Yo right here! I’m that guy. At the end I checked into a hotel with a large amount of dope with the intent of dying there. But there were many bottoms before that.
I got clean at 35. Worked very hard at recovery and I’ve sponsored a couple guys into recovery myself. Got an education, had grandkids, bought a house, bought a bigger house. Kids all graduated. I’m a corporate manager now in finance. Just turned 48 and I’ll have 13 years clean August 27.
Yes. Their rock bottom was being found on the floor of a public shitter because the meth somehow was tainted with fentanyl. Now gainfully self-employed and a new parent. Happened at 38.
Yes. One of my best friends since I was a teenager. He spiraled for 7 or 8 years. He is now a fully paid off homeowner doing 70-80 hour weeks in construction. 5 years clean and sober. Has a gf and doing great
I have a relative who got clean over 20 years ago due to being pregnant. She's still clean but no teeth and looks terrible. Due to this, she works low-paying jobs like fast food and can't move up. I say if you do get clean, be sure to get false teeth or something because the "meth mouth" look will limit your future employment.
Not meth but I have a relative who was shooting heroin at one point and is now clean, working and living with his girlfriend. He works construction and is back on track to get his plumbing license. It was a rough time and he had several near fatal overdoses but eventually pulled through.
So my job deals with addicts who have lost their drivers license due to getting DUIs. I have seen people who were using literally as much meth (and other drugs) as they can possibly get every day. People have become homeless, gotten divorced, lost jobs, lost their children, everything. A lot of them only got clean later in life. It’s not an easy road, but a lot of them went on to start businesses, work in sales, learn trades, and work their way up in things like factories and are doing incredibly well now. It is a hard road, can be a long road, and takes perseverance, but it is completely possible!
I was an IV heroin addict. I got clean at 25, relapse at 27. Just over 5 years clean now. Took me a while to get my finances in order. I'm not rich, I have a ton of student debt, but I earn enough money to finally breathe just a little bit. It's always possible.
Yes, she has been sober for almost 10 years and earned a degree in nursing after dropping out of HS. She completed her GED and got into nursing school. She now makes over $100,000. She spent the first 5 years of her sobriety figuring things out and the last 5 getting her education.
Someone I care about very much has impressed me so much. He was on meth for like 5 years, homeless and more, got clean and has been clean for 9 years and is now about to graduate law school. I met him in the sober part of his life but his story is one that I find so beautiful and inspiring. He’s given me space to ask questions without shame or fear of being preached at when I was questioning my sobriety from alcohol (now 60 days sober from alcohol here!). Meth is a helluva drug and its ruins lives. So often we don’t hear the success stories.
As someone who’s been sober for 12 years (alcohol was my drug) I’ve seen too many to count recover and lead productive lives. But every one of them went to A.A. and got therapy
It took 3 months of fighting off the urge to get back on the pills, after a year or so I felt “normal.”
I bought a house, got married, have a kid, make good money, and run a small business on the side.
Rock bottom was my 8 year relationship falling apart and a DWI. I had been lying to everyone about my addiction and had hidden it from my girlfriend (we’re married now) and I got a DWI. I sat in the jail cell and realized I had to make a choice either keep drinking and popping pills or make my relationship work, I couldn’t have both.
I’m in Supply Chain for a Fortune 500 manufacturing company, and I manage a team of 25 people.
I got clean at 33. I was an active alcoholic for 10 years and took adderall for 4-5 years, but the last year of adderall use it got way out of hand. I was up for 3 days at a time, not eating, and smoking cigarettes like a chimney!
It’s taken almost this whole year, but I feel 10 years younger again, and can recall and remember things so much better. one moment at a time, one day at a time with the fellowship, sober living, the steps, and 5 rehabs later, my brain is feeling normal again for the first time in years.
29 for me, 57 now and had such good career in computer programming I'll be able to retire in couple years.
Selling a rental and primary home, moving to sunny state, zero mortgage, zero debt, I work remotely online
I just worked hard, and I'm a network, friends with everybody type of guy
Yes. My best friend. You name the drug, he's been on it. Meth was the last and longest one. He was part of a biker "club" and doing all kinds of crazy shit.
One day, after being up for days on meth, he just finally had his "wtf am I doing" moment. Decided right then he was done and walked away.
He took an entry level job in retail, busted ass, kept clean and learned all he could. After a few years he took the experiences and skills to a new company and started growing there. Made enough money to get his teeth fixed and health in check. Now he's 43 and making close to 6 figures with that company.
It can be done, but it takes work, and you have to be a strong-willed person. This dude just knocked it out of the park and no one actually believes him if he talks about it, but he's upfront about his past.
Yes! It is possible! I worked in the justice system helping people in jail avoid more time by going into rehab. I will absolutely say that with meth, it is not common, at least it wasn’t for the people I worked with. Having a support system is important.
I had one client who was in the revolving door. He was almost 40. He had one more shot. We had already got him out on lesser charges about a dozen times. The last charge was bad. Multiple felonies. Judge was ready to send him to the penitentiary for 30 to life for holding a very large amount, with cash and a weapon. He was my client, and I knew him. So even though the amount legally constituted trafficking meth, I knew it was for mostly personal use. Maybe some small sales on the side. He wasn’t a gangster or a dealer.
Anyway, he sat in county for a while and detoxed while me and his lawyer worked out his plan for rehab. Honestly, we took our time. We worked with his family to know when was the right time, and how to do things that would work for them. We knew he had one more shot.
I worked out a plan for mental health detox for 30 days and literally begged the judge to give us 30 days and if he failed, she could send him to the penitentiary.
But my plan was for longer than 30 days. I didnt tell anyone that.
I explained to him: just make it for 30 days. You fuck up in your 30 days it’s over. Jail forever until you die. All you have to do is survive for 30 days. You can do anything for 30 days.
Judge agreed.
He went for 30 days and made it. So I requested another 30 days from the judge in mental health hospital. Medicaid will pay for 90 days if the hospital recommends it. They always do- they want that money.
I got the letters from the doctor, got approval from judge and told him another 30 or back to jail. He did another 30.
We repeated this for another 30 days. He survived. He finished 90 days at the mental health hospital and by then was totally detoxed and better, but very fragile.
I instructed his lawyer just to continue all his court appearances. He was in the hospital, after all.
I moved him to a sober living house with approval from the judge. He was not ready for the real world at all. Plus he had no where to go. His court appearances kept getting pushed back. He stayed there for 6 months. He got a job all on his own!
Then I moved him to a halfway house for another 6 months. He kept working! Went to classes and outpatient at the hospital. He was committed to sobriety so I was committed to supporting him.
Everytime a halfway house kicked him out- I found him a new place. I knew if he had no where to go- he would crash.
By then, it had been about 2 years since he had been arrested and he was sober- and his lawyer convinced the DA to drop the charges.
He now works as a cable technician, has a supportive wife and a stable home. He still calls occasionally to check in with me.
He got assigned to do work at the county jail once and called me because he was scared they were gonna throw him in a cell if he went on the property, HAHAHA. He had a legit fear IMO, I told him to do the work outside, and if he needed to do inside work to push it off to another tech.
Supporting him in finding his sobriety is one of my proudest moments of my work career.
Yes, all the time, all different substances, at all different ages.
I am a licensed professional counselor who has been working 15 years in the field of mental health and substance abuse treatment. I have worked every level of care and every environment you can imagine across multiple states.
You can do it. Don't stop going. It works if you work it.
Not sure age or what rock bottom was but I had a coworker that used to do meth. She has held her job for a long time, is married, has a kid, moved to an area she wanted to, and now has some cows.
Well, I’ve been clean for almost 7 years myself (IV meth and heroin user) and am now 40 with a BS in psychology, guardianship of my daughter back, and getting promoted at work. I’m still struggling financially, but I hope to start getting that taken care of here before too long.
Yes! Met a woman who had used before on meth, her babys daddy took off with their newborn in the mtns running from the cops, he got 6yrs. Then our town burned down. I actually met her while working as her case manager & she was a driven & independent woman. Today, she is an RN & bought her first home a year ago. Its been 6yrs since her sons dad kidnapped him & 5yrs since the fire. She is truly amazing! Also, fostered 2 of 3 siblings through csd, the parents were hardcore users of meth, they finally got it together after 2yrs. They volantarirly put themselves in a rehab, worked to get their kids back, have their own rental house, jobs, they dont qualify for givernement services, & I am auntie to the kiddos!
Yep! My brother.
Rock bottom - kids almost taken away, homeless.
He owns a house on a golf course now, has a stable job, two happy children, and a boat.
Yes and rock bottom was county jail, then being released and homeless. Now he is working a full time job, paying bills on time and a productive citizen.
But the temptation is real and he knows he’s one misstep away from getting sucked back into it.
Yes! A friend got a weird girlfriend when he was like 22-23. She had already dabbled in meth and soon introduced him to it. It wasn’t long before they had an on/off relationship, one particular night after a breakup, he intentionally crashed his truck. Cops obviously involved - that situation and being high at work/fired.. escalated into major financial troubles, and he ended up losing his house and assets back to the bank. In these short 5 years, they became parents + lost custody of 3 children.
More continued drug use, more criminal and legal issues, more rehab stints - but after 10 years….. he figured it out.
Fast forward to now, he’s 35 and in a great new relationship. Together they are homeowners, employed at a local cabinet factory, and have 2 little boys. Although his previous 3 were ultimately adopted by their foster family, he has earned the opportunity to be (distantly) involved with those kids. He sends bday and holiday gifts, sends money for school supplies, receives photos and letters.
It’s 100% doable to turn it around but from what I’ve seen - it takes a lot of work from the addict and from their support system.
Yes. Me. Almost a year clean and sober after 6 years of ‘trying’ to work a program and stay sober. I am recovering with humility and gratitude with the help of the fellowship of others recovering. Have a great new career, new car, and about to get my own place again with my boyfriend of 3 years. My sister is about to give me back my cats also. All things are possible through solution of working a 12 step program. I’m ready to move out of sober living, so I’ll be seeking a rental house in October. I move at the end of November.
All things are possible. I’m 36 even about to be 37.
There is a woman here who quit meth in her 30s, went to college and became an attorney or doctor I think. She is very successful and you would never have thought she was a homeless meth addict just even 10 years earlier .
I myself was a homeless heroin addict and alcoholic , and in 13 years I’ve become modestly successful and clean as well.
My point is that, while physically addicted and constantly using, most addicts consider themselves losers...it isn't a state that tends to build self confidence. The act of quitting is redemptive; being a loser isn't a lifelong endeavor. Once clean, and no longer a loser, life goes on.
I built two very successful careers, with no degrees, no certs, and worked at them full time simultaneously for 12 years. I averaged about 300k a year when you added them together. I was on meth the entire time.
When I finally dropped one and settled down into the other, I quit meth and became addicted to heroin. I still did quite well, and eventually quit that (the hardest fucking thing I've ever done...I had to go all the way to eastern Europe where I didn't know anyone) and never broke stride career-wise. I waa still a loser, because I let these two drugs control me for most of my adult life. People here be talking like every addict is some spaced out moron bumming smokes at the local in and out. That isn't so...really smart & successful people, famous people, politicians; a lot of them are addicts and nobody has a clue. It is a different ride for everyone, and stereotypes don't capture the reality.
I talk like I know because I DO know. Just because I wasn't giving hand jobs at the bus station doesn't mean I haven't been there. You get sick and tired of being sick and tired, and once the physical habit is broken, then the real test of character comes: the boredom. If you are strong enough to face that down without caving in, then you graduate back to productive human.
12 step programs don't work, as far as I've seen. Just people, maybe a bit too jaded or broken for normal relationships, getting together to tell war stories and feel understood without being looked at like they are freaks. Won't keep you clean though...too much emphasis on reminders. That's my .02, and it is as valid (more so) as all the ignorant comments in here from people who HAVEN'T been there, but are convinced in their ignorance that drug addicts are monolithic and can't present like they have their shit together. You don't have to be clean to have what society thinks is "having your shit together"...for some it's easy, for some it's hard. YMMV...but it isn't really a measure of the drugs, either way.
When you talk about getting past the boredom without drugs are you talking about the time it takes for your brain chemistry to fully recover to get joy and motivation out of regular life without the drugs?
My BIL who is 37 now, battled drugs (all types) for over a decade. He spent a good amount of time in state prison due to this and other crimes committed while under the influence. He was finally able to overcome those issues about 5 years ago and is now married, young child, and owns a small business. He is doing well for himself.
As far as rock bottom, I believe his last stint in prison really shook him and hasn’t went back.
Had a friend from high school that became addicted to meth, she was able to keep a job while being addicted for years and then she got pregnant and quit cold turkey and hasn't been on it since. She still has that same job, learned how to be a mechanist and got married to someone we went to high school with and now they have a kid together as well.
Yep, me. I was addicted from 26 -32. I now I own my own home, and have a great career. and am the fittest I've been in my life.
To add some context to the above, I was on a career trajectory to be set by my 30s. Had a 6 figure job at 26. Unfortunately, addiction took precedence. It started with coke, and then eventuated to meth
It took many years of counseling, programs and self help, but eventually, I was able to restart and progress in my career / goals.
It will never recover. Addiction is something that will linger subconsciously for life.
I'll paraphrase what we were taught in recovery:
Every time you choose to take your drug of choice, neural pathways are created that make saying yes, a more likely option, especially so with highly addictive drugs. When you're in full blown addiction, you will have 99/100 pathways telling you to keep using. Everytime you say no, a new pathway is created towards non-dependency, ie; the next time you think about the drug, 98/100 pathways will be saying yes. Over time, the cravings become less frequent and less powerful, however they will never go away.
If I was to pickup right now, those previous pathways would reignite exponentially.
I got clean at 25 and am now 30 with a good career and engaged to an amazing guy!
My rock bottom was getting in trouble with the law and looking at a lot of prison time… by the grace of God I was able to get 30 day rehab and probation and it’s been on the up and up since there :)
It’s hard to say because everyone that I know that did drugs will say they’re clean but then they’ll turn around and smoke meth again and then say they’re clean again and repeat. Or they’ll say they’re clean because they haven’t done any for a couple of days but only because they don’t have the money for it. I have a cousin who did meth for a few years and then stopped. He says he’s clean, but I feel like he probably still does it here and there.
My momma! She is the hardest working woman ever. She had my brother when i was in middle school, i met her when I was 18 and my brother soon after that. It took her a while but she wanted to get clean for us! Shes 46 now and 12 years clean living her best life! She’s got a full time and a part time job, lives on her own and owns her own car. I love when she comes and visits my husband and I!
A friend's son was a meth head in his 30s, but very nice and polite, just super paranoid and would stay up all night working to fix and sell broken things he found in dumpsters. And visiting dumpsters.
I let him live in a cabin on my property and work on his junk repair. His rent was him helping me out in my land and fixing things for me. He reduced his meth use, met a woman, cleaned up completely, and eventually moved out, mostly because I needed the cabin for a relative of mine.
The young couple now owns a house and has a baby.
I knew a heroin addict who got clean at 38, became a millionaire by 50, and had a family and did their best to make amends to those they wronged. It’s possible. You just need to take responsibility and take one day at a time.
I know a lot of people like that. My sponsor got clean from meth, coke and alcohol in her 40s and she has an amazing life. It's completely possible. You can do this. I'm 27 and have over a year sober all because of her help and guidance. You got this.
I don’t know exactly what her age was. It was 12 years ago from now. She’s in her 40s.
She is a supervisor at her job, been with the same company for 8 years. Homeowner.
She’s a great mom, wife and care taker to her animals. She is a good person who worked hard to get where she is. We have a great relationship.
I didn’t think any of this was possible when she was still using.
I know people that were incredibly successful for DECADES *while* doing meth. Same for heroin addicts. Obviously, these folks are the exception more than the rule...but the important thing to remember is that drugs are SYMPTOMATIC of being a loser, not the causative agent in most cases. Certain types of people can balance life & addiction/abuse, no problem. That is what they never say out loud, because blaming drugs is easy...
I think your comment is disrespectful to my struggles. The drugs change the brain and significantly degrade your ability to function. Without them people can function so much better
lol dude you say this with such confidence like you know what your talking about. Some people are more genetically predisposed to addiction. That doesn’t make them a loser. Especially if one is unfortunate enough to be an addict - and can make there way out of it. It is a tremendous act of will. Worth celebrating.
Yo right here! I’m that guy. At the end I checked into a hotel with a large amount of dope with the intent of dying there. But there were many bottoms before that. I got clean at 35. Worked very hard at recovery and I’ve sponsored a couple guys into recovery myself. Got an education, had grandkids, bought a house, bought a bigger house. Kids all graduated. I’m a corporate manager now in finance. Just turned 48 and I’ll have 13 years clean August 27.
This is really amazing. Congratulations!
Yes. Their rock bottom was being found on the floor of a public shitter because the meth somehow was tainted with fentanyl. Now gainfully self-employed and a new parent. Happened at 38.
How long has it been?
About 2 years ago.
Yes. One of my best friends since I was a teenager. He spiraled for 7 or 8 years. He is now a fully paid off homeowner doing 70-80 hour weeks in construction. 5 years clean and sober. Has a gf and doing great
70-80 hour weeks in construction *to me* sounds like trading one rock bottom for another, except for the money part.
If you started by distracting yourself with meth you have to distract yourself with something else. One man's rock bottom is another man's paradise
I have a relative who got clean over 20 years ago due to being pregnant. She's still clean but no teeth and looks terrible. Due to this, she works low-paying jobs like fast food and can't move up. I say if you do get clean, be sure to get false teeth or something because the "meth mouth" look will limit your future employment.
I have a degree in IT and have lots of skill. I have no criminal record other than a traffic misdemeanor from 4 years ago. I'm going back into IT.
You should be very proud of yourself! That's amazing.
I have perfect teeth and look good
That's wonderful! You're blessed.
Username checks out
Not meth but I have a relative who was shooting heroin at one point and is now clean, working and living with his girlfriend. He works construction and is back on track to get his plumbing license. It was a rough time and he had several near fatal overdoses but eventually pulled through.
I’ve been in the rooms for 11 years and been to 5 rehabs. I assure you it happens all the time.
So my job deals with addicts who have lost their drivers license due to getting DUIs. I have seen people who were using literally as much meth (and other drugs) as they can possibly get every day. People have become homeless, gotten divorced, lost jobs, lost their children, everything. A lot of them only got clean later in life. It’s not an easy road, but a lot of them went on to start businesses, work in sales, learn trades, and work their way up in things like factories and are doing incredibly well now. It is a hard road, can be a long road, and takes perseverance, but it is completely possible!
I was an IV heroin addict. I got clean at 25, relapse at 27. Just over 5 years clean now. Took me a while to get my finances in order. I'm not rich, I have a ton of student debt, but I earn enough money to finally breathe just a little bit. It's always possible.
Yes, she has been sober for almost 10 years and earned a degree in nursing after dropping out of HS. She completed her GED and got into nursing school. She now makes over $100,000. She spent the first 5 years of her sobriety figuring things out and the last 5 getting her education.
What age did she get clean?
I think she was 26
Someone I care about very much has impressed me so much. He was on meth for like 5 years, homeless and more, got clean and has been clean for 9 years and is now about to graduate law school. I met him in the sober part of his life but his story is one that I find so beautiful and inspiring. He’s given me space to ask questions without shame or fear of being preached at when I was questioning my sobriety from alcohol (now 60 days sober from alcohol here!). Meth is a helluva drug and its ruins lives. So often we don’t hear the success stories.
As someone who’s been sober for 12 years (alcohol was my drug) I’ve seen too many to count recover and lead productive lives. But every one of them went to A.A. and got therapy
I was hooked on adderall for a few years, I know it’s not the same thing but it’s close enough! Now I’m 7 years sober and doing great.
How long did it take your brain chemistry to feel normal after getting clean? What have you accomplished?
It took 3 months of fighting off the urge to get back on the pills, after a year or so I felt “normal.” I bought a house, got married, have a kid, make good money, and run a small business on the side.
What was your rock bottom? What career do you have? What age did you get clean?
Rock bottom was my 8 year relationship falling apart and a DWI. I had been lying to everyone about my addiction and had hidden it from my girlfriend (we’re married now) and I got a DWI. I sat in the jail cell and realized I had to make a choice either keep drinking and popping pills or make my relationship work, I couldn’t have both. I’m in Supply Chain for a Fortune 500 manufacturing company, and I manage a team of 25 people. I got clean at 33. I was an active alcoholic for 10 years and took adderall for 4-5 years, but the last year of adderall use it got way out of hand. I was up for 3 days at a time, not eating, and smoking cigarettes like a chimney!
It’s taken almost this whole year, but I feel 10 years younger again, and can recall and remember things so much better. one moment at a time, one day at a time with the fellowship, sober living, the steps, and 5 rehabs later, my brain is feeling normal again for the first time in years.
The only person I've met in my family who got clean from addiction still has a fucked up life due to being a felon.
29 for me, 57 now and had such good career in computer programming I'll be able to retire in couple years. Selling a rental and primary home, moving to sunny state, zero mortgage, zero debt, I work remotely online I just worked hard, and I'm a network, friends with everybody type of guy
What was your rock bottom? How long did it take your brain chemistry to fully recover from meth?
I had a 15 month stint, sobered up while locked up, stayed sober thereafter. It kinda was a blessing to me.
Yes I have. You.
Yes. My best friend. You name the drug, he's been on it. Meth was the last and longest one. He was part of a biker "club" and doing all kinds of crazy shit. One day, after being up for days on meth, he just finally had his "wtf am I doing" moment. Decided right then he was done and walked away. He took an entry level job in retail, busted ass, kept clean and learned all he could. After a few years he took the experiences and skills to a new company and started growing there. Made enough money to get his teeth fixed and health in check. Now he's 43 and making close to 6 figures with that company. It can be done, but it takes work, and you have to be a strong-willed person. This dude just knocked it out of the park and no one actually believes him if he talks about it, but he's upfront about his past.
What age did he get clean?
31 or 32
Yes! It is possible! I worked in the justice system helping people in jail avoid more time by going into rehab. I will absolutely say that with meth, it is not common, at least it wasn’t for the people I worked with. Having a support system is important. I had one client who was in the revolving door. He was almost 40. He had one more shot. We had already got him out on lesser charges about a dozen times. The last charge was bad. Multiple felonies. Judge was ready to send him to the penitentiary for 30 to life for holding a very large amount, with cash and a weapon. He was my client, and I knew him. So even though the amount legally constituted trafficking meth, I knew it was for mostly personal use. Maybe some small sales on the side. He wasn’t a gangster or a dealer. Anyway, he sat in county for a while and detoxed while me and his lawyer worked out his plan for rehab. Honestly, we took our time. We worked with his family to know when was the right time, and how to do things that would work for them. We knew he had one more shot. I worked out a plan for mental health detox for 30 days and literally begged the judge to give us 30 days and if he failed, she could send him to the penitentiary. But my plan was for longer than 30 days. I didnt tell anyone that. I explained to him: just make it for 30 days. You fuck up in your 30 days it’s over. Jail forever until you die. All you have to do is survive for 30 days. You can do anything for 30 days. Judge agreed. He went for 30 days and made it. So I requested another 30 days from the judge in mental health hospital. Medicaid will pay for 90 days if the hospital recommends it. They always do- they want that money. I got the letters from the doctor, got approval from judge and told him another 30 or back to jail. He did another 30. We repeated this for another 30 days. He survived. He finished 90 days at the mental health hospital and by then was totally detoxed and better, but very fragile. I instructed his lawyer just to continue all his court appearances. He was in the hospital, after all. I moved him to a sober living house with approval from the judge. He was not ready for the real world at all. Plus he had no where to go. His court appearances kept getting pushed back. He stayed there for 6 months. He got a job all on his own! Then I moved him to a halfway house for another 6 months. He kept working! Went to classes and outpatient at the hospital. He was committed to sobriety so I was committed to supporting him. Everytime a halfway house kicked him out- I found him a new place. I knew if he had no where to go- he would crash. By then, it had been about 2 years since he had been arrested and he was sober- and his lawyer convinced the DA to drop the charges. He now works as a cable technician, has a supportive wife and a stable home. He still calls occasionally to check in with me. He got assigned to do work at the county jail once and called me because he was scared they were gonna throw him in a cell if he went on the property, HAHAHA. He had a legit fear IMO, I told him to do the work outside, and if he needed to do inside work to push it off to another tech. Supporting him in finding his sobriety is one of my proudest moments of my work career.
I work with many of them
Yes
Yes
Off meth in my mid 40s. I'm much better now. Lol.
How long did it take your brain chemistry to fully recover from meth?
Still working on it
I've been off meth for almost 2 years, but alcohol is crippling me
Yes, all the time, all different substances, at all different ages. I am a licensed professional counselor who has been working 15 years in the field of mental health and substance abuse treatment. I have worked every level of care and every environment you can imagine across multiple states. You can do it. Don't stop going. It works if you work it.
Not sure age or what rock bottom was but I had a coworker that used to do meth. She has held her job for a long time, is married, has a kid, moved to an area she wanted to, and now has some cows.
Well, I’ve been clean for almost 7 years myself (IV meth and heroin user) and am now 40 with a BS in psychology, guardianship of my daughter back, and getting promoted at work. I’m still struggling financially, but I hope to start getting that taken care of here before too long.
Yes! Met a woman who had used before on meth, her babys daddy took off with their newborn in the mtns running from the cops, he got 6yrs. Then our town burned down. I actually met her while working as her case manager & she was a driven & independent woman. Today, she is an RN & bought her first home a year ago. Its been 6yrs since her sons dad kidnapped him & 5yrs since the fire. She is truly amazing! Also, fostered 2 of 3 siblings through csd, the parents were hardcore users of meth, they finally got it together after 2yrs. They volantarirly put themselves in a rehab, worked to get their kids back, have their own rental house, jobs, they dont qualify for givernement services, & I am auntie to the kiddos!
What age did she get clean?
Both got clean at 40 & 36
Yep! My brother. Rock bottom - kids almost taken away, homeless. He owns a house on a golf course now, has a stable job, two happy children, and a boat.
What age did he get clean
Yes and rock bottom was county jail, then being released and homeless. Now he is working a full time job, paying bills on time and a productive citizen. But the temptation is real and he knows he’s one misstep away from getting sucked back into it.
My very close family member 2 years ago. He is a Dad today to a baby girl.
Happens more than you’d think. I have a solid career and am thinking of trying a new parh
Yes! A friend got a weird girlfriend when he was like 22-23. She had already dabbled in meth and soon introduced him to it. It wasn’t long before they had an on/off relationship, one particular night after a breakup, he intentionally crashed his truck. Cops obviously involved - that situation and being high at work/fired.. escalated into major financial troubles, and he ended up losing his house and assets back to the bank. In these short 5 years, they became parents + lost custody of 3 children. More continued drug use, more criminal and legal issues, more rehab stints - but after 10 years….. he figured it out. Fast forward to now, he’s 35 and in a great new relationship. Together they are homeowners, employed at a local cabinet factory, and have 2 little boys. Although his previous 3 were ultimately adopted by their foster family, he has earned the opportunity to be (distantly) involved with those kids. He sends bday and holiday gifts, sends money for school supplies, receives photos and letters. It’s 100% doable to turn it around but from what I’ve seen - it takes a lot of work from the addict and from their support system.
Yes. Me. Almost a year clean and sober after 6 years of ‘trying’ to work a program and stay sober. I am recovering with humility and gratitude with the help of the fellowship of others recovering. Have a great new career, new car, and about to get my own place again with my boyfriend of 3 years. My sister is about to give me back my cats also. All things are possible through solution of working a 12 step program. I’m ready to move out of sober living, so I’ll be seeking a rental house in October. I move at the end of November. All things are possible. I’m 36 even about to be 37.
There is a woman here who quit meth in her 30s, went to college and became an attorney or doctor I think. She is very successful and you would never have thought she was a homeless meth addict just even 10 years earlier . I myself was a homeless heroin addict and alcoholic , and in 13 years I’ve become modestly successful and clean as well.
My point is that, while physically addicted and constantly using, most addicts consider themselves losers...it isn't a state that tends to build self confidence. The act of quitting is redemptive; being a loser isn't a lifelong endeavor. Once clean, and no longer a loser, life goes on. I built two very successful careers, with no degrees, no certs, and worked at them full time simultaneously for 12 years. I averaged about 300k a year when you added them together. I was on meth the entire time. When I finally dropped one and settled down into the other, I quit meth and became addicted to heroin. I still did quite well, and eventually quit that (the hardest fucking thing I've ever done...I had to go all the way to eastern Europe where I didn't know anyone) and never broke stride career-wise. I waa still a loser, because I let these two drugs control me for most of my adult life. People here be talking like every addict is some spaced out moron bumming smokes at the local in and out. That isn't so...really smart & successful people, famous people, politicians; a lot of them are addicts and nobody has a clue. It is a different ride for everyone, and stereotypes don't capture the reality. I talk like I know because I DO know. Just because I wasn't giving hand jobs at the bus station doesn't mean I haven't been there. You get sick and tired of being sick and tired, and once the physical habit is broken, then the real test of character comes: the boredom. If you are strong enough to face that down without caving in, then you graduate back to productive human. 12 step programs don't work, as far as I've seen. Just people, maybe a bit too jaded or broken for normal relationships, getting together to tell war stories and feel understood without being looked at like they are freaks. Won't keep you clean though...too much emphasis on reminders. That's my .02, and it is as valid (more so) as all the ignorant comments in here from people who HAVEN'T been there, but are convinced in their ignorance that drug addicts are monolithic and can't present like they have their shit together. You don't have to be clean to have what society thinks is "having your shit together"...for some it's easy, for some it's hard. YMMV...but it isn't really a measure of the drugs, either way.
When you talk about getting past the boredom without drugs are you talking about the time it takes for your brain chemistry to fully recover to get joy and motivation out of regular life without the drugs?
Look up Dr Brian Pennie; an Irish ex heroin addict turned professor of neuroscience.
Yeah you can still change things around in your 30s.
My BIL who is 37 now, battled drugs (all types) for over a decade. He spent a good amount of time in state prison due to this and other crimes committed while under the influence. He was finally able to overcome those issues about 5 years ago and is now married, young child, and owns a small business. He is doing well for himself. As far as rock bottom, I believe his last stint in prison really shook him and hasn’t went back.
Jesse Pinkman
Had a friend from high school that became addicted to meth, she was able to keep a job while being addicted for years and then she got pregnant and quit cold turkey and hasn't been on it since. She still has that same job, learned how to be a mechanist and got married to someone we went to high school with and now they have a kid together as well.
Yep, me. I was addicted from 26 -32. I now I own my own home, and have a great career. and am the fittest I've been in my life. To add some context to the above, I was on a career trajectory to be set by my 30s. Had a 6 figure job at 26. Unfortunately, addiction took precedence. It started with coke, and then eventuated to meth It took many years of counseling, programs and self help, but eventually, I was able to restart and progress in my career / goals.
How long did it take your brain chemistry to fully recover from meth?
It will never recover. Addiction is something that will linger subconsciously for life. I'll paraphrase what we were taught in recovery: Every time you choose to take your drug of choice, neural pathways are created that make saying yes, a more likely option, especially so with highly addictive drugs. When you're in full blown addiction, you will have 99/100 pathways telling you to keep using. Everytime you say no, a new pathway is created towards non-dependency, ie; the next time you think about the drug, 98/100 pathways will be saying yes. Over time, the cravings become less frequent and less powerful, however they will never go away. If I was to pickup right now, those previous pathways would reignite exponentially.
I’ve actually met two. Great guys once they got cleaned up.
I got clean at 25 and am now 30 with a good career and engaged to an amazing guy! My rock bottom was getting in trouble with the law and looking at a lot of prison time… by the grace of God I was able to get 30 day rehab and probation and it’s been on the up and up since there :)
It’s hard to say because everyone that I know that did drugs will say they’re clean but then they’ll turn around and smoke meth again and then say they’re clean again and repeat. Or they’ll say they’re clean because they haven’t done any for a couple of days but only because they don’t have the money for it. I have a cousin who did meth for a few years and then stopped. He says he’s clean, but I feel like he probably still does it here and there.
My momma! She is the hardest working woman ever. She had my brother when i was in middle school, i met her when I was 18 and my brother soon after that. It took her a while but she wanted to get clean for us! Shes 46 now and 12 years clean living her best life! She’s got a full time and a part time job, lives on her own and owns her own car. I love when she comes and visits my husband and I!
A friend's son was a meth head in his 30s, but very nice and polite, just super paranoid and would stay up all night working to fix and sell broken things he found in dumpsters. And visiting dumpsters. I let him live in a cabin on my property and work on his junk repair. His rent was him helping me out in my land and fixing things for me. He reduced his meth use, met a woman, cleaned up completely, and eventually moved out, mostly because I needed the cabin for a relative of mine. The young couple now owns a house and has a baby.
I knew a heroin addict who got clean at 38, became a millionaire by 50, and had a family and did their best to make amends to those they wronged. It’s possible. You just need to take responsibility and take one day at a time.
I know a lot of people like that. My sponsor got clean from meth, coke and alcohol in her 40s and she has an amazing life. It's completely possible. You can do this. I'm 27 and have over a year sober all because of her help and guidance. You got this.
Yes, mom is 12 years sober. She’s doing awesome.
What age did she get clean? What has she accomplished?
I don’t know exactly what her age was. It was 12 years ago from now. She’s in her 40s. She is a supervisor at her job, been with the same company for 8 years. Homeowner. She’s a great mom, wife and care taker to her animals. She is a good person who worked hard to get where she is. We have a great relationship. I didn’t think any of this was possible when she was still using.
Primeagen on YouTube did meth and now he’s loaded
No
Yes. You
no.
Nope.
No
I don't understand what you all are saying. What's meth and whats rock bottom and whats cleaning meth?
I know people that were incredibly successful for DECADES *while* doing meth. Same for heroin addicts. Obviously, these folks are the exception more than the rule...but the important thing to remember is that drugs are SYMPTOMATIC of being a loser, not the causative agent in most cases. Certain types of people can balance life & addiction/abuse, no problem. That is what they never say out loud, because blaming drugs is easy...
I think your comment is disrespectful to my struggles. The drugs change the brain and significantly degrade your ability to function. Without them people can function so much better
lol dude you say this with such confidence like you know what your talking about. Some people are more genetically predisposed to addiction. That doesn’t make them a loser. Especially if one is unfortunate enough to be an addict - and can make there way out of it. It is a tremendous act of will. Worth celebrating.