Hey guys, I'm doing this out of the kindness of my heart and this topic is very important to me and i would appreciate if you guys were respectful.

As some of know i have been fighting with addiction for several years, I started seeking help back in 2008. The battle with addiction is not a weekend retreat and it doesn't happen over night. I'm a member with A.A, I see a personal councillor and i participate in a relapse prevention program. I finally feel like i have made the necessary changed in my life to be healthy and happy with my life.

One of the key elements of recovery is becoming selfless, most Anonymous groups such as A.A, N.A, C.A etc follow a 12 step plan and the 12th step states, "Having had a spiritual awakening as a result of these steps, we tried to carry the message to others, and to practice these principals in all our affairs".

Basically to help others through the knowledge we have gained, so the reason i made this thread is I'm offering a confidential ear to anyone who feels like they need someone to talk to about substances. I'm not here to judge anyone, nor will i tell you what to do or what not to do. I will not tell you that you need to find Jesus (i'm atheist). What i can do is listen to any concerns you have let you vent, sometimes talking to someone can make all the difference in the world. I have been in recovery for a long time and no i don't know everything nor am i a professional. But i do have life experience, i have been there and done that and got my t-shirt signed. I have been in the scene for over a decade and with a handle like "Djsketchbag" i defiantly wasn't ever sober. I am aware substance use is more socially acceptable in our scene, i will not tell anyone not do use drugs or drink or that they need professional help (that's a decision for the individual).

Treatment is predominantly talk therapy, so if your worried about anything or just feel like you want to talk to someone i'm offering an unbiased and non judgemental ear.

email/msn : [email protected]

FB: Peter Grzybowski

phone : upon request

p.s if you wish not to disclose who you are to me create an alt email account and use that to get in touch with me.

�@

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Good man Peter.

Good luck!

Addiction is so poorly understood that everyone, whether they have an addiction or not, should read the book 'In the Realm of Hungry Ghosts' by Dr. Gabor Mate. He works in Vancouver's lower East Side. I had the opportunity to hear him speak and share his insights about addiction. The man is brilliant. Very illuminating.




http://www.randomhouse.ca/catalog/d...n=9780676977400


The bit about willpower is so on point. He really has a strong grasp of the social determinants of health.

Last edited by Silky Johnson on Apr-13-2010 at 18:53

quote:

Originally posted by jennypie

I got to see an hour and a half lecture by Dr.Mate this mans approach to addiction is phenominal he is truly a brilliant man.

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quote:

Originally posted by Djsketchbag I got to see an hour and a half lecture by Dr.Mate this mans approach to addiction is phenominal he is truly a brilliant man.

Excellent! He is so captivating. I honestly felt honored to be able to hear him speak, and wish that more people could.

Good on ya, all the best!

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I am very glad to read this thread, Peter. Good for you xo

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Good to hear things are working out for you

On a side note, didn't know of Dr Gabor but he's pretty eloquent and actually says something worth listening to... thx for that

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"In a world of illusion you only see what you feel"

quote:

Originally posted by jennypie Addiction is so poorly understood that everyone, whether they have an addiction or not, should read the book 'In the Realm of Hungry Ghosts' by Dr. Gabor Mate. He works in Vancouver's lower East Side. I had the opportunity to hear him speak and share his insights about addiction. The man is brilliant. Very illuminating. http://www.randomhouse.ca/catalog/d...n=9780676977400 The bit about willpower is so on point. He really has a strong grasp of the social determinants of health.

Is this the guy you told me about on the way down to T.O a while back?

Yep that's him.

Nice. Definitely checking his book out then. Watching the youtube clip and he's so spot on. Would love to hear him do a lecture.

Much of what he says so simply and profoundly obvious, it's hard to imagine that so many people are still so ignorant, and that we still stigmatize addicts/the mentally ill in the ways that we do. Like his point that addiction doesn't turn people into criminals, laws do. The implications of what that actually means is almost embarrassing as a reflection of our society. Actually no, it IS embarrassing.

One of the best things he said in his lecture was in response to a question about the addict's will, or choice, in addiction. He talked about barriers to free will, and basically said something to effect of "People without problems don't even know their motivations, how can anyone expect that a person with them would?" pretty much commenting on the lack of consciousness/mindfulness in the world.

He makes a really rational case against the criminalization of drugs, too.