9 years abstinent (clean)
Last month, on June 22nd, I achieved 9 years continuous abstinence from one of my many DOC's - crack cocaine.
While is may sound strange to some, I was one of the fortunate people whose drug use took them to the extremes. I ended up homeless for 8 years as one of those people you see in most major cities pushing a shopping cart and living in an alley. I collected bottles & cans to finance my alcohol/drug use and would occasionally panhandle.
In 2011, I contacted one of my few resources and asked for help to get off the street and into housing. That was April and I got a room in a SRO Hotel (single room occupancy) in Vancouver's "infamous" Downtown Eastside. I've lived there ever since to maintain my stability and connections to my friends and local resources. Then in June 2011, I smoked crack for the last time. 3 1/2 later, I quit alcohol as well - I had found SMART.
One of my challenges over the years has been feeling and remembering the intensity of what happens to me when I use or drink. Most of us know the power of our denial when it tells us we weren't that bad or others did worse. Consequently, I CHOOSE to remain housed where I am, even though I could move to other parts of the city, it's sort of the epicenter of the drug scene in Vancouver.
Anytime my mind goes to that place where I hear things like "maybe this time will be different" (right), you're NOT like them (YES, I am), nobody will know (I will & I'm NOT nobody), all I have to do is look out my window and see or hear exactly what i can turn into again if I choose to use again.
To further consolidate my sobriety, I became a volunteer in my community at a local clinic and their Needle Exchange Program and a Facilitator for SMART recovery.
In the last 9 years, I've maintained stable housing, regained my health mostly, reconnected with my sister after 20 years, found financial stability and connection.
James :cool:
