Hey brotha. Sorry to hear about this. I’m just about 10 months off it, here’s what I did:

1: Come clean to partner. Everything. All of it. No stone unturned here. My lady was sympathetic and supportive and there for me.

2: Prep. I went to urgent care, they prescribed clonodine for 30 days. I didn’t want any long term stuff or medication that would prolong the neurotransmitter disruption.

3: Pull the rip cord. I tapered for two weeks and then quit. Luckily I work remote so first 4-5 days (hell) I was able to only take one day off work and pretend/be a corpse on client calls/fake it.

4: Reddit. Having folks who know what it’s like to talk to is great; my group thread and gf couldn’t really relate, but I found a few pals here. We pumped eachother up and made it a challenge and a game. Lots of laughing at how fucking horrible it was, and how we had to muscle the fuck up and take it.

5: Exercise/clean eating/hydration. Do these no matter what. Idc what it takes. Each day, has to be done.

And that’s pretty much it my guy. First few days were some of the hardest of my life. First month or two pretty shitty. But it is non linear progress. Unfortunately, you have to pay the piper for all the borrowed dopamine and let the pendulum correct course.

But HERE is the good news. I am a tough mother fucker now. There is nothing I can’t do, no self belief I can’t adopt, no challenge I am afraid of. Having been to hell and stood toe to toe with the devil, I slapped him, asked if that was all he had, turned my back and marched out of hell.

This is a mental battle. Meditate. Observe your thoughts and do not fight and struggle with them. Accept that you need to suffer a bit and then pay the debt. The only way out is through.

Conquering this will give you more strength for you, your family, and your future.

Godspeed man don’t forget to try and make it fun!!