I’m just needing some support, and guidance

Your Story
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Hello,

So, this is one of the hardest things for me to do, and that is, to ask for help. I’ve been in active addiction for 5+ years and have always had a substance abuse problem. I did not even know that’s what it was called until about 3 years ago. I wasn’t self aware.

Most people that love me, do not even know I’m struggling with addiction. Or it doesn’t get brought up. I’m functioning, until I’m not. And my small circle, very small circle, of friends use my DOC. As bad as I hate to distance myself from them, we are not on the same journey. I’ve been wanting sobriety for a very long time, and now I realize I’m lacking support.

I’m looking for people to check-in with me, share some coping strategies, and just be my friend through this. I need distraction when I feel overwhelmed and feel like using is what will make me feel better. When I know, realistically, that using just keeps me in the same miserable loop. Any help will not go un-appreciated.

And I’ll be a friend back.

Thank you for reading, and/or considering. It means a lot.

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Hi there! Welcome :hugs: This is the perfect place to get all kinds of supports. The check in thread on here is great for talking about ur day, getting feedback/suggestions, or just needing someone to talk to! Or ur always welcome to start ur own post.

Is this ur day 1 in recovery? Or do u have a bit of time under ur belt? Either way, congratulations on making the decision to quit! Sounds like uv been thinking about it for a while now :slight_smile:

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I’m glad you’re here, that you’re asking for help, and that you are on the path to become more self aware.

Having a support system was and is a big part of how I got sober and continue to stay sober today. Sounds like, despite the difficulty of distancing yourself from your friends who use your DOC, that you know it’s a necessary step. Distancing or cutting out people/places/things that threatened my sobriety was a big first step for me on my sober journey.

Places like this are great for finding a community of people who can empathize and understand the struggle of addiction. There are also places like NA, SMART Recovery and Recovery Dharma that offer meeting for peer support and accountability!

The link below is a great thread here for daily check-ins that I and many others find to be very helpful!

Checking in daily to maintain focus #84

Some of the most useful coping strategies and sober tools I use to deal with cravings as well as anxiety are the 4-7-8 breathing technique, radical acceptance, HALT, opposite action, STOP, and Urge Surfing!

As for distractions, I’ve found music, movies, art, photography, reading, video games, and exercise to be some of my top go-to activities! Maybe spend some time building a list of things you enjoy doing (things that aren’t triggers) or new things that you’re interested in trying!

I’m going to include another link to a thread that is a good jumping off point for getting sober, some good first steps and explanations, as well as other people’s experiences!

What’s YOUR plan?

Again I’m glad you’re here and that you are asking for assistance. Seeking help is not a weakness, it is a strength. There are a lot of people here who are willing to listen and share their experiences, please don’t hesitate to reach for additional support​:smiling_face_with_sunglasses::call_me_hand:

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Welcome, Hazel.

The best advice I can give you is to stick around here and read some other stories and advice. Your journey is so similar to many here; you might be alone in your circle of DOC friends, but you’re not alone here :blush:

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Welcome, fellow addict here. It helps me when I’m craving to come on here and interact with other sober addicts. You can spend time looking at people’s pets, reading things that make you laugh or just searching for journeys similar to your own. The more you read, the more you realize most addicts are pretty much the same.
We can’t stay sober alone. Reach out if you are struggling, or extremely happy and need someone to tell, or if you are unsure how to navigate the site. It’s a worldwide forum so someone is always on.
I’m glad you’re here. This place has helped me stack 4 years sober from the first addiction I gave up (alcohol) and it helps me tackle all the other addictions that try to step in. It’s a process but it’s really worth it.

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Welcome :sunflower:

Here’s a linklist to helpful threads to check out and read through. Feel welcome to engage where you feel comfortable. For accountability the daily check in thread and the gratitude thread are great, the light is on 24/7, bring your own coffee, read, connect and share :hugs:

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Welcome to the community. You found an awesome place to get support, learn a lot, be friends with people, support others, one day at a time. Again welcome to the community.

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There’s tonnes of people and help here. Glad to see you here. Read around as there’s a million topics of strategies and support and experience. Check in and use the community.

Good luck. :four_leaf_clover:

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Welcome :purple_heart:
You’ll find lots of support on here. Glad to be on this journey with you.

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I had to make 100% change… I don’t hang with the same peeps, nor go to the same places as I did in addiction. Period.

I recreate, shop, explore in diff neighborhoods…change of scenery, change of pace, different people allow me to breath without the little voices.

Be well friend.

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I can def relate to a small circle. I have essentially no family. My life is me, my husband, child, and one close friend. I came on here this week feeling the same way. If you need someone to talk to regularly and share ideas with and yet check in and support, I’m here for you. Reach out here in the DMs if you want, or if you want a more formal setting I can do email too. Just let me know. If not, best of luck to you still!

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