Day 17 of early recovery and struggling

What do we do when we are in early recovery life was great for about a week had a huge achievement for me and my daughter on Wednesday night then ever since that massive adrenaline dump my life has felt so shit and i feel as tho my life is falling apart all the things still feeling is the reason I wanted to get clean I’ll say get clean cos my problem wasn’t alcohol it’s weed 17 days today and it’s probably the worst I have felt in 2 years I never felt this bad in addiction why do I feel like this now I know it gets better I’ve had 3 years clean before but haven’t got the same support network I had I burnt those bridges in my addiction so guess all I’m asking is how do others cope in times like this I feel completely hopeless can’t be a father cos I feel as tho I’m falling apart and m kids don’t need to see that same as with my wife I talk to her bt ske doesnt totally understand th beast that is addiction only the stuff I tell her

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I just wanted to welcome you to the forum Darrell :slight_smile: This is a fabulous forum with very supportive people. Congratulations on ur clean time! Hope u find this forum helpful and a positive outlet for urself.

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I have been there too brother. My DOC was booze and pills (valium).

Once the taps were turned off I had a period of 2-3 weeks of acute withdrawal that consisted of extreme anxiety, racing thoughts, insomnia, feelings of total despair and hopelessness, even SI.

After that period I entered into PAWS (google it) and while it has gotten a lot better it will still take time. It does get better but not easier. But that’s probably b/c I’m still in early sobriety.

Sitting with my thoughts and feeling the full force of my past actions, regrets, shame, guilt and hopelessness was nearly overwhelming. This is where the work is. As my brain began to heal I found myself gorging information on the “why of things” and am lucky enough to have found a really good sponsor.

What I came up with was basically that my inner core (deep subconscious) was set to “I am a horrible person” and so my task is to dig deep, talk to that little boy (my inner child) and reassure him everything is ok. Embrace him and tell him he is loved. He is worthy. That he doesn’t need to hurt himself or others. That he is a good person. :people_hugging:

Try positive affirmations for yourself, even if you don’t believe it. Stay the course. You got this!

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Helps every time I log in just seeing my clean time keeps me motivated 3 weeks today yew I’ve got all my old na tags in a draw I earnt last time so imma earn them all again and then finally that black one

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Keep pushing brother. If you can do three weeks, you can do three more weeks.

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