Being a former drug addict
A former alcoholic
A former smoker
And a former anorectic
Cravings are part and parcel of my life
They can hit you when you least expect it
And I can be triggered by almost anything
Tinfoil
Spoons
Certain smells
7up
I could go on and on
The first major thing I gave up was heroin
That was no mean feat
And to this day
Is the most difficult thing I've given up
And overcome
But even now
After being away from the drug for quite a while
I still get cravings
I can't watch anything about drugs in films or on tv
Can't listen to certain music
And just being in Dublin is one massive trigger
I also don't go back to the town I grew up in
As it too is a trigger in itself
A craving is a funny thing
Whether it's a craving for heroin
Or vodka
Or a smoke
Or a craving to lose weight
They all start off the same way
With a longing to escape
And I am someone who loves to escape
I get bored easily
And if I'm not doing something that captures my attention
Like dancing or my dogs or horse riding
I find that my mind wanders
The devil makes work for idle hands and all that
They say that a relapse happens long before you pick up the drug
It happens when you begin to let things slip and slide
When you stop going to meetings
When you start isolating
When you start making excuses
Good recoveries are made on good foundations
If you don't have a good foundation
Your recovery will inevitably crumble and fall
But how ever your good and solid your recovery
You will encounter cravings
It's nigh on impossible to avoid them
They can hit you like a smack in the face
You might be thinking about something completely innocent
And before you know
You are reminiscing about the good ol' days
And wondering how soon you can get to your nearest connection
The trick about cravings
Is to catch them before you do anything stupid
As soon as you are aware of it
To do something about it
So you don't run away with it in your mind
There are many things you can do before a craving turns in to a slip
Talk to someone
Get to a meeting
Ring a friend/member/sponsor
Think about what will happen if you do use
It is possible to stop yourself
I am off cigarettes about 20 months
However
I still get horrendous cravings for a smoke
I know now that they only last minutes
Sometimes just seconds
And I know if I just hold on
It too will pass
Are any of you doing the A-Z challenge?
what's this A to Z challenge that you and Mich are doing?? i never got the prospect of it.
ReplyDeletei do have to say though.
i think that you have the ability to somehow squash those cravings. i think you don't ever get rid of the cravings to escape, to do something more, to have something to make you smile. but you do replace them with something that won't end up hurting you, whatever that may be. i think that's the key anyway. i think we humans would always want something more.
i crave good health. i know that's a little weird.
a few years ago, if you told me i looked healthy, i'd take it as an insult but honestly, a few days ago, someone told me that i look like i'm the smaller side but i'm healthy and i was buzzing for days. it's funny how that works.
keep on working on your recovery. there is a light at the end xxx
i do know that you can do this. no craving, no matter what it is, can bypass your mind if you don't let it.
keeping my fingers crossed, Ruby xxx
i love you.
this was messily and hectically written so i hope i didn't say anything that might offend you!
-Sam Lupin
It's s challenge to blog every day
DeleteStarting with the letter A
And working your way through the alphabet
I'm not sure what happens when we get to Z
But I guess I'll find out!
That's exactly it Sam
Finding ways and means to deal with life in a positive and healthy way
Sam you could never offend me
You are too lovely
And too kind
I can't imagine you would ever offend anyone
I love you too dear friend x
While a saw a ted talk on how to break a bad habit, thought about my smoking and about you.
ReplyDeletewatch it sometime when you can - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-moW9jvvMr4
- with too much love
PA
Thanks PA
DeleteI will check it out! X
You have truly climbed a mountain of life. Congratulations on your successes, I know your life is better.
ReplyDeleteI have not had other addictions but I am a former smoker. I quit January of 1999. I was able to resist during the tough part by remembering I no longer had that nasty cough. Now I rarely think about it. I know why former smokers hate smoking. I reached a point where I really hated the habit.
Visiting from A to Z. Nice Blog.
Hello and welcome!
DeleteYes
I am so glad to be an ex smoker
To be honest
For me it was a financial thing
But now over a year later
I can see there are so many more benefits.
Thanks for stopping by
Going to check your blog out now x
Ruby! I too can identify with the terrible cravings that come from being an ex smoker, an exercise addict and an Anorexic trying to LIVE again. They hit you like a train and it's just SO HARD to find something to fill that enormous void that opens up before you.
ReplyDeleteI'm even fighting the urge to go running up a hill as I type. I'm so driven that it hurts.
Sending you so much love and admiration. You really are such a strong person. I pray life gets better and better as you continue along the path you're on.
firefly
Thanks Firefly
DeleteAnd good to hear from you
I know
It's s struggle
But we will get there
I hope you are able to do something nice for yourself
Instead of running up that hill
Take care friend x
You've echoed a lot of the things I've learned the last few months. Cravings can be rough to manage and come at us out of the blue, but you're right...we can stop it from turning into a slip. Your story and your strength is inspiring.
ReplyDeleteI'm doing the A-Z too! I've had a lot of fun randomly reading other bloggers A-Z posts. :)
Yay it's fun isn't it?
DeleteAlthough I did it wrong and did C yesterday instead of today
No matter though
I can get back on track
Going to check your blog out now x
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ReplyDelete