Question for Recovering Addicts/Alcoholics?

Question

What was/is the hardest part of your recovery?

I have almost 2 years clean and sober. stress management is one of the hardest parts for me. I do not deal well with my anger and I often snap at people for almost no reason. then i feel so stupid for being out of control like that. I dont get voilent but sometimes I want to. I am also bipolar and my moods fluctuate a lot. I can go from extremely happy to a sobbing mess in no time over nothing at all. commercials will make me cry. haha. I self medicated that disease for so long it is difficult to handle sober sometimes. I am on medication but it is still hard. I am having one of those down days. maybe because it's raining. I just wanted to talk about it and hear from others what the hardest parts are for them. serious answers only please.

Answer 1

Geez grundle, not sure I can answer your question adequately. It's raining here today too and that always makes things seem so much more down. That is a proven fact, so it's not just you going through those emotions. I guess the hardest part is holding on to the belief that taking one day at a time is sufficient, and holding on to hope which is 'just around the corner.' Congratulations on the 2 years..that is something to hold on to as well. Take some pride in your strength of will and in your own self. We've never met, but your questions/answers make me believe that you are a good person. Let the meds do their job, but if you feel they aren't, then don't be afraid to say so to the Docs. Not everyone responds the same way. Please don't be afraid to ask for help, no one will think less of you for doing so.

Answer 2

when I feel like you do right now . I get something done. Either I clean something or run some errands. I get that feeling of accomplishment. It works for me

My recovery was much different than others. I originally went to "meetings" , but they couldn't convince me that I wasn't normal or that I had a "disease". I fought with them and they'd always said " well go out a use if you think you are normal" .

I'm like " normal people don't use" . I left before they could brainwash me into believing I need to be there for the rest of my life.

My theory:

I'm not diseased. I knew what I was doing when I messed up. I dont need something to blame my actions on ( I.E. diseases, etc.) . I did wrong and I did because I wanted to at the time.

Its easier for me to stay clean this way. I know it's my own actions and Ive taken full responsibilities. To tell the truth, I dont even have the desire to use anymore after 2 years sober. I didnt have the desire to use 1 month after being sober. When i quit , I was done with drugs and all the crap that comes with it.


Ive been through too much to EVER want to go back .

Answer 3

I'm not in recovery but my husband is...
From the other side of the table I can tell you that I know how hard it is for the addict at times. It's the "little" things (at least for my husband) that make it hard.
I've spent 4 1/2 years in AA supporting him and almost a year in AlAnon for myself, none of it is easy, simple, yes, easy, NO :-)
You have made it 2 years, you know your program, you know what you need to do if you have to, but you also know that it's up to YOU to do it. If you can't get to a meeting now, or you don't already have a sponsor or can't reach them, you can get a meeting on line.
give yourself some credit for what you have already accomplished and just for today, work on today :-)

Answer 4

my husband is a recovering alcoholic/drug user. he also has depression which is from the chronic back pain he's had for almost 15 years. so he takes methadone and anti depressants for those problems too. he's only been sober for a few weeks. he's determined to stay that way this time. he was also using coke. so he was messed up bad. the thing that seems to help him is to just go to an aa meeting or call his sponsor. i really want to congratulate you on your 2 years. that is so great! i get moody myself, just from hormones. it sucks! i cry easy too, i just saw that aspca commercial and i'm a wreck!

Answer 5

The hardest part for me was watching my Friends run away like I was some sort of disease. I guess it wasn't me they were hanging out with.

Answer 6

for me anger was the hardest to deal with. talking to a sponsor. do you have a strong support group? it took years for me to deal with my anger. you can't change overnight or days. it sounds like you doing what you need to do. and that's reaching out for help.use your higher power for strenght and understanding. clean and sober since
4/20/93

Answer 7

Hardest Part: Admitting the addiction...I'm not though, but I'm guessing if I were that would be the hardest part...I'm not...really.