Made it through Thanksgiving and just got home a few hours ago from an NA meeting...
My story....
-Three relapses...
-Clean since October 1st
-Hydrocodone use....prescribed for fibro, neck and back bulging disks...abused....YES
I've been hitting abou 5-6 meetings a week....Tried NA before....three relapses....this time was trying to do as close to 90/90 as I can. I have a sponsor and two home groups.
My struggle....where I am this second....
Tired....tired of meetings, tired of listening to the same ole chit, tired of hearing about drugs,tired of all the "God talk" (seriously where was God when you were shoving that chit in your arm? Where was he when I was getting wasted?) relapse and key tags, tired of hearing undermining remarks about AA program (didn't AA come before NA?), tired of comparing out (I misused RX pills, never sold or bought them, never ran with dealers or users-abused them to forget some pretty horrible stuff I was going through), tired of all the "love yous" (seriously? you don't even know me!), scared about the lack of anyone in the rooms (in this area)with any length of clean time...especially with no relapse in their stories...
I've never shot up, snorted, bought or sold pills (hydrocodone)....I've never associated with anyone who used (I usuallly only over medicated in the evening once I got home from work, did chores and settled in)..liked to get my buzz in the evening yes, but alone.
So there it is....honesty....Honestly...I'm struggling....I don't know where I belong anymore, and if one more person tells me it's your "disease" talking my head is gonna spin on my shoulders....
I've had nothing but support from fellow addicts in this area, and met some good people....I just don't know that I am buying what NA is selling, and feel that NA/meetings are making my life unmanagable at this point...I know I need to talk to my sponsor about this, and will tomorrow....or today when the sun comes up.....right now I just need some ESH....
Thanks so much for taking the time to read this....
Free2bme
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"Put down the magnifying glass and pick up the mirror"
"I ain't as good as I'm gonna get....but I'm better than I used to be"
Welcome. Thanks for sharing honestly. Many of us have felt the same things you're feeling now. When I first got to NA, too, struggled with whether it was really a good fit for me. I felt like I was different, couldn't relate to all the God talk, didn't like some people, did different drugs, came from a different background, blah, blah. What I realized however is that I needed help and I wasn't going to stay clean without the support of NA. I needed to find a way for NA to work for me, and I did. I learned to identify with the common problem that we all had--addiction, as well as the common message of hope--the steps, the NA program, etc.
HI F2BM. Point is.. i cant share directly on you dilemma. When i first got out of rehab there was no NA. Many addicts did AA and found much love and support. NA was started later, carved from our pain of not finding close association and identification as addicts.
Then NA grew and we have about 15 meetings a week. We the addicts had a clear cut policy; God help us change the things we cant stand...and stand the things we cant change.. So, with heads full of resentment and pots full of coffee, we started NA meetings. First one then many and now 9 groups following the 12 Step Tradition of Narcotics Anonymous....
Now that having been said, Id suggest you find a sponsor and get things sorted... Goodluck and (((((((((Great Recovery hugssss))))))))
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Raman an addict clean and serene just for today in NA Worldwide ; live to love and love to live the NA Way !!!
Geting off drugs is a struggle for sure. Part of the struggle is dealing with life while not under the influence. Yes, there are phonies, false prophets, and liars in the room. Just like in the larger world. As time goes on and you put more time between you and your last drug, things will get easier. They will seem to get better. Their weaknesses and fallacies won't bother you so much. That's why we say "keep coming back" Thanks for this, it is an excellent topic.
I am an addict named Mike..First ,it sounds as if you have serious medical issues and whether you need to continue taking medication is between you and your doctor.Only you truly know when you are "using" or taking medication as prescribed, your body certainly doesnt know.I can identify with being in pain from debilitating medical issues that make the quality of life diminished in the least.In Times Of Illness(Booklet)IP#17 TREATMENT BEFORE AND AFTER,Bulletin#29(replacement issues)all found on NA.ORG website always good reminder readings..I know for me, self sponsorship never worked, so my sponsor and my support group remain intergral in my recovery ,a day at a time .And yes, Just as previously stated ,no matter where we go in life ,people, situations and other things may not always sit well with us. Dealing with life without"using" is not something we may be used to especially if we have been in the grip for a long time..The God thing is trying for many and I can hear the subtle resentment in your voice of where was this God when you were being obliterated?We instill the premise of our 2nd Step into our life, that is WE come to believe,only in a Power greater than ourselves,(this is not ,unless we are choosing Dogmatic beliefs, our God step but a place where the only requirements we need is to find that Power that is loving and caring and greater than us. Our choice is a process that most likely will develop as we go further in the "solution' the Steps worked with our sponsors and application in all areas of our lives. You have a sponsor, you are making meetings and you are sharing honestly,a really good base so far.Periodically for me,I make meetings out of town or just different nights or different areas.It helps me get out of that "oh know If this person shares about his /her dog again im gonna scream' :) Sometimes I gotta just really go deeper inside.Our literature does tell us that no matter if we are intravenous drug abusers or people just abusing prescriptions we all eventually end up in the same place ,some just get there faster than others..Through the years I have had many thoughts on 'why do I continue showing up,sponoring people,sharing and listening to some stuff that keeps me on edge but based on the evidence I know COMPLACENCY is definitely the enemy(especially with substantial clean time)Keep sharing honestly ,I can only suggest working even harder in the 'solution: The Steps,its where we get our ammo to remain in a fit spiritual condition,that daily reprieve,keeping us away from "using" again.As long as we are not using we have a shot of recovery each day.It is a simple program for complicated people,(in my case a true hardhead)Thanks for helping me out today to remind me,to not get into that complaceny that starts with severe reduction in my spiritual behavior, leading backward to the next mental part of my addiction and without dilligence back into the physical dilemma....Just For Today,don't use and more is always revealed.You are on the right course,call your sponsor,find that loving and caring Higher Power OF YOUR CHOICE AND YES,KEEP COMIN BACK....
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Our purpose is to remain clean,just for today,and to carry the message of recovery.
Counting my Blessings is a sure way out of the disease's mental traps like " im not good enough", " im a waster, clean or using ", "they always get better deals than me" etc.etc.etc.........
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Raman an addict clean and serene just for today in NA Worldwide ; live to love and love to live the NA Way !!!
The God thing is.....we can't get clean by ourselves. Only by turning our controlling interests over to a power greater then ourselves can we stop using.
The first part of spirituality is being honest open minded and willing. No where in those three words will you find 'God'.
You are doing the right thing vocalizing these reservations. Thank you for your honesty.