Cold turkey- help me when I'm tempted

[rainbowdash17]

I'm about to go cold turkey from cocaine.
It's time to! Definitely
My weak points are when I'm tempted to buy some (usually evenings)

Can I message on here when I'm tempted for a pep talk on why I shouldn't & reassurance that it's ok?
I think it would really help me

Do you reckon we can do this?

I see my therapist next week whom I can open up to, and for the monent, it's not oerfect, but in either cutting down or not doing it every day, which is something I guess.

Hi Rainbow I know it's hard. Don't be afraid to ask for support from wherever you can. You really need it to pull yourself out of this.
Sometimes admitting it all to someone in real life can make it more real for you, if you see what I mean. Definitely talk to your therapist about your addiction. Just talking about it can get your head straight. You're probably all over the place at the moment thinking you have a problem and then convincing yourself it's not that bad.
I know how it is.

Remember you want to change. Try not to use today.

Rainbow every small step counts, you are in a way better position than many! You admitted your problem very early on, you have reached out on here AND been to a support group! Don't lose heart, you can do this! Here for you 💐

Cutting down/not doing it everyday/seeing a therapist is a fantastic start after heavy daily use. Keep going. Have you tried 3 days in a row coke free? Do it, you'll feel great.

So..... I am wondering if you could all support me through the next three days. If I get through them 'coke free', it will be the longest I have managed in months (it would be 9 days in a row, normally I only manage 6). So the plan is to keep actively occupied between the hours of 6pm to midnight, tonight I will be doing this with my hypnosis recording and watching 'the Good Wife'. Any other tips gratefully received!!

I'm so pleased you're sticking around, Rainbow. It sounds like you're doing well. You're strong enough to do this, you've already shown real strength admitting to yourself you have a problem and of course you're a single mum, and that's not easy!
Well done for cutting down so much. It's a great achievement and it would be brilliant to manage a whole week clean.

My advice would be to concentrate on the moment, at the moment you're doing well. Keep busy, especially during your trigger times. Plan something nice for yourself and concentrate on nurturing yourself. Take some vitamins, treat yourself to a new top or something, have a long bath, paint your nails, whatever makes you feel good. Be nice to yourself

Let us know how you're getting on. I don't mind if you want to come on here and moan.

Just noticed I confused you with Rainbow, Flatwhite. I'm so sorry, I'm an idiot!
My advice still applies to you of course (apart from the bit about being a single mum ) Really pleased for you, you're doing really well. I won't tell you to do crosswords in the evening, I know you hate them but definitely keep busy and let me know how you're getting on. I'll be cheering you on.

Ah thanks I lostit, don't worry about the confusion, it's all great advice. Was thinking I would treat myself to a facial on Sunday if I get through the next three days (nights). My husband is away with the kids Friday and Saturday night which is good as he is my only access to coke. He has dealer's number, I don't. Thank you for agreeing to be a cheerleader! X

Yes cringe about my mistake there!

My husband and I used to nearly always do coke together so I understand that scenario. Weekends, Friday night especially are always the worst time for me. This weekend worse because it's my birthday which I used last year as a stupid excuse for a massive blow out. Hopefully we can both get through it.

Enjoy your facial, good plan.
My sisters have given me a clothes voucher so I'm leaving the kids with their grandparents on Saturday and doing a bit of shopping. That's going to be my treat.

Just want to say I'm rooting for you all and keep going!

You can tell me to butt out as I don't have a coke addiction, did take a hell of a lot of drugs for many years but not just specifically coke. Stopped abruptly years ago as the mental consequences were messing me up big time. Now I'm in recovery for alcohol

Think you've been given some great advice on the thread, really would urge you to seek a lot of support. If NA doesn't appeal maybe try some other recovery alternatives such as SMART recovery. I've also found online recovery forums invaluable as everyone knows exactly what you are going through, wants you to succeed and are a good distraction when the cravings come a-calling.

I read a lot about addictions and people who have come through the other side, whether that be in books or blogs. Meditation also helps me a lot, I really rate the headspace app.

Keep fighting folks and remember just a day (or minute if needs be) at a time

Vidorra I won't be telling you to butt out, all support is very welcome, I don't think people have to be at the same stage of addiction or addicted to the same drug to be able to relate and give valuable advise. I think the themes are often the same. I have read a few online recovery forums, not really found any good blogs (let me know if you have).

Ilostit looks like I chose a good weekend to try to go sober, I hope knowing someone is in a similar place, helps you transition through the... "something to celebrate" trigger smoothly (oh god the excuses we make up😬). Clothes shopping sounds like fun, enjoy! I am not overly confidant I will get to enjoy the facial on Sunday, I have been here SO many times before, and always let myself down! But I am going to give it a damn good try

I don't know about these type of drugs but would it not be best to cut down slowly instead of cold turkey ? Can you delete the number of your supplier once you have tapered ? ( sorry I don't know if this is how you get drugs ? How do you get them ? ) . I would also recommend speaking to NA or FRANK . You need support and counselling to help you deal with why you need drugs and find out what real problems the drugs are masking. Good luck op xx

Thanks, Viddora, really useful to hear other people's experiences and welcome to our little support group! Wishing you strength for your own battles

Flat Keep going, don't think too far ahead. Agree the excuses we use are ridiculous aren't they? In weak moments, all rational thought seems to fly out the window! I'm much better at recognising when I'm thinking like that than I used to be and catching myself doing it (if that makes any sense).

Thank you. I'm doing well even though it's early days (again). I tackled the heaviest of my drinking years ago, it was the remaining binges that needed addressed before I went the same way again and I've come to the rather slow conclusion abstinence is the only way ahead for me now.

I think what has helped this time is I now look at my decisions to drink not as relapses but choices. My choice. It kind of of takes the power away from it and puts it all onto me.

I do the playing the tape to the end as mentioned upthread and run through HALT when I'm feeling a craving as they can be common triggers (hungry, angry/anxious, lonely, tired). I think with any addiction it is really important to try and find out the reasons behind the using, that can overwhelming in itself as you have to face it all clean/sober. Also need to replace the time spent using whatever drug it is in healthier ways, hobbies etc. I commit every morning to just today and I'll consider tomorrow when it comes.

In a way I think I was kind of lucky drugs affected my mental health so badly that it scared me into stopping suddenly. A couple of my old friends were not so lucky and are now in and out of mental health hospitals. You certainly would never have thought I was the sort of person to be nailing drugs every weekend and a lot throughout the week. I held down a job and money was no issue. I did have to cut out friendship groups, certain places and my relationship broke down as they were still deep into it. Now I never think of it except the odd time. I've compartmentalised it to a certain life of my life that is over. I can reminisce about the good times but also with 100% clarity the bad times.

Unfortunately flat I don't really know any drug addiction blogs as I concentrate on alcohol ones. If you are interested in the science behind it, I did one of those online futurelearn courses in drug and alcohol addiction a while back which was very interesting. If I come across any, I'll let you know.

Best of luck everyone, I'll shimmy back to the Dry thread now and leave you be

Busying myself putting DVD's back in their rightful boxes..next...,sofa cushion covers back on.....rock and roll😬

Thanks Vidorra, sounds like you pulled yourself back from the precipice!! I have only had an addiction for the past year and am struggling massively to knock it on the head, so I can only begin to imagine the internal strength and determination you must have had to quit!! Huge admiration....really hope I will get to where you are one day, being able to see it almost as ' another life'

Vidorra you sound like a bit of an expert! You've definitely been there and got the t shirt.

Flat You can't beat a bit of cleaning and sorting as distraction! Everything just seems a bit flat and boring sober at first doesn't it? I promise you it does get better and you'll get to a point where you suddenly realise you're feeling really happy and "up" without the chemical help.
Think how nice it'll feel to go to bed all tired rather than wired.

Yes it does feel dull, however I will take dull rather than; anxious, depressed and suicidal....which is how I will feel tomorrow morning if I give in....right now to the cushion covers

Rainbow I don't suppose you fancy joining me at some point over the next three days? No pressure x

Morning all!! Coffee, bagels and a clear head this morning!! Day (night 1) down!!

Yum, coffee and bagels! Got work today so leaving soon. Going out for a few birthday drinks tonight but planning on being sensible this year, really don't want to slip up. I know there will be a lot of people in the pub with cocaine, it's just everywhere these days so feel a bit worried. Have purposefully planned to be out early tomorrow as extra motivation not to go mad tonight.
Well done, Flat

Happy Birthday Ilostit enjoy your day and night! I don't have any advice about pubs,booze, friends with coke and something to celebrate, that would be a major challenge for me right now. However you sound like a super grounded, determined and strong woman...so you look that bastard coke in the eye's and kick it to the kerb if it tries to tempt you in. Feel free to come on here if you are struggling. I don't trust myself to be out right now, so will be tucked up in bed 'mums netting' and 'netflixing'

Thank you for your kind words. No one's called me that before! Will adopt it as my mantra for tonight..supergrounded , strong, determined.
Will probably be back on later. Have a lovely chilled out evening yourself. Keep strong.

Was massively tempted last night but I went to bed instead! Have a good weekend everyone.

Well done serial!! I messed up!! Feeling desperate this morning, going to sleep now, would be good to chat later