I am a heroin addict,for almost 8years now and i try to ge clean, its been 5days now,and am still struglng, anyone who read this please please i beg u to pray for me, so that i can get clean for the rest of my life
I wish you the best. I know how rotten kicking can be but the alternative sucks, as you already know. Stay clean, stranger. You matter. Get help if you can, going at it alone is treacherous.
I unfortunately relapsed during covid but was lucky enough to be able to go back to rehab for six weeks. Coming up to three months sober next week. Not a massive amount of sobriety but better than nothing.
Sean is 100% correct! Three months is a lifetime when you’re in the place you are. You KNOW you count the hours and the MINUTES when you are coming down sometimes... so three months is massive. Don’t downplay your achievements! Give yourself a pat on the back - give yourself a break!!! Don’t look down on yourself! You are allowed to be proud of yourself! If you fcuk up, and relapse please don’t come down hard upon yourself... it happens... again n again... Learn from it! Work out what happened n why, so next time you can look out for the trigger. Anyway, if beating this type of challenge was easy, then it wouldn’t be a problem. Best of luck... and keep telling yourself you are worth the battle, worth the fight... and please don’t put yourself down, or sell yourself short. You seem better than that! What I have said comes from 20 years of painful experience... Go DougDoug, GO!!! Brotherly Love from Australia!
Starts with one day, brother 💕 It's effin hard enough to stay clean and sober _without_ a global pandemic! So 3 months is definitely massive. Keep it up.
Oh, and something my therapist likes to tell me is that recovery is not a straight line from low to high. It's a meandering path up and down, but you're always beyond where you started 💕 I've been in recovery for 8 years, relapsed several times. Almost died once or twice. But I've been off everything with no relapse for over two years now. I don't like to cheer myself too much because that's when I mess up lol But you HAVE to acknowledge how much you've accomplished from point A to now. Great job 👍
I almost became an alcoholic during covid. No job, very little drive and confidence. I hope to return to a fully functioning and hopeful human being soon. Let's get through this yall.
you trying to sound cool with "things they will never speak about" it really just sounds stupid they will speak about it a lot so doesn't make any sense
@@filthycasual8074 there was no need for your input or for you to comment that. if you didnt agree just keep scrolling. no need to degrade the girl while shes trying to uplift others
Also can be thing that keeps them using the amount of people IV seen drag poeple I know back into the game is crazy some times people need to be a alone with there own thoughts not many people can do it these days social media does not help poeple lock to there phones like jail cell they made them self
Humans are social being. When I was a kid and studied P.E. in school, it mentioned three types of health, mental, physical and social. Third one is also neglected or unknown by many but its actually a thing.
Same story but with methadone which is even more difficult. Drop the dose regularly until your off completely. If you don't have any responsibility get one like a dog to look after or a job. I promise you its not that difficult I was scared at first then pleasantly surprised how easy it was. Your doing great dont loose hope.
@@junioraltamontent.7582 yep, by 2.5 weekly. Once I was on 6mg I dropped off it completely. Biggest problem was getting sleep. I suggest some good cannabis or even some Benzos. Only take them at night or you'll become dependent on them to get through the day. Of you have any questions feel free to ask. It feels great to not be hooked to the chemist anymore.
i relapsed for the first time in over a year during the holidays. doing good now. you can do it! the last year has been so hard - it’s ok if you relapsed. you can always stop again. people won’t give up on you. people will understand. people will want to help. i love you and i’m proud of you no matter who or how you are.
May I say: *this comment section is so inspiring and surprisingly empathetic, nonjudgmental and encouraging. Like, thank y'all because I was nervous for the comment section.* Dear Addicts & Former Addicts: we are rooting for you. It's hard yet it can be done. 🥰
Honestly that's what most of us recovering addicts do. Even if they don't know it. Even just leaving a comment and sharing your story is helping other addicts
If you're an addict or suffering through problems, don't be ashamed. EVERYBODY stumbles and falls. What makes you a winner is being able to get back up and keep at it step by step. I don't look down on these folks, but applaud them for not giving up. You can do this!
I needed this today. This truly is inspirational for me. I’m on the recovery from gambling addiction at 26 years old. I’m ready for change and change WILL happen. I’m already looking forward to being on the beach this summer not worrying about the next chance I have to gamble since I self banned myself today from all casinos. Life’s too short for all that stress
Thank u bro. So good and uplifting to see something like this cause i keep thinking to myself,maybe the only way to quit is if i kill myself. And u want to so bad,but how can i do that when i have a son,i dont want him 2 think i killed myself cause i was weak n plus i wana be here 4 him n his the only thing keeping me goin. Jus findin it hard to stop n feel thats the only way i can stop maybe. But seein ur comment lifts me up. Cause i guess all that matters is if i jus keep trying to stop n hopefully the next time i try is the time,n if not then maybe afted that n aslong as i keep trying to quit then yea. So thanks.
@@julianar197 Good to hear it. You have the will, so use it to fuel your actions by not gambling and doing something productive instead. It's a great feeling proving the haters wrong and you're young enough to do so. As you said, life's too short to be losing to the house all the time. Good luck.
I’m a recovering addict. 3 years now and sometimes I still struggle at low points but find it in myself to fight for my beautiful life I’ve created. I hope you all find something inside yourselves to fight for , whether it’s for yourselves or for those watching you decay.. wish you all strength and hope.
Here's hoping all humans die before the morning! We're literally destroying everything around us, even ourselves. Abusing our own bodies, and brutalizing human rights of marginalized souls all over this world. We're a sad species, pathetic and irksome
I've been in recovery from opiates for eight years this month. The last year has been rough. I'm lucky enough to have a very good support system outside of my groups, but there has definitely been something missing on a deep level for me. Andrew is doing amazing, _necessary_ work. We need more like you, brother ❤️
My brother just died on February 11, 2021 in his apartment alone due to fentanyl. My mom was going to drive him to court in the morning, he was preparing to go to treatment that day. We took him shopping for new clothes, anything he needed. After the funeral etc. cleaning out his apartment A frozen dinner with poked holes in the microwave, from that night. as humans, addicts, we don’t quite understand how precious life is until it’s gone.
"early recovery is like loosing a leg or an arm, you just don't know how to function at first" this is the more accurate thing I've ever heard. This July will be 11yrs of using/shooting up for me. I'm 24. My entire adolescence and adulthood has been wasted using. I now have a 2yr old daughter and the most amount of solid sobriety I've had since getting pregnant with her was 18 months. (Pregnancy and early infancy). My mom has full custody of her now just to further shield her from the horrors of addiction. It's all sad. And fucked up. Addiction overrides your most basic human instincts for shelter, food, water, and love. One of the most crippling diseases in the world.
Subs are way easier than they make it out to be. All you have to do is show moderate signs of withdrawal and you can take your first dose. There's even a checklist you can follow. So probably 12/18 hours instead of 24. Then just keep taking it each day. Ask a sober living place to watch you do it until you will on your own. And have to go talk to someone about whatever made you want use at 13. You gotta do both. I suppose that's what NA is good for.
@@k19mcdaniel You mean physically or mentally. Because they're good for withdrawal but that's it. The psychological stuff is often the harder part and there's no easy way out of that. Just be cautious of people in NA if you go. They tell you no new relationships for the first 6 months and especially not with someone in NA. Everyone breaks that rule though and some of the people who go are predators looking for people with past sexual trauma. Given your history it would be best if you had another lady for a sponsor if you went. Have you heard of or tried Iboga or ibogaine hydrochloride? That's supposed to be even faster than subs. It supposed to flush all the opiate out of your system in 1 night with no withdrawal.
Addiction is a crazy thing man, I am an addict and have been for awhile. I have done just about everything a person can do to try and stop. But the one thing I never thought about was time. It just took time man for me to get over some stuff that happened. It can be very daunting to even think about getting sober because it seems like a huge mountain you have to climb, but if you ask any mountaineer how they climbed the mountain they will say "one step at a time". For all my brothers and sisters out there dealing with whatever pain is causing you to use know that I love ya and you can be happy again and the pain can stop, you just have to take that first step.
We are all so hard on ourselves. Sometimes it's just small steps. I have to tell myself this every day. Lost EVERYTHING to my addiction. It's been a real struggle to build friendships, socialize or think about what could be since I'm in board and care.
@@mrbenjaminhubert I hear that, the only thing I didn't lose to my addiction was my parents. They are the reason I am alive and they are the reason I got sober. After the fog cleared I realized it was a good thing to want to stop for them but I needed to want to do it for myself as well. It took a while but I realized I was worth it, I deserve to be happy and yeah it's been one step at a time.
I have used H 4 and a half years and all drogs for 22 years this year 23 :((( i am clean 3 mounths.. it is dificult for me in România, nobody understand me...but i will be strong as a rock or die.. be strong guys we are many warriors that fight with themself’s..sorry for my sh..y english..
This was not a problem before NATO western influence... My friend was in the people's army in 1980s, He was released from the reforms when Romania was sold off to oligarchs, western influence and drugs flooded Romania... Few jobs... He told me many story of addicts and the homeless. Some poor people have killing their self... There was no money but for very few in the 90s but then drugs came and turned many into "zombie". I was young when this happened, i am from Tiraspol and was 6 when the war in 1990 started. The influence of the hard drug is combated efficiently in PMR, but west of the Dnistre the problem of addiction is very poor ...
The pandemic has certainly worsened our opioid crisis. Many in recovery struggled to remain that way. Although some opioid users chose this time to break free of their addiction, others dove deeper into the depths of their addiction. People need help now more than ever.
My partner is 6 months... so proud of her, one laps. I think covid has helped only because it took the pressure off of her to have her whole life together at once and everyone was being productive but her. Still painfully hard, painfully hard to watch. So proud of her tho. No overdose ever stopped her... unfortunately.
After 3 years clean I relapsed last June and OD'd the first shot. My mother dragged my naked body from the bathroom and gave me cpr while my best friend called 911 and scoped my micro-peen. Really happy I made the decision up use at my mom's house and not alone at my own home. Been clean since and not looking back. That isolation and fear was hard but I figured out a way to get through it with the help of other men and women in recovery. Since last July, I've had more than two dozen friends pass away and not like the typical recovery community high death rate. It's insane but I guess so is the nature of addiction.
As a recovering oxy & alcohol addict, I know your struggle intimately. But that didn't stop me from laughing so hard Coke Zero came out of my nose as I read "micro-peen" 😂😂😂👍👍👍I'm glad you survived man & congrats on getting back on the wagon, took me a year of relapsing before it stuck. Going on year 5 now
My brother fell off the wagon back in Jan..hes an alcoholic and addict...hes been over 5yrs sober so this all scares us cus hes on the verge of losing everything...this pandemic has been extremely hard on those in recovery... Just stay strong.. One day at a time!
My ex's family spent 30k on rehab, 2 days after coming home she started drinking, again. I pray God helps those struggling with addiction and their families.
If they can invest billions in to pharmaceuticals then they HAVE the money for this epidemic too. They just know that they dont make money helping the opioid crisis like they make money from vaccines. Its a sick industry and the govt plays a role in the corruption.
just make drugs legal..if i want to get high and am not hurting others..whats it matter to you what i do..cant do that make to much money telling others what they cant do so we can put them in jail and make money off them..all while we help the drug dealers smuggle the drugs in..what a joke
I'm glad this topic is covered. I only counsel for depression and anxiety but many patient-pals are fighting addiction too. The 3am calls affect me. This is a serious issue and we need to look out for one another. Not because it's what we're told to do but because it's necessary. To anybody struggling right now, I genuinely send you good vibes and a friendly reminder that addiction is tough but you are wayyyyy tougher. #one, Sadie
Thank God for outpatient /virtual MAT groups like the one im in. They've been so flexible during covid. I wish easily accessible superb care for all addicts struggling during the pandemic !
The most terrifying thing of COVID was when my moms meeting closed and went virtual. Thankfully she had good strong connections, stable housing and internet access and was able to stay sober if this had happened a year earlier theres no way to know what would have happened.
I really appreciate a video like this pointing out this specific POV. There are soooo many people struggling with addiction right now & it effects everyone in every walk of life.
Nothing ever makes people more sympathetic. Depression addiction ptsd anxiety you name it, it will always be "well why don't you just". Regardless of what they're told or claim to understand
COVID pushed my prescription drug abuse to a breaking point. I overdosed on my 28th birthday during the first lockdowns. By God's grace I survived and am still clean a year later
I got sober last year when the pandemic was starting to get worse, I currently have 344 days sober and I couldn’t be more happy with life. I pray I don’t go back to how life was and always taking 10 steps back instead a few steps forward
Living on the streets in active addiction is miserable. Thankfully there are meetings out there, online in addition to in person, to support people who want to get clean.
Structure, honesty and connection are the foundations of recovery. We’re missing 2 of those right now. I am absolutely blessed that my methadone clinic dealt with things well, despite some unnecessary regulations usually in place. I have two weeks of take-homes. But man, not having the ability to go to in-person meetings and mental health organizations has been tough for me. My recovery has been tested, and continues to be. A lot of love to you, man.
As a Substance Use Disorder Certified Counselor in California the sad reality is a whole lot more people died from their addiction due to the necessary shutdowns.
Never even entered my mind of how an addict dealt with the pandemic, but now that y'all brought it up.....it was something I didn't know, that I would end up wanting to know. Thanks for the enlightenment!
I lost my older brother Tim to a fentanyl overdose 2/13/21. The pandemic most definitely played a part in his death. He was not fully able to access the services he needed so desperately and the isolation really affected him. He battled his addiction for 20 years and it unfortunately took him. In the 8 months since he had bred released from prison I Narcaned him 3 times and saved his life. The first month I felt so guilty I didn’t check on him that Friday and found him dead on Saturday am. I had to realize it wasn’t my fault, I miss him so bad. I’m Glad I found him and not my mother/father or his 16 yr old son. Still I have nightmares about seeing him dead on bathroom floor with vomit around his mouth.
@@DougMayer thank you for the kind words. I hope more harm reduction services can become available for people who are addicted. Harm reduction services can save many more lives and help people not hav to experience this pain m family feels
Ohhhhh... dude... I can’t express how sorry I am to hear your story. Three times with Narcan... omfg. I had to do it twice to my best friend. Then he left me forever. He was my ‘brother’, and being with his mum at the funeral... but for you... yr actual brother... then being with yr Mum n dad at the funeral. Sheeeeeesh... so sorry. So impressed with how bitter you are NOT... many people would be able to stay like that. Look after yourself and yr parents and yr nephew. Seems like you are good people. Brotherly love from Australia
@@lachlanwelsh5880 thank you for your compassion and kind words. Being angry and bitter will not bring my brother back. The prohibition and current laws and ways we treat addicts is not helping or reducing deaths. I’m 100% in favor of harm reduction, medication replacement therapy, safe injection sites like in Canada and Holland and else where. Holland has had millions of users inject drugs and zero deaths. Prohibition just makes the gangs richer and our communities drug war zones. The people of the community are seen as occupying army not people in need of help. 5 years of putting my brother in prison did nothing to help him, only punished us his family, sending him money, visits, paying for phone calls. It makes the prison industry richer and gives no emphasis on rehabilitation.
...Just the existence of this video is like a hand from the clouds. The stories of recovering addicts are always valuable to a struggling cusp-er. Many thanks Vice! Yet again!
My sobriety started on January 23rd of 2020. That was right before the pandemic. I am so thankful that I didn't have to go through extra hell. I was dependent on painkillers (vicodin, percocet, etc.) All because of a car accident. I remember waking up to craving more and more pills. That lifestyle was the worst. I never touched heroin, but with the money I spent, I could have bought a house, and other things. I'll say that sobriety is hard, I question it all of the time. Recovery is possible, but it takes work, and determination. I'm almost 16 months sober, and it's been a wild ride.
Get back on the horse. I relapsed during the pandemic a few times and didnt tell on myself I just got back on key subs and went back to meetings. I know what I did and it reminded me why im clean. Can you remind yourself why you want off dope?
I'm 22 and struggling with opiate addiction. I was able to be 30 days clean in detox, but as soon as I got home I was using again. Now I've been on a three week bender and feel so bad all the time. I just want the pain to stop... I pray for all of you struggling out there, I hope you make it.
Ive done black and crystal meth and for me it was the white. But thats besides the point. My will and strength couldnt get clean but one i was touched by the most high Jesucristo i got clean saved and changed everything about me. God bless you in the mighty name of JesusChrist!!!
People don't use H because they think they'll be able to quit. I'm sick of hearing people say "oh I never used that because I know I wouldn't be able to quit". It's far deeper than that.
@@LK-em1bv oh of course! I was just lucky enough never to get in such a hard situation to need it (as an escape), even though I had some bad strokes of faith. Having medical insurance really saved me, physically and mentally.
Covid changed my life..i was getting high alot daily all day everyday whilst at my job at home everywhere and i hit the lowest ive ever been i was by myself while my wife was oversees for 6 months visiting family and since jan 4th since shes been back ive been off of it with the help of my wife ive been able to stop ...so far i feel good ive told myself that i can buy anything if i dont use drugs..ive been able to save up 3 k proudly and mantain a healthier lifestyle..after 17 years the mind can only take so much..im greatful and blessed for the up and the down and the back 🆙 that has occurred....just being alone in quarantine alone being that drugged outa my mind ..it has i guess awoken me to a better way of life..cause i sure never wanna be like that again...wishing luck to all that are in the addiction position..god bless
In person meetings are superior, but a fellow member of NA told me this: “if all I had to do to score when I was in my addiction was log onto zoom, I’d be logged on all day everyday”. Zoom NA meetings have kept me clean throughout this pandemic. Without them I would’ve probably relapsed. I hit 2 years clean in January. Still going strong and still doing zoom meetings (plus some in person ones too, which I prefer).
I was a "legal" addict due to Dr prescribed Tramadol. A synthetic opioid. When I became eligible for Medicare, I could no longer go to the Free Clinic for my medical needs. Because of that, I had to find a Dr that was willing to continue pain treatment but lo and behold!, NO Dr in my city would take a patient who was or had been on opioids. In the mean time, I had to stop taking the pain meds on my own until I could find a Dr. I finally did, in fact several Drs. Needless to say, I had weaned off the Tramadol then stopped. On my own. Except for my willingness to survive. Pain be damned. I've got this. I have alternatives but not pills and some great Drs to get me through this. They were even offered to me after they saw my MRI and X-rays. The moral of the story, both this and mine, are as one person posted. If I can do it, you can. But, not if you won't. p.s. I even quit smoking cigarettes, with help from Chantix, again....if I can do it......😊
I relapsed during COVID also and something traumatic happened long story short at the end I walked up to a cop and asked for a ride to detox and now have 6 months back I don’t blame it on COVID multiple things came about leading up to my relapse bless everybody dealing with these demons struggling and the people sober still fighting it
Manchester NH? Wow. I'm a recovering addict in NH. It is still hard to believe we were/ are the epicenter of the heroin epidemic. I used a lot of drugs in NH and got sober in NH. There are some good places but without meetings was rough. Keep up the fight. You are worth it
I was an 8 year IV heroin user. Got clean 7 years ago. I am married, working a dream job with a daughter who is 2 1/2. It did it with suboxone. Don’t look down on people who do a medicated approach to sobriety. When you’re working a job that you and your loved one depend on, you can’t afford to take months off to kick heroin. Have to keep food on the table and having a crutch to keep you moving is often a necessity. Everyone has their own approach.
Congrats on your 7 year sobriety. People should not judge ones journey to recovery, it's such a difficult and painful thing and the way one gets there should be applauded and encouraged,not criticized.Ignore the negative crap people say to try and tear others down and surround yourself with people who build you up and encourage you.Just focus on yourself and your family ☺️.
I’m so grateful to god that I’m sober three years. I am one of the fortunate ones, who had an idyllic childhood and a solid, successful family waiting for me, when i got sober to welcome me back to life. I have met so many people, God help Them. I’ll say a prayer now. I have a therapist I talk to once a month and I do not speak to anyone at all from the past.
I'm from and currently live in Manchester im 36 and a addict. I've been sober since last June thankfully the methadone clinic is still running lol. This however did not show the real suffering in my city I really hope they have more footage than just this.
Try to ween off slowly starting as soon as you can(when it's safe, don't know how long you've been in recovery). My teeth are fucked because I stayed on too long. 8.5 years off dope though, and almost 5 off my back and forth between methadone and subs. Stay up, you got this.
I had a friend that’s a drug addict, I told him to stop and lets get clean. He told me “I can stop whenever I want to stop”, so after a while I got cleaned by myself. I stopped talking to him, years later I still hear about him and his drug use. I guess he just never wanted to stop 🤷♂️
Addiction is something that alters the way your brain works, it actually rewires the brain so that you withdraw when you don’t use. It affects almost every part of your body and withdrawal can kill you if not done properly, depending on the addiction. Everyone is different so will need a different way of getting clean. Congratulations on getting clean but your mate obviously still has a addiction and no one should judge him for not getting there yet, maybe he’s tried many times but hasn’t succeeded yet.
I’m so so so lucky I got in to rehab last July , The U.K. is definitely geared up to help you more then the USA I’ve been in sober living nearly a year now , first 6 was free Now I pay 10£ a week for my room On the 16 acres of land here no one has had Covid It’s nice and peaceful in the country side here in U.K.
Yea its So SOOO Important that these things are spoke about!!💖 Not all User's rob old ladies and hand bags and shoot people, those people have a choice to do the right thing ( seek Help but go out and steal ) So I'm Glad not all Addict's are pained with the same brush, because no two addicts are alike.. everyone on the planet is different , addict or not , But the public judges you once you say im an ex addict and its wrong!! So like you Melinda🙏💖🙏 i am Really happy to see that this topic is covered and covered right!! Melinda I'm Guessing that someone close to you was an addict or /passed away.. ( BTW Melinda you dont have to say i DO NOT expect you to put personal info on UA-cam ) Why i said the above ( about someone close to you) Is that you TRULY CARE💖💖 how this topic is covered like ME!! i DO Not think there is many if any family's in some form that are not touched by , Drug abuse ,drink, Mental health etc etc Melinda the world need's more people like you, That are Open minded and Non judgmental and caring kind and truly a good person who cares for others....well thats 100% the vibe i get from you, Much 💖Love💖From ☘Ireland☘James🍺😷
My boyfriend relapsed after having 16 months clean in March 2020. He died March 28th, 2020 of an overdose. I witnessed first hand how this pandemic affected people who struggle with addiction. I was so consumed with my own anxiety and stress, losing my job, unemployment, fear of getting covid or my family getting covid, I couldn’t see him struggling until it was too late. By the time I recognized he had relapsed he was gone within days. Breaks my heart. His name was Pat. I miss him everyday
I had a friend who struggled with hard drugs since he was a teen. He finally got sober by doing out patient treatment and attending AA meetings 5 days a week. We have a really AA group in this town that helped my aunt get sover as well. My friend said AA was far better than NA, all that happened with NA was he made new connections and they all went and got high after the meetings. So he stopped NA and switched to this AA group that has older people in it with many years of sobriety under their belt. He finally got sober and he even moved away from here qfter ue was sober for almost 3 years and got married and had a kid. That is just so awesome.
My best friend just overdosed and passed away on Sunday morning 🥺 I hit 4 years clean this April. I’m so over this fkn drug!!! I miss my buddy got dammit!!!!! I’m completely devastated and heartbroken right now. I don’t know what to do with myself. But I’ll tell u what I won’t do. Relapse. Please stop using you can get clean recovery IS possible!!! I swear my heart can’t handle one more death. It just can’t, this is to much. 🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺 😓
One day I couldn’t take it anymore and cried out to the sky God, the Jesus, Mary and the saints all that. I’m 8 years sober. God, I didn’t deserve it but you picked me out of a crowd of demons and said “this one, she is mine”.
Nothing to do with this made up thing called “god” - it is ALL to do with YOU!!! And only YOU!!! Take the credit you deserve for all the fukcing hard work YOU have done to get to where YOU are. Brotherly love from from Australia.
@@lachlanwelsh5880 God had everything to do with it. I wouldn't want credit for the horrible being I really am underneath living in the imaginary world of how I'm perfect and can do anything by myself, simply because our passions have a strong hold of what we do. I don't mind that you don't believe in God personally but given that this person just shared their testimony, successful at that, and that you just called their entire testimony utter nonsense by depriving it of its core (which by their own words is belief in God) is somewhat insulting. I don't doubt you have good intentions at heart but don't go about saying how it's all imaginary and made up when you're probably (not saying you aren't, perhaps you are) not very familiar with the Christian religion, the lifestyle it brings with it and its tenets. God bless anyhow brother.
@@eln0n01 I blame my self but I had a really really fucked up childhood so I was just self medicating my feelings because i was completely over whelmed, my dad the only person left in my life was a drunk so he never taught me anything. i started using heroin at age 13 and didnt get clean till I was 24 most people like me are dead or still using so I'm thankful everyday I wake up
Addiction is living hell. Compassion is everything be kind to addicts. I am 12 years clean. I am no longer owned by drugs. For a better understanding of addiction watch “Gabor Mate what is addiction’ he is amazing
I'm glad the guy in this video is on a better path. My friend of 13 years died last summer during the pandemic from an overdose. I think I know as many people that ODed during the pandemic as I do people that died from COVID.
Thank you so much I just really needed to see that video. In my small town AA meetings stopped when covid started and for so many of us in this town when we lost jobs and got board we went back to our old lives. I just need help to sober up again and stay that way.
To everyone out there that’s struggling with addiction; you CAN fight this!! You CAN be clean and sober!!! You’re strong and you’ve got this!! You can do it!!!! Recovery is REAL! 💜
Here I am, clean since the beginning of may. The whole COVID time will be remembered by myself as „the great withdrawal“. I tried it the whole time, first success right now. The isolation made it nearly impossible to get off pills. My mma training started last week and that was the frame I needed, I don’t think it would have been possible without it.
I was a caffeine addict for years, to a point where I could sleep for 10-12 hours and still feel tired without coffee, caffeine pills or energy drink. Months of lockdowns and nothing to do, I finally completely stopped taking caffeine in any form.
I am a heroin addict,for almost 8years now and i try to ge clean, its been 5days now,and am still struglng, anyone who read this please please i beg u to pray for me, so that i can get clean for the rest of my life
I wish you the best. I know how rotten kicking can be but the alternative sucks, as you already know. Stay clean, stranger. You matter. Get help if you can, going at it alone is treacherous.
@@Cid_Coletti thank you, i'll try my best!!!
It gets better... I promise.
Have you ever tried tapering with Methadone? It saved me.
You can!!! 🙏🙏🙏🙏
@@Occam31 right now Am using Tramataur SR and Nap10 for detox, it helps a lot!!!
I unfortunately relapsed during covid but was lucky enough to be able to go back to rehab for six weeks. Coming up to three months sober next week. Not a massive amount of sobriety but better than nothing.
Nah it's massive as hell. Keep it up 💪💪💪
Sean is 100% correct! Three months is a lifetime when you’re in the place you are.
You KNOW you count the hours and the MINUTES when you are coming down sometimes... so three months is massive.
Don’t downplay your achievements! Give yourself a pat on the back - give yourself a break!!!
Don’t look down on yourself! You are allowed to be proud of yourself!
If you fcuk up, and relapse please don’t come down hard upon yourself... it happens... again n again...
Learn from it!
Work out what happened n why, so next time you can look out for the trigger.
Anyway, if beating this type of challenge was easy, then it wouldn’t be a problem.
Best of luck... and keep telling yourself you are worth the battle, worth the fight... and please don’t put yourself down, or sell yourself short. You seem better than that!
What I have said comes from 20 years of painful experience...
Go DougDoug, GO!!!
Brotherly Love from Australia!
Its very big thing, dont discredit ur achievments ur doin great
Starts with one day, brother 💕 It's effin hard enough to stay clean and sober _without_ a global pandemic! So 3 months is definitely massive. Keep it up.
Oh, and something my therapist likes to tell me is that recovery is not a straight line from low to high. It's a meandering path up and down, but you're always beyond where you started 💕 I've been in recovery for 8 years, relapsed several times. Almost died once or twice. But I've been off everything with no relapse for over two years now. I don't like to cheer myself too much because that's when I mess up lol But you HAVE to acknowledge how much you've accomplished from point A to now. Great job 👍
Addiction is such a vicious cycle. I just celebrated my 12th anniversary. We can do this... never give up.
beautiful
I almost became an alcoholic during covid. No job, very little drive and confidence. I hope to return to a fully functioning and hopeful human being soon. Let's get through this yall.
best of luck to you Adrian x
Will power
i feel yaa bro going through the same!. hopefully we'll get through this and find peace some day
Wishing you a bright recovery. You totally got this 🙌
You will!
I hope everyone heals from the things they will never speak about
Girl, this is really sweet. I so wish the same for you. Xo, Sadie
you trying to sound cool with "things they will never speak about" it really just sounds stupid they will speak about it a lot so doesn't make any sense
@@filthycasual8074 if you don't like the way she speaks just leave it.. why spread negativity?
@@filthycasual8074 there was no need for your input or for you to comment that. if you didnt agree just keep scrolling. no need to degrade the girl while shes trying to uplift others
QQQ
I am really starting to see how the human connection gives people strength to be their best...
I mean we are design to be Social, it something that defend from danger
Also can be thing that keeps them using the amount of people IV seen drag poeple I know back into the game is crazy some times people need to be a alone with there own thoughts not many people can do it these days social media does not help poeple lock to there phones like jail cell they made them self
Humans are social being. When I was a kid and studied P.E. in school, it mentioned three types of health, mental, physical and social. Third one is also neglected or unknown by many but its actually a thing.
@@fayemarshall2254 Thanks for the commentary, Debbie Downer. Way to be supportive of your fellow humans who are going through hard times.
It's a double edged sword tho. Humans also bring out the worst in each other
Shout out to all the addicts in recovery. Shout out to all the people who need help but don't know where to start. I wish you all a wonderful day.
Only a day?!
@@stubstunner man that musta been a shitty fucken year
I used this Pandemic to get clean of Suboxone and it’s been a nightmare, I used Subs for 7 years so this is tough. Day 52 today
Same story but with methadone which is even more difficult. Drop the dose regularly until your off completely. If you don't have any responsibility get one like a dog to look after or a job. I promise you its not that difficult I was scared at first then pleasantly surprised how easy it was. Your doing great dont loose hope.
Thanks for sharing. Damn. I'm about to the same and keep putting it off for this reason. Did you taper?
@@junioraltamontent.7582 yep, by 2.5 weekly. Once I was on 6mg I dropped off it completely. Biggest problem was getting sleep. I suggest some good cannabis or even some Benzos. Only take them at night or you'll become dependent on them to get through the day. Of you have any questions feel free to ask. It feels great to not be hooked to the chemist anymore.
Don’t use Kratom. You’ll have a hard time coming off of that too.
I TAKE A HALF EVERYOTHER DAY.
i relapsed for the first time in over a year during the holidays. doing good now. you can do it! the last year has been so hard - it’s ok if you relapsed. you can always stop again. people won’t give up on you. people will understand. people will want to help. i love you and i’m proud of you no matter who or how you are.
Ooh ppl will understand!? Maybe thats why you keep relapsing
May I say: *this comment section is so inspiring and surprisingly empathetic, nonjudgmental and encouraging. Like, thank y'all because I was nervous for the comment section.* Dear Addicts & Former Addicts: we are rooting for you. It's hard yet it can be done. 🥰
Addicts are some of the most beautiful people on earth thats why. Appriceate you writing that ❤❤
0 virus,govt $camdemic
Now go look at a comment section about crack addicts
The fact that he went right into helping addicts after recovering himself says slot about his character. More people should be like Andrew
Honestly that's what most of us recovering addicts do. Even if they don't know it. Even just leaving a comment and sharing your story is helping other addicts
I wish there was this much compassion for addicts in the 80s/90s
Those were hard times. The lack of empathy and understanding of this disease claimed so many lives. I guess the world needed to learn
If you're an addict or suffering through problems, don't be ashamed. EVERYBODY stumbles and falls. What makes you a winner is being able to get back up and keep at it step by step. I don't look down on these folks, but applaud them for not giving up. You can do this!
I needed this today. This truly is inspirational for me. I’m on the recovery from gambling addiction at 26 years old. I’m ready for change and change WILL happen. I’m already looking forward to being on the beach this summer not worrying about the next chance I have to gamble since I self banned myself today from all casinos. Life’s too short for all that stress
@@julianar197 YOU GOT THIS!!! Don’t give up because you are worth fighting for!!!
I’m struggling. Thanks for the kind words
Thank u bro. So good and uplifting to see something like this cause i keep thinking to myself,maybe the only way to quit is if i kill myself. And u want to so bad,but how can i do that when i have a son,i dont want him 2 think i killed myself cause i was weak n plus i wana be here 4 him n his the only thing keeping me goin. Jus findin it hard to stop n feel thats the only way i can stop maybe. But seein ur comment lifts me up. Cause i guess all that matters is if i jus keep trying to stop n hopefully the next time i try is the time,n if not then maybe afted that n aslong as i keep trying to quit then yea. So thanks.
@@julianar197 Good to hear it. You have the will, so use it to fuel your actions by not gambling and doing something productive instead. It's a great feeling proving the haters wrong and you're young enough to do so. As you said, life's too short to be losing to the house all the time. Good luck.
I’m a recovering addict. 3 years now and sometimes I still struggle at low points but find it in myself to fight for my beautiful life I’ve created. I hope you all find something inside yourselves to fight for , whether it’s for yourselves or for those watching you decay.. wish you all strength and hope.
Congrats!! I have 8 1/2 years myself ( meth & H)
Here's hoping all humans die before the morning! We're literally destroying everything around us, even ourselves. Abusing our own bodies, and brutalizing human rights of marginalized souls all over this world. We're a sad species, pathetic and irksome
The amount of time we spend believing we can't is more than enough time to learn how we can.
People will be kicking themselves in few weeks if they miss the opportunity to buy bitcoin.
@Jacob Williams How do I contact Mr Peter Terry Smiths?
@Jacob Williams Thanks for his contact info I'll get to him as soon as possible
Trading crypto now will be very wise but trading without a professional is never a good idea
@@camillafredrick3102 I tried trading on my own but it only left chasing shadows
I've been in recovery from opiates for eight years this month. The last year has been rough. I'm lucky enough to have a very good support system outside of my groups, but there has definitely been something missing on a deep level for me. Andrew is doing amazing, _necessary_ work. We need more like you, brother ❤️
I'm just about two and a half months clean and sober I wish everyone the best and pray to God everyday for his guidance
Suboxone is beautiful
So proud of your achievement!
keep up the good work
CONGRATS!!! I have 8 1/2 years myself. You Can do this!!!!
@@pali1H I did MAT myself and I’m so thankful it was available
My brother just died on February 11, 2021 in his apartment alone due to fentanyl. My mom was going to drive him to court in the morning, he was preparing to go to treatment that day. We took him shopping for new clothes, anything he needed. After the funeral etc. cleaning out his apartment A frozen dinner with poked holes in the microwave, from that night. as humans, addicts, we don’t quite understand how precious life is until it’s gone.
Bro I get it I deal with it. and I'm sorry man
Sending love. Sorry for your loss.
hope you can find peace friend.
Sorry to hear about your loss bro.
R.I.P
Early recovery is like cutting off an arm. Oof. Hit me in the feels. I'm grateful I wasn't one who was in early recovery during this.
"early recovery is like loosing a leg or an arm, you just don't know how to function at first" this is the more accurate thing I've ever heard.
This July will be 11yrs of using/shooting up for me. I'm 24. My entire adolescence and adulthood has been wasted using. I now have a 2yr old daughter and the most amount of solid sobriety I've had since getting pregnant with her was 18 months. (Pregnancy and early infancy). My mom has full custody of her now just to further shield her from the horrors of addiction. It's all sad. And fucked up. Addiction overrides your most basic human instincts for shelter, food, water, and love. One of the most crippling diseases in the world.
Subs are way easier than they make it out to be. All you have to do is show moderate signs of withdrawal and you can take your first dose. There's even a checklist you can follow. So probably 12/18 hours instead of 24. Then just keep taking it each day. Ask a sober living place to watch you do it until you will on your own. And have to go talk to someone about whatever made you want use at 13. You gotta do both. I suppose that's what NA is good for.
@@djluminol I've tried subs and it never takes me to a good place 😭
@@djluminol and I was in a really bad relationship with an older guy... That's how it all started. Unfortunately :/ he's been in prison for years now.
@@k19mcdaniel You mean physically or mentally. Because they're good for withdrawal but that's it. The psychological stuff is often the harder part and there's no easy way out of that. Just be cautious of people in NA if you go. They tell you no new relationships for the first 6 months and especially not with someone in NA. Everyone breaks that rule though and some of the people who go are predators looking for people with past sexual trauma. Given your history it would be best if you had another lady for a sponsor if you went.
Have you heard of or tried Iboga or ibogaine hydrochloride? That's supposed to be even faster than subs. It supposed to flush all the opiate out of your system in 1 night with no withdrawal.
I hope you are well.
Andrew is doing Gods work. May the Lord bless him and give him streanght to keep helping his fellow man.
Thank you my brother. You are so kind!
Addiction is a crazy thing man, I am an addict and have been for awhile. I have done just about everything a person can do to try and stop. But the one thing I never thought about was time. It just took time man for me to get over some stuff that happened. It can be very daunting to even think about getting sober because it seems like a huge mountain you have to climb, but if you ask any mountaineer how they climbed the mountain they will say "one step at a time". For all my brothers and sisters out there dealing with whatever pain is causing you to use know that I love ya and you can be happy again and the pain can stop, you just have to take that first step.
Check us out at MizuVida.com ...we use the subconscious mind to get over addictions.
We are all so hard on ourselves. Sometimes it's just small steps. I have to tell myself this every day. Lost EVERYTHING to my addiction. It's been a real struggle to build friendships, socialize or think about what could be since I'm in board and care.
@@mrbenjaminhubert I hear that, the only thing I didn't lose to my addiction was my parents. They are the reason I am alive and they are the reason I got sober. After the fog cleared I realized it was a good thing to want to stop for them but I needed to want to do it for myself as well. It took a while but I realized I was worth it, I deserve to be happy and yeah it's been one step at a time.
I have used H 4 and a half years and all drogs for 22 years this year 23 :((( i am clean 3 mounths.. it is dificult for me in România, nobody understand me...but i will be strong as a rock or die.. be strong guys we are many warriors that fight with themself’s..sorry for my sh..y english..
Congrats on your sobriety! You CAN get through this & I hope the absolute best for you
This was not a problem before NATO western influence... My friend was in the people's army in 1980s, He was released from the reforms when Romania was sold off to oligarchs, western influence and drugs flooded Romania... Few jobs... He told me many story of addicts and the homeless. Some poor people have killing their self...
There was no money but for very few in the 90s but then drugs came and turned many into "zombie". I was young when this happened, i am from Tiraspol and was 6 when the war in 1990 started. The influence of the hard drug is combated efficiently in PMR, but west of the Dnistre the problem of addiction is very poor ...
You're not alone! Remember that even in those moments you're not alone!!!
Doesn't. matter '
Sunt mândru de tine
The pandemic has certainly worsened our opioid crisis. Many in recovery struggled to remain that way. Although some opioid users chose this time to break free of their addiction, others dove deeper into the depths of their addiction. People need help now more than ever.
My partner is 6 months... so proud of her, one laps. I think covid has helped only because it took the pressure off of her to have her whole life together at once and everyone was being productive but her. Still painfully hard, painfully hard to watch. So proud of her tho. No overdose ever stopped her... unfortunately.
After 3 years clean I relapsed last June and OD'd the first shot. My mother dragged my naked body from the bathroom and gave me cpr while my best friend called 911 and scoped my micro-peen. Really happy I made the decision up use at my mom's house and not alone at my own home.
Been clean since and not looking back. That isolation and fear was hard but I figured out a way to get through it with the help of other men and women in recovery. Since last July, I've had more than two dozen friends pass away and not like the typical recovery community high death rate. It's insane but I guess so is the nature of addiction.
Who shoots up drugs buck ass naked? “micro-peen” I’m dead☠️
As a recovering oxy & alcohol addict, I know your struggle intimately. But that didn't stop me from laughing so hard Coke Zero came out of my nose as I read "micro-peen" 😂😂😂👍👍👍I'm glad you survived man & congrats on getting back on the wagon, took me a year of relapsing before it stuck. Going on year 5 now
@@isaacb5968 well it really depends on where your injecting ayeeee. Wasn't born with a micro 💉💉💉
Can't just slide over the micro peen, my boy 😂😂
Wish em the best...
My brother fell off the wagon back in Jan..hes an alcoholic and addict...hes been over 5yrs sober so this all scares us cus hes on the verge of losing everything...this pandemic has been extremely hard on those in recovery... Just stay strong.. One day at a time!
My ex's family spent 30k on rehab, 2 days after coming home she started drinking, again.
I pray God helps those struggling with addiction and their families.
No surprise. She was given all the resources needed to continue drinking, why should she stop?
@@vivvpprof Good point mate.
I hope that we see an increase in our funding for recovery. A lot of people are now realizing the pressures of the world.
Harrisson , they will get that funding , this is middle of america. the state will swoop in real quick trust me.
@TheHumanGerm that they do usually federal and state resources. Sadly the smaller states have to make up the difference sometimes
If they can invest billions in to pharmaceuticals then they HAVE the money for this epidemic too. They just know that they dont make money helping the opioid crisis like they make money from vaccines. Its a sick industry and the govt plays a role in the corruption.
Of course lets use tax payers dollars to fix all the broken
just make drugs legal..if i want to get high and am not hurting others..whats it matter to you what i do..cant do that make to much money telling others what they cant do so we can put them in jail and make money off them..all while we help the drug dealers smuggle the drugs in..what a joke
I’m literally crying because I needed this
Me too man
Me too..
I'm glad this topic is covered. I only counsel for depression and anxiety but many patient-pals are fighting addiction too. The 3am calls affect me. This is a serious issue and we need to look out for one another. Not because it's what we're told to do but because it's necessary.
To anybody struggling right now, I genuinely send you good vibes and a friendly reminder that addiction is tough but you are wayyyyy tougher.
#one, Sadie
To all those still out there you're worth more than minimum.
Yes!!
Thank You. I needed to hear that!
Just bear minimum.
Facts
Well said 👏
Crawled out of that cave what seems like a lifetime ago.
You all have it in you.
Thank God for outpatient /virtual MAT groups like the one im in. They've been so flexible during covid. I wish easily accessible superb care for all addicts struggling during the pandemic !
There's so much I didn't think about. It's so easy to get wrapped up in your own struggle.
The most terrifying thing of COVID was when my moms meeting closed and went virtual. Thankfully she had good strong connections, stable housing and internet access and was able to stay sober if this had happened a year earlier theres no way to know what would have happened.
I really appreciate a video like this pointing out this specific POV. There are soooo many people struggling with addiction right now & it effects everyone in every walk of life.
I thought covid would make people more sympathetic towards those who have to deal with their demons alone. It didn't.
If anything It did the opposite
Narcissism is on the rise, and it's the root of societies problems.
@@kirabarsmith9353 too bad leaders are that or sociopaths
Nothing ever makes people more sympathetic. Depression addiction ptsd anxiety you name it, it will always be "well why don't you just". Regardless of what they're told or claim to understand
I definitely am more sympathetic.
COVID pushed my prescription drug abuse to a breaking point. I overdosed on my 28th birthday during the first lockdowns. By God's grace I survived and am still clean a year later
I got sober last year when the pandemic was starting to get worse, I currently have 344 days sober and I couldn’t be more happy with life. I pray I don’t go back to how life was and always taking 10 steps back instead a few steps forward
Stay in prayers,repentance, faith, His Glory, and share His Glory!
Living on the streets in active addiction is miserable. Thankfully there are meetings out there, online in addition to in person, to support people who want to get clean.
Structure, honesty and connection are the foundations of recovery. We’re missing 2 of those right now.
I am absolutely blessed that my methadone clinic dealt with things well, despite some unnecessary regulations usually in place. I have two weeks of take-homes.
But man, not having the ability to go to in-person meetings and mental health organizations has been tough for me. My recovery has been tested, and continues to be. A lot of love to you, man.
As a Substance Use Disorder Certified Counselor in California the sad reality is a whole lot more people died from their addiction due to the necessary shutdowns.
Never even entered my mind of how an addict dealt with the pandemic, but now that y'all brought it up.....it was something I didn't know, that I would end up wanting to know. Thanks for the enlightenment!
I lost my older brother Tim to a fentanyl overdose 2/13/21. The pandemic most definitely played a part in his death. He was not fully able to access the services he needed so desperately and the isolation really affected him. He battled his addiction for 20 years and it unfortunately took him. In the 8 months since he had bred released from prison I Narcaned him 3 times and saved his life. The first month I felt so guilty I didn’t check on him that Friday and found him dead on Saturday am. I had to realize it wasn’t my fault, I miss him so bad. I’m
Glad I found him and not my mother/father or his 16 yr old son. Still I have nightmares about seeing him dead on bathroom floor with vomit around his mouth.
You did everything you could for him. I'm sorry for your loss.
@@DougMayer thank you for the kind words. I hope more harm reduction services can become available for people who are addicted. Harm reduction services can save many more lives and help people not hav to experience this pain m family feels
Ohhhhh... dude... I can’t express how sorry I am to hear your story.
Three times with Narcan... omfg.
I had to do it twice to my best friend. Then he left me forever.
He was my ‘brother’, and being with his mum at the funeral...
but for you... yr actual brother... then being with yr Mum n dad at the funeral.
Sheeeeeesh... so sorry.
So impressed with how bitter you are NOT... many people would be able to stay like that.
Look after yourself and yr parents and yr nephew. Seems like you are good people.
Brotherly love from Australia
@@lachlanwelsh5880 thank you for your compassion and kind words. Being angry and bitter will not bring my brother back. The prohibition and current laws and ways we treat addicts is not helping or reducing deaths. I’m 100% in favor of harm reduction, medication replacement therapy, safe injection sites like in Canada and Holland and else where. Holland has had millions of users inject drugs and zero deaths. Prohibition just makes the gangs richer and our communities drug war zones. The people of the community are seen as occupying army not people in need of help. 5 years of putting my brother in prison did nothing to help him, only punished us his family, sending him money, visits, paying for phone calls. It makes the prison industry richer and gives no emphasis on rehabilitation.
@@mattryan6886 brilliantly concise summary of an enlightened worldview. Not pissing in yr pocket but totally agree on each point. Be well always
...Just the existence of this video is like a hand from the clouds. The stories of recovering addicts are always valuable to a struggling cusp-er. Many thanks Vice! Yet again!
My sobriety started on January 23rd of 2020. That was right before the pandemic. I am so thankful that I didn't have to go through extra hell. I was dependent on painkillers (vicodin, percocet, etc.) All because of a car accident. I remember waking up to craving more and more pills. That lifestyle was the worst. I never touched heroin, but with the money I spent, I could have bought a house, and other things. I'll say that sobriety is hard, I question it all of the time. Recovery is possible, but it takes work, and determination. I'm almost 16 months sober, and it's been a wild ride.
Relapsed a year ago and still have been at it.
I feel so lonely in such a dark miserable world.
It's just the current cycle of life you are in right now. Times will get better if you want them too bad enough.
Get back on the horse. I relapsed during the pandemic a few times and didnt tell on myself I just got back on key subs and went back to meetings. I know what I did and it reminded me why im clean. Can you remind yourself why you want off dope?
Honestly the few moments of joy while high arent worth all the pain,lies and suffering. You know its true.
Went to school in Manchester, sadly this is the same story former classmates went through
That looks like the chillest AA group
I'm 22 and struggling with opiate addiction. I was able to be 30 days clean in detox, but as soon as I got home I was using again. Now I've been on a three week bender and feel so bad all the time. I just want the pain to stop... I pray for all of you struggling out there, I hope you make it.
I hope you make it too.
How are you now dude ?
Ex meth & heroin addict 257 days clean today 🙏 you got this anything is possible
This Dude got taste. Look at those adorable flowers and the flawless orthodox Saint Marias. 🔥
I hope you all are happy & healthy. You're not alone 💚
I just cannot believe how you guys made it, back to sober. I never touched H as I know I wouldn't be able to quit. You rock!
I hear it hella fun
Ive done black and crystal meth and for me it was the white. But thats besides the point. My will and strength couldnt get clean but one i was touched by the most high Jesucristo i got clean saved and changed everything about me. God bless you in the mighty name of JesusChrist!!!
Alot of us never make it, out of the 10 or so addicts I knew I'm my addiction 3 are still alive all died in early and late 20's from OD
People don't use H because they think they'll be able to quit. I'm sick of hearing people say "oh I never used that because I know I wouldn't be able to quit". It's far deeper than that.
@@LK-em1bv oh of course! I was just lucky enough never to get in such a hard situation to need it (as an escape), even though I had some bad strokes of faith. Having medical insurance really saved me, physically and mentally.
Covid changed my life..i was getting high alot daily all day everyday whilst at my job at home everywhere and i hit the lowest ive ever been i was by myself while my wife was oversees for 6 months visiting family and since jan 4th since shes been back ive been off of it with the help of my wife ive been able to stop ...so far i feel good ive told myself that i can buy anything if i dont use drugs..ive been able to save up 3 k proudly and mantain a healthier lifestyle..after 17 years the mind can only take so much..im greatful and blessed for the up and the down and the back 🆙 that has occurred....just being alone in quarantine alone being that drugged outa my mind ..it has i guess awoken me to a better way of life..cause i sure never wanna be like that again...wishing luck to all that are in the addiction position..god bless
Thank you for sharing this! It is very hard to look for help for treatment without being judged! You're a wonderful person! Tha k you!
“God what about my mom?” that phrase gave me chills.
We need more tests and much longer videos! Please help us out
In person meetings are far superior to online meetings.
Except 12-steppers can't 13-step the vulnerable through a Zoom video-feed.
In person meetings are superior, but a fellow member of NA told me this: “if all I had to do to score when I was in my addiction was log onto zoom, I’d be logged on all day everyday”. Zoom NA meetings have kept me clean throughout this pandemic. Without them I would’ve probably relapsed. I hit 2 years clean in January. Still going strong and still doing zoom meetings (plus some in person ones too, which I prefer).
I was a "legal" addict due to Dr prescribed Tramadol. A synthetic opioid. When I became eligible for Medicare, I could no longer go to the Free Clinic for my medical needs. Because of that, I had to find a Dr that was willing to continue pain treatment but lo and behold!, NO Dr in my city would take a patient who was or had been on opioids. In the mean time, I had to stop taking the pain meds on my own until I could find a Dr.
I finally did, in fact several Drs. Needless to say, I had weaned off the Tramadol then stopped. On my own. Except for my willingness to survive. Pain be damned. I've got this. I have alternatives but not pills and some great Drs to get me through this. They were even offered to me after they saw my MRI and X-rays.
The moral of the story, both this and mine, are as one person posted. If I can do it, you can. But, not if you won't.
p.s. I even quit smoking cigarettes, with help from Chantix, again....if I can do it......😊
Had to pause for tears when he said, "what about my mom?"
I relapsed during COVID also and something traumatic happened long story short at the end I walked up to a cop and asked for a ride to detox and now have 6 months back I don’t blame it on COVID multiple things came about leading up to my relapse bless everybody dealing with these demons struggling and the people sober still fighting it
Manchester NH? Wow. I'm a recovering addict in NH. It is still hard to believe we were/ are the epicenter of the heroin epidemic. I used a lot of drugs in NH and got sober in NH. There are some good places but without meetings was rough. Keep up the fight. You are worth it
I also live in NH and even though I know Manchester is the epicenter it still surprised me when I heard that's where they were filming
@@carrielopez1728 I was surprised too but now that I think of it. Vive has done two other similar stories from NH. One from prison.
I was an 8 year IV heroin user. Got clean 7 years ago. I am married, working a dream job with a daughter who is 2 1/2. It did it with suboxone. Don’t look down on people who do a medicated approach to sobriety. When you’re working a job that you and your loved one depend on, you can’t afford to take months off to kick heroin. Have to keep food on the table and having a crutch to keep you moving is often a necessity. Everyone has their own approach.
Congrats on your 7 year sobriety. People should not judge ones journey to recovery, it's such a difficult and painful thing and the way one gets there should be applauded and encouraged,not criticized.Ignore the negative crap people say to try and tear others down and surround yourself with people who build you up and encourage you.Just focus on yourself and your family ☺️.
I’m so grateful to god that I’m sober three years. I am one of the fortunate ones, who had an idyllic childhood and a solid, successful family waiting for me, when i got sober to welcome me back to life. I have met so many people, God help
Them. I’ll say a prayer now. I have a therapist I talk to once a month and I do not speak to anyone at all from the past.
Covid strengthened my recovery. I love the program of AA and NA. Coming up on 2 years now
I'm from and currently live in Manchester im 36 and a addict. I've been sober since last June thankfully the methadone clinic is still running lol. This however did not show the real suffering in my city I really hope they have more footage than just this.
Try to ween off slowly starting as soon as you can(when it's safe, don't know how long you've been in recovery). My teeth are fucked because I stayed on too long. 8.5 years off dope though, and almost 5 off my back and forth between methadone and subs. Stay up, you got this.
The last meeting touched me. Bunch of open souls wo attitude. Humans at their best
I had a friend that’s a drug addict, I told him to stop and lets get clean. He told me “I can stop whenever I want to stop”, so after a while I got cleaned by myself. I stopped talking to him, years later I still hear about him and his drug use.
I guess he just never wanted to stop 🤷♂️
Addiction is more complicated than that.
Addiction is something that alters the way your brain works, it actually rewires the brain so that you withdraw when you don’t use. It affects almost every part of your body and withdrawal can kill you if not done properly, depending on the addiction. Everyone is different so will need a different way of getting clean. Congratulations on getting clean but your mate obviously still has a addiction and no one should judge him for not getting there yet, maybe he’s tried many times but hasn’t succeeded yet.
I used to live in Manchester Nh ! Loved it there but the addiction problem grows and grows. So sad keep strong to all my old friends !
I’m so so so lucky I got in to rehab last July ,
The U.K. is definitely geared up to help you more then the USA
I’ve been in sober living nearly a year now , first 6 was free
Now I pay 10£ a week for my room
On the 16 acres of land here no one has had Covid
It’s nice and peaceful in the country side here in U.K.
Clean and sober 29+ years. Zoom AA has kept me sober through the pandemic. I look forward to a return to in person meetings again.
Check us out at MizuVida.com ...we use the subconscious mind to get over addictions.
SO important, glad you guys covered this topic
Yea its So SOOO Important that these things are spoke about!!💖
Not all User's rob old ladies and hand bags and shoot people, those people have a choice to do the right thing ( seek Help but go out and steal )
So I'm Glad not all Addict's are pained with the same brush, because no two addicts are alike.. everyone on the planet is different , addict or not , But the public judges you once you say im an ex addict and its wrong!!
So like you Melinda🙏💖🙏 i am Really happy to see that this topic is covered and covered right!!
Melinda I'm Guessing that someone close to you was an addict or /passed away.. ( BTW Melinda you dont have to say i DO NOT expect you to put personal info on UA-cam )
Why i said the above ( about someone close to you) Is that you TRULY CARE💖💖 how this topic is covered like ME!! i DO Not think there is many if any family's in some form that are not touched by , Drug abuse ,drink, Mental health etc etc
Melinda the world need's more people like you, That are Open minded and Non judgmental and caring kind and truly a good person who cares for others....well thats 100% the vibe i get from you, Much 💖Love💖From ☘Ireland☘James🍺😷
My boyfriend relapsed after having 16 months clean in March 2020. He died March 28th, 2020 of an overdose. I witnessed first hand how this pandemic affected people who struggle with addiction. I was so consumed with my own anxiety and stress, losing my job, unemployment, fear of getting covid or my family getting covid, I couldn’t see him struggling until it was too late. By the time I recognized he had relapsed he was gone within days. Breaks my heart. His name was Pat. I miss him everyday
I am so sorry for your loss.
@@wishtheworldwasdifferent8235 thank you 🥺
That is horrible. I am so sorry.
@@andrewwarner1098 thank you 🥺
Admiration for all the people who have the courage to make their life better.
I had a friend who struggled with hard drugs since he was a teen. He finally got sober by doing out patient treatment and attending AA meetings 5 days a week. We have a really AA group in this town that helped my aunt get sover as well. My friend said AA was far better than NA, all that happened with NA was he made new connections and they all went and got high after the meetings. So he stopped NA and switched to this AA group that has older people in it with many years of sobriety under their belt. He finally got sober and he even moved away from here qfter ue was sober for almost 3 years and got married and had a kid. That is just so awesome.
My best friend just overdosed and passed away on Sunday morning 🥺 I hit 4 years clean this April. I’m so over this fkn drug!!! I miss my buddy got dammit!!!!! I’m completely devastated and heartbroken right now. I don’t know what to do with myself.
But I’ll tell u what I won’t do.
Relapse.
Please stop using you can get clean recovery IS possible!!!
I swear my heart can’t handle one more death. It just can’t, this is to much.
🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺
😓
We need a lot more ppl like this guy... much respect to him.
One day I couldn’t take it anymore and cried out to the sky God, the Jesus, Mary and the saints all that. I’m 8 years sober. God, I didn’t deserve it but you picked me out of a crowd of demons and said “this one, she is mine”.
Nothing to do with this made up thing called “god” - it is ALL to do with YOU!!!
And only YOU!!!
Take the credit you deserve for all the fukcing hard work YOU have done to get to where YOU are.
Brotherly love from from Australia.
@@lachlanwelsh5880 God had everything to do with it. I wouldn't want credit for the horrible being I really am underneath living in the imaginary world of how I'm perfect and can do anything by myself, simply because our passions have a strong hold of what we do. I don't mind that you don't believe in God personally but given that this person just shared their testimony, successful at that, and that you just called their entire testimony utter nonsense by depriving it of its core (which by their own words is belief in God) is somewhat insulting.
I don't doubt you have good intentions at heart but don't go about saying how it's all imaginary and made up when you're probably (not saying you aren't, perhaps you are) not very familiar with the Christian religion, the lifestyle it brings with it and its tenets.
God bless anyhow brother.
Thank you for sharing! God Bless!!!!! 💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖
Keep going and dont turn back! God got me sober I just do what it takes to stay sober..!
I talk to angels. They call me by my name. ❤️🥲
Heroin and meth addict for over 10 years haven't used in 2 years miss it every day
If you’re reading this and no one has told you they love you today. I love you
So you love people you don’t even know or have met? Interesting.
Thank you
Love you back bruh. One day at a time!!!!!💪💪💪🙏
thank you for this. bottom of my heart.
we come back to remind how far we've come
6 years clean off H it's so amazing to not be hooked on it. Spent so much of my life a slave.
Who do you blame for that?
Check us out at MizuVida.com ...we use the subconscious mind to get over addictions.
@@eln0n01 blame for what?
@@eln0n01 I blame my self but I had a really really fucked up childhood so I was just self medicating my feelings because i was completely over whelmed, my dad the only person left in my life was a drunk so he never taught me anything. i started using heroin at age 13 and didnt get clean till I was 24 most people like me are dead or still using so I'm thankful everyday I wake up
Addiction is living hell.
Compassion is everything be kind to addicts. I am 12 years clean. I am no longer owned by drugs.
For a better understanding of addiction watch “Gabor Mate what is addiction’ he is amazing
Sometimes sixty days is a miracle and he made it.
I thought about this a few times. Wondering how addicts were able to continue their lifestyle during covid lockdowns. Glad you made this video.
The real reward is the ability to help yourself and others...✨
I'm glad the guy in this video is on a better path. My friend of 13 years died last summer during the pandemic from an overdose. I think I know as many people that ODed during the pandemic as I do people that died from COVID.
Be safe, be well❤️ love from India🇮🇳❤️🇺🇸
You mean north korea.
@@ladhimona9611 Real Korea
Aree sir aap. Ider kaise aana hua?
Thank you so much I just really needed to see that video. In my small town AA meetings stopped when covid started and for so many of us in this town when we lost jobs and got board we went back to our old lives. I just need help to sober up again and stay that way.
To everyone out there that’s struggling with addiction; you CAN fight this!! You CAN be clean and sober!!! You’re strong and you’ve got this!! You can do it!!!! Recovery is REAL! 💜
I would LOVE to believe thus guy is TYPICAL for addicts
I love the fellowship with recovery. It feels like the only places this exists in America are church, bars, or NA/AA.
When I was still using I happened by an AA meeting. They were having a cookout and drinking beers! Was so surreal.
Here I am, clean since the beginning of may. The whole COVID time will be remembered by myself as „the great withdrawal“. I tried it the whole time, first success right now. The isolation made it nearly impossible to get off pills. My mma training started last week and that was the frame I needed, I don’t think it would have been possible without it.
"Don't do drugs" should have been "Avoid Opioids at all costs"
I was a caffeine addict for years, to a point where I could sleep for 10-12 hours and still feel tired without coffee, caffeine pills or energy drink. Months of lockdowns and nothing to do, I finally completely stopped taking caffeine in any form.
“Alcoholism and addiction, 100% death rate(Serious face towards everyone)”
-You know what also has 100% death rate? Life...
What?
Online NA meetings helped me alot. It's actually become way better for me personally. I can join groups all around the world.
Heavenly father I pray that you keep the person reading this alive, safe, healthy and financially blessed. May God bless. Amen.