Getting life together after drug addiction

Not alot of suggestions, just encouragement. I think its great you went into rehab on your own, sounds like you have a stong desire to live your life free of the pills. I think that motivation may help you here. How old are your girls? could you get them involved? Maybe make it a game with them, once you all do your Chores you can play a game, go out and play, watch a movie ect. Honestly some days I don't want to clean either, or workout ect. but I do feel better after doing it. I find I try to do my cleaning (dishes ect) when my two girls are playing, and then do the bulk of the big jobs like vacuming and floor cleaning when they are napping. I find if I make sure to leave myself some me time in the afternoons, it helps, because if all I do is take care of the kids and clean and never take a break I burn out fast.

I think the first step is learning to be comfortable with discomfort. That might sound kinda trivial but it's not! Learning to surrender to discomfort releases you to be truly free! Learning that anxiety and physical pain won't last forever, and that with that sharp sense of pain you also get clean feelings of pleasure!

Take breaks for deep breathing and become very aware of your positive surroundings - the sounds, and smells and realize how much you love your children and being plugged into their lives.

There are some great self help books on dealing with discomfort and pain - you might want to check a few out at the library and maybe some good meditation CDs! Your church library might have some good options too!

When I'm feeling vulnerable, and close my eyes, breath deeply and visualize myself curled into the palm of God's hand. Find a vision or image that works for you!

Good luck and God Bless!

The first thing I would suggest is to find a support group (NA or some sort of equivalent) with people who can directly relate and understand what you are going through. I always thought those groups sounded cheesy and useless but my cousin had to get clean after being arrested for running a cook shop. He went to jail for 2 years, went to rehab after being released and joined his local NA group. They have been a huge resource for him in learning how to cope without the drugs. He has told me many times that, while support from other friends and family is wonderful and well needed, he doesn't know what he would do without the support of others who have been where he has been and come out of it.

I think it is amazing that you made the decision to get help on your own and took the steps to do so. That takes a lot of resolve and want to! :O) Congratulations. There is a quote that my cousin has posted all over his house and office that helps him get through the tough days. I have it at the bottom of my signature block but I will include it here as well. "A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step" - Lao Tzu. Making the choice to change your life is a hard one. Feel free to add me as a friend if you would like. I am happy to offer any support and encouragement that I can.

I would also suggest taking small victories. Set yourself small goals for each day, for example "My goal for today will be to sweep and mop the kitchen." Then allow yourself to be proud when you accomplish the small goals. I would set small goals for several days and then begin making them larger when you have done well at attaining the smaller ones. )

Good for you! It took a lot of courage to tell your story here! )

Tara