There is nothing like being able to control yourself once you have been addicted to a substance. It's completely impossible. Don't be deceived and don't try to deceive yourself. No recovering addict is strong enough to control his urge for the substance he was once addicted to. So stay away from it completely.
Excellent advice. Do not tempt yourself around the substances you are addicted to. You do have to stay away completely and find strength within yourself to be able to say no. It takes a lot of power and control.
Oh I agree with you completely. I don't think you ever "get over" an addiction as such, the only thing that happens is that you learn to live with it, but if you have any of the substance that you're addicted to you are always at risk of relapse, which is something that you want to avoid at all costs. I won't go anywhere near alcohol now, not even if I think I can stop after one glass, because I know that the reality might be very different to my expectations.
It's hard to control something that is already controlling you. So when an addict or a recovering addict says that he got it under control, that is something that is nearly impossible to do. It's better to stay away from that substance completely than have it around you and be lured into it again. Sure, you think you can control it now but what happens tomorrow? Or the next day? You can never be completely sure if you can still control it or it is controlling you already.
For a lot if people that is the only way to avoid slipping back into addiction again, but for some, me for example, I think it depends on how strong that person is also. It's satisfying to know that you don't want a drink for example,,but it's even more satisfying to have a drink and then not have any more. I think only then can you truly say that your in control.
Well, I was addicted to alcohol in the past and now I don't have a problem being near it, though I've been sober for a while now. I think it depends on the person, some people cope better and some people don't. Whatever floats your boat, I guess, but always remember to be happy and never look back on old times with sadness and hatred!
Many times recoverees are so confident in their recovery that they can enjoy alcohol or even drugs casually without any serious consequence. I'm not saying every former alcoholic who has a beer will regress, but for many addictions it definitely is possible. I don't know the statistics but I'm willing to bet this is a leading cause of regression into addiction. Your offer great and insightful advice.
I agree and one way that works for one person won't always be right for another. Some people are able to control themselves after going through recovery, others will have to avoid the substance altogether. It depends on what's right for the individual.
It is true. I do see some people who spend all the money they have on alcohol. They can't even remember to do something constructive. For them alcohol is like food because they don't have time to eat.
It is always advisable for someone not to avoid unnecessarily risks for example like an alcoholic accompanying his friends to a bar because he'll be their designated driver. While this can work for a little while eventually you might find yourself slipping. There's no reason in working so hard to beat an addiction only to throw away your victory because you thought you're able to control yourself.
I can be around people that drink now - that's manageable for me, but it's been basically 8 years now without drinking. In saying that though, I'd never think to myself "oh - one glass wouldn't hurt" because I know that for me is a dangerous road to go down.
Right that better to stay away than test yourself and failed. Although maybe there are some who can proved that they were in control, it is always nice to put in mind that prevention is better than cure.
I agree. As much as possible, just stay away from the temptations of substance abuse, and don't fall prey to peer pressure, or the influence of your social environment. Don't give in to your curiosity. Drugs, and alcohol may bring pleasure to you, but it's only going to be temporary, but the damage they could cause you could be for a lifetime.
Unfortunately most addicts will slip once or twice, or even a lot of times before they can cut it out completely. You may change your environment and your mindset completely, and that will help a lot, but I believe that once you've been under the grip, you have to be careful and aware for the rest of your life. Pray for strength, or rather, become strong.
There will inevitably be a time though when an ex alcoholic will HAVE to be around situations they feel uncomfortable with. Because of that, while its not a good idea to be in them situations all the time, it is worth trying to cope and see how they manage.
This is good advice, and I think it can be tempting to try a small amount of a substance once you're sober "just to check" that you're cured - but this is never going to be anything but a bad idea unfortunately, because I honestly don't believe that addiction can ever be "cured" only "managed", and the best way to manage your addiction is simply to stay away from the substance completely.
Staying away is good advice for sure. Make new friends, move to a new neighborhood or state if need be. You do what it takes to not fall into the same trap again. You can't live life being naieve thinking you can handle the temptation. There is no need to put yourself in that type of situation where you know the triggers will be.
While I agree that for some people the only option is to do whatever it takes to keep away from the substance they used to be addicted to, what if that isn't an option? It's very easy to say don't do it again, move away and make new friends but a lot of the time that's not possible. So what then?
That is the best way. Staying away from it completely can help an addict think of more useful ways of helping himself/herself out. Cutting connections with friends who influence an addict to get back to his/her old ways is also one of the best methods.