Skip to main content Skip to bottom nav
Community /

Addiction Support Forum

Info
7,831 Friends
Filter by Topic
Community Space Games and Icebreakers General Addiction Support Journals Loving Those With Addictions Sex and Porn Addiction Support
Community calendar
Group chat
Ask questions, get support and make friends
Find a group chat
My communities
Talk to an expert therapist
I am a Licensed Professional Counselor. I have over 12 years of experience...
Talk to Ashley Now
New subscribers
Create a New Thread
Gif Photo Link
tommy profile picture
NEW - Addiction Support Automated Taglist
by tommy
Last post
 January 3rd
...See more Welcome to the NEW Addiction Support Taglist This thread is an auto-updating list. The list is regularly updated by forum leaders and can be found below. Having issues? Reply below and someone will help you! Why should I join the taglist? ✔ Never miss out on sub-community check-ins, discussions or events ✔ Get tagged and notified by community leaders whenever a new relevant thread has been posted ✔ Become a more active member of the community. What do I need to do? ✅ To add yourself to this taglist, press the Post to Thread button below and write the exact words Please add me. ❌ To remove yourself from this taglist, press the Post to Thread button below and write the exact words Please remove me. ------------------------- Current taglist as of Dec 2024 (updated by @tommy) @akshi2611 @BeautifulCurse @exuberantTalker9747 @freeman @Helentreat12 @Hobzz @HopefulMamaof4 @ivoryLime3964 @JasonneedsinTx @Jenna @joyfulUs2825 @kindShade3891 @matchamochi07 @Mhmdi @Oceansky93 @peachLime4859 @PFord79 @Property1094 @Rainboho @Ren1478 @Sahilwj @sensiblePine5487 @SerenelyClean @Snowy00 @tommy @tornwillow @xmoonsie16x0
scarbstar profile picture
Tips to manage cravings.
by scarbstar
Last post
 Friday
...See more 1. Know that cravings will pass. First, understand that while these urges are strong, they will pass, typically in about 5-30 minutes.  Many addiction specialists urge people to ‘surf the urge’ and accept that these urges will come in waves and take the necessary steps to ward them off. 2. Identify your goals and keep them on hand. Make a list of all the reasons you quit and all the potential negative outcomes that could happen to you if you start using again.  Keep this list handy at all times to remind yourself of your ultimate goal. 3. Be consistent in treatment and therapy. Cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) is a commonly used form of psychological treatment for addiction recovery. CBT utilizes techniques to help redirect your focus away from the cravings.   “Counseling, sponsors, group therapy and individual therapy are all key components to help patients stay on track,” adds Dr. Juneja. “It’s important to have trusted sources you can call on when you’re battling thoughts that can hurt your chances of recovery.”  4. Explore new passions. Find other ways to distract your mind, especially when you need to fill some down time. Take up a hobby like:  Sports Cooking Reading Drawing or painting  Dancing Hiking Photography Fishing Puzzles Video games (be mindful that video games and social media can have addictive qualities) Listen to soothing music Meditation (or other meditative practices, i.e. float therapy) Yoga 5. Exercise regularly. It is crucial to get as much exercise as you can, this will stimulate your mind and body, and create routines and structure in your week that help stay on track. Regular aerobic exercise and eating a healthy diet play a large role in helping fight addiction through self-care.  6. Practice meditation and breathing techniques. Throughout the recovery process, it is important to reduce stress, anxiety and encourage a sense of emotional balance. One of the best ways of doing this is practicing simple relaxation techniques to focus on your breathing, taking deep breaths when you are feeling any urges. Meditation also is a wonderful way to feel refreshed and invigorated any time of the day. 7. Identify a trusted support system. Another very helpful tool on the road to successful and long-term recovery is to maintain safe, emotionally supportive relationships. The individuals you are connected to often can play a key role in helping you through any crisis.   Whether it is a friend, family member, co-worker or neighbor, share your concerns with them and let them help support you through your recovery journey. It is important to remember that it often takes many attempts at recovery to achieve success, and managing cravings with coping skills is a foundation of success.  
Stitch626Experiment626 profile picture
Opioid Addict of 10+ yrs Needing Hope/Support
by Stitch626Experiment626
Last post
 January 14th
...See more Hi everyone, I'm not sure where to start. I guess I'm looking for some hope from people? For some support? I fear that I'm never going to find serenity or recovery. My mental health and depression are really bad right now and have been for quite some time. My depression has been at an all time high and my addiction at an all time low. I'm definitely struggling and things have been getting worse for me over the last two months. I had to quit my job back in mid November due to my mental health conditions and my addiction state. I've struggled with addiction since I was a teenager and have been in and out of 3 residential rehabs over the years, the last one in about 2019 I believe. My addiction would fluctuate back and forth between controlled/functioning and severe from then to now. I had a month clean back in say May(?) of last year, then I got a few spots from my dealer and the rest was history for me. Before I knew it I was back to having to use near daily again or else I'd enter extreme withdrawal. A week and a half ago, I checked myself into detox because I was stuck in that cycle where I had to use nearly every day simply to keep myself out of withdrawal. I truly wasn't even using anymore because I wanted to, it was because I had to. If I didn't I would get so sick it truly felt like death by day three. This was taking a substantial burden on my health, body, finances, and relationship. So I decided to go to detox so I could gain control over my addiction again, I knew I wasn't done using but I was ready to make changes to the frequency of my use. I had to. My journey began by initiating this process by going to the hospital ER first (as recommended by detox staff) for assistance. I was discharged to detox, and a few days into it, I began to experience the most horrid abdominal pains that would bring me back to the hospital ER again two more times. (They did little for me really the first time, just bloodwork and maintenence medications then discharge, no imaging/diagnostics) (Total ER=3x) They never did find anything significant in terms of the reason behind my abdominal pain, so they just chalked this off as part of my withdrawal symptoms. In the second visit they did however discover that I had pneomonia in my left lung upon doing a CT scan. Lucky me. Upon discharge from the detox centre, my stupid *** went and picked up, having been white knuckling cravings for that last week. My doc is smoking fentanyl. Now I wasn't even thinking that I would be a) breathing compromised from the pneomonia and  b) that my tolerance level would have dropped in this last week I had spent clean. I figured it took a lot more time than that for your tolerance level to drop. I picked up from my guy, used a small amount in a public bathroom, then went home. Upon being home, I continued to use the same amount as I would have used before detox.... a big no no. (And I should have known this!) I'll mention now that in my 10+ years of using fentanyl, I've never overdosed. I've always been VERY careful about WHO I got it from and HOW I went about using it. But I've never been naiive enough to think that an OD couldn't happen to me, so I kept narcan kits in the house just in case. Well, thank God I did.  I came home that night and used, and I went under. Thank God my girlfriend was home to save me. She came out from the washroom and found me unresponsive, blue and purple, not breathing and with no pulse. I also started to vomit. And aspirate. (How great for my lungs!) She immediately called 911, put me down, started cpr, and narcanned me. After a good amount of cpr she finally got my breath back. Paramedics, fire, and police all arrived and took over my care shortly after. Now I, have zero memory of taking the hit, going down, being down or even getting up - not until I was halfway through packing my bag for having to go back to the hospital (total ER visits in a week now = 4). And idk if I went back under or what, because I remember being rolled out of my building on the stretcher and onto the sidewalk, then nothing until I woke up in the hospital again. The memory gaps scare me...  I feel this tremendous horrible guilt about the burden I've now placed on my girlfriend though, to have to carry this memory and we have to carry it alone too, as there is no one we can talk to in our personal life about me even having an addiction, nevermind overdosing... no one who wouldn't judge harshly. It's a lot for them to have to deal with. It was always their worst fear, and I made it come true. I also feel a lot of gratitude though. That I was home when this happened, that it didn't happen to me in the washroom while I was out. That my girlfriend didn't panic and is trained in cpr and knew exactly what to do. And that whatever God is out there wasn't finished with me yet.  The following morning I was discharged from the hospital but had a follow up doctors appointment with my general practitioner in the afternoon to check my pneomonia. I went to this appointment and had horrible vitals. My 02 levels had dropped to 82 and my heart rate was 133. My doctor whom was concerned for hypoxia, insisted I return to the hospital... so away I went again, now to be ER visits #5. They actually admitted me this time and I remained in the hospital for two more days being treated for the pneomonia and remaining withdrawal. I'll add that during my hospital visits they had started me on oral suboxone and were trying to reach my stabilization dose of this medication. The idea of sublocade was introduced, discussed, and agreed upon. I received the sublocade shot before discharge. Now I'll say that I've always wished I could just magically snap my fingers and make my addiction go away. I've expressed it countless times to my girlfriend in our arugments over my addiction, as I would try to explain how I have a disease and just can't snap out of it no matter how hard I tried. I think I finally got my wish? The sublocade shot has effectively blocked the opioid receptors on my brain - it seems that I can't get a high from using now, as I pathetically tried upon discharge from the hospital. Now the stuff I was using was pretty weak, so there's that little voice in the back of my head that's going "but what if I pick up the better/stronger fentanyl from my other guy instead? Will I get high then?" Oh when, when does the madness end????? But something has changed in me.... Instead of these intense pressure cravings to use that have always been existent and oh so persisting, my brain now goes/asks - "but what's the point in trying?" A rebuttal? How odd. Normally I just give in to those urges and then my mind is made up that I'm using. I had the opportunity to go out today and meet said guy with stronger product if I wanted, but I didn't. I just couldn't be bothered...?? I even went as far as to throw away what remainded of the weak ***! (And I Never! Ever? Threw away drugs before!) but I didn't see the point in keeping it. It wasn't doing anything for me but hurting my body. So now I've done this complete 180 turn from myself, my thoughts, and my cravings. I hate that a part of me still wants (needs?) To test the theory about whether or not the stronger *** will hit my receptors though. I feel like this wondering is going to drive me mental until I know for sure. I'm hoping I can continue to question the point of doing so though. I'm hoping, praying, that I can just say to myself that it probably won't work and there's no point in trying and to just not go down that road. I don't know how far I can get this momentum to go though... but I have to at least try, right? Now I should be feeling a big sense of relief, right? Gratitude too? I finally got what I always wanted, no? To rid myself of my intense cravings, to be free from the chains of addiction once and for all. Yet I'm still numb to it all. I guess it doesn't even feel real that I'm fighting urges and not experiencing them as strongly. I'm still struggling to process what's happening and has happened too. I think I can feel a sense of relief down there somewhere though. But also a lot of remorse. Like I now need to mourn my addiction like the loss of a loved one/dear friend. Our times together weren't all bad, that's for sure. There was plenty of good. And I'm now leaving behind my biggest aid/coping skill/reward system that I've known and ever had. Drugs helped me feel better mentally and emotionally at a young age, and they also gave me a sense of belonging/connection to others that I didn't have prior. Saying goodbye to my addiction is going to be hard... but it should feel good, right? That's just my problem though. I'm not -feeling- much of anything. Emptiness and fear above all else.  I know for sure though that I've been feeling more connected to my higher power and spirituality since being brought back from the dead.. yet everything is such a tangled mess within me still. I don't know what to make of any of it all.  Thank you to anyone who reads this. 
scarbstar profile picture
Introducing Myself.
by scarbstar
Last post
 January 13th
...See more Hi everyone. My name is star and I'm a recovering addict.  I'd just like to introduce myself as your new forum supporter. I have been sober for 2 years and I really am looking forward to getting involved in this community. Not only for you all but for myself as well.  What I'm hoping to gain from the 7cups leadership community is a more active Addiction community. Don't be afraid to post.  Our most lasting and fulfilling achievements are often earned by helping others fulfill theirs. This is also a CHECK IN where's everyone at and introduce yourselves!
automatonic profile picture
Food addiction
by automatonic
Last post
 December 29th
...See more I struggle with overeating. It's definitely tied to my stress level. It's been worse lately than it's ever been. I'll go to the store and buy a massive pile of junk food. Soda, chips, ramen, cookies, crackers, popcorn, candy, ice cream, etc. I describe it like what a 12 year old would buy if he found a hundred dollars. But when I actually get it home, I'll eat and eat it until I feel sick, then eat some more. And at that point it doesn't even feel good to eat it, but I keep going nonetheless. I'll also overorder fast food and eat it over multiple days. Like buying multiple pizzas or a ton of wings at once. Even if I can manage to not keep snacks, I'll still get really hungry and eat multiple dinners or snack on fiber bars or whatever else is around. There's this mindset that I have to eat it all to get rid of it as fast as I can so I can "start over and be healthy again", but then I just end up going out and buying more. I have bad teeth already, and this doesn't help. Often I don't get good sleep because I've eaten so much that my whole body hurts. I want to lose weight and live a long life, but I keep falling in the same trap over and over. Not sure what to do.
oliveDrum11 profile picture
Help for a Shopping Addiction?
by oliveDrum11
Last post
 December 21st, 2024
...See more I'm wondering if anyone has any experience overcoming a shopping addiction? I'm going to go into debt very soon if this doesn't get better, so I'm really desperate for some help. I am a college student, so I've been shopping to cope with the intense stress of school. I didn't realize it had gotten so bad. Now I need a kick in the *** to help myself out of this darkness.  I've talked to my family about it, and they are putting all of their energy into shaming me. But I really would like to help myself out of this hole, and grow from this experience. Has anyone here had to deal with a severe shopping addiction like this, too? Thank you for listening y'all :) 
Gamespy56 profile picture
I want / need this to end
by Gamespy56
Last post
 November 21st, 2024
...See more My gambling started 3 years ago or so, my friends went to a casino one night, and the next time i went with them, i started out Playing roulette, it was fun, I've never gambled or was much of a betting man before that.... Until i discovered slots. Since the first time i won big on a slot machine I've been hooked, i have tried stopping more times than i can count, i don't believe myself at all anymore when i tell myself that "this was the last time" i know it's not, i know I'm lying to myself. I know i have a huge problem, since i started gambling I've been broke, every paycheck i would get i would lose in a day, and then lie and borrow money from friends and family, every time i think I've hit rock bottom i surprise myself and fall even lower. I did manage to stop for a year or so, i moved away, and didn't really have money to gamble with anyway, but i didn't even think about it during that time, as soon as I moved back though, the first thing I did was go to a casino and it started all over again, i am exhausted, i am so tired, i want to stop so bad but at the same time i guess i don't, it's a love hate relationship. More hate... The feeling i get when gambling and i win something, or even get free spins on the slots with a decent bet size.... It's better then anything I've ever experienced, better then sex. Nothing really comes close to it. This post doesn't really have a point i just needed to vent i guess. This has been a really bad day
secretSummer8749 profile picture
Addiction
by secretSummer8749
Last post
 November 17th, 2024
...See more I started watching porn when i was 12 yrs old. In early years before I turned 18 i watched porn moderately but as i turned 18 i got my own smartphone with internet and after that there is no going back. I became addicted to porn and masturbation. The addiction has took over me so much that I'm now experiencing hair fall, hair greying, low immunity, anxiety, depression, guilt, fatigue, low self esteem, objectifying women, etc. Im 21 years old now and due to this addiction i can't even focus on my studies and I feel so shameful because I used to be my class topper and now I'm failing in exams. Please I need someone who can genuinely help me
Nate715 profile picture
Shoplifting addiction + How i'm starting to heal and stop this addiction
by Nate715
Last post
 November 13th, 2024
...See more Hi, I'm nate. 13, all pronouns. and here i am, new member of this group today and i can't believe i'm finding myself talking about this because i thought it was shameful. i hope other people can relate to this so i don't feel alone, so, lets begin. I don't know when this shoplifting addiction started, maybe when i was 7/8, and now i'm ashamed of it. the reason i shoplifted often was because, i was deprived of many things, but i still know its wrong. there are times where i felt a sense of guilt after doing something, sometimes embarrassment. i've maybe stolen, hundreds of things by now. tiny things typically. some things would include stickers, charms, skincare, makeup, pins, and other things really. in all those times, i've never been caught. i've been caught maybe once, and it was this year. but it was only because employees were total jerks about it and called me out in front of the entire store, and the thing i was trying to take was very big and very noticeable. my mom has found my stolen items and taken them away from me and hid them in her room, i found them today, all of them. i'm slowly going to be taking everything back. but its not the only thing i found in there. fvck. my diaries... i don't know if she's read them. but they aren't good. none of them are. and i know she's written notes in them. i'm scared to look in them, i'm scared of how many secrets she'll find. i just want to burn the books now. anyways, besides the point, i stopped shoplifting but my urges are constantly still there. and if your wondering, no i don't have money, no i don't get an allowence, no there is no way for me to earn money, i only get money twice a year, and my parents say no to everything i want. all of this contributes to the urges, i'm afraid i'll go back and shoplift again. but so far, i'm a few weeks clean, maybe even a month clean.
queenboss1101 profile picture
Addiction
by queenboss1101
Last post
 October 5th, 2024
...See more hi, I have gambling, tictock addiction im looking for a daily listener
holdenTuedix96 profile picture
fall seven times. stand up 8
by holdenTuedix96
Last post
 September 27th, 2024
...See more hello all im glad ive found this group and i wanna let everyone know its been rough and probably the hardest year of my life but im not giving up im leaving state to seek more intensive inpatient treatment today 3rd times the charm hopefully god bless you all and best of luck
selfdisciplinedMango2473 profile picture
How to deal
by selfdisciplinedMango2473
Last post
 September 17th, 2024
...See more I have a family member who is addicted to drugs and its very hard to deal with. I been supportive in the past but its always the same thing I'm gonna do better and be better, I'm not gonna do it anymore, I don't wanna be like this anymore, its always the same excuses for over 10 years now its the same lines. This peraon gets better for a bit then they back on it again and again. I don't believe anything this person says anymore. I no longer can trust anything they say anymore. If it wasn't a family member I wouldn't even talk to that person because its just so hard to deal with being around him.
crimsonMelon5242 profile picture
Your Life is a Beautiful Thing!
by crimsonMelon5242
Last post
 September 8th, 2024
...See more To all the individuals struggling with any kind of addiction. First I feel super proud of you guys. You are more brave and strong as compared to an ordinary person. I know you could be living a life full of self loathing, hatred. You could have body image, self esteem issues. But there is a good news for you guys. The good news is "Your life is a beautiful thing". I mean go outside. See for yourself. Climb a hill during sunset. Stay in a body of water and listen to the life that surrounds you. Don't lose your hope. It was never to late man. All is not lost. Get up on your feet and prove your inner Toxic self talker to ***. Say no to this beast which is spreading toxicity. Fight with it and become the person that you always trying to be! Maybe this video could help you to understand that your existence on this planet Earth is wonderful thing. Once again "Your life is a beautiful thing".    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6FFv2dMe_zo

Addiction Support

Please note: bolded grey text is hyperlinked.

Welcome to Addiction Support! We are so pleased that you have stumbled across our little corner of the internet. Our community is here to support you through any recovery and/or pathway from substances to gambling, internet, self-harm, porn addiction, sex addiction, and more. All are welcome to participate whether you are a family member watching a loved one struggling or if you are struggling yourself. Feel free to discuss anything and everything related to addictions.


What are the different forum topics for Addiction Support?

Community Space: A place for you to introduce yourself and take part in our community check-ins.

Games and Icebreakers: A place for you to get to know other community members by participating in fun games!

General Addiction Support: Do you have a question or want to share more about your addiction? Do it here!

Journals: Want to share your story or involve us on your journey to recovery? Do it here!

Loving Those With Addictions: Got a loved one with an addiction? Share your story here!

Sex and Porn Addiction Support: Struggling with a sex and/or porn addiction? Discuss it here!


How can I help?

You can help us by simply responding to threads and sharing your story (if you're comfortable to). Alternatively, you may wish to join us as a Forum Leader. Check out this thread for more information.


Helpful Threads

Taglist: Do you want to stay up to date with our community? Then join our taglist to be notified every time a new discussion or update is posted!


Addiction Support FAQ

Are there any sub-community specific guidelines that we need to adhere to?

All sub-community specific guidelines can be found below and should be followed in addition to the general forum guidelines.


Help... I still have a question! 

You can ask your questions in this thread and someone will respond to you as soon as possible.

Community Guidelines

Remain professional, kind, and respectful towards one another. 
Even if you do not get along with an individual listener, it is up to you to act appropriately. If you must, step away and do not engage.

Prevent hurtful rumor/gossip spreading. 
Rumor: a currently circulating story or report of uncertain or doubtful truth.
Gossip: idle talk especially about the personal or private affairs of others

Aim to grow and learn as a Listener & person. 
In this light, learning to accept feedback thankfully.

Be aware of how to use the forum correctly and what may happen when you do not do so. 
See more detailed forum guidelines below.

Refrain from sharing personal contact information
including, but not limited to, social media accounts, home addresses, phone numbers, messaging apps/sites, or any other medium of contact off-site. Learn more about internet safety in this forum. If you use the scheduling tool YouCanBookMe, you are required to remove the email submission step. Learn how to do this here.

Maintain a confidential atmosphere. 
Between you and member/guests and between you and other listeners. All conversations between you and members are confidential. Do not share any chat details with any other listeners or members. Additionally, do not write or blog about any issues you are supporting people on.

Engage in healthy problem solving. 
This means problem solving with the goal to continue to make the community better. Engage in healthy debates and conversations which lend themselves to problem solving and working together. Read more on the topic of healthy problem solving in this forum.

Use proper conflict resolution skills with every person on the site 
Proper conflict resolution means dealing with conflict in a supportive manner that benefits both you and the other person involved. Read more on conflict resolution in this forum.

Respect boundaries of other community members. 
This includes a total ban on stalking and harassment of any kind. 

Choose not to engage in sexting or flirting. 
We have a zero tolerance policy for these behaviors. Even if it is consensual, it is not allowed on 7 Cups. Read more about sexting and flirting in this forum.

Never create second accounts on the site. 
Each person is only allowed one listener and one member account. There are no exceptions.

Protect your log-in information to all accounts on 7 Cups and not allow anyone else to use it besides the person whose name is in our system. 
We expect that you will be the sole user of your listener/member account. If it comes to our attention that another person has accessed your account, we will need to immediately close your account for security reasons. This includes log-in details for 7 Cups Admin accounts.

Do not engage in hateful behaviors of any kind. 
Showing hate towards any gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, religion, racial or cultural background or imposing your view point on any of these items on another user is forbidden.

We now have a behavior point system.
We ask each user to live by the guidelines outlined in this thread. Each behavior mentioned will be assigned a behavior point, once a certain number of points are accumulated within 6 months, consequences will be enacted.

Read the 7 Cups Guidelines
Community Leaders
Forum Supporter
scarbstar profile picture
@scarbstar
Room Supporter
scarbstar profile picture
@scarbstar