People Always Ask

I don't have all the answers on this one. All I can do is tell you what helped me.

1. Look to a higher power. You are not in this alone.
2. Go to AA meetings and or NA meetings, meet new people who are struggling as you are. You can learn a great deal by listening to others share their ups & downs, your not alone. Remember, not all meetings are the same. Find one that you are comfortable with and one that you can relate to. I went to one meeting place that was nothing but a pity party. I wanted knowledge & support, not who had the worst story.
3. For me - I had to stay away from friends who used. I had to stay away from bars and events where alcohol and drugs were present.
4. KEEP BUSY!!!!! You don't have to build a show truck or do anything on such a large scale but, do ANY PROJECT you enjoy that will keep your mind OFF ALCOHOL AND DRUGS! Go for a hike, join a gym. The money you save on not buying alcohol or drugs, will pay for a membership. (exercise helps get you healthy again). I drank LOTS of water. I still do.
5. If you feel you are getting an urge to drink or use drugs - TALK TO SOMEONE IMMEDIATELY. I always go to my mom. I never used to listen to her, but in the end I learned she was always right. I could have saved myself a lot of trouble if I had listened. She would say " YOU ALWAYS HAVE TO LEARN THE HARD WAY!! So true!! I don't want to do that anymore. I'll listen to her advice now.
6. Believe that all things are possible. It's true. Many, many people have overcome alcoholism and drug use, and you can too. I finally believed that I was worth it.
7. Work on all the relationships that have suffered because of your alcoholism and or drug use, mainly your family. If you left this world tomorrow what would really matter to you. In all of life there is nothing more important than family. I love my mom, my papa, my grandmother, my sister Kristin & my nieces & nephews. I am close to my cousins Tracy & Carrie & her twin girls. My relationship with my family is really what is now important to me. I regret all they had to go through because of my drinking and drug use. My deepest regret while drinking and using was missing out on spending time with my grandfather. I loved him so much & I missed a lot of precious years with him that I will never get back. I was his only grandson. The one who would ride around with him on his tractor day after day planting the hay & harvesting it, feeding the cattle and watching him help with the birthing of the calves. I remember him giving mouth to mouth to a calf in trouble after its birth. He breathed life back into that calf. He was my hero. When I lost him I was devastated. Now I just hope he is watching me go through life - CLEAN AND SOBER.
8. Not missing out on being around my family and enjoying what we have is a very BIG INCENTIVE to STAY SOBER.