I was at a party where people were smoking, and I had no desire to smoke.

[Mutley]

Unlike the last party I went to where people were smoking. It has now been about four months since I last got high, and I wasn't sure I was ready to be around it. But it was my sister's birthday and I felt I should be there (she was depressed and upset, and wanted me there very much). No desire to smoke whatsoever. This is a good sign, right?

[NMDemDist2]

1. it is a good sign, but remember the old saying

if you go to the barbershop enough times, eventually you'll end up with a haircut


:hug:

[Mutley]

2. I know.

I don't usually do that scene anymore, but it was my sister's birthday.

:hug:

[NMDemDist2]

3. yup and that's certainly one of those things ya just gotta do! n/t

[Autonomy]

9. LOL that was verbatim the topic of the meeting i went to

last night, and I was thinking how I hadn't heard that one in a couple years.

[jschurchin]

4. Yea mutley it is a good sign.

But like AzDem says about the barber shop. Always remember people, places and thing's. There is a great big world out there that doesn't use mind altering substances. Find them, they are really good people.

[Mutley]

5. Well, I've cut ties with most of the people in that circle.

There are just a few here and there whom I can't cut out of my life. I just love them too much.

[jschurchin]

6. Thats understandable. My best......

friend, who I have known for 35 years, still smokes. I talk to him from time to time but I do not hang out with him too much. It's not that I don't care about him and his family, it's just he does stuff that's not good for me. Our friendship has evolved and we both know it. I have developed friendships with people who don't have substance issues. I am honest with everyone, they know I am a recovering addict. No I CAN'T have a beer, no I CAN'T smoke a joint, no I CAN'T eat a Perc. I just can't, because I KNOW if I do DEATH is not far behind. This is just me and the point my recovery has reached. Best of luck my friend. I check this forum daily, as does AZDem and KitchenWitch. If you need someone to talk to we are here.

Peace, John

[NMDemDist2]

7. yes we do and yes we are! :hugs!: n/t

[Mutley]

8. Thank you.

This is a wonderful forum to have.

I've recently quit smoking cigarettes, too, so I'm on double duty.

[Autonomy]

10. The usual suggestion is to bring someone with some time

in recovery, perhaps a sponsor, if you feel you have to go to an event where there will be booze/drugs. That's assuming you're in recovery. If not, a trusted friend would do.

[Mutley]

12. Unfortunately, everyone I know still does it.

Hey Autonomy. :hi: :hug:

[KitchenWitch]

11. Good for you!

I do understand the not being able or willing to cut your sister out of your life thing. I am proud of the fact that you were able to stay away from it.

[Mutley]

13. Thanks KitchenWitch.

:hi:

[stepnw1f]

14. Congrats!

I'm currently trying to kick this too. Not as much luck, but I'm trying.

[Mutley]

15. Well, keep trying.

:hug:

We're all here for you.

[jschurchin]

16. We were all where you are now at one time.

It is not easy, and anyone who tell's you it is, is full of shit. We all have to deal with peer pressure, friends and family who still use, work buddy's, etc. Just the other day a good friend of mine told me, "You know what the hardest part is, John. My friends at work want to go out after work and have a few, and I can't go." and I told her "Katie, tell them, you might like me when I'm stoned but, I don't like myself. So I can't go."

You see when it comes down to it, you gotta love you. No one else can love you till you love yourself.

Keep trying man, we have faith in you. And like Mutley said, we are here for you.

Peace, John

[usregimechange]

17. Maybe, but having regular contact with using pop. leads to relapse.

[Mutley]

18. I don't have regular contact.

It was the first time I'd seen even my sister for about two months, and any of the using pop., as you put it, in longer than that.

[demosincebirth]

19. Thats just like an alcoholic insisting on going into a bar

to drink soda.

If you don't want to slide...you don't step on slippery floors.

[Mutley]

21. I won't banish my sister from my life.

If you read above, it was her birthday party.

[SPKrazy]

20. Keep Hanging Around The Barber Shop

and eventually you'll get your hair cut I'm afraid.

I just have to stay away from where people are smoking pot

I can be around alcohol

but pot, I can smell, and if the joint comes around, I don't know what I'd do today.

I haven't smoked in 20 years now.

But I just stay away from it.

[Mutley]

22. I understand.

And that is the one and only time I've been around it since I last quit, so I don't know what would happen if I "kept hanging around the barber shop" because that is not what I'm doing.