This blog is my letter of farewell to Cocaine, my drug of choice and a love affair that lasted for years. Its an honest letter written by myself in rehab.
When giving up drugs or any addiction, especially after a sustained period of time, to suddenly let go means that you lose something, almost like a bereavement, and with that said there is a grieving process that you must go through to ultimately get to the point of acceptance.
I first tried this in treatment last year and the letter I wrote had plenty of anger and bargaining but the reality was filled mainly with denial, these are 3 of the 5 stages of grieving.
The other 2, depression and acceptance I believe are delivered in this version.
Part 2, The final farewell;
To the only person I ever thought understood me, to you, cocaine, my ‘Mrs Dependable’, ‘Mrs Reliable’, my mood stabiliser and ultimately my game changer.
I don’t know where to begin? This is the 2nd time I’ve tried to say good bye in a letter, last year it seemed easy, it flowed, I was angry, pissed off and dismissive and I was pleased to see the back of you, or maybe I wasn’t and maybe that’s why i’m back here for round 2.
Somehow this time it’s different.
The thought of never having any type of relationship with you you ever again makes me feel scared, nervous, anxious and sad, ironically all the feelings that I never felt last time round, and all the uncomfortable feelings I’ve used you to numb over the years. Perhaps I was in denial and not ready to let go.
I can think back to the days when things were perfect, we were happy, euphoric times, an instant mind altering experience but the reality is it hasn’t been like this for a long time, yet I still haven’t been able to live without you. I’ve used you for the good the bad and the ugly and boy has it been ugly.
As I write this I continue to have a dull ache deep in the pit of my stomach simply at the thought of not being able to cope without you. Can I handle what life throws at me? Can I exist and just learn to be happy and just learn to be? I know I can and I know have to but more importantly I know I want to, but that doesn’t mean that it sits easy with me.
I usually find it so easy to articulate a point but writing this is making me feel disorientated, restless, my hands clammy and completely uneasy.
You have been my outlet for anger, my coping mechanism for handling my pain and the only thing that I have been truly intimate with for the past few years with the sad irony that you have made me lose intimacy with others in my life. My wife, my friends, family and my beautiful baby daughter, yet no matter how ugly a monster you have become I’ve chosen you time and time again, but not a 1000 days with you compares to one day with my beautiful daughter, my princess, yet some how I find a way, you find a way, we find a way to be together, no matter what.
Yes I have had some bad cards dealt to me over the years, I lost my Mum and Dad to lung cancer and you became my way of dealing with it, now the feeling of bereavement sits similarly in saying goodbye to you, that dull ache knowing that someone is gone, that you’ll never have that bond or connection together again, a sense of sadness, depression and emptiness, I know that sounds sick comparing it to the death of human life but I guess you dying is better than me dying for you, like I have seen others around fall foul to your games.
I have to move on from you now, you are a part of my life that is no longer alive, like many people that I have met and loved, no longer with us, but you don’t deserve to be a part of my life anymore, you are also a cancer that has nearly ruined my life, luckily there is time for you to be cut out, and cut out for good.
I gave you my life and i’m taking it back, before I felt powerless to do so but now I have the strength and belief to do it. Under no circumstances can we be together at all. We can never meet again. Never.
Like any relationships I can look back at the happy times but for too long you have been the centre of all my sadness and we have been nothing more than a square peg in a round hole.
I always looked in the mirror with shame and guilt, generally looking down and being reminded of you. Cocaine. Having to turn away in disgust yet now the fog has lifted I am able to look myself in the mirror and say “I am a great person, a good father, i’m ambitious and talented and there is an exciting world out there called life” This is the life that you convinced me that I couldn’t have.
I will no longer put you before my daughter, I love her and not you, I treasure her and not you, I love who I am and hate who you made me become, I will be happy.
Without you!!
You are the end of a chapter,
Today is the first day of the rest of my life,
Without you.
Wow! What an honest post. Good luck with abstinence. I’m sure there are many people around you wanting this for you more than anything. Thinking of you & your daughter x
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I want it more than anyone. Thanks for reading
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Your choice to give up and also to share your journey with the world is so inspiring and brave. I’ve known many people who have struggled to shake their addictions, so while I can’t say I understand, I can say I feel for you. Stay strong and keep inspiring others! Your story will resonate with others!
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Thanks for your support
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Thanks
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So inspiring! I hope others who are struggling can read this. I think knowing that people aren’t alone in their struggle is integral in recovery. Thank you for your honesty.
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thanks for reading
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“If an egg is broken by an outside force, life ends……if an egg is broken by an inside force, life begins……great things happen from the inside.”
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poignant words thanks for reading
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Thank you for sharing something so honest. I am happy you have come out the other side… it will take work every day, but will be worth it
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baby steps day by day
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Wow…such honesty, such transparency, so real! So appreciative of your willingness and bravery, sharing this part of your recovery. Thank you.
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Lovely words
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Such an honest post! Seriously i bow to you! I admire your strength and determination! Well done! Thinking of you! X
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Thanks for feedbavk
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This is pretty freaking good my friend. Best of luck to you. In your corner.
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Ha ha thanks my darling thanks for reading and the nice words
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The absolute sincere thought of total sobriety to you, and those who love and care for you.
I believe for you!
All the best going forward.
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Thanks for reading
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Good for you that you took the right steps.. Keep it up
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The ending is awesome and inspirational.
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thanks it means a lot thanks for reading
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im so glad u chose a better path. keep it up! 🙂
goodluck ❤
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thank u
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Nice!
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short but sweet. thanks
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Such an emotional and honest post. I suppose it takes so much courage to say good bye and start fresh living another life. I hope you`ll stay true to yourself and keep your lover outside of your life.Wishing you all the best, to you, your family and your baby princess.
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Omg this is so emotional I felt every word you wrote !!
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Thanks for reading
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Good luck with everything, thank you for sharing such a personal letter
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Thanks and thanks for reading
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Very inspiring, wishing you well on your journey. I this reaches others and encourages them to seek help. I’ve shared for you.
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Thanks David
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Great post, really beautifully written. Wishing you all the luck and happiness with your recovery.
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H Samantha thank is for reading.
I’ve only just started writing and hoping to get some sort of career maybe so that some good (other than sobriety) comes out of it. Is it possible to get some exposure or share etc ?
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It’s good to have goals! I’ve followed on Twitter – @sannby.
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Thanks Samantha 😉
If you could RT that would be amazing 🙂
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@therecoveryrep on Twitter
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Thank you for sharing. This is so important for people to read. Thanks again and please keep sharing.
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Thanks so much
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wow that was amazing!
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Thanks monique
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As always, good post, man! The eye ball pic is super creepy!
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Nice Article
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Thank you
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Nice Article.. Keep it up
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We don’t need people to learn from their mistakes rather such articles helps to give glimpse of what their mistakes taught them..
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Thanks means a lot
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I love to see addicts break free! It CAN be done! Good for you keep up the good work!
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thanks for your kind words
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Hi Jimmy,
I nominated you for a Liebster Award.
You’ve been nominated for a blogging Liebster award! This award is given to new bloggers who have excellent content and a great message to share.
See your nomination here:
https://maryo-signature.com/2017/07/12/celebration-time-maryo-signature-receives-the-liebster-award/
If you’d like to accept the award and participate, here are the next steps:
1. Write a post, thank the person who nominated you and link back to their blog, telling a bit about it.
2. Upload the image or award somewhere to that post or in your sidebar via widgets.
3. Answer the questions you’ve been asked in my blog link above.
4. Nominate 5-10 newish bloggers with under 1000 followers (this is just a rough estimate… anyone kind of new is fine), linking to their sites.
5. Rewrite the five questions to ask your nominees whatever you’d like them to answer in their acceptance blog.
6. Notify the owners of the blogs you’ve nominated so they can accept the award.
… You definitely don’t have to play along and make a post BUT it’s kind of fun to see who people nominate and how they answer the questions. It’s fun networking. CONGRATS!!!!
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its all new to me so im not 100% sure what to do
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I quite understand how you feel, i was once in your shoes, you really do not have to do anything, but if you choose to accept, trust me you’ll be fine, just follow the procedures i outlined in the mail i sent you. It’s an experience worth having . Best wishes in all you do.
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Great post! It takes courage to walk your road!
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Hey, you are a great person, even if cocaine prevented you from seeing that for a little while. Good on you for doing your best for your daughter and your wife. You are strong enough to conquer this.
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Very well written. An interesting look into drug addiction. Thank you for sharing that.
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Thanks for your nice comments and reading
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Nice
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Thank you for sharing…Stay strong! ODAAT!
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ODAAT I like it, Could be a good name for a new blog. Thanks for reading
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Stay strong.
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I am grateful that just for today you have chosen life. It will not always be easy. But it will always be real. Have faith. Have courage. And know that your life is for a reason. As is your daughter’s. She is your gift. And you her’s. Enjoy.
The trick is that before recovery, it was not your fault. But now that you know there is another way of life, it is your responsibility.
Just for today.
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Thanks lovely words and thanks for reading
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So inspiring and soul exposing! This will help so many others dealing with the same battles. God bless!
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Thanks my lovely
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This is such an amazing story, I admire your strenght and your perseverence in the process. Stay strong
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I’ll try thank you
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You have no idea how brave this post is! So many people struggle everyday and do not have the strength to get by. I try to find things I love to keep me busy.
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Thanks my lovely
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You should be proud for being strong enough to change your life…
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I’m working on it thanks
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Wow! Amazingly raw and honest post. A few years ago my brother was in rehab and at the time I remember scouring the internet looking for resources. I wish I had come across your blog then as you would have helped me to understand quicker than I eventually did. I wish you all the best on this road to recovery xxx
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Kind words and thanks for reading
Wishing your brother and family all the best
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Beautifully written… hats of for your honesty!
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Wow, your honesty is so inspiring.
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Thanks
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