Call out to other Recovering Addicts on ATOT: Let's support each other!

[newParadigm]

Never thought to do this before, though I haven't really been back on AT that long since i've been clean (I have 8 months this Thursday, WOOT!) Anyways, just thought it might be nice to see who else is in recovery, to know who we might be able to send a PM to when we need to talk about this shit with someone...I know that's what sponsors are for and such, but sometimes the anonymity that the internet provides can be appealing.

~newParadigm

 

[911paramedic]

There are lots of people in recovery around here, and they will speak about it openly.

Congrats on the 8 months BTW.

Do you sign your name with the alternate spelling so people don't pronounce it "pair-a-dig-um?" (I actually heard one of my instructors say it that way when he was reading to us from a reference manual.)

 

[Jodell88]

Do you sign your name with the alternate spelling so people don't pronounce it "pair-a-dig-um?" (I actually heard one of my instructors say it that way when he was reading to us from a reference manual.)

Our education minister from about fourteen years ago pronounced it like that on television. The backlash was funny.

 

[RbSX]

I was a recovering gambling addict. I went to one gambler's anonymous meeting 28 months ago, and I haven't gambled since.

 

[newParadigm]

There are lots of people in recovery around here, and they will speak about it openly.

Congrats on the 8 months BTW.

Do you sign your name with the alternate spelling so people don't pronounce it "pair-a-dig-um?" (I actually heard one of my instructors say it that way when he was reading to us from a reference manual.)

No, the first time I used it, 'newParadigm' was unavailable. I just stuck with newParadime after that. A few years back I was getting flamed a lot on the forum about it being spelled wrong, so one of the mods offered to change it for me, and I accepted his offer.

And thank you for the congrats on the 8 years!!

 

[WaTaGuMp]

I was a recovering gambling addict. I went to one gambler's anonymous meeting 28 months ago, and I haven't gambled since.

I bet you cant stop forever.

 

[BUTCH1]

I bet you cant stop forever.

Classy..

 

[jhansman]

If anyone asks how long I've been clean, the answer is always the same: 24 hours....

PM me anytime.

 

[Powermoloch]

I'm clean from WoW (any MMOs fro that matter) for 2 1/2 years and going strong luls.

 

[Slew Foot]

Havent fapped in 24 minutes.







Ooops, time to start over.

 

[brblx]

i have had problems with addictive behaviors, up to and including drugs and alcohol. i do not, however, label myself an 'addict' nor do i believe in total abstinence.

according to 12 steppers, i'm in denial. according to me, they've got it backwards.

no offense to any recovering addicts/alcoholics. despite what many may think of me, i will never hesitate to reach out a hand to those that are suffering, should they want it. i can't help you do your steps but at the same time sometimes it helps depressed people to have some differing perspectives.

and there's the rub. we're all depressed, tormented souls. sometimes it's the world's doing, sometime's it's our own; most of the time we just can't remember anymore. but you 'need' that certain behavior to make yourself feel better.

as many people as AA/NA have helped, they've also killed quite a few. at my meanest, i will say it's essentially 'fixing' someone by indoctrinating them into a controlling religion (not talking literal christianity).

 

[Rage187]

I have an additive personality and it usually shows in what I do. I wont rattle off evrything I've been entranced to, but it has spanned different spectrums.

I now focus my addictive traits on work and it is getting me pretty far.

 

[danzigrules]

I was a case of beer a night drinker, for the past 20 years, until June 2010. Was home sick from work for 4 days when my wife said I was going to the doctor the next day if I wasn't better. Went to the doc and 2 other practitioners in his office looked at me and said go to the hospital, a bed will be waiting on you.

2 weeks and a 14 hour chemical induced coma later, my doc came in and asked me if I wanted to be alive in 5 years....

Had to quit drinking and smoking 2 packs a day at the same time. Was a bit rough, but all is well now.
I also do not like the AA/NA approach at "fixing" people.

 

[DCal430]

You know alcohol in moderation is actually good for your health. It greatly reduces your risk of dementia (alzheimer's).

 

[busydude]

Had to quit drinking and smoking 2 packs a day at the same time.

My GF's dad did not quit smoking even after being warned by the Doctors. He died at age 59.

 

[UglyCasanova]

Always will be recovering.

 

[brblx]

Always will be recovering.

it's called living.

i've wasted years by thinking i needed to 'recover' from addiction and/or depression.

 

[OBLAMA2009]

instead if getting together you people should stay away from each other and quit #ucking up. the last thing i would think a druggie or a drunk should do is hang out with other people who are doing that


What the hell is wrong with you???

You need to stay out of this thread


esquared
Anandtech Forum Director

 

[brblx]

you're a fucking idiot. and i don't give a flying fuck if that's an infraction. kill yourself.

 

[x-alki]

As the name says. 20+ years here. I didnt do the AA/NA thing, instead I went to addictive group meetings. That was an eye opener. Everything from eating disorders to heavy drug abuse.

I dont agree with the aproach of AA. I subscribe to the doctrine of "anything that works for you".

 

[brblx]

As the name says. 20+ years here. I didnt do the AA/NA thing, instead I went to addictive group meetings. That was an eye opener. Everything from eating disorders to heavy drug abuse.

I dont agree with the aproach of AA. I subscribe to the doctrine of "anything that works for you".

PM with info perhaps? i have heard of 'other' groups like this but have yet to find one i really liked any better than AA/NA. well, better than AA, yeah. at least people tend to be more open and down to earth at NA meetings. it's almost like less dumb businessmen and more smart [ex]criminals.

 

[UglyCasanova]

it's called living.

i've wasted years by thinking i needed to 'recover' from addiction and/or depression.

Well status quo wasn't working. It was having a severe negative impact on myself and my wife. Every stumble was full of regrets.

 

[brblx]

what do you mean, exactly? what have you fixed; the 'stumbling' or the 'regrets?'

i'm referring to not having to look at everything as an uphill battle. AA types will tell you that they are always in recovery, always trying to better themselves in their lifelong fight...i just ask why it has to be 'lifelong.'

it may just be different personality types. many tell me that they cannot be sober by simply 'not drinking.' they require active engagement in a program to maintain happiness. perhaps without AA they would be doomed. i just tend to think that that's in their head as much as the addition is/was.

life is a game of distraction. do what works, but don't let it blindly control you.

 

[skyking]

I decided one day to quit. There was no triggering event, no epiphany, just the quiet realization that things were not getting any better the way I was going at it.
It was more work to drink in moderation than it was to simply quit.
That was 21 years ago.
I watched alcohol destroy my father. He quit but it was too late.

 

[brblx]

I watched alcohol destroy my father. He quit but it was too late.

hey now, this is the addiction thread, not the family problems thread.






seriously, though, i think that's the attitude that makes a lot of people relapse- they don't associate their problems with their addiction. i've watched someone struggle with alcoholism that i think they would easily be free of if they would simply terminate their unhappy marriage. can't expect to find happiness in an unhappy life.

also, my dad was an alcoholic, too. died when i was 11, so i definitely feel for you man.

anyway i need to cool it with my 'wisdom' on this topic for tonight.