Programs that Have Specifically Helped You Recover from an Addiction

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   goldenpathposted 15 years ago

   Greetings!
   I would like to start this forum with this simple question.  What programs, techniques and/or advice have helped you in your journey as a recovering addict?  Please be as detailed or general as you feel comfortable with.
   
   Addictions take on many forms.  Pornography, tobacco use, stealing, profanity, gambling, promiscuity, internet gaming and texting are but a small snapshot of addictions.  Yes, even HubPages can be an addiction.  Addictions serve to strip an individual of their agency and binds them to dependency.
   
   What has helped your recovery process bring peace and happiness back into your life?

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      SupernaturalSeaposted 15 years agoin reply to this

      Hi there.
      
      I would love to speak with you about this! I am someone who suffers / suffered from Borderline Personality Disorder. The one thing that was effective in my life-long struggle to get better is Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT). Here is a link to the site of the founder of the therapy, itself, Marsha Linehan [http://www.portlanddbt.com/pages/linehan.html]. I had the honor of meeting her at the NAMI California conference in September. A Google search will lead you to many useful sites on DBT. If you would like to know more, please email me at my site.
      
      Thank you.
      
      SS
      
      

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         lyricsingrayposted 15 years agoin reply to this

         Thank you SS I too have been in DBT for 2 years - what a difference - glad you shared its always nice feeling less alone, cheers!

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      raranposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      I was a heroin user since 1982, first experience in Panama as a soldier. I quit cold turkey when I got orders going back to Ft. Bragg. It was not a real program of recovery, just white-knuckle abstinence. Fast forward a decade, finished school, wife, kids, etc. Mum died and I used that as an excuse to 'dabble' again. That run did not end until prison. After getting out I went to a couple NA meetings, hated them and started using again. Sick with myself I called the VA. After going through withdrawal at a good friend's house, I reported to the CTAD building @VAMC Highland Drive, Pittsburgh, PA (Centre for Treatment of Addictive Disorders) and went through a very strict and regimented 3 week inpatient course. My counselor, God bless her, felt I was doing well but had been an addict for so long I could use their long-term course at VAMC Butler (PA). It was great. I now have 6, yes 6, years clean, go to meetings 3 times a week (I STILL hate them but they do help.) sponsor, on the 9th step. So, without the VA I would be a wreck or a returnee to prison. Damn, I just gave you one of MY future hub entries ;-) Now there have been ups and downs, and a setback or three but its going pretty good now. OOPS I forgot a HUGE part. I was diagnosed with BPD (BiPolar Disorder) and did not agree at all. The doctor was a really good guy and, after years of therapy, I trust him implicitly and without reservation. I take me meds as directed, and go to a med group at the PTSD clinic once a month. As dead set as I once was at the psych field, it has been a BIG help. Indeed, I think it was a key part of me attaining a semblance of TRUE recovery. Thanks for asking, really.

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   goldenpathposted 15 years ago

   Wow!  Nothing yet?  Shall I assume everyone has no and never had an addiction or shall I assume no one in HubPages has any recovery experiences to share?  OK......

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   1. 69

      rhamsonposted 15 years agoin reply to this

      The thing about exposing ones addiction is that some people want to keep it private.  There are a number of reasons why this is so.  AA has the anonymous factor added to it so people will not be made to feel ashamed in the community by remaining anonymous in relating their stories.  Perhaps this is why you are not seeing a large response to your post.  I also feel that if people were to expose themselves in this forum there could be those that would use it against them.

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      Wendi Mposted 15 years agoin reply to this

      Read a few of my hubs...there's a quite a bit of material in there for you to sink your teeth into.
      
      From Alcohol to Anorexia and Xanax!

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   3. 0

      cosetteposted 15 years agoin reply to this

      i've never been addicted to anything but i did join ACA when i was 19 to help recover from damage caused by my father's addiction (alcohol), which brought me a lot of peace and insight.

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      1. 67

         goldenpathposted 15 years agoin reply to this

         Very glad for your input!  Having lived with someone with an addiction did you grow to adopt some of those same weaknesses or did the experience strengthen your resolve to not submit to those substances?
         
         Also, if you don't mind my asking; is your current relationship with your father strengthened or strained from the experience.  Understandable if you wish not to discuss but I am truly curious.  Thanks again.

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3. 51

   iamcoolguyposted 15 years ago

   @SupernaturalSea
   
   WOW! I never knew about this! Thanks! DBT eh? Gotta try this thing.

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   lyricsingrayposted 15 years ago

   As for addiction, the 12 step programs keep me in a solution of recovery I can live clean and with hope and laughter not just dry and alone.  I lived that way on heroin and cocaine for 24 years.  I have to stay in the program or my disease will take over again.  That will kill me I have no doubt.  I hang at narcotics anonymous (na.org) and cocaine anonymous (ca.org).  Whatever works, take what makes sense to you and leave the rest.  No 2 addicts live the same program and there are many who are wrong.  Just go with your gut and show up.
   
   The only 2 things I have to do today to stay clean is 1-don't pick up and 2-get to a meeting.
   
   One Dat at a Time.
   
   Cheers,
   Thanks,
   Kimberly

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      goldenpathposted 15 years agoin reply to this

      24 years!  Holy crap that's a long time.  It is obvious to me that you are still here because you still have much good and work to accomplish.  I commend your valiance in the cause of self progression.

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   donotfearposted 15 years ago

   I was one who kicked alcohol without the support of AA. However, I transformed my life and gave my heart to the Lord, continued attending church regularly and asked God to take away the desire for alcohol. I was sober for 8 years. Then backslid, fell off the wagon for 4 years while single.  I haven't had a drink in over 11 years now. As soon as I go my heart right with the Lord, He took care of the rest.  I attend an AA meeting every now & then, but I've found my best support through my church family. I must also mention, Celebrate Recovery, a Christian based self-help program.

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      goldenpathposted 15 years agoin reply to this

      The sense of worthlessness is deep when one falls of the wagon.  The true victory and triumph is when one gets back on for the long haul as you did.  Congratulations!  Even now the the metal is being prepared for molding as you have been put through the fire.

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   ddsurfscaposted 15 years ago

   If ever there was an addictive personality, that is me.
   I have been addicted to alcohol, herion, methadone,cocaine,crack,meth,cigs, and probably some things I am not aware of.
   Right now I am addicted to none of these things.
   How did I do it?  First, I realized that the only cure for addiction is substitution.  Secondly, self hypnosis.  brainwashing yourself.  here is what i did-- 3 times a day, I wrote for example, I hate the way cigerettes taste. 40 times three times a day.  after a week of doing this, whatever you wrote becomes your reality....be careful what you write.!!!

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      goldenpathposted 15 years agoin reply to this

      Very interesting.  I've never heard it done quite like this before.  I salute you and congratulate you on taking control of your life. 
      
      The brain is a peculiar mechanism to figure out.  There are many ways to condition the brain to believe a certain fact.  It is great that you used this solution.  I am sure it wasn't easy but at least now you know addiction can be conquered.

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   scowan4738posted 14 years ago

   To initially overcome my addiction to alcohol and diet pills I started going to AA 1982 and have been sober every since.  I still attend AA meetings at times and am planning on going to Celebrate Recovery now that my church is holding meetings on a night when I can go.  I am also battling with overeating and have been attending Weight Watchers and would attend OA if I could find a meeting in a favorable time frame.  I also work in the treatment field and have heard of a number of claims regarding overcoming addiction.  I believe that one of the best ways is still a 12-step program.  They have the longest track record and the best success rates.  However, that said I say whatever works for you DO IT.  After all the important thing is overcoming the addiction before it destroys your life.

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