only do you nail every crucial tip but you elaborate within each of these tips with clear and precise information. As somebody that has spent more than my fair share of time dwelling in the abyssal region not so long ago...I could not agree more with the information you have provided. Well done!
Hello Sidney, There are a few of us here on HP who know the demons intimately. You are an astute reader and nuanced writer. I look forward to getting to know you! MM
Very informative and intersting hub!
Very compassionate and well-informed. Thank you.
Lizrenee44 -- sorry I missed your comment. Thank you.
Sarah m Marie. Compassionate is a great word. Addicts deserve compassion as long as they are not actively in their disease! I know firsthand. It IS possible to live happily drug, alcohol and cigarette free. As long as you still have chocolate -- life is bearable:-). Thanks for visiting. MM
The world is more wonderful and mysterious than most of us can ever appreciate. The person addicted to alcohol or other drugs is at a particular disadvantage. Without a clear mind, only negative energies (lying cheating, etc) are readily available. Once the cloud of addiction lifts, all manner of positive possibilities present themselves. Your eighth tip captures the new world that opens up. Thanks.
Hello Alan,
Thanks so much for reading. It is truly amazing the panoramas that open up in sobriety. All that self-limiting thinking -- gone (not as simple as that, but with work it lifts). Sounds like you know this. Thanks for sharing and affirming. MM
Hello Alan,
Thanks so much for reading. It is truly amazing the panoramas that open up in sobriety. All that self-limiting thinking -- gone (not as simple as that, but with work it lifts). Sounds like you know this. Thanks for sharing and affirming. MM
Hi MM, Just to update your readers to show it can be done, I am now 9 months smoke free, (12 months in December), so never give up giving up :) As you know I have written hubs on how I managed this if anyone wants to know more.
PS. Missing you and the gang loads, but nice to see you are still posting here and there. Many others have not written hubs or posted in ages :(
That's awesome. Being smoke free is an amazing feat.
Congrats.
Yes, I miss our gang, too. Heard from Christoph today but other than that -- a lot of cool MIA hubbers!
Thanks for visting. Great as always to see you. MM
Hey you!
I was searching through the first 20 pages of hubs even worth glancing at and i came across this one. SO here is my comment: quitting smoking is EASY! You just have to commit (or BE committed for three days)! If you don't abuse alcohol on a regular basis you won't have to worry about quitting. I can't speak to drug usage. I haven't even smoked pot since the days I worked for a strip club and used to party with the strippers. it's been over 1o years at least!
Well hello back, Mr. wsp2469. First20 pages of hubs worth glancing at? WTF? Oh well. Glad you found mine.
Quitting smoking is said to be harder than quitting drugs. I believe it. But I've also heard the just doing it (like Nike) is the best way. No Nicorette, just cold turkey. It does get out of your system quickly.
If you are a "real alcoholic" trying to quit and finding that you can't is a deff clue. Many people's first clue. They know they drink too much and are shocked to find they can't stop when they try. Glad that hasn't been your experience.
Partying with the strippers, eh? Sounds like a hub should be written about that... just a thought. MM
I don't know, cutie. If i wrote an actual hub about my adventrues in the adult industry then all you ladies here but get the wrong idea. You might not recognize me for the sweet, shy, innocent white boy I really am. Still, i guess if a formal request was made I would HAVE to respond, wouldn't I? It would be my hub duty, right?
Now, now. You know better than to challenge Mighty Mom.
Besides, I sincerely doubt anyone would get an impression other than the impression you choose for us to get! That's the beauty of Hub Pages. No one knows what's really real... and what's an illusion! So I'm off to make this a formal request. Get your adjectives ready!
I don't know. I try to be honest but I don't know how exciting it will be. Seriously though, I know i play the stereotypical male card for laughs but the stripper thing might not be as exciting as you think OR it might be way too long. i have 3 years to cover, in fact. Well, we'll see. if you promise to get me some readers OR pose in that super-girl outfit I'll probably at least attwmpt to do it!
I know what you're doing. You're trying to back out. Nosir,nosir. Not ok. You promised if I asked you formally you would write a hub about your time with the strippers.
If it's that long of a period perhaps it needs to be serialized (part I and part II). But probably only hit the highlights. Or perhaps lowlights, depending on your point of view.
You know I will pose for you anytime in my Supergirl outfit!!
Damn, girl. You know one of these days you're gonna get me so worked up you're gonna wish we WEREN'T lving in the same state! i willdo it. I promise!
you put a lot of effort into this hub and i really appreciate, every word you wrote, thanks a lot
Hi poetlorraine,
Thanks for visiting. If my words can help you or someone in your life I am happy. We are all in this recovery thing together! Wishing you a happy, joyous and free day. MM
Great hub packed full of really useful information, I have tried and subsequently failed to quit smoking many times however your hub has given me some great new ideas before I try again. Looking forward to reading more of your work in the future.
Hello wrenfrost56. I love your avatar -- great sword! I wish you all the best in quitting smoking. It is definitely doable.I know several people who have managed to give up that deadly habit. And are glad they did! Good luck. MM
I likes your hub page it's really great infomration about of quit smoking..
Thank you for posting this. These are helpful practical and doable steps that can indeed help!
Thank you green light! I know many people who have used them and yes, they do work. Not that easy to do, but soooo worth it.
Mighty Mom, Way to go you tell it like it is.
Keep coming back!
Hello Bmystic57. You bet -- It WORKS!
im just trying to overcome an addiction atm myself its going really rough for me atm but its getting a lil better i belive this is all greate advice i just kinda stumbled upon thxs
Great hub, but the tips are easier said than done...
Hello Fresh Flower,
Yes, they are easier said than done. But the longer you do them, they become habit. And if you realize that it's your LIFE you're protecting, I find that that helps a lot.
Good luck if you or someone you know are battling addictions. My prayers are with you! MM
Great list. #1 and #2 were all I needed as a start almost 4 years ago. Since then, well, what can I say, I have the most amazing life imageinable!
Hey jaybob217. Your avatar sure does reflect a beautiful life! Congratulations on turning things around. 4 years is AWESOME! Keep coming back and stay grateful, my friend. MM
I've tried just about every method there is out there and there is only one I can recommend - NLP! It eliminates the cravings.
Gum patches and all the other just did not cut it for me, not to mention cold turkey which was the hardest, I even tried the electric cig and it is just no match to the real thing.
Check out this article: http://quit-smoking-today.bestof-the-net.com/
it’s the one that got me off the cigs and smoke free for GOOD even without gaining weight! :)
Good luck kicking the habit!
J.
Great hub, I really enjoyed this information, I just typed up a blog on my page about my life lesson with smoking.. It is a tough thing for people to let go of...
Hello I am struggling with quitting smoking and really needed this to help matters sink in. Very well done, thank you.
Hello fellow addicts! Sorry for the delay in responding. I haven't been on HP for a few days.
Just wanted to say to everyone who is trying to kick any bad habit (that involves overcoming cravings of the mental and physical kind) HAPPY NEW YEAR! If I can do it, you can, too.
BTW, I put down the cigarettes with no problem over 10 years ago. My Hubby and Son are BOTH quitting them right now. Hubby is using a patch. Sonny is going cold turkey. Both are irritable beyond belief.
SOOO glad I don't have to go through that again, but just know you WILL get through it and the rewards of clean lungs and blood are many! Good luck. MM
It is the new year and I am trying to live a much healthier lifestyle myself.
This is a helpful article. There's nothing harder than quitting an addiction. Some people think it's all about willpower -- NOT! JP
Hi Dan -- Good for you. I hope you can stick with it.
Jenna -- Amen to that. People who don't get it don't get it.
They have no concept of what a craving feels like.
I think that smoking herb is the best way to overcome addiction
Hi Brad loves pot.
You are not the only one to feel that way.
For some people, smoking weed is "harm reduction" that keeps them from doing harder drugs. There is still much controversy over whether pot is addictive and harmful or helpful. Hey -- if it works for you, I say go for it.
If/when you decide you want to live without mind altering substances (of any kind) then come on back here and we'll talk. Peace. MM
Great tips, I've quit drinking (4 years now). Now I just need to apply this same resolution to smoking! Thanks for reminding me to do whatever it takes!
awesome hub!! very well done!! Misty, that group thing for quitting smoking is bullshit!! They should have recognized that your honesty is a step out of addiction and also that other members just weren't telling the truth!! Everyone slips up and relapses. Doesn't mean you're not recovering anymore!! Man, I just want to go to that stupid group and give them my 2 cents worth until I've spent about $20 bucks!!!
I like number 6--a lot of people sleep on that one
I like all your tips, but I especially like Tip #3! Good info here...just awesome!
Hi RedSelassie and drej2522. That's why there's more than one tip -- everyone responds to different things.
My son will be 1 month cigarette free tomorrow. He did it cold turkey and sweated out the first 10 days -- literally. But he told me today there are whole days he doesn't even think of smoking.
It's good to have a full toolbox that will carry you through any situation/craving.
For me, the one that I use when things get really stressful is to replay in my head exactly how terrible life would be if I put in!
Thanks for commenting. Glad you found something helpful here! MM
Hi MM, nice to see you active in the "feed" section. Relevant to your hub is that I am now over a year smoke free, and without any artificial chemicals or aids other than the course I took. Very much the better for it I might add, no regrets.
Anyway, how are you and what's been going on in your life? Could do with a catch up soon! :) :) :)
Hey there Mistygal! So nice to see you!!! Congrats on being smoke free for a YEAR. That is a huge milestone.
Hope things in other areas of your life are moving forward. Prayers and hugs to you and your husband on that. xo, MM
No luck on the baby front sadly MM, looks pretty hopeless if I am honest, although never say never! Otherwise life is not too bad apart from the usual financial pressures etc. Not much other news right now other than I am off to the Red Sea in March with my Mum, Sister and Step Dad, so should be able to write a great hub (I hope) once I return. Richard and I are also off to the Norwegian Fjords on the P&O Cruise Ship 'Ventura' in May for 7 nights, so that should be great too,.
Thank you so much for your post and for me working the 12 steps helped this what seemed impossible case. Today I have 4 years clean and sober and am not looking back! It really works. I really love what you say about returning to something that you once loved, and today, that is what I will do. Thanks again for posting this, you may have just saved a life.
Hello Stina Sense,
I see we are kindred spirits -- bipolar former self-medicators. So common in bipolars.
Glad to hear you have successfully given up the "junk" and are living the sober life. Four years is AWESOME!
And yes, I firmly believe that sobriety is a gift that opens doors to things we were always meant to do before we got sidetracked.
Thanks for visiting and best of luck! MM
I found this information well written and useful. I have been substance free for almost three years now. I used alcohol and an assortment of drugs. It was a stint in the mental hospital after a severe depression and then rehab. I had a life altering incident that sent me over the edge. And eventually I am finding my way back from self-medicating my mental illness to drowning out real life.
Your an excellent writer.
Thanks for this great hub!
Thank you Greenheart! I like to share what I've learned!
Awesome! Awesome! Awesome!
Thank you, samboiam
It can be done and is being done by millions of people every day! Thank you for visiting. Take care and be serene! MM
I feel everyday that I can't go on with my plan to stay smoke free but you have inspired me to stay diligent.
Hello Thank You,
Glad my words inspired you. I was talking with friends last night -- there is NO good excuse to smoke. Not a single one. It does NOTHING GOOD for your body and the older you get the worse it is for you. I'm so glad you are giving it up and I hope you have lots of support in your life to keep smoke-free!
Happy breathing!
MM
I quit smoking a few years back, believe me after a while it will make you sick to even be around the smoke.
Really when it comes to drugs, the issue is getting ongoing counseling after drug rehab. Also getting rid of enablers, because that is one of the primary issues. You have the right idea when it comes to getting away from people who influence you, but also you have to keep in mind that some friends who don't influence you might just be well.. pushovers. Also don't enable other peoples bad habits! I mean, one of my best friends was a near death alcoholic and naturally I wanted to supply that friend with money as they drove themselves to bankruptcy. However of course you know what that friend would do? Kill himself! With alcohol!
Here is a good article on enabling and if you ever make an article about helping others support people they know who are drug addicts you might take a note or two from this.
http://www.helpfightaddiction.com/category/the-ena
Giving up smoking is a great thing though, you gave up a drug whether you want to admit that was what it was or not! I am proud of you! If you fail the first time keep trying! You probably avoided a number of terrible illnesses that could have occurred over that habit! Great Job!
RB
Hello RB,
You raise an EXCELLENT point about the relationship between the addict and those who enable him/her. The enablers are as sick as the addict but in a different way.
Thanks for the cool article and you have inspired me to write a hub about codependency!
Or maybe YOU should write that hub since you seem to have firsthand experience, too!
God bless,
MM
P.S. I gave up cigarettes over a decade ago. However,my Hubby and son gave them up just this year (2010) so I am really proud of both of them.And you're right. I cannot abide the smell of smoke.Ew!
www.greensmoke.com/LBP
Yoshi, I suppose you think you are funny.
Why is it that weed proponents are so smug?
Obviously you have never had the "pleasure" of trying to get free of a crippling addiction.
Good luck with that.
I really enjoyed reading this Hub and am a day at a time person myself. There is nothing quite like the University of Life through those who have experienced the same as you are going through and passing on that experience strength and hope. Many thanks!
Hello Kerkedijk. Always a pleasure to meet fellow trudgers on the road to happy destiny. Wouldn't trade sobriety for a single day of the "old" life. Happy to have another oneof "us" on Hub Pages! God bless, MM
MM, I also think that changing your playground and the people you hang out with is the best advice. That life style becomes addictive and it is hard to change. Great hub as always. I am glad i found you and thank you so much for the fan mail.
Hey again GH. It's really essential. If you think you can keep hanging out at the same old bar drinking diet Coke while your pals are getting tipsy, you are fooling yourself. Gotta hang around other people who are doing the deal. The pull of addiction is waaayyyy too strong to tempt!
Thanks for the comment. Right on.
Sobriety.org finds groups, chat, forums, articles and many more to help people. It is not just for the people in AA or NA. It is for everyone who wants to live life free from alcohol and drug abuse. It is not spam. This is community site which can help people of any age who wants to live life clean and healthy.
Thank you for the resource, promotion1. These days,online assistance is a godsend!
I will be sure to check out Sobriety.org and add to my list. God bless. MM
Nicely done.
Thank you, Nikki1. Once you get into the groove, it's easy to live without toxins in your body. Just can't EVER forget the way it was before! Thanks for visiting. Love your hair!!
A truly amazing hub which will keep inspiring and helping ppl to get over addiction. I've learned that in order to overcome and quit using drugs one needs to be strong willed, creative and learn how to make their life beautiful and exciting. It can't always be exciting, but we have to learn to enjoy it.
Hi johnsams, I would say our experiences of recovery are quite different! I have learned that being strong willed is "old behavior" and actually NOT a good idea if you want to get/stay clean and sober. Gotta give it up to a Higher Power.
The other thing I have learned is that while using, we crave and chase excitement and drama. Being in recovery is about accepting and reveling in "serenity" -- a quietness of the brain and soul that enables us to "just be."
But learning to make our lives beautiful -- yes, we do agree on that one! Life DOES become beautiful once we stop numbing ourselves and living in negativity. What once seemed like a horribly boring existence now is beautiful -- one day at a time!
Thanks for visiting and your personal (?) or professional (?) perspective.
I am very glad, that I never started smoking! My son (14) is smoking and I don't really know what to do abt it...
Hi riminiurlabuer. Sorry to hear about your son. For many teens it's a rite of passage. I don't think there's much you CAN do about it without your efforts totally backfiring. At that age they think they are invincible so the health-related facts go in one ear and out the other.
Of course you can express your disaproval and withhold allowance if it's being spent in a way you don't approve of.
On the plus side, your son may decide voluntarily to give it up. Mine did when he got sick and tired of the hacking cough and chronic colds....
Good luck!
MM
ilove cannabis well marajuana but i am 12 i spend £"40 pound a week may not be a lot but i love cannabis
It is not easy to quit smoking by the control of feeling and emotion. I've used nicotine patch and gum before, not really working. Must use some phyco.
MM,
My methood is easy and it follows the ancient Chinese proverb-
"the walk of a thousand miles begins with one step" and ":
"you will never reach your destination until you start to walk".
I never got hooked on anything because i never tried alcohol or drugs. I a, teaching my boys that what is right is best
TH
This was an excellent article. I battled addiction in the past, so I could really relate.
HI MM!
Thanks for you're article, I found it at a really good time in my life. I have kicked all the drugs but having an insanely hard time with the alcohol.3 days sober now, trying to stay that way for about the hundreth time, hopefully this is my last attempt, I'd really like to be sucessful this time. I need to be. Anyway, I just wanted to thank you for all your advice and taking the time to post it. I will keep it all in mind and visit often to see if you have any other wonderful words of wisdom!! Thanks again
Congratulations, Rachel. 3 days without a drink is HUGE. I know everyone's path is different, but I firmly believe that sobriety is meant to be shared. Walking into an AA meeting and announcing you have 3 days could be just the inspiration someone with 1 day -- or no days -- needs to keep going. We were all there at one time.
Getting off that vicious merry-go-round is not easy. But man, getting rid of that guilt/shame/remorse of "failing" once again feels so good.
I hope you hook up with other sober people, especially women. Being in the middle of a support system is safe.
Trying to white knuckle it and "hoping" this will be your last attempt is a lot of pressure on yourself that you don't need.
Please keep me posted on your efforts. We do have a recovery topic in the HP Forums -- great place to post on what you are feeling and get support/feedback!
God bless, MM
Thank for the nice advice, but nicotine patches and gums are absoltely useless. Its not a nicotin replacement therapy, its a full nicotin therapy-u can not get rid off from a drug by consuming it- NRT only extends the withdrawal symptoms.
Hi Martin O. Hamann. Personally, I agree with you. The best way to stop smoking is to go cold turkey and just get through the withdrawal. However, I do know people who have been able to taper off with patches. I also know people (prone to addictions, in recovery) who chew the nicotine gum like candy. Substitute addictions are very real.
Thanks for your perspective.
Sounds like you've been there!
This is awesome sauce, MM. I know just where to put this...
Thanks, Ixxy. Hmmm. Where could you mean? On the mirror? On the refrigerator where the beer is?
Oh well -- doesn't matter as long as it potentially helps someone. Serenity rules... MM
It's now on a hub that needs this sort of view to offset mine; or, if you will, it encourages those who can't safely cope with these substances to try and work their selves off of them. ;)
Ah ha! The old linked hubs trick!!! LOVE THAT!!!
I have discovered why I continue to smoke. I know it hurt my Dad at my daughters graduation when I made the comment I made "I'd smoke 10 cigarettes at a time if I could". The pain inside my head, not physical but mental, is causing me to be in a self-destructive mode. It my own fault of not wanting to hurt the ones I love. My lack of success in my life and fear of being successful and in the same breath.
Thank God for Hubpages, so I can get my thoughts out and possibly move on with my life!
Awesome Hub!! Very thought provoking as well.
Susie, you're already well beyond most people. You know WHY you are engaging in self-destructive behavior!
Sounds to me like the beginning of another Susie hub -- you up for it? MM
OMG!! You are too cool!! Well now that you mention it, I suppose I should write a Hub about that. It might require some serious soul searching on my part tho... I'd have to figure it out... Hmmm, now ya got me thinking... LOL
I am all for soul searching as well as soul BARING. And HP is just the place to do it, too!
But don't feel like you have to write hubs just becuz I suggest them and I think they would be interesting. Write what YOU want to!!! Your friend, MM
No, it really is a good idea. I have actually pondered for some time my reasoning for continuing smoking, when doing so has made me an outcast in the community. I'd hate for it to be a pity party though!! LOL
Hi SweetSusie. I don't think I've ever heard of smoking making someone an outcast in the community! But if the consequences for you are that severe, there is definitely a reason you are hanging onto the habit! Hmmm.
Really good Hub
I think a lot of people forget about the attitude part of it without realizing this.
This is very informative and can help lots of people live free with out drugs and alcohol. Thanks for sharing
Thank you, lyndria. Attitude is really important! Candle62, thank you for your comment, too! MM
My son was an alcoholic for 14 years and he was powerless over addiction and his lives had become unmanageable. But after 14 years now he is sober. With some Sober Living Program and now he is able to manage his lives.....!
Hello doyouknow! Congratulations to your son. You must be so relieved to see the progress in him. You got it exactly right. We become powerless over our addiction AND our lives become unmanageable.
Alcoholics never stop being alcoholic. That is a disease that's always there, waiting to take the control back.
BUT, living in recovery we do get to live a manageable (and blessed) life.
I'm so happy for your son, for you, and for everyone else in your lives who gets to see the change in him. God bless, MM
I'm quitting smoking and I liked your concept of Halt. I think that might be where I have gone wrong in the past.
your article is an eyeopener. could get more info @ http://www.dailywiki.org/2010/10/smoking-and-endor
Thank you, raranmk. I will check out the link you provided. MM
this article made me smile. i plan to use it next week in family devotion. i have been prepping my kids (along with myself) for my quitting smoking trek beginning next week on the great american smokeout. i am excited and this article will be one of the things that keeps me going. if you get a chance sometime, i would love for you (or anyone else) to visit my hub.
http://hubpages.com/hub/The-Great-American-Smokeou
blessings!
Hello Tiffany! Hooray for you! I hope that you are able to quit those nasty cancer sticks easily. Believe it or not, cigarettes are one of the hardest to quit. Different people say different things. I believe "cold turkey" is the best way -- but to each his/her own. The important thing is to get your lungs back!
I will happily check out your hub. Thanks for the link.
And please do keep us hubbers posted on your progress.
Blessings right back atcha! MM
Thanks for the post. This definitely helps a lot of people hooked into unhealthy lifestyle.
Hello AutumnLockwood. Love your rose! Yes, a lot of people find themselves chemically dependent and have a tough time getting the poison out of their bodies and their brains.
But... it CAN be done!
I hope you are not one of them, but if you know people who suffer from addictions, I hope you will be able to help them. Yours in serenity, MM
I like the whole idea of what you had posted here to stay smoke and alcohol free. There is another often more overlooked reasoning sides to these as well, and it pertains to your personal finances. We all know that smoking and drinking can cause people to become effectively broke.
Today I wrote an article about how smoking cigarettes alone can prevent someone from retiring with 1.9 million dollars, and if that isn't much incentive, I don't know what would be. Here's a link and hopefully your readers here could take some use from this as well http://tristanisfeld.com/blog/could-smoking-stop-y
I explain it on the opportunity cost basis. But really great post!
Hello Tristan,
Thanks for visiting, commenting, and sharing the link to your blog post. Your premise is intriguing.
I suspect you are not a smoker or an addict or alcoholic. Financial consequences -- especially so far off in time as to be "invisible" would have absolutely NO influence on getting a truly addicted person to stop. Any more than the threat of getting a DUI will stop a drunk alcoholic from driving drunk. It just doesn't compute. NOTHING computes except feeding that craving.
But, having said that, I suppose (certainly HOPE) there are folks out there who are concerned about their retirement. I know I partied away at least a $million in my lifetime (ok, that may be an exaggeration...) MM
Any kind of addiction leads us away from ourselves.
Your page is full: of help, experience, love, vitality and joy.
Thanks for sharing
( I am an happy ex-smoker )
Fucsia
Wow, fucsia. I don't remember putting all that into this hub, but thanks for your comment!
And congratulations on being an EX-smoker!
MM
Hi thanks for sharing this hub with us all. I can't believe that I haven't come accross you before now.
This hub has touched serious topics. Smoking, drinkling and drugs.
I don't take drugs, I gave up smoking last year and I will never smoke again. I was married for 26 years to an abusive alcoholic and it has put me off drinking alcohol as well.
Hubs such as this one which reinstates everything that we already knew but maybe we needed to be reminded once more.
Thank you so much for sharing and I now look forward to reading more of your work.
Hello Eiddwen,
I'm so glad you got a remedial lesson from my hub! Congratulations on quitting smoking! That is an accomplishment that will pay off for the rest of your life!
Living with an alcoholic is hell on earth. Sounds like you are into a healthier relationship space now -- that's good, too. Now if only you could get your ex to read this (I have several others aimed at alcoholics, too -- it's a subject near and dear to MY heart).
Well, thanks for commenting! MM
Hi, My name is Fiona, I am a 26 year old alcoholic, and wanting to go back to study ( I was at Waikato before I went into Re hab for 16 months) I have been out for a year now and living with my Dad ( who has recently become sick, I can no longer live with him, but am scared to live somewhere where I am not held accountable, or have flat mates who drink. I cannot afford my own place either, and the drinking culture that surrounds most uni students is too worriesome for me to contemplate the Uni Halls of residents. The whole process of University and flat hunting has been very anxiety provoking, unfortunatly even worse for my Dad. I pro-lapsed two days ago, and know Christmas will be hard unless I bounce back. I am looking for accomodation that has non judgemental, supportive people around me while I get back into study, and try to battel this disease. I am willing to be tested randomly and can only pray sombody on this site has any ideas that dont involve homeless shelters rehab or environments where alcohol is tollerated ( eg caravan parks, or motels). At the moment I am spending days and nights with a variety of friends who are home during the day, or have beds at night, to stop myslef from relapsing. I would very much apriciate any advice, chances to get back on my feet, or offers of support. Thankyou.
Fiona
Dear Fiona,
Thank you for sharing your situation here. Congratulations on recognizing your problem and taking steps to get sober. You are right to be wary of environments that will be tempting for you.
I have a couple of ideas.
1. The safest place for any alcoholic is within the folds of an AA fellowship. No matter what your needs are, you can reach out and ask for help. And help WILL be given you. You may well find someone who has an extra bedroom you can live in temporarily while you sort out your next move.
2. There are probably other alcoholics at university who would welcome your fellowship. I'm sure there are boards where you you could post a "looking for a sober rooming situation" notice.
3. I sense from your language that you are somewhere in the UK. Here in the US there are such things as "sober living houses" where groups of people transition out of rehab and live together in a house where they can be accountable to each other. It's like having "training wheels" for living sober on your own.
How to find such living situations? Try your local AA hotline. Ask at the rehab you went to for referrals. Look in the phone book or online...
4. I also suggest you write a post here on Hub Pages in the forum about alcoholism and recovery. There are a LOT of recovering alcoholics here on HP and I bet you will get a lot of good advice -- possibly even from someone who lives close to you!!!
Good luck to you.
P.S. I did not mention the most obvious thing about accountability. GET A SPONSOR!
P.P.S. By way of encouragement, I have a beautiful sober sponsee who flunked out of college due to her drinking and partying. She was young and had a lot to learn. She relapsed seriously but came back into the program and recently celebrated 4 years. She has been able to get back into university and is loving every sober moment.
And you will, too! MM
I really like you hub. I hope that this will help all those people who have vices and even their family can use this for them. This is very informative.
Thank you, joyce.blue. I hope so, too. Especially this time of year! MM
What a fantastic article. Great tips for quitting smoking. It's that time of year when many people resolve to quit smoking. Let's hope they are successful.
Why thank you, smokingtimeline! I agree. New Year's resolutions and all that... Thanks MM
good advice. However, as you say, very often an addict does need "in house" rehabilitation, as the addiction may stem from chemical imbalances, etc.
Hello vrajavala, ABSOLUTELY! in-house rehab gives any recovery a better chance at success because the addict gets some sobriety/clean time under their belt away from their usual triggers.
And thanks for raising the point about chemical imbalances. The correlation between brain chemistry imbalances and addiction are very high. It's like bipolars (and others) intuitively try to manage their wacky chemistry by self-medicating. And even when the substance(s) of choice are out of the equation, it still may not solve the chemical imbalance issue. Hence the need for "outside help" for MANY alcoholics/addicts.
Thanks so much for bringing that up. MM
Completely agree with the previous commenter who said that #6 doesn't get as much attention as it deserves. It seems that a lot of people battling addiction are looking for one single thing that they can do to deal with their issues, when, in fact, it is a process of MANY things, which interconnect. Thank you for posting such a helpful, informative hub.
Hello veritasvilla. #6 is definitely not an easy one, I know. But is as important as any of the others. Thanks for sharing your insights. MM
Great Hub! Thanks for that. Coming up 4 years sober, and look at life totally differently now.
Sending you love,
Caroline xxx
Congrats to you, Caroline! I will have 7 years in March! Time flies when you're actually living and loving life, doesnt it?
Thanks for the comment. Always great to meet others in recovery. MM
Unbelievable! What a great Hub, and the comments just keep making it better. Bravo for the helpful words. Thank You so much Mighty Mom.
Thanks so much, Joesy Schmoesy! There's quite an active recovery community here on HP...!
im sorry to say but there all crazy hard to stop.ill quit pot for a couple of weeks then ppl i know will do it and there having so much fun and it just brings back memmories that i miss so then i say ill take a hit then that becomes a couple bowlSS....and cigs are so hard. if i dont have one with in like 12 hours ill feel like i cant sit still my belly hurts there so hard.so if you know any one how didnt start yet or is thinking aout starting tell them its going to be one of the biggggest misttacks ever.i mean it.i play lacrosse i was like really good then i started smoking and drinking and other stuff now i blow.JUST NEVER START DRUGS,CIGS,OR DRINKING TRUST ME
hello canning8. i hear so much pain and frustration in your post. cigarettes are really, really physically addictive and getting off them takes a lot of willpower. But man, between weed and cigs, I don't wonder that your lax skills have declined. I know it's possible to play and party, but smoking butts is just brutal on your lungs and today's pot is soooo strong, too. Sounds like you are struggling with keeping your partying under control. If there's anything I can do to help, I would be glad to. Been down this road more than once and I am living proof that it CAN be done. Good luck to you! MM
Ditto your reply Mighty Mom, as you know I have stopped both cigarettes and pot. Cigarettes for over 2 years now and pot for over 5. Just working on reducing the alcohol now.... once step at a time. :)
I can't believe how many comments you've gotten for this hub, though it certainly deserves many, of course. (You might consider flip-flopping the comments capsule so the most recent are on top.) Yes, staying clean and sober is about changing your life, staying busy and making the commitment to quit. That's Kosmo's three-step method to sobriety. Thanks. Later!
Thankfully, I gave up alcohol years ago but I was on a fast road to destruction until I did. Don't miss it. Love waking up in the morning feeling good! Great hub.
Hey Kosmo -- Just getting around to commenting on your comment. A bit late. I like your three-step method. And I agree with the order of your steps, as well! Commitment isn't #1, changes and action are #1 and #2!!
Sinea Pies -- You and me (and quite a few other hubbers) both. I don't miss the drama and destruction either. Life is so much calmer now.
Glad to have another recovery pal here on HP. Thanks for visiting! MM
I like this article very informative. Thanks!Keep it up.
great hub. thanks for sharing
Thanks for reading, youngdubliner. I hope my ideas are helpful! MM
This is a great hub and hits home for me. Alcoholism has been a family tradition and fortunately I stopped before it was too late. Every day I pray for the strength to continue to live without a drink and am grateful that I am learning to live without alcohol. Some great info here.
Hello and welcome allstayathome. Congrats on your sobriety. I just celebrated 7 years (talk about miracles!). I look forward to your writings of your own experience, strength and hope. There are quite a few of "us" here on HP. Sometimes we have online meetings, but we ALWAYS support each other! Cheers, and God bless. MM
That is awesome. Big Congrats on 7 years. I love connecting with others and look forward to meeting even more people on here with similar interests. So far I am really enjoying Hub Pages. I tried Squidoo and was not too thrilled. I would love to know more about those online meetings.
Hello again, allstayathome! I would be interested to know your experiences on Squidoo. Some people have good experiences on other sites, some don't. HP is gooing through a major change due to the Google algorithm changes. But I LOVE this community. The Admin Team is fabulous and caring. The hubbers are ALL wonderful (even the contentious ones).
Glad to have you here with us.
Now, as to those online meetings.
Go to the forums and look under topics, find mental health. In there you will find a recovery community page. You can either respond to an ongoing thread or can start your own. I would love to pparticipate in some fellowship today (or any day).
Cheers and God bless, MM
WOW, what a fantastic Hub. I really appreciate you writing this. It gives insight to those that may still be struggling, and hope to those of us who are on the road of recovery. I especially like that you mentioned H.A.L.T. This was very powerful knowledge when I first learned of it....it seems so obvious, but had never occured to me, that these are triggers for me to use.
I also like what you said about feeling your feelings. This is why I started using in the first place as a youth. I wanted to bury my feelings and would hide from , or run from them by escaping into oblivion with drugs and alcohol. This worked....until it didn't work anymore...at which point I tried to kill myself. I was sick and tired of being sick and tired. I have since had an amazing spiritual experience and am 1yr 3 mo sober as of this writing. I am currently looking to share my experience, strength, and hope with others.
Thank you
David
Great article! I wrote a similar article on my Addicts Not Anonymous blog called, 10 Essential Steps to Permanent Addiction Recovery Success. Your number 2 step, "Do Whatever it Takes" was my number 1 step, "Determination".
The main difference is, I believe that there are people, like myself, who can do it without outside help. I was addicted to heroin for almost 30 years. I quit primarily using determination and have not used in over 4 years now.
But you did put what I believe to be the most important, essential ingredient in your plan; "Do Whatever it Takes" so you're okay by me.
Thanks for helping the many people I'm sure you've touched with this article.
Your tips are very useful. Your hub looks like a mini-guide.
Hello dear commentors. I am logging onto HP for the first time in several days. How exhilarating to see fellow people in or interested in recovery. It's always a pleasure to hook up with others who've walked the path -- however they are able to find it. God bless you all.Thomas -- I'm particulary interested in your story. I know a few people who were able to do it alone. But kicking heroin? That's monumental! Congrats to you. I will check out your blog.
celeBritys4africA, thank you for visiting. Yep. A mini-guide is what it's intended to be!
Sending serenity to all, MM
Way to go!Up vote.Thank you.
Thanks for the tips. Thanks for sharing.
I believe in today's world most of us have either suffered and addiction in the past our selves or with a close loved one. Or maybe are still suffering through it everyday still. I have been recovered myself for almost four years now from alcohol and smoking both. It's not easy, but it can happen and people supporting and caring is so needed it really is key to success. Thanks for sharing this here.
Thanks for an amazing blog MM I could go into the ins and outs of my addiction in details but i have started to blog instead ...I have been drug free for over 12 months and alcohol free nearly 1 month ciggies i have only conquered day 2 of ..I found your hub really encouraging and uplifting ..I believe that you always have choices ..you can choose to be a "victim" forever or you can choose not to be ..I am lucky to have support from friends and family and realize that a lot of people don't which makes me sad ,, everyone is valuable ..Again thanks for your insight :)
Hello chelky,
Congratulations on making a positive choice to live chemical free. That's awesome.
A year without drugs is a huge accomplishment. One month without alcohol is incredible, too! Keep up the good work!!
I wish you the best of luck with conquering ALL of your addictions. Cigarettes can be the hardest.
If you find that you need that crutch for a little while longer as you get used to living completely sober, don't beat yourself up. Just keep trying again and again.
I'm glad your family and friends are supportive.
In the event that -- for whatever reason -- you end up going out and doing more experimentation -- I hope they will understand and still be supportive.
As they say in the rooms, "Keep coming back." Even better, as you seem to be doing, "JUST STAY!"
All the best to you, MM
Tip #3 Change Your Attitude for Living Drug, Alcohol, Smoke Free is the most imp one.All that matters is your mental strength and positivity to get rid of these things.Using Herbs is really beneficial.At least i have been benefited.Great Hube.
Hi Freegoldman. Thanks for your comment. I think each person gravitates toward the tactic(s) that work best for them. Thanks for bringing up the subject of herbs. My family have recently hooked up with an acupuncturist/herbalist and she has been a godsend. When our bodies feel better our minds become more clear, and vice versa. They're definitely connected!
Anyway, glad to hear you are doing well. MM
With this hub, you re indeed a mighty mom. I love all the tips cos they are practical. Thanks for sharing.
Great hub packed with really useful information.All tips are practical.Thanks for sharing.
Thank you for commenting, ubanichijioke and fashion.
All tips are tried and true from my own experience and/or the hundreds of clean and sober people in my life!
Glad you found them useful. MM
I have one friend of mine who is looking to leave smoking.I will surely recommend your hub to him.Thanks.voted up!
Great advises here. Very informative hub.
Gave up everything 25 years ago; 5 years ago quit smoking due to Hep C treatments. Structuring positive leisure and social time helps; developing healthy and constructive habits. It's even ok to sit back and dream. Thanks for the good info especially since for me 25 years is not so long ago.
Hello thir3dpart.
Congratulations on your 25 year milestone.
And the 5 years without smokes is HUGE.
I like your attitude about keeping things healthy and constructive. It's easier to do when we know we CAN"T go back there. Forward healthy is the only alternative.
Always good to keep that last "taste" in our heads, too.
Not to romanticize it, but just to remember it was a part of who we were. And we are not that person anymore.
Good luck with staying positive and healthy, esp. with the Hep c. Yours in serenity, MM
Mighty Mom
Tip #4 and #5 are often the hardest to do but can be the most effective and powerful weapon against smoking, drugs and alcohol.
"..some people may not support your new lifestyle. They may not like the "new you" and seek to sabotage your efforts..." Although what you've written here is hard to believe, it is absolutely true. A group of friends may not accept one of their own trying to break out of bad habits they all indulge into.
I like this hub because it gives crisp and straightforward advice, just the way it is supposed to be! I truly hope this reaches out to people who need to read it.
Princesswithapen
i love this article love love love thankyou thank you
Hi cc,
Love, love, love comments like that! I am glad my experience is helpful to you! Have a chemical free day!
MM
As a friend of Bill and Dr. Bob I applaud your subject choice and enjoyed reading your article. You did a nice job of dumbing down the subject matter and making it easy to understand for any newbie out there who may be considering recovery. Very nice job!
Hi billybuc,
Thanks so much for the positive comment. I like the crowd you roll with, dude. Bill w and Dr. Bob are still the best. I wouldn't be here to write this without them!
Glad to meet you. MM
Nice tips..its really good..that you have described point wise...actually main thing is all of points is..divert mind to other good things from addicted things which are dangerous for life
Hi Mighty Mom,
Even if we try to quit all of those stuffs , we leave those things for 2-3 days but start without unknowingly on the third is day because we dont have control on our sub conscious mind.... whatever we taught him by doing it performs that well .... As soon as you make him teach something unusual it gets reluctant .....
Thanks for the hub .... keep the good work up ......
Great Hub. It will surely help many addicted people. Voted up and shared.
Great advice! Voted up and shared!
Great advice. Thank you for sharing these excellent points.
Thank you for your positive comments. This advice is tried and true -- I personally use all these tips and am here to say they really work!
Cheers, MM
pgrundy 3 years ago
Great hub! I think #6 doesn't get as much attention as it deserves--thank you for including it. I recently lost about 20 pounds and found that as the weight came off I began to feel incredibly angry. Slowly it dawned on me that I had literally been 'stuffing' my feelings, and once the stuffing stopped, out they came.
So now I'm dealing with that, but I'll get through it. This is all fabulous advice, thank you.
Also--for anyone scared to go to an AA meeting, it works. Seven years sober now and loving every minute of it.