About Crystal Expertise I can answer questions on substance abuse and addiction as well as possible ideas for abstinence and groups. I have been a substance abuse counseling specialist for 5 years. I cannot give medically diagnose but can give accurate advice and helpful ideas.
Experience I have been a substance abuse counselor for five years and have detoxed clients off of all drugs and alcohol.
Education/Credentials I have a minor in addiction,an A.A. in Juvenile Justice and am working on my B.A in Criminal Justice with addiction. I have worked with doctors who specialize in medical detox and have 10 years nursing field experience.
Question QUESTION: Im trying to get over my opiate drug addiction & slowly getting better ...as i laspse from time to time my partner is affected ......this is hell for me as i dont want to affect anyone ....he often feels Hurt & dissapointed ...how can i better the situation......i am trying trying ...wat else can i do?
ANSWER: Helen,
How did you get off of them to begin with and can you recognize what is going on around you before and/or after you have relapsed? What is the time frame, how long do you manage to stay clean and how long were you on them to begin with?
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QUESTION: Im 26 i`d been addicted since i was 19 to heroin the & abusing the maintenance programs...last year i decided enough was enough & put my self in detox & did a 4 week stint in rehab to learn a few things about being part of the human race i felt 13 again when i was clean .....so in the past year ive lapsed & relapsed but not gained a habit were i have to detox i can stay clean for up to a week & the longest a month .....its small victories as i have never accomplished this in 7 years...to answer your question about recognising what is going on aroung me...i havent yet learnt that....ive read relapse prevention but it dosent make much sense....ive only recongnised stress & how i deal with stress as i believe if i exercise i have a better chance of not relapsing...
Answer My suggestion to you is that for sobriety to work for you, you need to find the real you inside, work on a motivator for being clean and enhance it. Addiction can prove to be a life long battle and it is also a lifelong commitment to staying sober but you have to realize what makes you use and why and then find a way to avoid those things. Sometimes it takes changing every aspect of your life, friends, areas and places you frequent. Focus for a second on what you have always wanted to do with your life and then think for a minute about what it would take to get it from where you are at in your life today. Now tell me, can you do it? Exercise is also a great out you are right and if you hate to be overweight or gaining weight then think about the effects opiates have on your body and your metabolism and use that as one motivator. Take up a hobby and focus on living. Make sense?
