37 Years Clean & Sober! 5-16-18

[RoadRunner]

I think you are a bit misguided, I hope you aren't thinking about counselling.

I was thinking the same about you.

 

[easy rider]

LOL! I was a volunteer drug and alcohol counselor for several years.

 

[RoadRunner]

LOL! I was a volunteer drug and alcohol counselor for several years.

Do you struggle with your tobacco addition?

 

[easy rider]

Do you struggle with your tobacco addition?

I am happy for you that it was so easy for you to quit your cigarette addiction, but that doesn't mean everyone is alike.

 

[RoadRunner]

I am happy for you that it was so easy for you to quit your cigarette addiction, but that doesn't mean everyone is alike.

You are right, everyone is not alike. Most people have been programmed to believe that they need help to quit. Whether that 'help' is drugs, counseling or both makes no difference, they are doomed to struggle with it. And there are people like myself who realize that they have a choice as to whether they struggle with their addiction or just quit.

I 'tried' several times to quit before I actually quit. Then I realized that 'trying' to quit is not the same as quitting.

 

[atticus finch]

Just for clarification, there are non-addictive people who are addicts, and there are addictive people who are addicts, is this what you are stating?

I've stated the differences, the reasons for them and examples of both for them, if you don't understand at this point then there's nothing else I can offer you to help you understand.

 

[RoadRunner]

I apologize to the OP for my participation in side tracking this thread. And again I would like to congratulate him on his accomplishment of being sober for 37 years. And I hate that he has had to struggle with it for so long.

 

[ROGER4314]

Stories abound in the 12 step programs about "normies" looking at you and saying through their "thin blue lips" that you could quit if you really wanted to.

The 12 step programs, daily reading of program publications, people in the program, prayer and regular meetings can guide your progress and it worked for me. If you have short cuts that work for you, then have at it!

Flash

 

[easy rider]

You are right, everyone is not alike. Most people have been programmed to believe that they need help to quit. Whether that 'help' is drugs, counseling or both makes no difference, they are doomed to struggle with it. And there are people like myself who realize that they have a choice as to whether they struggle with their addiction or just quit.

I 'tried' several times to quit before I actually quit. Then I realized that 'trying' to quit is not the same as quitting.

What works for you isn't what works for everyone. I wouldn't have quit on my own, there are so many that I thank for that, but had I not quit, I would probably be dead. I was mentor and then a counselor, not for the prestige, but because I wanted to give back what was given to me. I certainly wasn't programmed in believing I needed counselling, because I had no intentions of quitting, I was in denial that I had a problem with drinking. I was mandated through the court to do counselling (deferred prosecution). I didn't know that blackouts wasn't normal or trying to drink more then others, there were many things I didn't know or want to know. I don't think I could have quit on my own, because I didn't understand my own addiction.

 

[RoadRunner]

Stories abound in the 12 step programs about "normies" looking at you and saying through their "thin blue lips" that you could quit if you really wanted to.

The 12 step programs, daily reading of program publications, people in the program, prayer and regular meetings can guide your progress and it worked for me. If you have short cuts that work for you, then have at it!

Flash

I am glad that it worked for you. Whatever it takes for someone to stop drinking is good.

 

[RoadRunner]

What works for you isn't what works for everyone. I wouldn't have quit on my own, there are so many that I thank for that, but had I not quit, I would probably be dead. I was mentor and then a counselor, not for the prestige, but because I wanted to give back what was given to me. I certainly wasn't programmed in believing I needed counselling, because I had no intentions of quitting, I was in denial that I had a problem with drinking. I was mandated through the court to do counselling (deferred prosecution). I didn't know that blackouts wasn't normal or trying to drink more then others, there were many things I didn't know or want to know. I don't think I could have quit on my own, because I didn't understand my own addiction.

Like I said before, you are right, what works for some doesn't work for others when it comes to quitting whatever they are addicted to.

Some people like myself have overcome their addiction. The other people have not overcome their addiction, they have just stopped using. But they are still addicted and have to struggle with it.

 

[easy rider]

Although I haven't drank alcohol in about 28 years, I will be an alcoholic the rest of my life, for there is no cure, only abstinence, the same goes for drug addicts.

 

[RoadRunner]

Although I haven't drank alcohol in about 28 years, I will be an alcoholic the rest of my life, for there is no cure, only abstinence, the same goes for drug addicts.

I am glad to hear that you stopped drinking.

 

[easy rider]

I am glad to hear that you stopped drinking.

Thank you, and to you your smoking.