SymBiotics (U.S. domestic)

Productive conversation about different opinions is what I’ve read here in the last page or so. Absolutely nothing wrong with this kind of conversation even if it’s in a “source” thread.

I’d just like to point out;
not all overdoses are done purposely. I don’t have the statistics but I would think most overdoses are accidental. I could be wrong though.
Being addicted to something like drugs takes all your decision making skills away from you. You have one goal in mind, and then make decisions on how to reach that goal and feed the addiction.
It turns you into a different person, the worse version of yourself. Yes it makes you selfish, but also makes you helpless. No one should have to wither away or die just because they’re so far in and have no way out. Should someone have to loose their life just because they’re an addict? Absolutely not, imo...

I had lower back pain and went to my family doctor (years ago) and was prescribed lortab 7.5. For me, shit escalated from there. Fast forward about ten years and then I was dependent on oxycodone 30s and Xanax. Plus anything else I could get when the pills ran out... I was at the point where I was miserable with or without the drugs but couldn’t find my way out. Fortunately I hit my rock bottom, and turned my life around. Been clean 9 years now.
Thankfully my rock bottom wasn’t death like so many others were. I believe addiction is a brain disorder and once someone gets into the addiction state, they needs some form of treatment to help overcome that disorder. There’s no cure for it. Like most things time is the only thing that will help with adjusting to the changes that were made.
I’d much rather be struggling with bills and everyday life stuff than go back to the struggle I had while being an full blown addict. Shit, I lost everything and had to start all over with nothing!! That right there shows me I can get through anything life throws my way.

The only things we have that truly matters in this world, to ourselves and everyone close to us, is our life and theirs. We only get one, so don’t waste it!
So be smart, wash your damn hands, and stay fuckin home! :p :D
 
Productive conversation about different opinions is what I’ve read here in the last page or so. Absolutely nothing wrong with this kind of conversation even if it’s in a “source” thread.

I’d just like to point out;
not all overdoses are done purposely. I don’t have the statistics but I would think most overdoses are accidental. I could be wrong though.
Being addicted to something like drugs takes all your decision making skills away from you. You have one goal in mind, and then make decisions on how to reach that goal and feed the addiction.
It turns you into a different person, the worse version of yourself. Yes it makes you selfish, but also makes you helpless. No one should have to wither away or die just because they’re so far in and have no way out. Should someone have to loose their life just because they’re an addict? Absolutely not, imo...

I had lower back pain and went to my family doctor (years ago) and was prescribed lortab 7.5. For me, shit escalated from there. Fast forward about ten years and then I was dependent on oxycodone 30s and Xanax. Plus anything else I could get when the pills ran out... I was at the point where I was miserable with or without the drugs but couldn’t find my way out. Fortunately I hit my rock bottom, and turned my life around. Been clean 9 years now.
Thankfully my rock bottom wasn’t death like so many others were. I believe addiction is a brain disorder and once someone gets into the addiction state, they needs some form of treatment to help overcome that disorder. There’s no cure for it. Like most things time is the only thing that will help with adjusting to the changes that were made.
I’d much rather be struggling with bills and everyday life stuff than go back to the struggle I had while being an full blown addict. Shit, I lost everything and had to start all over with nothing!! That right there shows me I can get through anything life throws my way.

The only things we have that truly matters in this world, to ourselves and everyone close to us, is our life and theirs. We only get one, so don’t waste it!
So be smart, wash your damn hands, and stay fuckin home! :p :D

I am very curious to know as to how you came out of such a dark place. What was the driving force that got you out of there? When you lost everything, how did you manage to put everything back together? Kinda going through something similar and it gives me alot of encouragement when I hear stories of people overcoming challenges and achieving their form of happiness and success.
 
I am very curious to know as to how you came out of such a dark place. What was the driving force that got you out of there? When you lost everything, how did you manage to put everything back together? Kinda going through something similar and it gives me alot of encouragement when I hear stories of people overcoming challenges and achieving their form of happiness and success.

Life can be hell to some ppl and I understand where everyone is coming from. My life in few lines:
Lost my job
Car accident
Back surgery
Narcotic addiction 7 yrs
Quit Cold Turkey both cigarette and the pills (11 yrs clean )
Got my degree.
Got a wife, a kid,a house, and a job in corrections.
Multiple sclerosis 7 yrs ago ( I know women get it more than men).
Started body building 5 yrs ago ( no relapse or symptoms of my MS since then).

It aint easy it takes a while just keep the faith and the will power, believe that everything is going to workout in the end.
 
Life can be hell to some ppl and I understand where everyone is coming from. My life in few lines:
Lost my job
Car accident
Back surgery
Narcotic addiction 7 yrs
Quit Cold Turkey both cigarette and the pills (11 yrs clean )
Got my degree.
Got a wife, a kid,a house, and a job in corrections.
Multiple sclerosis 7 yrs ago ( I know women get it more than men).
Started body building 5 yrs ago ( no relapse or symptoms of my MS since then).

It aint easy it takes a while just keep the faith and the will power, believe that everything is going to workout in the end.

Despite all of that you were still able to get a job in law enforcement? Also was it the discovery of body building that helped you overcome these challenges?
 
Life can be hell to some ppl and I understand where everyone is coming from. My life in few lines:
Lost my job
Car accident
Back surgery
Narcotic addiction 7 yrs
Quit Cold Turkey both cigarette and the pills (11 yrs clean )
Got my degree.
Got a wife, a kid,a house, and a job in corrections.
Multiple sclerosis 7 yrs ago ( I know women get it more than men).
Started body building 5 yrs ago ( no relapse or symptoms of my MS since then).

It aint easy it takes a while just keep the faith and the will power, believe that everything is going to workout in the end.
One thing I would like to add to both of your courageous statements is that with every challenge life beings us, THIS TOO SHALL PASS.
 
I am very curious to know as to how you came out of such a dark place. What was the driving force that got you out of there? When you lost everything, how did you manage to put everything back together? Kinda going through something similar and it gives me alot of encouragement when I hear stories of people overcoming challenges and achieving their form of happiness and success.
Jail and a felony possession charge was my rock bottom. Laying on a two inch mat on the cold ass concrete jail floor while detoxing was pretty rough, but not enough to make me wanna change my life around.
The entire first month I was there I hadn’t changed my ways of thinking. That’s even counting the initial first couple of weeks feeling like complete shit.
At this point I was living back at my parents house. With no house, no job, no wife and she took the kids with her. I had nothing so I really thought I had nothing to lose at that point.
The second month is where things started to set in. Seeing my kids through glass on visitation day was a bad feeling. Sitting in jail facing up to 5 yrs and realizing I was wasting my life was starting to not sit well with me. I didn’t want to be the dad that wasn’t in their children’s life. All these things started to add up and I realized nothing was worth wasting my life and sitting in jail for. Nothing!
Death didn’t even scare me to the point of stopping my addiction. I even had many close friends die by accidentally overdosing. Being totally alone wasting away in jail and not living life was a wake up call for me. My kids were my driving point to do better.

My mindset had changed though because the first time in a long time my head was clear. I wasn’t physically sick from withdrawals so my body felt good. I needed something to pass time away in jail so I started working out. All body weight stuff and a shit ton of push ups. It didn’t take long after that to notice how great working out made me feel. I had found my drug replacement and stress reliever! Working out was that for me.

Since my body felt good and my mind was clear I started to see the results from all those pushups, which inspired me to want to continue doing more and more.

I knew I had to start over fresh and get away from everything and everyone from my old lifestyle. I needed a sober living environment. Luckily I had a sister that could provide that for me so when I got out of jail I moved in with her to get back on my feet. I immediately started looking for work. Went through a temporary company and they placed me quickly. Anything was better than nothing.
I set goals for myself. Find a sobering living environment, find a job asap, get my drivers license back, and get back into my house, repair my relationships with my kids and family, and so on. (When my ex wife left she left everything. She just didn’t want it).

I slowly started to accomplish my goals and it felt rewarding to do so. That drove me to make new goals and reach them as well. Getting my utilities turned back on in my name was even a goal.
See, setting small goals and big goals to reach is really important I believe. I needed something to keep me focused and drive me forward.

I was blessed to have close family around me that cared enough for me to help. For that I’m forever grateful. One of the hardest things to do is ask for help, but it’s necessary when you’re starting over with nothing.

Lastly, I had to forgive myself and love myself again. I know how corny that sounds but it’s true. Working out gave me back my confidence and I just built myself up from there.
It all takes time man. You have to continuously work on it. Once you start believing in yourself again others will notice the change as well. After doing this over and over year after year it becomes routine. Having a routine to follow absolutely helps with recovery.

Hate to hear anyone going through this shit. Hopefully I answered your questions bro, if you have anymore just ask, or PM me man.

It does get better. When you’re at the bottom the only way left to go is up! :)
 
Despite all of that you were still able to get a job in law enforcement? Also was it the discovery of body building that helped you overcome these challenges?
I do bielve so I think body building played a major role in keeping my head clear and keeping away from that nasty nasty stuff and helped a ton in my MS. As for my job I was getting my stuff legally through a doctor because of my back surgery and never broke the law, so nothing that hurts my record. I can blame the doctor who wrote them like they're candy , he is in prison now, but It was my responsibility to understand how that stuff worked; so there is enough blame to go arnd, but I took responsibility of my own actions and turned my life arnd.
 
I am very curious to know as to how you came out of such a dark place. What was the driving force that got you out of there? When you lost everything, how did you manage to put everything back together? Kinda going through something similar and it gives me alot of encouragement when I hear stories of people overcoming challenges and achieving their form of happiness and success.

i know this wasnt directed at me, and there are many stories and people on here just like @BigMo and @bolder , but it is completely possible to turn things all the way around and come out better than you ever imagined. Most of the time you always come out better. Like said, takes time and WORK. Pretty much exactly how lifting is. Time + effort = results. I had lost everything, multiple jail stints, multiple rehabs and detoxes, prison, ODing i dont know how many times. And today 7+years later, i work for a very large corporation with outstanding pay/benefits, in a field i knew nothing about. Even with all of my felonies and misdemeanors. I started as a contractor and got hired on full time within a year. Had to have a 2hr phone call with their Security department who ran a full FBI background. We talked about every felony amd every misdemeanor and what i did to change. Im just one of many, MANY stories like this.
 
i know this wasnt directed at me, and there are many stories and people on here just like @BigMo and @bolder , but it is completely possible to turn things all the way around and come out better than you ever imagined. Most of the time you always come out better. Like said, takes time and WORK. Pretty much exactly how lifting is. Time + effort = results. I had lost everything, multiple jail stints, multiple rehabs and detoxes, prison, ODing i dont know how many times. And today 7+years later, i work for a very large corporation with outstanding pay/benefits, in a field i knew nothing about. Even with all of my felonies and misdemeanors. I started as a contractor and got hired on full time within a year. Had to have a 2hr phone call with their Security department who ran a full FBI background. We talked about every felony amd every misdemeanor and what i did to change. Im just one of many, MANY stories like this.
Congratulations, haven't seen you around in awhile
 
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