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Been There
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Date Posted: 13:31:35 04/05/06 Wed
Helpful Tips
* Just wanted to put down a few good things that can help. First of all it is NOT your fault they are using. All the cruel things your loved one might say to you is the addict talking and not your loved one, and meth users are masters of manipulation. Rehab is not a cure it is just a place for the addicts to dust themselves off; it is ultimately up to the addict to stay clean. You have the right to be upset and set your own rules and to live your own life without feeling guilty about their use. Let your loved one know you are there for them to talk to and will help them when they are ready to quit, and do not enable their use. One tip is to learn to stick to your guns. If you kick them out or say you are not going to give them anymore money stick to what you say do not fold after a week or two. Enabling is helping out the addict so they NEVER hit their bottom. Ultimatums never work if you pressure too much they will run and never come talk to you. Same goes with the addict trying to get clean. Let them move at their own pace and their own way to recovery. By watching their every move and forcing your beliefs down their throat will make them run, they are not ready for all that pressure. Also to help some peoples ease that when an addict from most stimulants are trying to get clean they are bored so they will go everywhere and do everything to try to keep busy and their minds off the drug. The difference is they finish what they start when NOT high. They also seem to talk about the drug life to someone they trust a lot. Kind of like they are talking themselves out of ever using again. Please read some of these great tips I have found Good Luck.
* GOOD SITES FOR INFO
Basic facts about meth:
http://www.acde.org/common/Meth.htm
This is a great site also good for teens(10 yrs old and up start early). This site does not exaggerate the down side of meth because it does not have to. It is truthful and correct about today’s meth users, labs, and beliefs. Good Luck.
http://www.notevenonce.com/
Ma’s Place. Ma frequently posts at Methamphetamine Discussion Form, she has a great heart and this is her site. She will say it is EVERYBODY’S site. So check it out.
http://www.masplace.org/
SFJ’s site lots of good info: Including how a Meth addict thinks and feels. (Chew on this for a while. That all things being considered, with the entire rest of one's life in hand... they don't want to quit. They've not gone insane. To them, it makes perfect sense!)
http://sfjaye.freewebspace.com/favorite_links.html
Doug’s site for crystal recovery:
http://www.crystalrecovery.com/
Go Ask Alice. Alice is back up but now you have to pay, and I do not know where the old Q&A’s are?
http://www.crystalrecovery.com/GoAskAlice/GoAA.html
Good board for friends and family:
http://www.voy.com/105817/
Methamphetamine Discussion Forum: Mostly addicts or clean addicts
http://p073.ezboard.com/bmethamphetamineabusediscussionforum
Dr. Drew’s site. He used to be on MTV with Adam Corolla and has a radio show with Adam. He is an addiction, and STD specialist.
http://www.drdrew.com/Topics/article.asp?id=1327
Addiction and disease:
This is an excellent site for explanation. The point is an addict wants to quit but cannot they mentally and physically need it to live. Rather die than not use; their mind is diseased with this disorder. I know it is a choice at first, a choice to feel good, and have fun like going to the movies. With drugs in time that choice you made tricks you in to thinking that you need it to live than it becomes addiction (disease.) Good Luck.
http://www.medical-online.com/addict.htm
This is one of the greatest and eeriest things ever. I wanted to ad this for those who never seen their loved ones high, this video really shows the eerie feeling of watching someone with so much to do but goes in every direction and does nothing. This is Amanda Mazzanti being filmed by her father when she was in an 8 month meth induced psychosis. She writes me that she hates what this drug does to others her friend is still in a meth induced psychosis today. She is working on a documentary that sheds light on the meth epidemic from the tweakers view. Good Luck.
CrySTALEYEzed
http://www.digitalady.com/meth.html
* THIS HAS TO BE BY FAR THE BEST ADVICE IN THE WORLD HOW TO DEAL WITH A LOVED ONE USING AND ALL YOUR EMOTIONS THAT GO ALONG WITH IT. Good Luck
DO’S AND DON’TS, BY GIVING BACK.
Do's and Don't' of loving Meth Addicts:
DO accept you are NOT in control of others lives, chemical use, lies, actions, emotions, finances, or feelings.
DO know that you cannot deal with a loved one who is using meth on your own and that without God, you are destined to be in constant turmoil regarding your life. You will be just as CRAZY as the Tweaker you love.
DO seek out other people who have been where you are now and listen to their comments without getting defensive. Know they are trying to help, not be critical.
DO take a personal inventory of the way in which you interact with the meth user and determine if you are in any way, preventing their recovery. Also determine if you are in any way enabling them to continue using or being an umbrella or safety net for them.
DO get on with your life as best as you can. They may not ever get WELL, you must realize this and accept it. If you cannot get your self to the point
where this fact does not wreak havoc on you personally, then YOU MUST put distance between yourself and the user. This sounds cold but it is actually the opposite, as you need to realize that you must take care of you.
DO understand the dynamic of the relationship between the addict and their addiction. They are not the person you love and yet they are at the same time.
The person you love is not really in control at this point. Their addiction is. This addiction really does not care about you or your loved one's. It has NO conscience. It cares only about satisfying it's chemically derived need. This is not personal or meant to be vindictive; it is just the nature of addiction. It is over-whelming powerful. Your loved one is powerless against it on their own.
DO realize that the person you love can eventually come back, although in all honesty, the odds are against it.
DO learn everything you can about the drug, addictions and co-dependency. The more you know the better prepared you are to take care of yourself and be an assist in any hope of recovery that the addict may have.
DO try and help others who are hurting in the same way that you are hurting. This does two things:
1. It allows you to gain a better understanding of your relationship with the user. (You can see similarities and know you are not alone).
2. It will make BOTH of you stronger (Iron sharpening Iron).
DO not allow yourself to be manipulated by the user. It is NOT your fault they are an addict. It is NOT your fault that they are not in control of their lives. It is NOT your fault that they are broke or losing their children, it is THEIR fault and the result of choices that THEY made. The very first step towards recovery
for them will be the recognition of this fact.
DO not fall victim to Guilt. EVERY addict will try and blame someone else for their situation. As I said, the first step in their recovery will be accepting responsibility. You MAY actually BE DOING something that IS contributing to their problem but they are not going to be in a sound enough mindset to determine what that might be. They will just be trying to run a guilt trip on you if they say it is something you are doing. (I.e. Cop Out).
DO not "ride the roller coaster" during their recovery. Addicts almost never "get it right" on the first attempt. Watch yourself and your feelings and do not get sucked back down or back in. They will be going through an emotional roller coaster themselves also. Try and be understanding of this. Also know that if they were heavy users, it may take a month of abstinence before they return to anything near normal.
* LOTS OF PEOPLE ASK ABOUT TESTING AND I THINK IT IS A WASTE OF TIME. FIRST OF ALL YOU TEST TODAY YOU ARE GOING TO THINK THEY ARE USING TOMORROW. SECOND OF ALL IF YOU ONLY DO A URINE TEST IS WILL BE OUT OF THEIR SYSTEM IN 1 TO 3 DAYS ANYWAYS. THIRDLY IF THEY ARE TAKING METABOLITE, STACKERS, SUDAFED, OR DRINKING RED BULL THE TEST COULD BE DIRTY DUE TO THE EPHEDRINE, PSEUDOEPHEDRINE, or EPHEDRA.(newer tests use 1000ng/ml cut off points, to help stop false positives) SO IT IS EASIER TO WATCH THEIR ACTIONS. Good Luck.
SYMPTOMS THAT SOMEONE IS USING METH.
• Smell of substance on breath, body or clothes,
• Extreme hyperactivity; excessive talkativeness, or not talking at all,
• Unexplained silliness or giddiness,
• Constant sweating, change in personal grooming habits,
• Rapid weight loss,
• Increase or decrease in appetite; changes in eating habits,
• Sores on face, hands, legs, arms,
• Needle marks or bruises on lower arm, legs or bottom of feet,
• Talks fast and / or grinds their teeth, clenches their jaw,
• Either really clean or really unorganized,
• Works a lot of overtime, or does not work at all / can't keep a job,
• Drop in school or work performance; skips or is late to school or work,
• Car accidents, fender benders, household accidents,
• Chronic lying, and general dishonesty; trouble with police & authority,
• Unexplained need for money; can't explain where money goes; stealing,
• Change in activities; loss of interest in things that were important before,
• Circle of friends changes,
• Stays up all night or only gets a couple of hours of sleep each night,
• Unexplained moodiness, irritability, or nervousness,
• Change in overall attitude / personality with no other identifiable cause,
• Difficulty in paying attention; forgetfulness,
• Violent temper or bizarre behavior,
• Paranoia -- suspiciousness,
• Excessive need for privacy; keeps door locked or closed, won't let people in,
• Secretive or suspicious behavior
• Defensiveness, temper tantrums, resentful behavior (everything's a hassle),
• Possession of drug paraphernalia.
* This is a great post written by Angie in KCI message board. IT IS A LESSON WHY FAMILY MEMBERS NEED TO KNOW THERE IS NOTHING YOU CAN DO UNTIL THEY HIT ROCK BOTTOM AND NEED TO NOT LET IT DRIVE YOU CRAZY AND LIVE YOUR OWN LIFE. Good Luck.
ROCK BOTTOM, BY ANGIE.
We see on here all the time "ROCK BOTTOM"
Loved ones come on here and find out their loved ones need to hit "ROCK BOTTOM" they learn to quit enabling them..in order for them to hit this "ROCK BOTTOM" ....
it i have noticed that sometimes in peoples post you can almost hear the anticipation in them... or feel them looking intently at their loved ones ... investigating ...wondering and hopeful ...."ARE THEY THERE YET " " IS THIS ROCK BOTTOM" .... the thing though is sad as it may be ....You can't see "ROCK BOTTOM" is an inside deal ... It just is ...
You cringe in pain and wince at the misery you see them causing themseleves ... thinking ..
"OKAY THIS HAS GOT TO BE IT " "THEY HAVE TO BE THERE NOW" ..... but what would appear to be the Bottom of all Bottoms to most normal people ... Most times is no where Near close to being one for us ADDICTS ....
We can loose jobs, husbands, wives, cars, freedom, get deathly sick, be homeless, .... and still we will hang in there ...Most times the idea that MAYBE our using has anything to do with all of our Troubles doesn't even occur to us ....
I am posting this ... because I can feel you guys out there ...sitting back with these hopeful hearts ... on the edge of your seats waiting to catch them when they fall... and You guys end up sitting there on the EDGE for SUCH a long time ...
You'll Never see the Bottom ... You just wont ...
It's almost like a watched pot never Boils.. or something like that ....
Its pains me to know that you guys are all caring way more about this then they are ...and I am in no way saying that you shouldn’t ...
I am just letting you know when they finally do hit there "ROCK BOTTOM" its not gonna be anything you'll be able to see... its when they are finally empty inside.... this drug is evil ... and it will take everything you have got ... and then some ... and the screwed up thing is we just keep giving it....
There is life after METH.... and I have never felt more alive in my life ... life is so brand new to me ...and I have hope for all of your loved ones that one day they'll get here too ...
But keep in mind ... it took me 10 years .. Of all sorts of misery before ... I got to where I am now ... 10 years....
I am so grateful to each and everyone of you who posts about your daughters, sons, wives, husbands ... who are using ... I come here and if I am feeling weak ever or having any doubts about being sober ... .I find strength in reading your posts ... and knowing I never want to do this to my family...My mother, my brother, my nieces ... ever again.... So I thank you....
Just remember Take time for you ... let them go and do this on there own ... when they hit there bottom ... they will take the action needed to climb out of it..... But it has to be their idea.... no lecturing, or talking, or begging and pleading is gonna get them there ...
Take time for you...
Angie that was a great post for family members. You need to save yourself, live your own life and know it is not your fault. There is nothing you can do but just be there to listen to your loved one that is an addict when they need to talk. Learn as much as you can about this drug so they don’t manipulate you, or become an enabler. Also so you know when they scream, yell, and, blame you for everything you know it is the addict talking not your loved one. Good Luck.
* THIS IS THE CYCLES THAT LET PEOPLE KNOW WHY THEY DO WHAT THEY DO WEEK IN AND WEEK OUT. Good Luck.
CYCLES, BY DOUG.
Cycles
Hi, everyone. I want to share this information; as to help you understand your loved one who is addicted to meth. Meth users have a pattern cycle that is constantly repeated during their use. It goes like this:
1) CRAVING: during this time, the user can think of nothing else. Their every moment is consumed by the thought of using.
2) SEARCH AND OBTAIN: during this period, the meth user is on a mission. The maintain objective is to gain access to meth. This may be done by seeking "so called" friends whom they know has some meth, either for them to purchase, or to share some with them. The search is a crucial part of the cycle. For the loved one of the meth user, this is a painful period, as there is much deceit and the promises that they might stay home this time are all but crushed.
3) THE USE: whether it is snorting, smoking, injecting or digesting, this is finally the satisfaction of the "craving". This period of time 'speaks for itself' and is the ultimate reason this cycle will continue to repeat itself.
4) COMING DOWN: Meth use, more than any other drug, is very demanding on the physical and mental stability of a person. In the beginning of coming down, the user is very unstable, and starting to think about "the ones they love" who DO NOT USE. THEY FEEL REMORSE AND REGRET. They also will say at this time: "I'LL NEVER USE THAT SHIT AGAIN!!" They will also seek out those who truly love them, seeking support and understanding. For the LOVED ONES OF THE USER, this is a difficult time, as we have hope that they are genuine, and truly want help. We take them back, we give them love, and we care for them, letting down our defenses. We are just happy to have them home.
5) EVERYONE NEEDS REST AT SOME POINT! And sleep they will do! Sleep and sleep and sleep. They will ask for our support and understanding during this period. Excuses abound! They will want us to be their personal assistants...first of allow, allowing them to sleep. Maybe bring them something to eat. This is a time when the meth user has NO THOUGHTS OF USE, and it is a time when the "Loved Ones OF The Meth User" have their most hope. We are just so happy to have them home. And we pray they will stay RIGHT HERE. We will do anything to have them back, and we usually do.
BUT! THE PROBLEM IS........we have just completed our cycle. The cycle will return, with the very strong...very "LOUD CALLING" cravings. The cravings are the beginning of the cycle, and surely will repeat themselves over and over and over and over.
BREAKING THE CYCLE has to be done at some point in their life. This can only be accomplished by the meth user. The "love one of the meth user" can only stand by and watch
.... And PRAY. I HAVE SAID THIS MANY TIMES: THE ONLY THING THAT WORKS IS PRAYER. Your only recourse, albeit a powerful one.
THE CYCLE CAN BE BROKEN, but it takes true desire to have a normal life again. A meth user knows very well that their life is not normal. As much as they may wish to quit the cycle, they have to find the POWER within them to do so. And, it is possible to break that cycle.... I know. It's been more than 3 years now since I did it. Today, those cravings are a mere memory. I have won. How do I stay off meth?? I LOVE MY FAMILY...that is MY STAYING POWER. MY real friends have taken me back. I have NO IDEA where my "meth friends" are today, and have no wish to know their whereabouts. I Thank God everyday for restoring my life, and giving me true happiness once again. For all of you, I pray for the same results I have been blessed with. God Help You All in your search for sanity in this insane world of "evilness called meth".
Doug.
* THIS IS A GREAT LESSON FROM HULA FOR THE LOVED ONE TO LEARN HOW TO NOT LET THE ADDICT DRIVE YOU DOWN WITH THEIR MANIPULATION, SO THE BEST THING FOR YOU IS TO GET OUT OF THE WAY OF THEIR CONSEQUENCES. Good Luck.
THOUGHTS BY HULALEA aka HULA
Insanity is when you do the same things over and over again expecting an entirely different result.
With families of meth users, I think what we do can be put into this example:
The addict has this dangerously deadly disease that in one-way or another is contagious. Be it with the traumas of violence, finances, deceit or any other harm in the way it affects the family. Children, spouses, parents - totally innocent people are catching this "disease". Instead of the sick person realizing this danger that they are putting the family into, they selfishly continue to contaminate by blaming, hurting and deceiving the innocent ones that love them the most. All the while, continuing to get sicker and sicker by not wanting to get the help that is needed and available.
In the mean time, there are those of us that think if we just did this or just did that... was this way or was that way... we would help them get better. All the while getting sicker ourselves and adding illness to our children and loved ones also. This is when we have to detach one way or another (whether it's with the help of Government law enforcement and judges) and heal ourselves in the form of prayer or meditation and basically finding our peace.
We now can heal ourselves and those that rely on us and we show the addict that since we cannot help them they need to seek it on their own. This comes in the form of not listening to their lies, blaming and manipulations. No matter what they say, you were never the cause of their disease.
Get out of the way of their consequences. They need to feel their consequences for them to learn. It is part of the healing process for them. If you don't feel the heat, how will you know it burns? Let go and let God. He is the only one that heals.
I keep saying that this is Satan's ammo. Look at the God-created families and marriages that he keeps destroying!
Try prayer, I did and it has totally changed our lives. I continue to pray for all of the families' peace, comfort and strength.
* THIS IS A LETTER WRITTEN BY VELVET ON THE KCI MESSAGE BOARD. SHE HAS A VERY BEAUTIFUL WAY WITH WORDS. IT EXPLAINS HOW YOUR LOVED ONE, IS IN PAIN AND FEELS TRAPPED. ALSO SHE IS TRYING TO SHOW THIS IS HOW YOUR ADDICT TRULY FEELS AT TIMES. Velvet WRITES HER FEELINGS AND WHY SHE WRITES THIS
LETTER, THAN POSTED HER LETTER. Good Luck.
LETTER FORM YOUR ADDICT: BY VELVET.
Every day I see new names, new faces, same story. The one thing that brings us all together is meth and the pain it has brought to our lives. I’ve said a few times that I feel cursed being on both sides of the coin. I know some might find that hard to understand. It is SO hard sometimes for me to hear the pain, the hurt and the drippin’ anger of the loved ones of meth users here on the board but I understand it, believe me. It’s even harder because long ago I was one of the ones that caused that worry and heartache in the people who loved me. I know if you’ve never used before, this can be hard thing to get your head around: the user suffers too. Daily we hear pain from users, family and friends -- good people who have put every hope, dream, prayer, penny and emotion into what sometimes becomes the roller coaster of addiction and recovery.
There's been a lot of talk lately about letting go. Often whether or not we choose to stay with a user depends upon the hell we’ve already been through. It’s like addiction - you stay ‘til you can’t... but there comes a time when you HAVE TO PUT DOWN THE PAIN. No one lives in your house but you, and no one BUT YOU can make a judgment on how much is too much, no matter what side of the coin you're on.
This letter from your addict comes from my own recoveries and relapses, my daughter’s painful stories, and from your own words I have come to count on. I wrote it on Cyndi’s and Brad’s anniversary last weekend, caught by surprise that the day hit me so hard. All day long that day, I thought of Cyndi spending her day visiting Brad at the cemetery with their little ones. Thanks in part to her words, we’ve come to love Brad by looking through Cyndi's eyes. I thought of their huge love, and of her finding that balance that brings peace without him. Isn’t that beautiful balance in her JUST AWESOME? Most of us feel that we made some sacrifice or paid a horrible price, but what we sometimes tend to forget is that Cyndi, Tammy, mkf, Kenny Sims’ and Travis’ families (along with so many others) have paid the ultimate price -- the loss of their loved one. Whether it's the user or the ones who love them, the switch from painful mode to healing mode is what they all try to teach us. I am dedicating this with all my love to Cyndi. She teaches us by example and with so much love. I think that if Brad could talk to us, these are the things he (and so many other users) might say:
A Letter From Your Addict
I am an addict. I know that I have torn your life to shreds. I often feel hopeless and I can tell from your broken spirit that you feel the same. You don’t have to tell me what a total f*** up I am because I already know that. I know what I lost, I know I betrayed you and I know I’m a fool. Each time you tell me that with sad desperation in your voice, I use your pain as an excuse to use. Most of the time it makes me forget for just a short time just how many lives I’ve destroyed. Believe me, I do see the pain in your eyes -- my parents, lover, wife, husband, baby, friend, child -- but I pretend I don’t care... and often I really don’t.
But you don’t see me in those moments when I look into the mirror and want to tear my own hard heart out. You don’t hear the sobs that rip from my throat when the crystal is gone and so are the only ‘friends’ I have left. You don’t see the video of memories that shoots through my brain with endless chapters of who I used to be. Counting the losses on those never-ending lonely nights -- MY GOD, so many losses! -- misery soaking my shirt from the rivers of tears I have cried. I never meant to do this to you! I was just going to have a little fun, add a diversion, lose some weight, fit in, forget my problems, handle my busy life, stay awake for my job, do it just once (take your pick). Please, please understand… I never meant any of this to happen. I love you with all my heart and soul, with every breath I take… but my need for meth is blinding me. It’s blinding me and hurting you … and you never deserved such pain!
I used to only be hateful and horrible to you when I was out of meth, but now it’s happening almost every minute of every day regardless of how much I use. I don’t know how it happened, how it got to the point that it feels so out of my control! I have betrayed you in every way. I have become a stranger to all those who love me, stealing money, breaking hearts and ruining lives. I blame you and everyone else for the hell I live even though I know better. I have made you and my family deathly afraid of me while I walk this lonely road ...but STILL I cannot face a lifetime without this drug. I don’t want to get into my head and discover all the painful things that made me this way because I’m afraid to face anything without meth. When you talk of setting boundaries and leaving me I get violent and angry but in short times of clarity I understand. More often than not I feel that I deserve the very hell I’m wallowing in. Even I don’t recognize the dangerous stranger I have become and it frightens me more every day. This is not me!! Where did I go???
Please… do the only thing you can. Let go and go on. Please don’t let me hurt you anymore. I’ll catch up if I can.
I’m so sorry, baby. I’m so very, very sorry.
All my love,
Your Addict
My note: I know this will make some people mad. My apologies if it wasn't this way for you... but it was this way for Brad, for my daughter, and for myself...
All my love,
Velvet
* Lots of meth addicts write poems of despair or how they are trapped by their addiction. Mostly it is just the addict crashing and feeling sorry for themselves. So this is my favorite poem from Velvet but it can be a little upsetting to some family members. So the addict truly feels trapped at times and wants out. This poem may help some family members be a little understanding of the addict’s pain. Also a blueprint how you can get slowly tricked in to addiction. But remember feelings are not fact! They need to take action not just say they want to quit. Good Luck.
Spun by Velvet:
SPUN
A captive in her web although, you’ll swear with your last breath.
That she does not imprison you. This spider of meth-death.
No one has ever known you. Like she has, in your life.
Her tricky web envelopes. The pain, the ache, the strife.
At first she strokes you gently. She spins her web with care.
She wraps that silk around you. ‘Til you’re no longer there.
She feigns her love with passion. She wraps you in regret,
She gets inside you gracefully, and now you see the threat.
You have become the spider. Your mind an iced delight.
Her web no longer comforts in. The painful dead of night.
She crawls to you in double-time. Now blocking out the sun.
And when she steals your soul, your life. You know that you’ve been spun.
Velvet
* LOTS OF PEOPLE ASK WHAT ARE THE WITHDRAWALS OF THIS DRUG. EVERYBODY IS DIFFERENT AND SOMETIMES UNPREDICTABLE. IT IS NOT AN EXACT SCIENCE ON HOW THEY RECOVER BUT HERE IS TWO LIST, AND PRETTY GOOD GUIDELINES WHAT TO EXPECT IN MOST PEOPLE. Good Luck.
WITHDRAWS LIST 1
WEEK 1: Depending on how much the person had been doing up until quitting time and how many nights they had been awake, if any, the first couple of days will be spent sleeping non-stop. After that, the person will still prefer sleep but will eat and go to the bathroom whereas before they probably didn't. They will be moody, cranky, lethargic and sometimes violent. After the fourth day, the meth will technically be out of their system. However, it's the damage that the meth has caused that is where the problem lies and the fact that your system is clean of it, does really mean a whole lot. Cravings will be setting in towards then end of the first week and will more than likely intensify. Anxiety will set in around the third day, which can be unbearable especially to a long time user who is trying to quit.
WEEK 2: The person will still be moody, cranky and sometimes violent. The cravings will be worse than week one and can become unbearable. They will have no energy to do anything, sleeping is still preferred unless they break down and get more dope. The second week is where a lot of people slip up.
NOTE: If the person was experiencing drug induced psychosis while doing meth, these episodes will start to subside during the second week, if not the first. If it doesn't and last any longer than four weeks, that could be a sign of a real mental disorder and the person should see a doctor as soon as possible.
WEEK 3: Sleeping a lot should start to diminish although the user will not have a lot of energy and probably will not feel like doing anything. Depression sets in for the majority of the people around the third week, if not sooner. Anti-depressants really help if this happens. Cravings should be leveling off around this time.
WEEK 4: Every thing aside from the depression and feeling lethargic should start to subside a little. As time goes on from here if the user stays clean, eventually, all these thing will ultimately disappear.
It's important to note though, that different things can trigger cravings for years after the user has quit doing meth.
WITHDRAWS LIST 2:
W+1-7 Days HIBERNATION: (Fatigue and Hunger) as your body detoxifies and violently downshifts from 10th gear to 1st - acute fatigue sets in. Periods of sleep ranging from 12-24 hours are not uncommon with brief periods of wakefulness still accompanied by lethargy and inability to perform the simplest of tasks.
W+8-21 Days - DEPRESSION: (Low and Lethargic)
you are indeed now much more awake, but you will find your current un-stimulated dopamine levels to be insufficient. Matter of fact, you could win the lottery tomorrow and still feel suicidal. Ride the storm out - this phase is short. Now might be a good time to schedule an appointment with a psychiatrist. Don't be ashamed. No one need know but you. One session costs no more than your average eight ball. And a psyche is still the only therapist that can prescribe medication if it is needed. Buproprion, Citralopram and Bromocriptine have all had good results in dealing with depression brought about via drug withdrawal from cocaine and amphetamines.
W+22-60??Days - FRUSTRATION: (Irritability & Anger) the length of this phase is somewhat proportional to how long and how much you've been using...But it is accompanied by irritability (at the slightest annoyances), "cravings", and absent-mindedness.
This period will be harder on those around you-than you! Be sure to remove anything in the way of visual "triggers" that can facilitate relapse.
If you find yourself tempted to use, go to NA meetings. Even if you just sit and listen and don't ever participate, you'll be surprised at what "rubs off".
W+60??-90??Days - READJUSTMENT: (Transition & Happiness) every day the cravings, depression and irritability lessen. But you're not "cured" yet. The use of meth carries with it a myriad of activities both mental and otherwise that may be loads of fun while you were on the drug but will seem about as exciting as watching grass grow while straight. Unless you replace these activities with productive and meaningful tasks, you are setting yourself up for relapse. Try and reinvigorate "pre-drug" hobbies, habits and activities. Try some new things as well. You were enough of a pioneering spirit to get into hard drugs. Be adventuresome and try some things you have never done before.
* To end this I just want to say it is not your fault. Also it is not fair and not your problem. I completely believe in cutting your losses with meth addicts when all possible. For people with brothers, sisters, sons, daughters, mothers, fathers, Etc. that are users I hope this helps you deal with your pain. Good Luck
* THREE TRUE JOKES.
How do you know an addict is lying?...............Their lips are moving.
What is the difference between a crackhead and a tweaker?...............A crackhead will steal your money when you are not looking, a tweaker will steal your money when you are not looking and then come back and help you look for it.
How do you recognize a 'tweaker' in a grocery store?...............He's the one with the cart upside down trying to fix the wheels.
* Good Luck.
Been There.
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