AUD

[0ddsidian]

Thanks @yggdrasil and @Magpie22 ! The way that substance use is often glorified is a really interesting topic and definitely connects to stigma. There can be so much stigma attached to substance use issues but it's still glorified? Make it make sense.

Our guest for this webinar has lived experience with drinking (amongst other things), so hopefully you can get something out of it. HERE is the link to the Forums post where you can register for the webinar. If you can't attend live, it's recorded, so you can watch back at another time.

[Oaktree]

@yggdrasil 

Hi there, how are you doing now?

Did you manage to watch that webinar and did you get something useful from it? I don’t drink or smoke but I think I am addicted to food. It’s so hard to change habits but it can be done. 

[yggdrasil]

Hi oaktree and oddsidian 

I haven’t felt safe enough lately to do anything online. I hope the forum was good. 

hope you’re both doing well.

[yggdrasil]

Hi All,

just keeping accountable and connected. I don't know if this is the right place to post.
The last few weeks have been horrendous, and I don't see a way forward. A loved one told me that I'm already dead for them. I'm trying to look after myself. I don't think I am making this up. I'm confused about how I see the world and how others see me, and I don't know if I'm standing in my own way. I don't know who I am anymore

[rav3n]

hey there @yggdrasil that must've been really painful to hear those words from a loved one, i'm really sorry to hear they've said that. recovery can be a bumpy journey, and sometimes we lose ourselves but find a new version instead. sounds like things have been confusing for you? perhaps this is a chance to reflect and explore your next steps around finding the 'new' you? are there certain goals you'd like to work towards, do you have a plan on how to get there (or would you like some support with coming up with a plan)?

i know feeling lost can be scary and isolating, but please know that the community is here for you. we really appreciate you reaching out and keeping yourself accountable - that shows a lot of strength. 

[rav3n]

also wanted to check-in and see if you're able to stay safe at the moment? @yggdrasil 

[yggdrasil]

Hi @rav3n 

I’m trying. Not a good day.

I've been working on it for years to find a new purpose, goals, a ‘new me’… only to get let down by myself, every single time. I’m feeling really low. My lofty goals nowadays are simple basic self care like brushing my teeth. How can I find a new purpose when my brain and body betray me? How can I set a goal when I can only see the end of the world in the near future? 

[rav3n]

hey @yggdrasil it's understandable that thinking months, years ahead would be hard when you're struggling with getting through today, i can relate to feeling too. 

in moments where i was struggling and feeling low, it was pretty much impossible for me to see 'hope' and trust that things could get better. having hope can be really hard and painful, but without it, it can make us feel even more stuck; it can make it harder for us to get through the day. i know you've mentioned you've tried for years, and it really sucks when we can't see our growth. recovery isn't linear, sometimes it's 2 steps forward, 3 steps back - but you learn something along all 5 steps. being kind to ourselves, and celebrating each win - no matter how little they are, can help with building back our energy and motivation. we're only humans after all, we fall, we make mistakes, we lose hope - but we can get back up, we can grow, and it's never too late to try again. we're here to support you in your journey. you can take it one small step at a time - perhaps this month's goal is just to get through basic self-care each day, and once that gets easier to do, you can look into adding more? please take it slow and be gentle with yourself, you've got a lot on your plate and it's totally okay to step back and start again. sending you gentle hugs 💗

[Magpie22]

 Hey @yggdrasil I am sorry to read things are not great right now. I know it’s hard to see anything positive when everything feels so difficult. When I read your story though I see strength. You have been fighting for yourself for years - that’s incredible. And despite the setbacks you are still fighting. 
Some days at my worst, managing a shower and brushing my teeth was enough of an achievement too. And don’t underestimate the value of those daily routines… taking care of our basic needs is part of self care. And they can be a building block to the next thing when you are ready. 
It’s so hard to have self compassion - but for me when I started to heal the most profound understanding was that idea that I was not “failing” - I was getting through as best as I could. I didn’t need to be better for other people, I wanted to be better for me. 

[TankySA]

Mate you have to start hating alcohol make it ur enemy, start by telling yourself you have had enough no more, I have found that once one really examine a bad habit it may make one see it as no benefit  ,the thing is that when one begins to hate a habit it is easier to leave it

One needs to rid of the mr Hyde part of us that keeps hanging on,there's always medical cannabis that can releave stress and Dva may pay 

Its not easy,when I drank allot I saw  a dietitian I was drinking 72 stubbies a week, the dietitian said that is 920 tea spoons of sugar a week  ,that's when I got off that habit all the best mate