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Stages of stimulant recovery
lover ofa meth
addict |
Stages of Stimulant Recovery
I copied this paper when I first
started dating my addict. When he was fighting so hard to stay
clean. It helped me as a loved one know what was up ahead for
his recovery. I looked at it daily.
Stages of Stimulant Recovery
In your recovery, it's helpful to have some idea of what to
expect during the process. Most users experience five distinct
stages of recovery. Each stage is linked to some of the changes
you must go through as your body repairs itself from the effect
of these powerful drugs. Each stage also has its challenges that
call for specific actions. You may find it helpful to mark these
stages on a calendar, you can anticipate changes in how you feel
physically and emotionally.
0-15 days WITHDRAWAL STAGE
Problem mostly physical
Also known as the eat, drink, sleep period. In the first two
weeks of recovery, your body is repairing the damage from drug
use. You will probably need a lot of rest and may feel
physically sick. During this period, give your body what it
needs to get healthy again: lots of rest, nutritious food, and
plenty of water.
Challenges..............What to do
Medical problems.....Medical Exam
Exhaustion, constantly tired.....Allow time for sleep, take naps
Depression.....Exercise, activity, patience it will
improve
Severe cravings.....Identify and avoid triggers
Feeling crazy or out of control.....Talk with counselor/friend,
AA/NA mtgs.
Lack of sex drive....Let time pass, talk with partner
Agitation/irritability...Reduce stress, warn everyone you will
be less than charming for awhile.
16-45- Days (up to 8 weeks) HONEYMOON STAGE
Physical health returning
In this stage, your body has made the necessary repairs. People
usually feel great. Feeling great can lead to overconfidence.
You may also find yourself minimizing your current or past
problems. These can trigger relapse, so don't ease up on your
recovery routine.
Challenges.......What to do
To much/too little activity.....Schedule your time
Overconfidence.....Educate yourself about addiction
Occasional craving.....Thought-stopping, eliminate triggers
Insomnia/strange sleep patterns...Maintain as regular a cycle as
possible
Loneliness, boredom.......Support groups, friends
Increase in other drug use.....Counseling
Compulsive sexual behavior.....Identify risks and limit exposure
to triggers
6 weeks-4months THE
WALL
Emotional
Issues emerge
This period is all about BOREDOM!! Stimulant use is
exciting and so are behaviors that go along with it. With
dependence, your body gets used to high levels of stimulation
and sends you messages to the\is effect. These messages appear
as strong cravings, drug thoughts, desire to seek out intense
sexual experiences and feelings of boredom, sluggishness and
depression. The key to making it over the Wall is to increase
your recovery, physical and social activities. The danger of
relapse is highest during this stage.
Challenges............What to do
Sluggish............Keep to a schedule, exercise
BOREDOM!!...........Support groups, friends, hobbies, anything.
Unfocused activity.......Schedule your time
Relationship problems.....Counseling
Depression....Counseling, perhaps medication
Thinking about/justifying drug use.....Identify and process with
support Hanging out with the old crowd....Substitute with
new friends and activities
4-6 months ADJUSTMENT STAGE
Address psychological issues
In this stage, people say they feel relief from the
boredom and strong drug cravings. The body has learned to
operate without stimulants. Most people begin to recognize the
real issues behind their drug use and start making changes in
their lives. A new concept of self begins to emerge.
Challenges...........What to do
Relationship problems.......Counseling
Overconfidence.....Educate yourself about addiction
Lack of goals.....Redefine personal wants and needs
Job/ Career dissatisfaction...Vocational counseling, new job or
school
Boredom with recovery...Change recovery routine or activities
Boredom with sex life.....Redefine meaning of sex and sexuality
Discomfort with emotions.....Counseling, groups
6-12 months RESOLUTION STAGE
Long-term recovery maintenance
By now your dependence problem can seem distant.
However, stimulant dependence needs some ongoing attention to
support long-term abstinence. Exercise, eat healthy, get rest,
limit your stress, and attend counseling when needed.
Twelve-step or support group attendance can often be helpful.
Challenges.........What to do
Depression, anger, guilt.....Counseling, groups
Boredom.................Vary your activities
Relationship problems....Couples or family counseling
Uncertain self-concept.....? Who do I want to be and how can I
become that? |
Replies... |
Sfj |
Re: Stages of Stimulant Recovery
I think one should be very careful about
embracing the ideas listed above. VERY CAREFUL.
They apply in a few situations, but not all by any means.
Some of the phrases are quite misleading, |
danimal
55 |
Re: Stages of Stimulant Recovery
Got to wonder then why this is being handed
out at an IOP treatment program |
lover
ofa
meth
addict |
Re: Stages of Stimulant Recovery
You are both right. This is only a
supplement. SFJ/KCI/suzette's site also has been detrimental in
knowing what steps it takes to stay clean/what to expect. Every
person is different, but it gives me hope and still does, that
some day my lover will come back to me, emotionally. My
counselor told me last week that it might take three years after
using before my lover is back to "normal". I hold on to the hope
that in the long run I will still be the one he wants. At this
point lack of communication is the most staining. The counselor
also stated this is very normal for recovering addict to close
off. Knowing information is better than running around "crazy"
thinking that you are the only one that is going through this
turmoil.
Thank you for your insight |
luve
piphany |
Re: Stages of Stimulant Recovery
You know....from a few months of reading
posts here of present and past recovery experiences, it seems
that "real" people do tend to follow that pattern-generally-in
their postings about feelings going through it now and memories
of the past...It kind of seems that a bunch of recovering
addicts might have gotten together and made up that list and
some counselor edited and condensed it to be a general
description.
Unfortunately, "Expectations are Premeditated Resentments" kind
of bums the whole thing out and I see where Sfj suggests being
very careful-he probably sees a lot more of the sad stories than
we ever imagined. |
Sfj |
Re: Stages of Stimulant Recovery
The book, "Clinical Work With Substance
Abusing Clients" Second edition
by Shulamith Lala Ashenberg Straussner
Chapter 10 Page 228
Has pretty much the same layout.
Putting recovering stimulant addicts into stereotyped boxes with
that much confinement just seems too dogmatic and confining in
my opinion.
The model was developed for cocaine users and transferred to
meth users. (not a good move)
And mind you, it is just my personal opinion. |
danimal
55 |
Re: Stages of Stimulant Recovery
TY sfj.
Gotta agree...cocaine and meth ARE worlds apart.
This addict walked away from an 8-ball a day coke habit in the
80's and never looked back [no relapse].
In retrospect, the stages of withdrawal were nothing like meth
withdrawals, not even close.
By any measure...meth IS unique!
Thanks for your wise perspective |
imlost
inky |
Re: Stages of Stimulant Recovery
Kell I believe posted this last year when I
had first came on board.
I found this guide to be closer to what really occurred.
Everyone is different though and there is no blueprint -
Quote:
WEEK 1: Depending on how much the
person had been doing up until quitting time and how many
nights they had been awake, if any, the first couple of days
will be spent sleeping non-stop. After that, the person will
still prefer sleep but will eat and go to the bathroom
whereas before they probably didn't. They will be moody,
cranky, lethargic and sometimes violent. After the fourth
day, the meth will technically be out of their system.
However, it's the damage that the meth has caused that is
where the problem lies and the fact that your system is
clean of it, does really mean a whole lot. Cravings will be
setting in towards then end of the first week and will more
than likely intensify. Anxiety will set in around the third
day, which can be unbearable especially to a long time user
who is trying to quit.
WEEK 2: The person will still be moody, cranky and sometimes
violent. The cravings will be worse than week one and can
become unbearable. They will have no energy to do anything,
sleeping is still preferred unless they break down and get
more dope. The second week is where a lot of people slip up.
NOTE: If the person was experiencing drug induced psychosis
while doing meth, these episodes will start to subside
during the second week, if not the first. If it doesn't and
last any longer than four weeks, that could be a sign of a
real mental disorder and the person should see a doctor as
soon as possible.
WEEK 3: Sleeping a lot should start to diminish although the
user will not have a lot of energy and probably will not
feel like doing anything. Depression sets in for the
majority of the people around the third week, if not sooner.
Anti-depressants really help if this happens. Cravings
should be leveling off around this time.
WEEK 4: Every thing aside from the depression and feeling
lethargic should start to subside a little. As time goes on
from here if the user stays clean, eventually, all these
thing will ultimately disappear.
It's important to note though, that different things can
trigger cravings for years after the user has quit doing
meth.
WITHDRAWS LIST 2:
W+1-7 Days HIBERNATION: (Fatigue and Hunger) as your body
detoxifies and violently downshifts from 10th gear to 1st -
acute fatigue sets in. Periods of sleep ranging from 12-24
hours are not uncommon with brief periods of wakefulness
still accompanied by lethargy and inability to perform the
simplest of tasks.
W+8-21 Days - DEPRESSION: (Low and Lethargic)
you are indeed now much more awake, but you will find your
current un-stimulated dopamine levels to be insufficient.
Matter of fact, you could win the lottery tomorrow and still
feel suicidal. Ride the storm out - this phase is short. Now
might be a good time to schedule an appointment with a
psychiatrist. Don't be ashamed. No one need know but you.
One session costs no more than your average eight ball. And
a psyche is still the only therapist that can prescribe
medication if it is needed. Buproprion, Citralopram and
Bromocriptine have all had good results in dealing with
depression brought about via drug withdrawal from cocaine
and amphetamines.
W+22-60??Days - FRUSTRATION: (Irritability & Anger) the
length of this phase is somewhat proportional to how long
and how much you've been using...But it is accompanied by
irritability (at the slightest annoyances), "cravings", and
absent-mindedness.
This period will be harder on those around you-than you! Be
sure to remove anything in the way of visual "triggers" that
can facilitate relapse.
If you find yourself tempted to use, go to NA meetings. Even
if you just sit and listen and don't ever participate,
you'll be surprised at what "rubs off".
W+60??-90??Days - READJUSTMENT: (Transition & Happiness)
every day the cravings, depression and irritability lessen.
But you're not "cured" yet. The use of meth carries with it
a myriad of activities both mental and otherwise that may be
loads of fun while you were on the drug but will seem about
as exciting as watching grass grow while straight. Unless
you replace these activities with productive and meaningful
tasks, you are setting yourself up for relapse. Try and
reinvigorate "pre-drug" hobbies, habits and activities. Try
some new things as well. You were enough of a pioneering
spirit to get into hard drugs. Be adventuresome and try some
things you have never done before. |
Penel0pe |
Re: Stages of Stimulant Recovery
Quote:
My counselor told me last week that
it might take three years after using before my lover is
back to "normal"
I got to tell you - I am coming up on 3 years - as long as I
make it to January 18th, that is - and I am JUST starting to
feel NORMAL. I am FINALLY feeling like the endless fatigue is
starting to lift. My moods are still a bit unstable - but much
improved - more REAL. I don't need to take a nap every day -
that just happened over the past month or two (But I had surgery
and stuff too - so that was a bit of a setback.)
My recovery from meth can in NO WAY be broken down into "weeks."
NO WAY. The first YEAR was spent focused on just staying clean,
the next year was spent on starting to put my life back in
order, and this past 10 months has been spent on experiencing
life on life's terms - the pink cloud you hear about in recovery
turned a little grey, and I had to learn a lot about myself, how
I deal with my own emotions (I found out I'm not that good at
it,) and how I allow other people to influence my behavior,
emotions, and thinking.
My physical health is still a work in progress - I am happy to
say that the combination of surgery, being tortured by a very
nice physical therapist named David, and medication, I am
FINALLY coming around the corner! I see a light at the end of
the tunnel regarding my physical condition - I think I may
actually be WELL here pretty soon!
My recovery from meth has been a work in progress, measured in
YEARS, not days, weeks, or months. I did use for a very long
time, I am in my 40's, and so these things do make my recovery
much different than someone who used for a few years, who is
younger, who has no health problems, etc.
I agree with SFJ wholeheartedly on this one. HAVE NO
EXPECTATIONS - don't use a "Chart" to measure anyone's recovery
by - you may find yourself disappointed.
Quote:
This addict walked away from an
8-ball a day coke habit in the 80's and never looked back
[no relapse].
I remember the last day I used Cocaine -
it was December 23, 1994. I never looked back. I remember
cocaine withdrawal - one night of good sleep, breakfast, and a
cup of coffee pretty much had me covered.
I also remember the feeling I had when the cocaine ran out - the
anxiety of THAT is the ugliest feeling there is - YUCK. No
thanks. That lasts a few hours... but it IS a LOOONG few hours
indeed!
Recovery from long term meth use is a different animal! |
Sfj |
Re: Stages of Stimulant Recovery
Again, remember,
The original version of the "chart" listed above was developed
as a result of talking to a few cocaine users.
How appropriate is that? |
jes78 |
Re: Stages of Stimulant Recovery
I AM PRETTY OFFENDED, I DON'T THINK IT
MATTERS WHAT THE DRUG IS, ADDICTION IS ADDICTION. BY THE WAY, AN
8 BALL IS NOT MUCH COKE. ACTUALLY, IM NOT GOING TO EVEN GO
THERE, I LEARNED IN NA IT DOESN'T MATTER WHAT WE USED OR HOW
MUCH WE USED, BUT WHAT WE ARE GOING TO DO TO CHANGE IT. I KNOW A
LOT OF US THINK WE DID THE MOST DRUGS, OR THE WORST DRUGS, TO ME
THAT'S JUST GLAMORIZING THE USE ALTOGETHER, BEING PROUD OF IT.
BUT I THINK MY RECOVERY IS JUST AS GOOD AS THE PERSON RECOVERING
FROM POT, METH, COKE, HEROIN. OUR USE IS NOT WHAT BRINGS US
TOGETHER, OUR RECOVERY DOES. I WOULD LIKE TO THINK NO MATTER MY
DRUG OF CHOICE, ID BE HERE TODAY. I DON'T MEAN TO GET ANGRY, BUT
I'VE SEEN A LOT OF PEOPLE ON A LOT OF DIFFERENT DRUGS LOSE
EVERYTHING, ALL DRUGS SUCK, PERIOD!!! |
Sfj |
Re: Stages of Stimulant Recovery
To jes78,
It's ok if you're offended if it makes you feel any better.
However, your feelings are for you to deal with and you have to
own them yourself. I apologize if I offended you, it was not and
is not my intention. Shouting might make you feel better, but it
makes it more difficult to read. I've been to many 12 step
meetings over the years. Thousands. And most of the slogans I
agree with and some I don't. That is my choice, just like it is
your choice to believe in them.
I believe that saying all drugs are the same is one of the
biggest problems we have. People who believe that are likely to
tell that to kids, and then when the kids experiment, which is
normal for kids to do, they find that parents, teachers,
counselors and well-meaning adults have lied to them. Once
you've told a lie to a kid, do you think he'll believe you
anymore? Not likely.
The notion that addiction is addiction is good only for English
language synonyms.
Is a gambling addiction the same as a cigarette addiction? Is a
person who smokes pot habitually going to have the same problems
at a compulsive shoplifter?
Even heroin addicts have a complete, unique and different set of
problems than meth addicts. The medical indications alone are
vastly different. If a doctor were to treat a meth addict and a
heroin addict the same way, he could easily be sued for
malpractice or worse. There are many more examples but I don't
need to go any further. If NA works for all of your needs ? fine
? keep going to NA. Also, may I suggest being open-minded enough
to look beyond NA?
I go to 12-step meetings probably as much as anyone on this
forum. I have a sponsor , I worked the steps, perform service
and serve on committees. In other words, I really like the ideas
of 12-step. But I also realize that there is much more than just
a spiritual side of life and recovery. There are also genuine
concerns about medical needs, psychological needs, financial
needs, relationship needs, and many other needs that recovering
substance abusers need to deal with.
12-step is a spiritual program. Gambler's Anonymous and Sex
Addicts Anonymous use the exact same 12-steps that we do. The
solution is the same. The path we took to get the help we seek,
the problems, are entirely different.
Just my opinion. |
jes78 |
Re: Stages of Stimulant Recovery
thanks for letting me know i had caps on, im
pretty computer illiterate, i wasn't trying to shout. i do agree
w/ you. the solution is the same. my reply was to someone, a
few, who spoke of walking away from coke and i received the
message that coke is easy to get off, but not meth. to me, that
says that one drug is easier to get off. if i go w/ that, i can
come to the conclusion that my recovery isn't as good as someone
who is recovering from meth. and i dont believe that. i lived in
Italy, England, Belgium and America and i have seen drugs, all
types, tear apart families. i like to believe if i had been on
meth instead of crack and heroin id still be clean.
i think ive overreacted, a very smart person
has helped me see that. im sorry, everyone. i think i may have
interpreted a different message as was meant. |
guest
who |
Re: Stages of Stimulant Recovery
It's all good Jes. You are forgiven.
Quote:
i like to believe if i had been on
meth instead of crack and heroin id still be clean.
No doubt you would still be clean. You got
recovery going on like a pot of neck bones.
|
le
grumps |
Re: Stages of Stimulant Recovery
jes78,
The beauty of this board is that there are a lot of different
opinions and experiences that help up put together a complete
picture and perspective on addiction.
No harm done!
I too found that chart to be problematic. Not so much on the
beginning stages, but on the later ones.
The "wall" has lasted well over 18 months for me. Maybe its
because I am not completely sober, but even when I was
completely sober I seemed to be really stuck, behind, able to
understand the principles of recovery, but barely able to "feel"
them.
Sure a drug is a drug, and just like addictions transcend drugs,
food, sex, internet, starvation, gambling, etc., the behavior
modification is really important.
But helping people transition into a sober life, especially in
terms of detox, does require understanding the drug you are
dealing with.
Good luck to everyone. |
Penel0pe |
Re: Stages of Stimulant Recovery
Quote:
my reply was to someone, a few, who
spoke of walking away from coke and i received the message
that coke is easy to get off, but not meth. to me, that says
that one drug is easier to get off.
I walked away from coke with an eight ball
of meth in my pocket, all proud that I had gotten myself
"Clean."
Ha.
Yeah, between 1980 and 1994 I was a pretty heavy cocaine user,
and when I was done, I was done. When I did go on that 14 year
cocaine binge, PHYSICALLY recovering from that binge WAS LESS
PAINFUL than the past 3 years of recovering from prolonged meth
use has been.
I'm an addict either way. Either way, I had to be abusing
SOMETHING, coke, weed, acid, meth, bennies, even stooped so low
as to snort friggen No-Doz when there was nothing else around.
Yes, the physiological hallmarks of each addiction may be
different, but the ends are always the same when addiction gets
out of control, aren't they?
Heroin addicts are just as dead, just as in jail, just as
homeless, just as crazy as a meth addict, a cocaine addict, or a
gambling addict.
I know lots of people who lost everything because they just HAD
to buy weed, every day. Lost their kids, lost their homes
(Couldn't pay that rent, you know, had to buy that $60 a day bag
of green bud to get by, right?) Sure, weed isn't meth... but
there are PLENTY of folks who can't control their use of weed
anymore than that gambling addict can stop pulling the arm on
the slot machine.
There are differences, there are similarities.
I don't think any one drug or addictive behavior gets "Special
Recognition."
For each individual, whatever brought them to their knees is
what brought them to their knees. I used it all.
Meth is the one that brought me to my knees - it would have been
something else if I had never found meth, of that I am quite
certain. |
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