What you learn over time

[[Ma...]]

As an old timer (my third rodeo cause I just didn't know any better, literally), I've seen people go through all types of patterns in withdrawal. I've seen them heal in 6 months and be off never to return. I've seen them linger for a long time and then have things suddenly turn around. There are no hard and fast rules and no one's experience will be a reflection of your own. No one can answer the question "how much longer?"; the only answer to "what will help?" is TIME and don't interfere with your process by trying to fix yourself, either with drugs, or alcohol (don't drink till all your symptoms are gone and then 6 months). You guys are probably getting sick of me. I come on here and say it's all normal and you'll be fine but unless something other than Benzos is going on, that's a fact, and as lingering, almost unnoticeable symptoms can last quite a while, meaning healing is still ongoing, that variable cannot be addressed till every single one of your symptoms is gone entirely. So, for the time being, you're in withdrawal, and in withdrawal, just about every crazy thing on earth has been known to happen. I'm not suggesting you ignore your health, just that you don't panic about everything, or anything, for that matter, as much as possible, because panicking will only make you feel worse in the moment that you're panicking. So, I had insomnia last night and I've got a big day ahead, and have no idea how I'm going to get through it, but I know I will, because I always have, and everything I've done has brought me to a place where life is manageable so I know it will again, or I know I can steer it that way, and after all this, that's a good thing to know. Have a great day, everyone, the best May 19 2019 you possibly can.

[[Yu...]]

Thank you Marina for coming and remind us that time is a healer and we will heal 

[[so...]]

Marina,

 

I always look forward to your posts, but this one was absolutely stand-alone stellar.

 

For anyone who reads this, please let Marina’s words sink in.  This is not a post about the horrors of withdrawal.  We don’t need more of those.  We’ve got plenty on this forum to choose from.

 

This is a message of hope and practical advice.  Don’t run with fear because there is no need to be afraid.  These symptoms feel awful, but they cannot hurt you.

 

Accept that this is what it feels like to heal the imbalance inside you.  That’s all this is.  It’s not a terminal illness.  There is no damage.  It’s an imbalance that’s in the process of rebalancing itself.  Let your body “do its thing.”  It was designed for situations like this.  Don’t make it more difficult for your body to heal itself by adding medications, supplements, alcohol and pot in the mix.  Eat healthy whole foods, nothing processed with preservatives, 70% protein/30% complex carbs.  Avoid exposing yourself to chemicals in cleaning and personal products.  These pointers won’t get rid of the symptoms (your body has to do that) but it will damn well tone things down a bit.

 

Time under your belt will heal this.  You’ve got to put in the TIME.  No, no one can tell you how much time it takes.  That’s the million dollar question that cannot be answered.  So don’t ask it.

 

Everyone on this forum right now will eventually be gone from this site.  Your posts will be the only evidence that you went through this shit.  Make your collection of posts mean something.  Give people hope.  Your posts are your legacy.  Help other people and be proud of the grace with which you handled yourselves during your journey through hell.

 

Thank you, Marina, for sharing your grace and class with us.  You’ve got acceptance down pat and that’s 99% of this insane battle.

 

We are all going to be okay.  We are all going to recover.  I give thanks every day that I can come onto this forum and witness such selflessness from all the members, in the wake of so much personal suffering.  “When the going gets tough, the tough get going.”  There’s a reason that sayings like this withstand the test of time.  We are all survivors and loyal comrades.  We are being tested and the results are back.  We are the cream of the humanity crop.  We hold onto each other and we keep walking.

 

Sofa

 

                              The Man in the Arena

   

“It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.” — Teddy Roosevelt

[[Sa...]]

Thank you, Marina and Sofa.

 

SaraSue

[[Ma...]]

Sofa, that was just beautiful. The Roosevelt quote... it’s true, I agree, we are all heroes here. We know how hard this is and we soldier on, giving each other a shoulder to lean on sometimes, often, when a lot of the shoulders we once depended on have turned cold. Lol maybe not the most artfully articulated, but you know what I mean. Yesterday was fantastic! I got a lot out of it, but then had to ride my Vespa home in a cold downpour. Brrrr. Today, I know to rest. Today I do nothing but please and baby myself where I can. I’m discovering the importance of this. And finally, I’m proud of myself. It’s kind of you to talk about my grace, but I certainly haven’t always had it under fire! I’ve screamed and begged for it to end with the best of them. I hope I will stay like this should it get really rough again. Thing is, I think I can, because finally, finally I get that there’s no better alternative.

 

[[Th...]]

Sofa, that was just beautiful. The Roosevelt quote... it’s true, I agree, we are all heroes here. We know how hard this is and we soldier on, giving each other a shoulder to lean on sometimes, often, when a lot of the shoulders we once depended on have turned cold. Lol maybe not the most artfully articulated, but you know what I mean. Yesterday was fantastic! I got a lot out of it, but then had to ride my Vespa home in a cold downpour. Brrrr. Today, I know to rest. Today I do nothing but please and baby myself where I can. I’m discovering the importance of this. And finally, I’m proud of myself. It’s kind of you to talk about my grace, but I certainly haven’t always had it under fire! I’ve screamed and begged for it to end with the best of them. I hope I will stay like this should it get really rough again. Thing is, I think I can, because finally, finally I get that there’s no better alternative.

 

I believe that when people realize this, then they truly start to heal. Well said, Marina 

[Guest [su...]]

Need this today. I am freaking out!