Dependency and Recovery

[tyme]

It can be a lonely road navigating dependence.

Whether it's dependency on a substance, activity or person, the emotions that come with it can be tricky to navigate if the necessary supports are not in place.

Let's meet here to chat through what recovery looks like and share any resources you may have. 

@ArraDreaming @Glisten @MJG017 @Louie333 

[ArraDreaming]

Thanks for making @tyme

I won’t bore everyone with the whole thing but I have certainly used substances a bit in the past in hindsight it was to cope, and I grew up with heavy drug users but I don’t smoke dope or drink anywhere near as much as I used to it and the trigger for that was hugely having my own family and owing more to them than my parents gave me
I still drink, maybe more then I would like to admit but I keep the other stuff minimal these days

[tyme]

Thank you for sharing @ArraDreaming 

In a way, I feel that dependency is a way many people cope in life. It may be substances, but it can also be ways of living, or people.

The emotions behind dependency often drives us to behave it ways we may not really understand. It can be a defence and coping mechanism.

I feel there is so little space to speak about the challenges that come with dependency and hence I hope this is a safe, anonymous space for people to share.

[ArraDreaming]

I have seen it from both sides @tyme unfortunately

[ArraDreaming]

I think about my own upbringing particularly my mum and what she was facing when her head was so buried in this addiction @tyme a lot going on in the back ground
I won’t to into detail but yeah

[RubyAddams]

Thanks for making this post, I’m new here & this is exactly why I joined, I’m becoming dependent on various drugs, was formerly dependent on vomiting as a coping Mechanism, neither are great 🙈 drugs are really affecting my dopamine so I’m ready to go sober, but very scared 😟 how do people have energy/social battery when sober? Any advice would be greatly appreciated friends 🥹

[Ru-bee]

Hi @RubyAddams 

I just wanted to pop by and welcome you to the forums

It sounds like you've been doing some real reflecting lately and are feeling ready to make some changes, which is great, but I know it can be a scary and hard thing to do. I'm sure some of our community members will be by soon to offer some great insights. 

While I wouldn't say I'd formed a dependency on alcohol in the past, I've definitely leaned on it to help me in social situations so I can relate to the question of having a social battery without the added boost of a couple of drinks. For me I've had to look at building my social battery like building a muscle. It's really hard at first to put yourself in social situations sober, but the more you do it the easier it becomes bit by bit. 

I'm really interested to hear what others thoughts are on this 

[RubyAddams]

Thank you so much for taking the time to reply to me 🙂

Thats an interesting way to look at it, the socialising muscle, I’ll try this 🙂🙂

[tyme]

Welcome @RubyAddams ,

Great to have you share your story with us. I can see how hard you are working on your recovery.

What are some of the feelings that come up for you?

What would you consider are your 'protective factors'?