[staciec878]

Just wondering if there is any former drug or alchol users?? Or am I the only one. Might be to personal but just wondering.

[holicanmc]

No, you're not the only one.

[BabyBrownEyes]

I'm a former pothead. Anything in particular that you want to know?

[need2loseinGA]

No your not the only one. I have been clean and sober 8 or 9 yrs.

[staciec878]

I was just wondering. I think drugs and alchol played a big role in my weight gain. I was always thick just not this big. The sad part is I was doing drugs where you dont eat for days, and you lose mass amounts of weight. But whenever I wasnt high anymore I would sleep for 2 days and eat EVERYTHING because I would tell myself. Oh well s ince I didnt eat yesterday I can eat this and this today.

[need2loseinGA]

I am the opposite. I was at my smallest while I was a user. Most if not all of my weight gain came after I stopped.

[BabyBrownEyes]

Hmmm...being a pothead....that's where a lot of my weight came from the past year...all those munchies. Although I did try to have strawberries and apples and carrots already cut-up to decrease the possibility of me going out to Taco Bell for food. Taco Bell was my muchie food.

Good luck staying clean!! Sounds like you were into a little more hardcore drugs than I was. I commend you for quiting!

[gailr42]

Sober since November 24, 1989. Yay me! I am not really sure how my drinking affected my weight. I know that alcohol is loaded with calories, but it seems to me that quitting smoking was more of a problem weight-wise.

[Tealeaf]

I was an out-of-control drinker from the time I was about fourteen till about, oh, I would guess about 32 ish or so. At my worst, I couldn't hold a job, and drank myself to blackout every single day. Every. Single. Day.

Of getting my drinking and weight under control, the weight has been the more difficult. By far. But it is worth the effort.

[Pita09]

I am very much an addict. I used to be a pothead and cigarette smoker for 23 years and a fairly heavy drinker. I stopped using drugs and stopped smoking 18 months ago and, I know in my heart and soul I'll never go back. I now only drink once in awhile and that is rarely more than one or two. Usually something with dinner is the most I drink. I love being clean and sober.

I love that I can breathe without coughing up a lung. I love that I don't smell. I love that I don't waste my money on that garbage anymore.

I have this one other addiction called food to overcome and then I truly will be free!! Well, except for my java!

[gailr42]

Fortunately, food doesn't have as big a grip on me as alcohol and cigarettes did. I am definitely interested in food and like to eat too much, but I don't think I am a slave to food. Well....maybe when I wait too long to eat!

[trooworld]

You are definitely not the only one, I used to do drugs and I still drink alcohol. I think both can contribute to weight gain. I never had an addiction to either, my addiction is soley to food. You are not alone.

[staciec878]

I was just wondering about coping with these addictions. Lately Ive been struggling. I dont do hard core drugs anymore but I drink, and I take alot of pills. Its shocking to me that I cant stop, when its amazing im even alive. The amount of pills Ive taken would kill some people or put them in comas. I dont take them to kill myself I just take them because they make me feel good. After everything thats came from this addiction. Lots of days I dont remember, lots and lots of things I dont remember, I dont remember doing certain things. This would scare anybody else. I do go for about a month, then I binge. I binge bad. Ive been through numerous rehabs. I just dont know how else to stop. I just know I need to because its going to kill me,.

[JayEll]

staciec, do you go to any AA or NA meetings? These really can be helpful if you follow the directions you're given there. It has worked for others and can work for you, too--but you have to be willing. I know you want to stop or you wouldn't be posting here. I also have some experience with this and know where you're coming from.

Don't give up what you want most, which I imagine is a long, happy, healthy life, for what you want now, which is another high. It's not worth it--you always come down--and things aren't better after that.

You can get help, and the first step is to get the stuff out of the house. All the pills, all the alcohol. It's very much the same way with weight loss--there are foods I just can't have in the house, period, because I don't have any control with them. That won't last forever, but it's fine for now. This isn't a test of "will power," it's a matter of survival and success.

Please hang in there--you don't have to use or drink ever again. Really.


Jay

[need2loseinGA]

I agree with Jayell here. When I first quit drinking I went to AA and they helped me a lot. But I will admit the main thing that helped and I know this is not for everyone or something everyone can do. When it got to the point I had to quit no if and or buts I got up with what little I had and left the state I lived in. Moved to a totally new state where I knew no one and could not really get the drugs of choice because I knew no one. I told no one where I was going or what I was doing till afterwards. I called my mother 2 weeks after I left and told her where I was.

Honestly this helped me a lot. It was hard though and I do not recommend this to everyone. Its not something everyone can do. If you are doing drugs and drinking with a group of friends you need to remove that temptation from your life. If you really want to quit you don't need to be around other users at least until you got several months of soberity under your belt if not forever if there is a strong temptation.

What types of rehab did you do? Was it inpatient or outpatient? And for how long?

One more thing and I am sure other users can relate to this. Even though I am clean and sober and have been for 8-9years there is still not a day that goes by that I think about having a drink or using. Of course I don't but the thoughts are still there.