Overcoming a meth addiction

[Emily Ray]

Hi Everyone,

I had an active addiction for eight years to methamphetamines. I was the kind of addict who just through everything away and moved to the Red Light district of Tijuana so I could do my drugs in peace. It wasn't very peaceful in the end.

After coming to terms with my transness I could see a way out of my misery. What it came down to is I like being a girl and being a girl is expensive. It became obvious to me that I could buy drugs or buy dresses. Dresses make me feel good long after I bought them and so I stopped buying drugs. I also checked myself into a treatment facility and started attending 12 step meetings.

I found a home group that is made up of transgender and allies and have found it to be an amazingly supportive group of friends. Going to those meetings has given me a whole new group of sober friends. It is really true that you need to change your people places and things. I have reconnected with my entire family, even friends that I haven't talked to in over twent years.

I have had relapses, but they never last more than a day and I get back because I know that way will only kill me eventually. If anyone is struggling with their own addiction I would like to help if I can.

Huggs

Emily

[Sam-]

Congrats, good job staying clean and getting your life in order 

That's a tough thing to do. I'm bad at being clean, coming to terms with my trans identity has actually made it worse for me, unlike you. I'm proud of you, keep with it!

[kelly_aus]

I was a a meth addict when I was younger. I tried to give up several times and was unsuccessful, then I realised that the only way to get clean was 1) I had to actually want it.. and  2) I had to cut myself off from that entire life.. So one day I packed up and moved 800km to somewhere I didn't know anyone and couldn't score..

The first 10-14 days were hell..   But then I started to get out and meet people and slowly became a human again..

Congrats on getting clean and I hope it continues.. I've been clean for almost 13 years, except for one occasion where I had a little - which only left me wondering why I'd ever done it..

[Devlyn]

Alcohol was my downfall, but I've been sober since March 4th, 1986. I'm glad you took charge of your life! Hugs, Tracey

[Amazon D]

I started down the road to recovery jan 4th 1986. I built homes and apartments and rented them only to recovering addicts for 13 yrs.  By 1988 i was secretary of N.A. in Phila Pa. I then realized my GID was the main issue, as well as T from Testes. I had equity in buildings and sold them to the recovering people and transitioned over 14 yrs ago. Yes recovery will get you to the road to recovery from GID.. keep on helping others. I later helped with trans housing and now i have a small farm and have been able to help one sister but she left for the city. Drugs are like that testosterone that was in our bodies from testes which use to rule us, well me for sure. Anyway congratulations and keep finding those true issues you have, that made you run from yourself with drugs.

PS: I am not sober i do have a drink every so often at night maybe one every 2 weeks. However, i am not ruled by it as i have dealt with the real issues that made me abuse it and run from myself. However that is not right for everyone. I also know that if i had it more than that i would have to stop because i know about addiction and i do not want to ever again be ruled by a substance, because i am stronger than any substance and can take it or leave it. I also quit smoking yrs ago thanks to understanding addicition and how we use replacements. My biggest replacement is hard work on my farm.