I’ve been using self harm as a coping mechanism for what feels like my whole life. I’ve tried going to AA and NA. I can see how they can really help but I felt like an imposter because my “drug” isn’t one. I’m 205 days “clean” today and wanted to shout it from the roof tops but with all the stigma I suppose I will just shout it here. It’s been a long hard road to reach this goal and I am a bit proud.
Thank you for allowing me to share.
1st, all addictions welcome.
2nd, congrats on 205 days!!! Huge achievement.
Could you possibly share what you do that helps? My daughter self harms.
I used self harm to deal a lot and would self harm a lot after an alcohol binge. I finally came clean to my mom about it in May (I haven’t self harmed since then). My current boyfriend knew about it 3 months before my mom and he was super concerned - he tried to get me to stop but I was sneaky af and he wouldn’t know until after. Then he would help “patch me up” after I cut. But once I came clean about it, it was a huge weight off my shoulders.
I found keeping a rubber band on my wrist and snapping it when I feel anxious helps a lot.
To reinforce @Elisabeth’s post, all addictions are welcome here. I’m a porn addict, and I’ve found no judgment here. Welcome, and I hope you find what you need to stop harming yourself.
If your looking for in person groups I would suggest talking to your doctor. Either they know or they can direct you to someone who does.
Or perhaps is there a crisis line you can call. They absolutely should have local resources for you.
Congrats on your success
Thank you everyone for you support! It took me many years and lots of therapy to get where I am. It’s going to sound odd but what worked for me was to stop fighting the urge to cut and “allowing” myself to do so… but later. I would say things like "okay I’ll cut but after I do the dishes. Then after I did the dishes “I’ll cut after I take a shower”. And so on and so forth. For some reason that worked for me. It took away the Undescribable urge that I just HAD to do it because in my mind I was going to do it. Just later. And later never came. Well so far later hasn’t come. It’s still the first thing I think about especially when life seems unlivable but that’s what’s helped me. Hope that helps.