u/Creative-Constant-52

Recovery without AA but explicitly as the title explains? I saw a dumb post about “can recovery people work from home” and we all see the countless oh/subs posts. I know bots are farming up on Reddit but maybe we can find a way to expel this kind of thing?

Do we need mods or new sub rules? I’ll volunteer. I’m sick of this sub getting overrun with nonsense

What are the current going prices for food- both eating out and also bread, chili, Gatorade, staples for camp? Thank you so much!

The price of groceries has me worried these days but I don’t want to over pack either. Coming in off the transit system and trying to pack in what I can.

I was sober for several years and relapsed recently (42F). I’m doing it at home before a big backpacking trip coming up. I had a family emergency that was rough, was drinking 4-20 drinks per day the past month. I have medicine to help, met with my doctor, but will try my best at cold turkey the next few days.

Please send any helpful advice!
I’ve got water, plenty of Mediterranean diet foods and plan on living in my bed for a couple days. I feel horrible. In the last I would have hit up a meeting but those days are gone, AA is so problematic I can’t see going back.

Thank you!

I mean, I met lawyers and doctors, teachers and counselors in AA. And so many real estate agents 😝 so, a lot of people who aren’t necessarily low IQ. However, you’ve been in the rooms and I’m just wondering how people can let their minds get so warped by cult speak. I guess they do say anyone can be sucked into a cult. But anyway, I was thinking about how reading level directly corresponds to critical thinking and how there’s a lack of it in the rooms. Or ability to have discussion, discourse, tolerance for different philosophies or ideas.

Statistically, in the US, 45% of the population score a level 2 or below in literacy (middle school or grade school.) Only 13% read at level 4 (college.) So, if we look at the rooms, we are looking at upwards of 50% at least of people who can barely read or write, engage in critical thinking. I feel that preying on the vulnerable, coming in beaten up from their substance use and on top of that, not able to think critically… it’s no wonder people stick around. The rules make sense to them?

I dunno. I just know I was too much of a critical thinker for the program. I was in it hardcore for 3 years, 2 years questioning, and now 2 years fully out. I’m still recovering my new sense of self after all of it! I really lost myself and still catch myself thinking in AA cliches. Still surprises me. But I was really indoctrinated during my most vulnerable.

What do you think about this?

I had a cancer diagnosis 2 years ago. Surgeries, port placement, chemo, and radiation. I still feel like crap and I’m rehabilitating my body. No signs of disease tho! Phewww that was scary.

Anyway, couple things. The biggest one: my distant cousin had been claiming 4 stage cancer for a decade. So of course when I got cancer that’s genetic, I reached out. My oncologist requested test results to help with my treatments. Cousin told me yes, she had the genetic testing results, her cancer was genetic, BRCA2, but needed to find them. I have my treatments done and I have BRCA1. The oncologist says it’s not weird that she might have a different one. Months later I inquire again and she said “oh I never had the genetic testing. I don’t have genetic markers.” She also claimed that for a decade she had stage 4 breast cancer. Then all of the sudden I put together the pieces: she never had cancer.

I would not have known this, and totally believed her, until I got cancer. I know the drill, the tests, the way your life changes. She absolutely lied. I won’t go into specifics but she got caught in a lie.

She’s my father’s niece. He was an absolute narcissist, his mother was the same. My aunt, my cousins mom, is just a wretched mean person.

I wish I could say I was surprised but it all checks out and makes sense.

It’s just so disgusting to me that I thought I had a couple months to live and freaked the hell out while this other person (cousin) LIED about having cancer for sympathy.

Unreal! Shocking. If you’re healthy just live your life! If I never had cancer I probably would not have found her out.

Not even worth a pic. I haven’t had one in years and it was terrible! I never eat fast food but had a craving. Worthless. Cardboard and dry sauce.

Does anyone have any info or data on increased desire to binge eat? I’ve been taking compounded sema for 4 weeks now, worked great! 2-4lbs lost each week. That being said, I took my shot yesterday and craved sweets and bad food. This is very untypical for me! I eat a balanced Mediterranean diet and never had a binge eating problem. This feels like it came way out of left field!

My only thought is my desire to eat was greatly decreased so my caloric intake was really low most days, like 900-1500 calories per day. On the lower end all last week - so maybe my body was craving more calories? I have no idea.

I felt defeated today and also physically felt like crap because I ate foods I don’t normally eat like ice cream, cookies, and bread with cheese. Totally binged. I never do that! Don’t have a history of it either. I’m also a non drinker 30 days going strong.

Any thoughts or advice are welcome!

Edit to add for clarity: STAYING AT 0.3 mg and not it going up in dose. “Microdose” term used by my primary care physician while standard microdose usage usually means around 0.1mg

- - -
Thanks to this sub for the advice!

It’s been 2 weeks and I’ve lost 8 lbs.
I am (F42) height 5’3 starting at 247lbs and currently 239lbs.

I am using 10 units each week (about 0.3mg) from Hallandale pharmacy. I titrated up with my provider so I could have more product for the same price point. If I find this next week I need to titrate up, I will, but hoping this small dose continues to work so well.

Side effects for me: widespread joint/bone/muscle aches. They waned today but I also just took this weeks shot so I know they could return. Mild to moderate nausea, will start taking zofran through my primary care doctor. Have been drinking ginger until I get my Rx. No GI pain, loose stools. Lowered appetite so making sure I am getting nutrients through green smoothies and vitamins.

Fish works well, chicken feels sluggish to digest. Cooked veggies as opposed to fresh feel easier to digest. I was on a Mediterranean died already, continuing to follow that.

Greek yogurt, fish, green smoothies have been my go to. Coffee, dark chocolate, and taking all the B vitamins to help with fatigue.

I am not able to afford glp compounded or not. I used it for 6 weeks on an Rx and it was amazing! Had to go off, gained weight again.

I can afford Elite Edge research GLP-2T vials…

Are they safe? How do I even research this? Tell me like I’m five years old!

I am out of the woods! This set of woods anyway. It was an easier ride than previous attempts at tapering.

I was drinking a fifth of vodka a day or 2 bottles or wine for over two months. I cut down 1/2 the past Friday. (Edit to add clarity, I then proceeded with alcohol withdrawal Rx prescribed to me) I took one Ativan and gabapentin on Saturday, gabapentin on Sunday. Monday and Tuesday just my regular anti anxiety med (buspar) on Saturday. I also started Naltrexone again. Day 5 down!

I feel like a new human! The first 3 days were horrible. Racing heart, doom anxiety/hypervigilence, night sweats. But wow was it worth it.

Not drinking today and no plans for tomorrow going forward!

I made a video to myself yesterday about what it was like so I could watch it again if (when) I feel the urge to drink again. I don’t want to waste any more days like that!

Solidarity to anyone starting out on abstinence, tapering, or cutting back!

I did the whole AA thing for many years of abstinence in the past but not going back. This time I was helped by my primary care doctor, licensed therapist, withdrawal management Rx including Naltrexone and this group. Yay!

I have an old car, cylinder 3 misfire, doesn’t start, 2000 Toyota Camry. What local scrap yard will come pick it up, tow it away, and hopefully buy it for scrap? Preferably in North Portland. Thank you!

I have current debt 30k in collections. $100k student loans. My question is about preventing more debt.

I am looking for job after 2 years of cancer treatment and recovery (hence the debts.)

I was on state insurance at the time, and all of surgeries and treatment and now continued treatment was 90% covered. Very lucky to be alive and that it was all covered. I am still covered by that insurance.

I need to have two more surgeries: hernia and double mastectomy.

Here’s the question. I am so broke and in a ton of debt/collections from not working for two years. I am looking at getting a full time job again because being broke it is stressful and awful. I’ve been making ends meet with freelance work that is creative and fun but barely pays my rent.

Here’s the question: do I get the surgeries now while it all 100% covered? Or do I get a full time job now and hope that I won’t have to pay too much for those surgeries once I have insurance through my job? I’m afraid I’ll end up broke all the same.

Can someone offer insight on any of this??? I feel so perplexed at what to do. The chemo brain fog is not helping in decision making!

My work experience is in non-profit and higher education, mid level management, which is what I’d be going back to.