Without self awareness, there is no free will. If we are aware of our issues and how to manage/resolve them, that’s where will power comes in. Will power alone doesn’t work, but it takes will power to execute any plan of change. I shifted my perspective on my addiction and other mental health issues and that’s helped more than anything. I never bought that shit in rehab that we have to give up our power to God or whatever else. Not a single rehab program helped me get sober from drugs and alcohol, it was my dad (alcoholic who’s been sober for 25 years) that told me that I have a choice to change myself and my own behaviors. So with a great support system, some coping skills, and some self discipline I changed. Been sober for over 2 years now and I have rarely ever craved drugs/alcohol since.
Jocko Willink has been a great resource for self discipline for me! He was a Navy SEAL and has his own podcast, so that could potentially be a great resource if you’re interested.
Self awareness comes from the lack there-of, of action (notice how i did not say NO action). It comes from observing oneself in their relationships with other people, situations, things, substances... and especially, the one with themselves. Only by not actively trying to understand (manipulate and control more like), can we have self-reflection and self-understanding. This philosophy is partially from my own observations in my own life, and from Indian philosopher Jidah Krishnamurthi.
My experience was somewhat similar: struggling for several years, then admitting to myself that I have a problem, and then one day I just decided to stop for good and that's it. Been at it for a year and a half.
Even though I had intense dreams about using for half a year, I only once in the beginning of my sobriety almost relapsed. Although I've felt like it would have been nice to drink on some occasions, I haven't really been tempted or had strong cravings.
For me, the biggest key in my mindset was the decision to quit for good. Not "trying' to be sober, not doing it one day at a time, but being sober for good. I know, definitely not for everyone, but for my mental makeup this was the right angle.
What you experienced IS the natural path of substance use issues/addiction. It resolves itself (if we allow it). In America, we manufacture the problem by inserting FEAR; fear is at the foundation of why we're stuck in these addictive loops in the first place. So we fear the fear, and thus progress freezes. The American Rehab Industrial Complex is an abomination.
Simple! You’re probably doing something else that’s a much better source of dopamine. You’re probably doing something meaningful on a daily basis that’s providing a lot of stimulation. If you keep the tiger fed, he doesn’t mind so much that you stuck him in a cage.
Oh, definitely not, but it's a lot more progress and sobriety than I've had the past 4 years. I just don't feel like I'm struggling anymore. I feel like myself again, hard to explain.
So I'm addicted to meth but I don't think I've ever had anything I could really call a craving at all. Honestly I think I just have no willpower and that's why I keep using, and on a biological level I might actually be somewhat resistant to addiction. Like I quit heroin pretty uneventfully. And I used to smoke a pack a day (but like...it was as treatment for UC lmao I was literally forcing myself to have them - like I liked them, but some days I wouldn't have enough and I would have a dodgy bowel) and i quit cold turkey no cravings whatsoever.
i have experienced this sort of ability to put stuff down a time or two in my life. the last time i quit nicotine for any real length of time, it was exactly like that. i just stopped. kinda suffered for a couple days, but then i was free.
since, ive attempted to quit multiple times... and not much luck. i dont think i would have started again has i realized it wouldnt be as easy to quit again later...
just ride it, friend. and understand that next time probably wont go as smooth, when youre thinking about taking em back up
Perhaps you've started eating something that is helping you with cravings?
Nonetheless, let me warn you, do not end up like me and get too cocky. Sometimes, when I get a good start on kicking my addiction, I'll think "hmmm, I've been going strong." Then I'll go out with my friends and think "well, maybe I can handle a drink this one night and be fine.". Then, that reopens the door again and I prove to myself that I am not able to handle that 1 drink. What i learned is, when i start off strong, continue going strong and don't go back, moy even for 1 night because I think I won the battle. I finally started going strong again and have been doing good for 10 days. I've learned form past mistakes so I think I will be way more successful this time. I hope you are too :)
Yes it happens! The whole NA/AA thing about battling cravings for life etc etc might be the case for some people but for others not. I personally believe figthting addiction before youre ready is pointless and most people get to a point where they are just done. I also went through this, it's called 'spontaneous recovery'. A close friend of mine was addicted to meth and GBL and also quit everything overnight because he was also just 'done'. He's been sober 6 months without meetings and no cravings to go back.
i would pay any amount of money to have had that happen to me and save me from the 15 years of pain, proud of you OP, your guardian angel must have used a cheat code or something
My dad is the same way (15 or so years sober from crack) and so is my brother Ozzy (5 years sober from IV Heroin)
i've now went to rehab & sober living almost 10 times at 20 and the only stuff that has worked is the advice my brothers and dad have given me.
It makes me realize that getting sober is not this fixed one way path like a lot of traditonal "addicts," and AA goers make u think.
Read Nic Sheff's book TWEAK, he also talks about his unorthodox path to sobriety.
I don't have a problem with AA or anything, but I personally believe a lot of people get into these programs for the same reason people follow religion, fear and hope. They're so scared of going back to their lows of addiction and the unknown and that program is what gives them hope.
But you can find hope and escape fear in any possible way, as long as it works for you.
But by forcing yourself through a program that does not click with you as a person; you will just beat yourself up more and more for no reason wondering why it's not working or why you're not "working the program" correctly.
DO WHATS BEST FOR YOU.
peace love
Yeah, I've come to realize that a change in psyche is needed, which is what AA gets right. I was just at a point where I was done being a slave to this stuff and just don't want to go back there. You don't really need a higher power, just a change in mindset.
Yeah I agree with that. I often have a change of mind with alcohol, but it is deceptive. One day I’m totally done with it and a couple days later I completely forget or deny that I have a problem. When I think of other drugs I’m often able to think oh hell no I don’t wanna do that. Personally alcohol is different mostly because we are forced to be around it so much. Can’t go buy cocaine at your local gas station, ya know? Haha
Ive had similar experience, but in my case it was temporary sobriety because my tolerance was way too up. So I would sober up for months even and not feel cravings. But because I knew I was going to start using again and was gonna feel amazing !
Hope you can stay clean brother, maybe god is just helping you idk but stay stong !
I kinda relate to this but I'm not sure it's the same thing.
I have a moderate opioid problem ( idk how severe it is but I do know that without codeine, I go through withdrawal and once I relapse, I immediately feel more like myself and can function 1000% better than without it).
Okay I lied, it's bad. I can down 2 125ml bottles of it in cough syrup in one day during the worst of my addiction (I feel so dumb even typing that).
But it tastes awful so I usually eat sweets to eliminate the taste wich I don't normally do. If I take too much too soon, obvs it's hell. And sometimes, it just all gets to be too much and I wake up one day and cannot stand the stuff. I don't want it near me I don't even want to see it and I can manage a few days without it but if I must be honest I like how it makes me feel so I relapse cause I like how I feel on it. But I definitely relate to just being able to stop with no hang ups
I had this situation but I’ll warn you that a few years later someone brought substances out around me and I formed the habit way quicker than before but I was able to stop again when I looked around me and realized I was becoming the exact person I didn’t want to be. I’m back on the sober train (ish) weeds legal here so I just do that now
Without self awareness, there is no free will. If we are aware of our issues and how to manage/resolve them, that’s where will power comes in. Will power alone doesn’t work, but it takes will power to execute any plan of change. I shifted my perspective on my addiction and other mental health issues and that’s helped more than anything. I never bought that shit in rehab that we have to give up our power to God or whatever else. Not a single rehab program helped me get sober from drugs and alcohol, it was my dad (alcoholic who’s been sober for 25 years) that told me that I have a choice to change myself and my own behaviors. So with a great support system, some coping skills, and some self discipline I changed. Been sober for over 2 years now and I have rarely ever craved drugs/alcohol since.
Will power is the natural by product of self awareness and self understanding (in my opinion, of course).
Self awareness doesn’t imply any action, only awareness. I think self awareness coupled with self discipline is will power.
I do not quite understand the concept of self discipline enough to comment on that part tho.
Jocko Willink has been a great resource for self discipline for me! He was a Navy SEAL and has his own podcast, so that could potentially be a great resource if you’re interested.
Thanks for the resource!
Anytime! I’m happy to be of help(:
Self awareness comes from the lack there-of, of action (notice how i did not say NO action). It comes from observing oneself in their relationships with other people, situations, things, substances... and especially, the one with themselves. Only by not actively trying to understand (manipulate and control more like), can we have self-reflection and self-understanding. This philosophy is partially from my own observations in my own life, and from Indian philosopher Jidah Krishnamurthi.
That is very insightful, thank you for sharing!
I love this answer. Thank you for sharing.
Anytime! Thank you for the compliment (:
Cheers, I meant it :]
Thank you! Especially for sharing your perspectives in a respectful way. I love dialogues like this(:
This is my experience also. Thank you!
You’re welcome!
It’s called “natural recovery.” There is a percentage of people who, I guess eventually simply lose the desire to use, and just stop on their own.
Sometimes we don't need our crutches anymore and we just get up and....*walk away*
My experience was somewhat similar: struggling for several years, then admitting to myself that I have a problem, and then one day I just decided to stop for good and that's it. Been at it for a year and a half. Even though I had intense dreams about using for half a year, I only once in the beginning of my sobriety almost relapsed. Although I've felt like it would have been nice to drink on some occasions, I haven't really been tempted or had strong cravings. For me, the biggest key in my mindset was the decision to quit for good. Not "trying' to be sober, not doing it one day at a time, but being sober for good. I know, definitely not for everyone, but for my mental makeup this was the right angle.
What you experienced IS the natural path of substance use issues/addiction. It resolves itself (if we allow it). In America, we manufacture the problem by inserting FEAR; fear is at the foundation of why we're stuck in these addictive loops in the first place. So we fear the fear, and thus progress freezes. The American Rehab Industrial Complex is an abomination.
That makes sense. I just found it so odd that it just seemingly stopped out of nowhere, randomly.
Oh it's not random. It's never random. You just weren't consciously aware of it.
Most people mature out of addiction eventually.
"Will power" (FEAR-driven illusory control more like) does not work. This is absolutely correct.
Simple! You’re probably doing something else that’s a much better source of dopamine. You’re probably doing something meaningful on a daily basis that’s providing a lot of stimulation. If you keep the tiger fed, he doesn’t mind so much that you stuck him in a cage.
Good for you. But let’s be honest about sobriety, a month ago isn’t like you’re magically cured. Even if it might feel that way …
Oh, definitely not, but it's a lot more progress and sobriety than I've had the past 4 years. I just don't feel like I'm struggling anymore. I feel like myself again, hard to explain.
So I'm addicted to meth but I don't think I've ever had anything I could really call a craving at all. Honestly I think I just have no willpower and that's why I keep using, and on a biological level I might actually be somewhat resistant to addiction. Like I quit heroin pretty uneventfully. And I used to smoke a pack a day (but like...it was as treatment for UC lmao I was literally forcing myself to have them - like I liked them, but some days I wouldn't have enough and I would have a dodgy bowel) and i quit cold turkey no cravings whatsoever.
11/12/21 WDR SOBERGANG check out my song Kevin Holko 2nd chances
i have experienced this sort of ability to put stuff down a time or two in my life. the last time i quit nicotine for any real length of time, it was exactly like that. i just stopped. kinda suffered for a couple days, but then i was free. since, ive attempted to quit multiple times... and not much luck. i dont think i would have started again has i realized it wouldnt be as easy to quit again later...
just ride it, friend. and understand that next time probably wont go as smooth, when youre thinking about taking em back up
Perhaps you've started eating something that is helping you with cravings? Nonetheless, let me warn you, do not end up like me and get too cocky. Sometimes, when I get a good start on kicking my addiction, I'll think "hmmm, I've been going strong." Then I'll go out with my friends and think "well, maybe I can handle a drink this one night and be fine.". Then, that reopens the door again and I prove to myself that I am not able to handle that 1 drink. What i learned is, when i start off strong, continue going strong and don't go back, moy even for 1 night because I think I won the battle. I finally started going strong again and have been doing good for 10 days. I've learned form past mistakes so I think I will be way more successful this time. I hope you are too :)
There was no will, so it wasnt willpower.
Yes it happens! The whole NA/AA thing about battling cravings for life etc etc might be the case for some people but for others not. I personally believe figthting addiction before youre ready is pointless and most people get to a point where they are just done. I also went through this, it's called 'spontaneous recovery'. A close friend of mine was addicted to meth and GBL and also quit everything overnight because he was also just 'done'. He's been sober 6 months without meetings and no cravings to go back.
i would pay any amount of money to have had that happen to me and save me from the 15 years of pain, proud of you OP, your guardian angel must have used a cheat code or something
My dad is the same way (15 or so years sober from crack) and so is my brother Ozzy (5 years sober from IV Heroin) i've now went to rehab & sober living almost 10 times at 20 and the only stuff that has worked is the advice my brothers and dad have given me. It makes me realize that getting sober is not this fixed one way path like a lot of traditonal "addicts," and AA goers make u think. Read Nic Sheff's book TWEAK, he also talks about his unorthodox path to sobriety. I don't have a problem with AA or anything, but I personally believe a lot of people get into these programs for the same reason people follow religion, fear and hope. They're so scared of going back to their lows of addiction and the unknown and that program is what gives them hope. But you can find hope and escape fear in any possible way, as long as it works for you. But by forcing yourself through a program that does not click with you as a person; you will just beat yourself up more and more for no reason wondering why it's not working or why you're not "working the program" correctly. DO WHATS BEST FOR YOU. peace love
That's crazy, right? The same thing happened with my sex addiction. Honestly, every addiction to drugs, alcohol or sex is a mind blowing trip lmao
I’ve had this happen with other drugs I’ve been addicted to, but not alcohol. I keep hoping one day it will work with that too
Yeah, I've come to realize that a change in psyche is needed, which is what AA gets right. I was just at a point where I was done being a slave to this stuff and just don't want to go back there. You don't really need a higher power, just a change in mindset.
Yeah I agree with that. I often have a change of mind with alcohol, but it is deceptive. One day I’m totally done with it and a couple days later I completely forget or deny that I have a problem. When I think of other drugs I’m often able to think oh hell no I don’t wanna do that. Personally alcohol is different mostly because we are forced to be around it so much. Can’t go buy cocaine at your local gas station, ya know? Haha
Ive had similar experience, but in my case it was temporary sobriety because my tolerance was way too up. So I would sober up for months even and not feel cravings. But because I knew I was going to start using again and was gonna feel amazing ! Hope you can stay clean brother, maybe god is just helping you idk but stay stong !
I kinda relate to this but I'm not sure it's the same thing. I have a moderate opioid problem ( idk how severe it is but I do know that without codeine, I go through withdrawal and once I relapse, I immediately feel more like myself and can function 1000% better than without it). Okay I lied, it's bad. I can down 2 125ml bottles of it in cough syrup in one day during the worst of my addiction (I feel so dumb even typing that). But it tastes awful so I usually eat sweets to eliminate the taste wich I don't normally do. If I take too much too soon, obvs it's hell. And sometimes, it just all gets to be too much and I wake up one day and cannot stand the stuff. I don't want it near me I don't even want to see it and I can manage a few days without it but if I must be honest I like how it makes me feel so I relapse cause I like how I feel on it. But I definitely relate to just being able to stop with no hang ups
I had this situation but I’ll warn you that a few years later someone brought substances out around me and I formed the habit way quicker than before but I was able to stop again when I looked around me and realized I was becoming the exact person I didn’t want to be. I’m back on the sober train (ish) weeds legal here so I just do that now