Help needed for quitting cocaine and gambling

@emotionalOcean1985 Maybe try therapy.

7cups has trained therapist who can help.

Please visit: https://www.7Cups.com/online-therapy/?Ob=1

You can also try a listener: https://www.7Cups.com/BrowseListeners/

The therapist have more training then the listeners have, just wanted to point this out.

The listeners are not therapist.

They are trained to offer emotional support.

I hope this is helpful to you.

@emotionalOcean1985

I'm proud of you for trying to keep yourself accountable and looking for help ❤

Could you delete or block the gambling apps or websites?

And try some alternate coping mechanisms other than drugs?

It might help to be aware of the triggers that lead you to do drugs , when you can avoid the triggers you can avoid the drugs too

List your triggers and make a note of safety tool kit that you can resort to when you start feeling triggered or wanting to do drugs

You can talk to listeners here or the chatrooms to distract and seek support also

What do you think keeps you happy? Hobbies and spending time on things we enjoy can make us feel better sometimes

I remembered your goal template and rewarding technique, could you help explain them, I feel it may benefit them in setting and achieving their goals and moving closer In recovery ❤

@IsayUncle

Than you @isayuncle 🙏🏼

@emotionalOcean1985

I hear you. It's not easy to come on a platform like this and be so open about the things we're struggling with. It takes a lot of courage to be able to not only admit certain things to ourselves but to others as well. Just know that there's a really awesome community on here of professionals, members, and listeners alike that sees you. People who respect and celebrate your choice to seek help and are willing to, in whatever capacity they're able to, support you on this journey towards recovery.

I know it can seem a little out of reach or even impossible to get to a point where your addiction no longer has you by the [REDACTED] sometimes. Especially if you tried the whole recovery thing before and it wasn't "successful". It is possible. One step at a time and at your pace. You just have to find your people if this is one of the routes you want to take either by reaching out to listeners privately, posting on the forums, and group chats like this to connect with members or if you have the extra coin: finding a therapist.

Whatever choice you make, I back you.

Hi @emotionalOcean1985, first I want to say congrats on recognizing the issue, that's the first step to recovering!

Also to answer your question...Yes...I have an unhealthy relationship with food and coffee.
I'm underweight currently, and most days, I just...can't eat. I drink lots, and LOTS of coffee, to the point I'm shaking and it messes with my anxiety. I used to have good discipline, but many traumatic events happened to me this year. I'll try and stop, and maybe last a week or so, then go back to it. I know it probably sounds pathetic being addicted to coffee, but...I've grown up with it since I was young, it's a cultural thing.

In regards to food: the only time I eat, is if I smoke weed, but I engorge myself with food until I feel sick...I have a bad habit of wasting money by eating out a LOT[even though I HATE food, unless I'm high, then everything suddenly tastes better...but I want it to taste good while I'm sober too...]

To fix my issue, I've decided to start spending more time alone, because it prevents me from doing my bad habits[ex. eating out a lot, going to bars, etc.] I went 10 days without caffeine, and I felt both good and bad, due to the withdrawals. I was happy with myself though.

However, for some people, it may be the opposite, to where they need to be around other people, or they will continue their vices. You could also perhaps spend time with a good friend/family member/loved one more often, to kind of help prevent you from falling back to bad habits.

Also, replace cocaine with something else, like a hobby. [Ex. exercising such as weightlifting or running to get endorphins up to make you happy, draw, read, go hiking, sports, learn a new language etc]

I've gotten into the habit of taking walks at the park, and slowly building back up my health.
I used to have a lot of hobbies, but it's taking me time to get back into it, until my health is back to normal...

If it also helps, perhaps download a habit tracker app and reward yourself whenever you hit certain milestones? [Ex. I quit cocaine for a week, I'm going out and treating myself to a nice meal! I quit cocaine for a month, I'm going to go buy that videogame/new phone/etc that I've always wanted! I've quit for 3 months, I'm going to spoil myself to a nice vacation/road trip!]

Also, calculate how much you save each time you quit gambling. You'll be able to afford those rewards more often, and spend it on something more meaningful.

I'm going to try again with quitting coffee/caffeine in general. I went as long as 40 days at one point.

I wish you the best, friend. Please keep us updated if you feel like it.

@emotionalOcean1985 how are you doing?

Hey everyone

thank you so much again for all the lovely posts and help you have provided.

I am doing well at the moment and have not touched anything since the day before I posted on here.

I have since reached out to a few friends and my family and they have all been really supportive.

i have also been working on my root cause and after being assessed, I am on a waitlist for the trauma I went through several years ago.

I have been exercising and keeping busy and so far so good. I just need to keep at it.

I will continue to keep you updated and thank you again 🙏🏼

Hey everybody.

just wanted to update you again as it’s been a while and you lot were truly amazing at helping me find the right resources to learn more about my trauma and it’s impact.

im 6 weeks clean today from drugs and gambling.

I have been going out and having a few alcoholic drinks once a week with my friends too but learning my limits and only having a few. I have laughed so much in the last month to the point I wake up the next day and my tummy hurts. I’ve been out dancing and really enjoying life again. My focus at work has improved and I am in such a better headspace. I’ve still got a long way to go but I feel like I’m on the right path

thank you again 🙏🏼💗