drugs are bad, seriously!!!!!!

[TrojanInsomniac]

Originally Posted by guero

heroin. ^

Heroin is the absolute devil. I was always too scared to try it. I was pretty much depressed for most of my life and became a user of the powdered varieties of drugs (coke and crystal) several years back, but have been completely clean for 3 1/2 years. Getting psychiatric help, for me, was the key. I was fortunate enough that I hadn't yet put myself in a really deep rut. Today, you have to pull my leg to even get me to have a cocktail. My means of getting high these days is mountain biking!

My condolences to you and your friends' families. Seeing the downfall drugs will have on people will make you into a stronger person.

Thank you everybody for sharing your stories!!!!

[Wrecker]

Bret, my condolences to you.

I lost my sister to heroin 7 yrs 10 days ago--a month after she turned 21. We all struggled alongside as she went in/out of rehab, never losing the beauty that was her, but never winning the battle. She was a beautiful person, outside and in, and I'll never forget the last day that I saw her. It was Easter day, my daughter, 4yrs old sat in her lap as we listened to the AA/rehab meeting; she cried during that meeting and confessed afterwards that she couldn't stay in rehab any more.

The next day she left and was found in a hotel room the following morning. Painful memories and a wonderful person lost to a useless drug--she never stole for her fix, worked at an agency and took special attention to meeting the needs of the kids around. She never was the stereotypical user, but died in the stereotypical way--in the end, the drug took all of her unique beauty away.

[TrojanInsomniac]

Also, if there's anybody out there having problems with substance abuse or depression, don't ever hesitate to PM me. I won't have the solution, but I've always found it huge to have somebody to spill my guts to when the heat was on.

[Keith B]

Just as a little side note here - I knew a group back in the UK who in their early 20's smoked alot of pot, drank alot too and were very into that culture. They all mocked that it could lead to harder drugs. 9 years on I meet them again and over half of them are onto the hard stuff in a serious way, besides which they'd all gone no where with their lives. Says it all to me. Its a trap thats their for people to fall into.

[Blue Rat]

My daughter (22 years young) is battling with heroin right now. I've tried the available help but she stills rides her own path. I've been advised that all I can do now is pray for her and hope that one day she becomes clean.

[L8 APEKS]

Originally Posted by Stray_Bullit

Sorry to hear about your loss... There is help for people that WANT it. Many NEED it but it is useless unless someone WANTS the help.

12 step programs are a very interesting subculture of society. I've got many experiences with them. I was told that if I ever drank again I would DIE! "To drink is to die" I was told. Or "jails, institutions or death" were my three options if I ever drank again.

Well, ever since I left the 12 step group, my life has become much better! No "friends" stealing stuff from my house. No "friends" sleeping with my wife. No money loaned and never paid back. No people talking endless shit about each other. Not to mention the lack of cigarette smoke around me.

Since I left the program, I've bought a house, gotten re-married and had two children. Family, health and work are my 3 priorities. I have not robbed a store or raped mothers and children and caused holy havoc that was promised me if I was to resort to my "evil ways."

I feel as though I am much better now that Bill and Bob are behind me!

Man, I just went off, I am sorry...

/OFFSOAPBOX

Yea, drugs are bad. That's for sure!

You sound a LOT like a very near, dear friend of mine. She basically left the program after looking at how cult-like it was. She thought it was ironic that you take all these steps to better your life; but how much of a life do you really have going to 6 meetings a week the rest of your days?

She also thought it was ironic that 12-step teaches you that you cannot trust your own alcoholic brain; it's poisoned and cannot make the right decisions. You NEED the program to make the right decisions. But umm...isn't everyone in the program an alcoholic too?! So umm...you can trust 100 alcoholics who are strangers, as long as it's not yourself?! Doesn't make any sense at all.

It hit home when she stopped going to meetings...all of a sudden, none of her "friends' (all AA people) had any interest in talking to her anymore. AA seems to care about people ONLY as they relate to the program. Once you're out, they couldn't care less. It was a quick lesson learned, and she hasn't been drunk in two years.

I think some people NEED the rigid, Nazi-like brainwashing structure of AA. But the people I have spoken with who have found their way OUT and built new lives seem so much more...well...alive! It's amazing what EMPOWERMENT can do, instead of the AA way of teaching you that you are power-LESS.

Be careful choosing your demons. We've had too many losses close to home here on STR lately. Let's not add to the list, eh?

[Shannon]

My heart felt condolences go out to you Bret. When I was very young, while visiting my grandparents I found my grandmother, laying on the bathroom floor after she just died from an overdose. It's something that has been permanently burned in my memory. I hate to hear about people abusing drugs, specially the one's I love.

[drew12]

Thank for the stories.
I too have fought with my own demons.
It seems these stories, as does mine, have one main theme.
The pain suffering and wreckage left in the wake of drug use.

I am just a couple months short of 10 years clean, and am happier and
healthier than any time in my life.
major to everyone that has beat or is making an effort to get off drugs and/or alcohol.


AA works for some, and not others. I disagree it is a cult, and have seen it save many folks from serious alcoholism.
For many that are unable to see a life free of drinking and using, at the very least it can show them IT IS possible to quit.

[dirtmistress]

AA saved my moms life. She's 18 years sober and still goes to the occasional meeting but it's not very often anymore.
She has found her own way and also still has some friends from AA.
Every experience in AA is unique and personal and individual. As long as it works, that's the important thing!

Originally Posted by Shannon

My heart felt condolences go out to you Bret. When I was very young, while visiting my grandparents I found my grandmother, laying on the bathroom floor after she just died from an overdose. It's something that has been permanently burned in my memory. I hate to hear about people abusing drugs, specially the one's I love.

Unreal!
I can't believe some of the stuff I'm reading!

[art23rockpile]

Originally Posted by L8 APEKS

You sound a LOT like a very near, dear friend of mine. She basically left the program after looking at how cult-like it was. She thought it was ironic that you take all these steps to better your life; but how much of a life do you really have going to 6 meetings a week the rest of your days?

She also thought it was ironic that 12-step teaches you that you cannot trust your own alcoholic brain; it's poisoned and cannot make the right decisions. You NEED the program to make the right decisions. But umm...isn't everyone in the program an alcoholic too?! So umm...you can trust 100 alcoholics who are strangers, as long as it's not yourself?! Doesn't make any sense at all.

It hit home when she stopped going to meetings...all of a sudden, none of her "friends' (all AA people) had any interest in talking to her anymore. AA seems to care about people ONLY as they relate to the program. Once you're out, they couldn't care less. It was a quick lesson learned, and she hasn't been drunk in two years.

I think some people NEED the rigid, Nazi-like brainwashing structure of AA. But the people I have spoken with who have found their way OUT and built new lives seem so much more...well...alive! It's amazing what EMPOWERMENT can do, instead of the AA way of teaching you that you are power-LESS.

Be careful choosing your demons. We've had too many losses close to home here on STR lately. Let's not add to the list, eh?

Let me get this straight... you're badmouthing a program that has saved millions of people from the horrors of active alcoholism/addiction, based on heresay?
Nice.

It would take far too long to address all of the inaccuracies in your post. Ask anyone in the medical, law enforecement, or armed services what has proven to be THE most effective means of achieving a drug free life. AA is neither a cult, nor do they use "Nazi-like brainwashing". Myself, with 15 years sober, attend one meeting a week (sometimes more) and wear my program like a comfortable garment.

I have a great life due to my 12 step recovery, but it will never mean so much to me that i'm unwilling to help another alcoholic/addict if they want to get sober. There are people out there -possibly reading this thread- who could be helped via AA (like millions of others all over the world have been), and may otherwise die a horrible death -as some of those you've read about in this thread did. Your words may just be enough to scare them away. Do you feel qualified to do this?

[nomad]

AA , CA , NA have the best results . period . It would be good to do the research before posting on such a serious topic .

[TURNERob]

Originally Posted by art23rockpile

Let me get this straight... you're badmouthing a program that has saved millions of people from the horrors of active alcoholism/addiction, based on heresay?
Nice.

It would take far too long to address all of the inaccuracies in your post. Ask anyone in the medical, law enforecement, or armed services what has proven to be THE most effective means of achieving a drug free life. AA is neither a cult, nor do they use "Nazi-like brainwashing". Myself, with 15 years sober, attend one meeting a week (sometimes more) and wear my program like a comfortable garment.

I have a great life due to my 12 step recovery, but it will never mean so much to me that i'm unwilling to help another alcoholic/addict if they want to get sober. There are people out there -possibly reading this thread- who could be helped via AA (like millions of others all over the world have been), and may otherwise die a horrible death -as some of those you've read about in this thread did. Your words may just be enough to scare them away. Do you feel qualified to do this?

I tried the AA thing and it wasn't for me but I will in no way ever badmouth the program because as stated it does work better than any other program out there. Some people need it, others don't.

The bottom line is that any true addict IS powerless to their drug of choice and often times ANY drug or alcohol. Your brain is forever changed after any prolonged use of drugs or alcohol and you are never "cured" of the disease.

[Stray_Bullit]

Well this is really a interesting topic for sure! I stress that all my opinions are from MY point of view. I agree with some other posts, and not with some of the others. Let's get this straight; Everyone here obviously has had some issues with 12 step recovery programs.

C'mon, AA isn't the Kiwanas (SP?) Club or the Elk's Lodge. It's a group of alcoholics and addicts. Nobody is going to be perfect. I have seen some sad, sad things happen at AA meetings and Alano clubs. You don't want to get me started.

Sure it is helpful to some people. A broken clock is right twice a day! I am not saying that people can't get help there. I am saying that I am a much better person now that I am no longer involved with any 12 step groups.

I'd also like to mention that they are not ALL bad, either. I've seen some total miracles as well. The weight off of my shoulders is an amazing feeling now that I am no longer a "member."

All these opinions are after 26 years of involvement with AA and other 12 step groups. So if anyone wants to discuss this furthur, I am not very hard to find.

Yes, I am VERY qualified to do this.