I am a drug user and help is available but I feel too guilty to ask and I'm afraid?

Question

**I'm a recovering cocaine addict and unsure as to whether or not I'm currently addicted to meth**

One of my friends spoke to an old friend of mine who use to be a cocaine addict, he would be willing to help me get clean but I dont want to ask because I'd feel as though I'm dumping my problems on him and I dont want to do that... I'd feel so guilty asking especially since we havent seen eachother or spoken for a couple of years...

I'm also scared to ask, he only wants to help me quit if I'm serious about it, I know I need to get clean, but I'm pretty confused about whether or not I'm even an addict right now... I'm also scared I'll relapse or slip up and he'll get mad at me or not want to help anymore...

Any words of advice?
Any ideas of what I should do?
How can I find it within myself to get help?

Answer 1

For one thing, don't EVER think that you're bothering someone when you want help. I have been in AA for two and a half years and their biggest thing is helping the newcomer. Believe me, it will help your friend to help you more than it helps you. That is just how the program works. The only way to keep it is to give it away. Go to a meeting with your friend and ask him to introduce you to other women....believe me...they'll love you..they did me when I came in. Good luck. Remember, the HOW of recovery is Honesty Openmindedness and Willingness. If you are willing to get clean, you will get help..you just have to reach out...people in AA and NA love to help other alcoholics/addicts...it's what we do.

Answer 2

If you were addicted to cocaine, you are an addict. I am a cocaine and heroin addict. I have been clean for a little over a year. Don't worry about feeling as if you are dumping your problems on someone. Who do you think we told our problems to. Other addicts helped me tremendiously. If I want to keep my sobriety, I must help others. It is a fact. I will give whatever I have to offer just as help was given so freely to me. Look at it this way. The only thing standing between You have a miserable life or possible death and you having a wonderful life is The simple fact that you feel guilty and have a fear of failure. If you don't get help, it only gets worse. I was to proud to get help. I tried every means possible to do it on my own. I even quit heroin cold turkey. A year later I was back on it even worse. Addiction is a progressive disease. Meaning that it will progressively get worse until you are in jail or dead. Or get into recovery. If I were helping someone try to get clean and they slipped, my heart would just go out to that person. They just don't get it yet. The problem witth us addicts is not drugs. The true problem is our heads. Not feeling good enough or feeling better than everyone, anxiety, depression, unable to cope with the past or present or future......... Drugs was just the way that I self medicated. Then drugs caused me more problems. I fought to do it on my own. It wasn't until My ex-wife wanted a divorice, I was losing the trust and respect of loved ones. And eventually wound up facing 30 felonies. I got clean, I have earned my familys trust back. The courts (through a miracle) reduced all charges to One misdemeanor. I now have a key to MY office and the combination to the company safe. I also feel better than I have ever felt in my whole life. The inner peace and ability to cope. All of this came through working the twelve steps with a sponsor. I am a very stubborn person, But I was eventually beaten into be willing. If your really want to know what your life could really be like. Get help. Practice some humility. Go to meetings get a sponsor and work through the steps. But for now, Just be Honest (especially with your self) the disease will try to convince you that you are fine. Remember the disease is a mental one. manifested in your brain. So dont try to use your brain to solve a problem with you brain. So any way, Honesty, open mindedness, and willingness. Let that be your mantra so to speak. There is no finding it within yourself. But do your part. Ask for help. (even if you are emberrassed, guilty or afraid) . I was all of those cupled with stubburness. That is why I had to lose everything first, But you don't have to. And do what people in Narcotics Anonymous suggest to you. After all we only have one earthly life, shouldn't we make it our best. Best wishes and you can E-MAIL me if you have any questions. Or if you would like to seek a treatment center. I know of quite a few. And they aren't outrages. Non profit.I went to a 28 day program and stay for 90 days. I enjoyed it. Because I was growing.

Answer 3

You're taking the steps to save your life. You shouldn't feel guilty , you should feel happy, thankful, proud, etc.

The people who really love you will be there for you. It depends on the history you've had and how much hurt has happened, but people will support you.

See a counselor or rehab or something so you can talk to someone who is a professional.

Getting clean and sober is better and healthier then staying addicted.

My uncle was addicted to years, in fact I didn't even know him because he wasn't allowed around my sister and I when we were growing up. He lost contact with my family. One day we got a phone call to basically come identify his body because he was shoot and dying. That was 12 years ago, and because now that he's clean my family is back together and we're all happied then ever. He now has severe medical problems but he's clean.

If you can't find it in yourself to get clean, look at those around you and what it's do it them.

I wish you all the luck in the world with your upcoming journey. Good luck

Answer 4

I'll do my best to be brief.... just thinking how similar of a situation I experienced ...speaking in terms of asking for help...from an old friend...who was an addict... and to whom I had not spoken with in years.

I called him, he came over, immediately.... he was somehow able to make a call and get me into a substance abuse rehabilitation facility.....I thank God. What he did, whether he knows or not, played a very big part in my recovery.

I of course didn't show up for my intake as he had arranged... nope, I mean come on... I was an addict, and you know what.... he didn't get mad, heck, he knew the chances of me just driving myself to a rehab were slim to none, but he helped nevertheless..

and after a few more rounds in hell, I made the decision..... and I had a place to go. so to answer the question about asking this friend of yours.... well, recovering addicts love nothing more than to help someone else escape the hell of drug addiction, it's giving back, it's an absolutely necessary aspect of recoving, so call them.

I was a meth addict, it's a nightmare... I know, I will tell you this, as I was told.... it only gets worse. I didn't believe that, so I kept trying to get to that point where I controlled my using.... what a joke, there's NO WAY to do that, with all of my heart I promise you.

please seek help by whatever means you may have. I did not find it within myself to seek help until I was lying in the ER numb and then carried to the state psychiatric hospital...

I then realized that I had lost much more than my friends, health, home.... my daughter.... I had lost my mind, I had pushed a little too far in my pursuit of outsmarting meth..... I had lost.

I am only blessed to be alive, so blessed..... jail, institutions and death... that's where meth will take you.... I promise you that.... whether you believe me or not.

your life does not have to be this way, you can get clean, and you can stay clean.... you arent living right now..... but you deserve to live.

it's a hard choice, especially when you're coherrant enough to be on a computer asking advice on how to find it within yourself to make the choice to ask for help..... you're suffering isn't to the extent that it may be if you wait.... it may be next year, and it may be tomorrow.... but either way, you're pushing yourself into a very dark place, the worst nightmare you could ever imagine.

Bottom line is this... you and only you can make your recovery happen...

this means regardless of whether or not someone gets mad or not, whether someone helps, or stops helping,

so whatever you are fearing in asking for help... that could very well be a major road block you are unconsciensly but intentionally placing in the way of your getting help. Addicts do that, it's called denial.

Answer 5

If you wonder if you are addicted, you have some problem at the very least. Most people I have been near tell me that the hardest thing to do is ask for and accept help. Even more than admitting that they had a problem.

When somebody offers to help, you should never feel guilty or that you are imposing or whatever. If they didn't offer and you expected them to help is when you should feel bad.

You are stronger than you know. How the hell do I know from way over here? Because you have already taken a small step in the right direction by posting your question. Go with that instinct.

Answer 6

Sweet heart, You are not recovering from Cocaine if you are using Meth. You ARE Addicted to Meth if you use it and keep using it. If there is some one you know that is willing to help you get clean, by all means take them up on it!

Answer 7

I am sure your friend would be much obliged to help you like I do. But the rest is up to you, you command! No one can help you to get out unless you want to help yourself. If you think you are going to relapse because you are not sure of yourself. Its ok. The only thing is to go to any drug rehab centre and get help. If you have the will, I believe you can do it. Words of advice might be pouring in, it depends on you now.
Come on, you can do it. I will be waiting for the good news.

Answer 8

Someone has offerred you help they know what will be involved and they still have decided to reach out and giveyou this help im sure they would not of if they didnt want to. You have already come so far with your recovery take the help offerred you have only to ask. You have already the strengh to take this help you only need look its not too hidden its called the will to live do you have it? I think the answer is yes you have posted here

Answer 9

No amount of rehab will work unless YOU decide to QUIT. It's really an uphill climb and the odds are overwhelming. Get all help and support you can. Good luck!

Answer 10

you are on the first step. you know you have a problem.
now think of this. would you rather be thrown in jail for using illegal drugs and forced into painful withdrawels? or would it be better to get with a friend who knows your pain and wants to help you get better?
i'm sure its very hard to admit to someone you need help but in the long run it will be so much better for you to get help before you get in trouble with the law, or worse...before you end up dead.