An ADDICT speaks on Addiction

Booze and Junk were my drugs of choice, but I wasn't too proud,
to take anything to get high.
I smoked anything that could be smoked, and I injected just about anything you could inject.
I ate handfuls of pills.
For years I abused Alcohol.
For years I abused Narcotics.

Over the years, I tried to quit on my own.
People tried to talk to me about quitting.
I was UGLY, I lashed out at those who cared.
A friend, who had just begun a methadone treatment, asked me "Do you see yourself doing this in ten years?"
"Don't you WANT to change?"
I went to a methadone clinic, to get a steady supply of Narcotics.
I was sick and tired of being sick and tired.
I was diagnosed with hepatitis C.
The doctor calmly told me that I could go on drinking, but it would kill me.
I left his office in tears, a wreck. I swore I would never drink again.
On the way home I bought a big can of beer, and drank it, cursing my weakness.
That was just about the last time I drank .
I have been sober for 10 years, Narcotic free for 5 (I was on the methadone program for 5 years)
tobacco free for 14 years.
I occasionally partake in herbal rituals. I have been known to enjoy a tincture of vanilla and herbal ingredients.
It's my desire to be completely drug free, but I believe in Harm Reduction.
It is the Rehabilitation method that worked for me.
They are the 'Give 'em enough Rope to hang themselves' people.
The Idea is if you can't quit, cut down.
If you can't do it on your own, ask for help, better an addict in treatment,
than an addict out of control.
Nobody stamped their feet, and said you must do this, and you can't do that.
They said "you could keep doing that, it's your choice, but these are the consequences".
It worked.
After I went through a period of Methadone medicated sobriety,
under doctors supervision, I began to realize that not only did I not drink,
but that I didn't WANT to drink.
Once I had made that mind change, I began to wonder what other things I could quit, that I had previously though 'impossible'.
Tobacco was next.
I have even had two periods of a year or more where I didn't smoke weed, but that's a dragon I have yet to completely slay.
One day at a time. One foot in front of the other.
Today, I choose not to drink.
Today I choose to be free of Heroin and Cocaine.
I AM free of addiction to Tobacco.
I try to do good deeds, and make amends to those I've wronged.
Like the song says 'be good for goodness sake'.
Just because somebody is Jerk, it doesn't mean I have to be one too.
It's not a crime to admit you need help.
I wouldn't be alive, if i hadn't sought assistance.
It's NEVER too late,
you are not alone.
If you have questions for me, ask.
I won't be a judgmental "PREACHY DICK", in fact I don't believe in religion.
It would be hypocritical for me to Stamp my feet and Shout "Don't Do That"
That's not how I was saved.
I would love to help others, to help themselves.
I try to be HONEST these days, part of my recovery.