View Full Version : Substance Abuse
Ginsengi
05-06-2011, 04:14 AM
I've lost a brother to substance abuse (he's much happier having passed on) and someone who was once a close friend of mine is also heading down the same path.
I was wondering, is there anyone who's been able to heal someone suffering from substance abuse?
There are people here that use various means to experience different mindsets through different substances, but I'm referring to those that are truly addicted and can't find a way to help themselves.
The only real discerning factor I've discovered is that people who are addicted need to want to be healed.
How can substance abusers be healed spiritually or be convinced to want to be healed?
Thanks so much,
Ginsengi
That's pretty hard to do.
Have you been addicted yourself?
Silver
05-06-2011, 04:58 AM
All I can think of to say is I watched a tv show about a guy who was going through heroin or some really heavy duty drug withdrawals and was really scared and he had been praying super heavy. He said that he fell into a deep sleep and after that, he seemed to have been 'cured'. That would be nice if it could happen for everyone who wanted/needed it.
Mystique Enigma
05-06-2011, 07:14 AM
Am not sure one can help another unless they want help. The best help you could give is Understanding. It can be upsetting to see someone you care about walking a distant mile, be there for them when they need you. Wrote this about a close friend that upset me very much in that moment. All he needed was understanding. Met him a few months later, he still drinks but less and more in control of his life .......
Fallen Angel
He drank to forget the life he lived
He drank to forget his pride
He drank because he did not live
The life he desired inside
A failure was what he thought he was
Because his dreams were dead
He drank to forget the life he lived
A failure he was he declared
He dwelled on words of others thoughts
Happiness was his alcohol
He wanted as much to live a life
But in his drunkness he may not survive
I did try to tell him he was wrong
But in his state he did’nt care
Life had treated him unkindly
Was all his sorrows bared
As he drowned his desires in Vodka
His frustrations came to fore
Little did he even care about
Of the damage to his liver untold
I tried my best to convince him
His life was but his own
But the alcohol had gotten right through him
He did not care no more
As I see a friend just waste his life
My question is but one
Why do people live life the way it is
Rather than the way they want
I close my eyes in disdain
Utter helplessness I felt inside
A life so wasted in self pity
An angel of a friend far gone
Ginsengi
05-06-2011, 01:29 PM
All I can think of to say is I watched a tv show about a guy who was going through heroin or some really heavy duty drug withdrawals and was really scared and he had been praying super heavy. He said that he fell into a deep sleep and after that, he seemed to have been 'cured'. That would be nice if it could happen for everyone who wanted/needed it.
It's the withdrawal that's hell. It'd be nice if everyone in that situation could sleep through it.
Ginsengi
05-06-2011, 01:34 PM
Am not sure one can help another unless they want help. The best help you could give is Understanding. It can be upsetting to see someone you care about walking a distant mile, be there for them when they need you. Wrote this about a close friend that upset me very much in that moment. All he needed was understanding. Met him a few months later, he still drinks but less and more in control of his life .......
Fallen Angel
He drank to forget the life he lived
He drank to forget his pride
He drank because he did not live
The life he desired inside
A failure was what he thought he was
Because his dreams were dead
He drank to forget the life he lived
A failure he was he declared
He dwelled on words of others thoughts
Happiness was his alcohol
He wanted as much to live a life
But in his drunkness he may not survive
I did try to tell him he was wrong
But in his state he did’nt care
Life had treated him unkindly
Was all his sorrows bared
As he drowned his desires in Vodka
His frustrations came to fore
Little did he even care about
Of the damage to his liver untold
I tried my best to convince him
His life was but his own
But the alcohol had gotten right through him
He did not care no more
As I see a friend just waste his life
My question is but one
Why do people live life the way it is
Rather than the way they want
I close my eyes in disdain
Utter helplessness I felt inside
A life so wasted in self pity
An angel of a friend far gone
Your poem means a lot to me. I resonate with it quite well. Thank you for sharing it. :redface:
Being understanding is something substance abusers really need, but it's hard because you also don't want to condone their actions but if you do you can't also be 100% understanding. It's a tough situation.
Silver
05-06-2011, 01:38 PM
It's the withdrawal that's hell. It'd be nice if everyone in that situation could sleep through it.
That's what the man being interviewed said. He slept through the withdrawals after praying super hard and heavy. Because he didn't want to give in, he wanted to quit.
Rivendoah
05-06-2011, 05:12 PM
How can substance abusers be healed spiritually or be convinced to want to be healed?
Thanks so much,
Ginsengi
Ginsengi... unfortunately the answer to you question is no... we each have to walk our own path... when a person is using they are choosing to do so... and really only they can stop it... we can help by offering love and and as many opportunities as it takes for them to find healing... but at the same time we have to release them for our own well being... trying to change someone suffering from addiction can also become an addiction in itself... we have to love and release...
It is difficult to find balance when you are in the middle of that kind of situation... I would recommend finding others who are going through the same thing... Al-Anon is a great place to to seek help... Google it to find a local meeting...
I am sending a prayer of love and support for your friend and for you...
Ginsengi
05-06-2011, 06:04 PM
Ginsengi... unfortunately the answer to you question is no... we each have to walk our own path... when a person is using they are choosing to do so... and really only they can stop it... we can help by offering love and and as many opportunities as it takes for them to find healing... but at the same time we have to release them for our own well being... trying to change someone suffering from addiction can also become an addiction in itself... we have to love and release...
It is difficult to find balance when you are in the middle of that kind of situation... I would recommend finding others who are going through the same thing... Al-Anon is a great place to to seek help... Google it to find a local meeting...
I am sending a prayer of love and support for your friend and for you...
I do think there is a way to heal addiction as one can heal a disease. There's a point where choice begins disintegrating and it becomes a need.
So yes, if they make the choice over and over we can show them other paths. But what I'm asking is how to pick them up and set them on another. How to start them off with a clean slate, them let them have another chance at making their choices.
Thank you for you suggestion and prayer. :redface:
athribiristan
05-06-2011, 06:15 PM
I've lost a brother to substance abuse (he's much happier having passed on) and someone who was once a close friend of mine is also heading down the same path.
I was wondering, is there anyone who's been able to heal someone suffering from substance abuse?
There are people here that use various means to experience different mindsets through different substances, but I'm referring to those that are truly addicted and can't find a way to help themselves.
The only real discerning factor I've discovered is that people who are addicted need to want to be healed.
How can substance abusers be healed spiritually or be convinced to want to be healed?
Thanks so much,
Ginsengi
They are trying to escape reality. You have to give them a reason to come back.
Spiritlite
05-06-2011, 08:42 PM
Within 6 months a friend of my husbands is now addicted to Meth, been in jail over 6 times and his mother, father, brother, sister, son, friends, coworkers have ALL offered him help and he will not take it. He is now in jail because he was caught with meth and resisted arrest, keeps getting out and has lost his home, car, and yes his friends and family now. He still refuses help, and that is his choice. He has not hit rock bottom yet, so no, no matter what you cannot force or push someone who is addicted to get help unless they want to....
Spiritlite.
rainbowcrow
05-06-2011, 08:45 PM
As some have already said, I believe it is up to the individual to want it. All you can do is be there and offer support and love. And also as athribirstan has put so well, always remind them how good life can be without the addiction.
I am an ex-alcoholic who prayed heavily for help to give up the grog and I was answered with a medical condition that now prevents me from drinking - however without my addiction I would not have had all the experiences that have made me who I am today. I am fortunate to have good support from friends and family which helps me immensely, and I am learning to love reality - so to heal someone from their addiction, no I don't think so, but to help them heal themselves when they are ready, most definitely yes:smile:
moke64916
10-06-2011, 10:44 PM
I was a former hardcore drug user, but once I got in touch with my spiritual side. The addictive behavior seemed to go away. I've learned that there always seems to be an underlying factor to all addicts. Avoiding abusive childhood experiences. Wanting to escape their emotions. With addicts they avoid their feelings by altering their state of consciousness. I don't know what your beliefs are spiritually or religiously, but you have to do some deep digging within yourself. Medititate and ask your sunconscious mind why I am an addict. How do I solve it. For me it all stopped when I changed my attitude towards life. I got in touch with my positive side. Spirituality helped me find that. Focus on why you are falling in these addictive patterns. If you focus on something long enough more information on the subject will be revealed. Best of luck to you man.
forevergirl
10-06-2011, 11:19 PM
I was a former hardcore drug user, but once I got in touch with my spiritual side. The addictive behavior seemed to go away. I've learned that there always seems to be an underlying factor to all addicts. Avoiding abusive childhood experiences. Wanting to escape their emotions. With addicts they avoid their feelings by altering their state of consciousness. I don't know what your beliefs are spiritually or religiously, but you have to do some deep digging within yourself. Medititate and ask your sunconscious mind why I am an addict. How do I solve it. For me it all stopped when I changed my attitude towards life. I got in touch with my positive side. Spirituality helped me find that. Focus on why you are falling in these addictive patterns. If you focus on something long enough more information on the subject will be revealed. Best of luck to you man.
I wish you all the best...your post made me really cry.:hug2:
Ginsengi
18-06-2011, 02:30 PM
I was a former hardcore drug user, but once I got in touch with my spiritual side. The addictive behavior seemed to go away. I've learned that there always seems to be an underlying factor to all addicts. Avoiding abusive childhood experiences. Wanting to escape their emotions. With addicts they avoid their feelings by altering their state of consciousness. I don't know what your beliefs are spiritually or religiously, but you have to do some deep digging within yourself. Medititate and ask your sunconscious mind why I am an addict. How do I solve it. For me it all stopped when I changed my attitude towards life. I got in touch with my positive side. Spirituality helped me find that. Focus on why you are falling in these addictive patterns. If you focus on something long enough more information on the subject will be revealed. Best of luck to you man.
This is be far the most helpful response I've gotten. To help heal addiction, I need to understand more about the process behind it- most certainly not people telling me it's not possible. Anything is possible as long as you don't close your mind off to it. This gives me a lead on what to focus on, for instance, the block/ wall they've created to block out the emotions or experiences. Thanks.
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