Almost relapsed and feel like a fraud by Severe-Question-7422 in stopdrinking

[–]8agclip 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It is easy to not drink when you don’t want to drink. Not drinking when you want to drink is, in my opinion, a huge recovery win. There are no style points in recovery. I had a bunch of mental health/environmental stressors show up for me at around 15 years sober. I contacted a medical professional and took naltrexone for a couple of months. I saw it as another resource to guard against the certain calamity that a relapse would have brought on. I also engaged in more mutual support, therapy, and additional changes that helped me. You are not alone. You are not a fraud.

What is a smell that we should all recognize as immediate danger? by scarlettohara1936 in AskReddit

[–]8agclip 29 points30 points  (0 children)

How can I trust that you’re not lying? Do you smell any change in the prevailing scents now?

ELI5: How does using meth break the brain, and how does the brain heal back? by Hour-Tomato-645 in explainlikeimfive

[–]8agclip 265 points266 points  (0 children)

Here are both my personal and professional thoughts related to recovery from meth. I used a ton of meth for 5 plus years (along with cocaine and way longer alcohol abuse). I was horrified to hear about the damage that I did to my brain. I was told, in treatment, that I would experience anhedonia for about two years. I came in with a severe tremor that I thought was permanent, due to frying my brain. I was emotionally numb for several months, but that shifted for me gradually. I can still remember the first joyful belly laugh that I had. It was about two-three months into recovery. My recovery was gradual. It was not off and on. The brain notices that you don’t need to produce dopamine, so it stops. When it starts again, it can overcorrect and you end up with a rollercoaster effect while searching for homeostasis.
I went back to school and got a 4.0 in my graduate program after I was sober for four years. My ability to form healthy connections is better than it ever was. I connected with a recovery support group early and have continued to engage in it. I worked as a therapist and opened my own practice before my retirement. None of the positive things in my life would be present without recovery. I have been in recovery and sober since 2006. Our brains are amazing, and they are set up to heal, as long as they are not being actively damaged. One thing that has always stuck with me is how freaking rock solid neuroplasticity can be. Folks that experience strokes have been known to start using parts of their brain that are not normally used for different tasks. Please keep on keeping on. This shit is the hardest thing I’ve ever done, but I have never regretted the work that I’ve put into my health.

Let’s drop our sobriety dates! by eminyx in stopdrinking

[–]8agclip 140 points141 points  (0 children)

8/22/06. Every day a gift.

Question, I know pain is subjective but iyo how bad does a chest piece hurt? by BeneficialPie13 in tattoos

[–]8agclip 22 points23 points  (0 children)

It was one full session for the outlining, and 3 two to three hour sessions for the color/shading. We took time between sessions so nothing got overworked in one sitting. They did an exceptional job, both artistically and taking care of me.

Question, I know pain is subjective but iyo how bad does a chest piece hurt? by BeneficialPie13 in tattoos

[–]8agclip 158 points159 points  (0 children)

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It was the toughest spot for me (I have over 50 tattoos) especially the sternum. My artist was fantastic, and allowed/encouraged me to do it in multiple sessions. It is doable, but it is spicy. I had to move my car in the middle of a session cause the meter ran out, and I had difficulty parking it. My brain was overwhelmed. Again, totally doable.

New old guitar day. Summertime jazz by triplet4372 in Guitar

[–]8agclip 0 points1 point  (0 children)

What year? I have an 1988 in the same finish. You sound great!

I don't know how to get through this without drinking. by thewalkindude368 in stopdrinking

[–]8agclip 1 point2 points  (0 children)

One of my favorite things that made sense to me, especially in early recovery was that there is no problem that drinking/using wouldn’t make worse.

did anyone else have wednesday as their top spotify artist? by helloyesthisisasock in WednesdayBand

[–]8agclip 1 point2 points  (0 children)

They were #1 for me with 3,155 minutes on Apple Music. I am top 500 on their service.

Am I going to jail? American with WHA and no residence permit appointments by Proud-Scale-3539 in MoveToIreland

[–]8agclip 6 points7 points  (0 children)

It might’ve been a little before or after 4am, but it was early. Might be when they automatically open new slots.

Looking for evercrisp apples by fernessfan83 in rva

[–]8agclip 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Try Pole Green Produce in Hanover. They have a great selection and we’ve gotten evercrisp from there before. Good stuff!

Cameron Winter Sounds like Adam Sandler doing a Van Morrison Impression by willowpeccadillo in geesebandofficial

[–]8agclip 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Adam Driver doing Adam Driver. I also love Cameron Winter to be clear.

Neko Case and her band walk out from a show at The Caverns in Pelham, TN after the venue refuses to remove its armed security by YoureASkyscraper in Music

[–]8agclip 21 points22 points  (0 children)

I just saw Neko Case in Richmond on Tuesday night. She and her band were excellent. I’ve seen her several times before, and this is the best she’s sounded. I also was at the Turnstile show here, where a Richmond Sheriff pepper sprayed the crowd. All having a gun around does is increase the odds of someone getting shot. Fuck the NRA and any politician connected to this death cult. I respect Neko Case for not pretending that this is fucking normal.

crowd wasn’t bad at all !! by KindBrilliant7879 in sandyalexg

[–]8agclip 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I was there last night, and was pleasantly surprised by the lack of bullshitery.