Staying on my side of the street

[Recovery4Me]

Developing friendship among my community was a good step from hiding behind the computer screen and developing exposure therapy for my PTSD. I attempted to be careful, watch for red flags, take small steps with trust building, vulnerability in increments while soothing down the hypervigilance or mounting paranoia concerning those clusters of stationed homeless. Volunteer work allowed more than myopic focus on disabilities as well as aging. All seemed to be moving forward.

Recently, I had to let go of one of my closer real-time friends as his circle of new acquaintances started including those in a program for obtaining methadone, allegedly for recovery people. However, several indicators pointed towards a different direction on their part. So, I started to get nervous as they would congregate if my friend and I were talking to associate with him.

This saddened me in one manner and at the same time I had to accept my own judgement vrs my wish for tolerance. Understanding I might be jumping to conclusions but listening to my own inner voice... I decided -if it quacks it is probably a duck. Kind closure was offered to my now ex-friend and breathing easier in my own grateful recovery.

What I didn’t do is try to rescue, control the situation, force my concept of consideration, nor brow beat myself for not wanting to include those new people in my sphere... I merely let go of my desired outcome... as I walked on my side of the street.

Thanks for listening.?

 

[blackemerald1]

What I didn’t do is try to rescue, control the situation, force my concept of consideration, nor brow beat myself for not wanting to include those new people in my sphere... I merely let go of my desired outcome... as I walked on my side of the street.

Good call R4M your side of the street is just fine. :)

 

[Mach123]

My town has a reputation for being a not so nice town and it is but we're nice. I was worried about this, but thank goodness my wife and I isolate together. You don't see them if you don't go that way. It's also a nice town with nice people mostly trying to raise families.

My youngest kid on the other hand gravitated down and was always bringing those people around. I was miserable. I'm still dealing with him. He's like I was at his age. It's awful. He's working all the time right now so it's not too bad.

But you made a good call because the junkies are vampires. I just thank God my kid didn't start on the heroin. A friend of mine is estranged from his daughter because of it. It's been years. Same stuff always happens. She cleans up or says she does, then stuff starts disappearing again.

We also have a lady who comes to the house as an administrator for our daughters programs. One of her kids died from an od.

It's sad and scary. I never used hard drugs and idk why. I was miserable enough.

 

[Recovery4Me]

@blackemerald1 ? Thanks for the support. Hope you are well.

@Mach123 Thank you for sharing part of your journey. It is indeed hard to watch our loved ones, children (adult/children), friends, ect suffer from substance abuse. It is good that you two have each other to create a kinder world while those challenges are being addressed. Take care.

 

[joeylittle]

Recently, I had to let go of one of my closer real-time friends as his circle of new acquaintances started including those in a program for obtaining methadone, allegedly for recovery people. However, several indicators pointed towards a different direction on their part. So, I started to get nervous as they would congregate if my friend and I were talking to associate with him.

I'm supportive of your choice, 100% - wanted to say that upfront. I'm proud of you for making the choice that was right for you. And there are definitely people who abuse the help being offered by methadone clinics.

I only wanted to say that for some, methadone can't be transitioned off of. It's not necessarily a question of addiction and willpower - sometimes it's a medical reality, and it's often tied to psych issues or chronic pain problems.

Just to re-iterate, I'm not at all saying you should go and do a different decision. Only wanted to educate future readers a bit about opiate addiction recovery.

 

[Recovery4Me]

@joeylittle I thank you for adding your post as it is important that those who need medicine (and for some indeed it is a Godsend) to use it without shame nor stigma. Correct use is never abuse.

Take care.