Hi everyone,
I too spent years addicted to drugs and alcohol. I lost my career, my home, my family and friends to my addiction. Drugs and alcohol became the most important thing in my life and nothing else mattered but my next pill or drink.
After going from being the Chairman of the Board of the company I started, to sitting in my own filth on the concrete floor of the Miami/Dade County drunk tank, I finally had a moment of clarity that started me on the road to recovery and happiness in sobriety.
Yeah, yeah, yeah, you've heard this story before and this is not you, YET. You don't have to let it get this bad, but don't fool yourself into thinking that it can't happen to you. If it can happen to me it can happen to anyone.
I had everything a man (or woman) could ever dream of. I had all the property, power and prestige imaginable. But I stopped growing emotionally when I discovered alcohol at the age of 12, and started down the road to alcoholism and addiction. Alcohol and drugs were the solutions to all my problems. When I drank or used, I felt comfortable where I was standing, doing what I was doing, and with the people I was with. And I had never felt that way before ever. After my first drink I was "In." I made a commitment that very day that I was going to do that again every chance I got no matter what. And that's exactly what I did for the next 30 years.
Please don't wait! If you have tried to stop only to convince yourself that you can control it next time, then find yourself right back where you were before, then you are probably an addict. That word is difficult to swallow, but pride has driven more people to their death than any other emotion. If you are an addict, and your cry for help pretty well demonstrates that you are, then you will do yourself a favor by swallowing your pride and shouting for help.
There are more ways to get treatment today than ever before. You don't have to advertise your problem to the world, but you do have to start being honest with yourself. Once you starting being honest with yourself you will begin to find the inner strength to take recovery one step at a time.
Get medical attention and tell your doctor honestly exactly how much medication you have been taking and for exactly how long. Your doctor may prescribe medication to ease the discomfort of withdrawal. Give this medication to your spouse, significant other or trusted friend, and allow them to keep track of your use. Once you have detoxed start going to Narcotics Anonymous. And no matter how stupid you think the 12-step program is; remember that it's not nearly as stupid as eating pills until your life revolves around keeping enough pills in your system so you don't go into withdrawal, and how you are going to lie, cheat or steal so that you don't run out by next week.
I have watched hundreds of people get clean and relapse over and over; simply because they will not accept that they cannot do it alone. If you are an addict or alcoholic, recovery will take teamwork and a design for living other one of your own making.
You don't have to lose any more than you already have. It doesn't have to get as bad for you as it did for me. But, it will take whatever it takes to convince you.
I hope this reply serves as that moment of clarity for some of you who read it. I sincerely hope that you find the peace and happiness that was intended for you. I know that there is a purpose for you in this life. Good luck and may your life be filled with joy in sobriety.