[Lady D]

Well, the title says it all, doesn't it?

20 yrs. ago at midnight, I finally overdosed on Lady Snow while weekending in Palm Springs. By the time my friends carried me into the emergency room, I was well on my way to cardiac arrest (my resting heart rate was 240), and the doctor who attended to me gave me no sympathy, just straight talk. "You have a 50/50 chance of living through this. Try to stay calm(!), and we'll give you meds to try to counteract this. I don't know WHY you kids do this to yourselves!" I was 28 at the time.

Well, after heaving the oral meds administered and being put on an IV instead, I had an entire 2 1/2 hrs. to think about what an asshole I was, how I had let my s/o at the time bring coke into my home to make its insidious way into my life for 4 yrs., how my mother would likely die herself if I bought the farm that night, etc., etc.

After I began to stabilize, the doctor came back to tell me just how close I had come (as if I hadn't felt the grim reaper breathing down my neck the entire time), and that if I continued doing what I was doing, I would certainly die. I looked straight at her and said, "I am never going to touch this stuff again". She shrugged her shoulders as if to say, "Yeah, I've heard that one before", and discharged me.

I attended one 12-step meeting and ended up walking out. No offense to any of you in 12-step, but I remember thinking, "Shit - if I have to come in here and listen to people's horror stories every night, I'll be freebasing again in no time". It just wasn't my kind of thing, and I wanted to eliminate anything and everything related to cocaine altogether...so I did. Even though it was around me all the time (hey, it was the '80s after all), it never even crossed my mind to do it again. Don't ask me what it is, but when I make a decision, it's etched in stone. I'm a Scorpio...does that help?

No one in my life back then believed I would stay sober. Some of them are dead now because they couldn't fend off their own demons. Amazingly, I'm still here, and I really didn't think I'd live another 20 yrs. after putting my body through all that coke (and ecstasy, too). For you young whipper-snappers: I was doing ecstacy BEFORE it became illegal in 1985. lol

So...here I am, with other life tragedies, and other physical/psychiatric maladies which are ameliorated by one drug that was always around or in my house back then (I generally only used it to help me come down from the coke), but for which I never developed an affinity, nor an appreciation. I was a stimulant addict. Now I look at MJ as a sacred entity in my life. I don't abuse it, I use only as much as is necessary, and it has helped change my overall health prognosis in astoundingly positive ways. My lupus? In full remission. My bipolar disorder? No more scary swings since I found the same meds have an extraordinary mood-stabilizing effect.

So I guess one could say that marijuana was my gateway drug OUT.

I have never officially celebrated any "anniversary", but I think it's worth blowing off work today and going down to the beach for some great seafood.

I hope all you fellow WTs have a wonderful day. Those of you with addiction issues: just know that it's NOT hopeless...and I'm living/breathing proof of that. ~~ LD

your hard work to stay clean should be commended!! thank heavens we have MMJ!!

[handscreate]

CONGRATS on 20yrs sober! I have a lot of friends who have gone through similar situations (why is it that we all take life for granted until we almost lose it?) and I'm very proud that they have stayed clean since their ER visits. 2 are patients who, like you, used MJ as a downer to sleep after snorting coke all night, but now respect MJ more than they ever did.

Thanks for sharing your story!

"Cocaine . . . that's one helluva drug"

[firemonkey]

Wow, good for you!!! Have a happy, clean day!! Yay!

[iconoclast]

Originally Posted by Lady D

Well, the title says it all, doesn't it?

20 yrs. ago at midnight, I finally overdosed on Lady Snow while weekending in Palm Springs. By the time my friends carried me into the emergency room, I was well on my way to cardiac arrest (my resting heart rate was 240), and the doctor who attended to me gave me no sympathy, just straight talk. "You have a 50/50 chance of living through this. Try to stay calm(!), and we'll give you meds to try to counteract this. I don't know WHY you kids do this to yourselves!" I was 28 at the time.

Well, after heaving the oral meds administered and being put on an IV instead, I had an entire 2 1/2 hrs. to think about what an asshole I was, how I had let my s/o at the time bring coke into my home to make its insidious way into my life for 4 yrs., how my mother would likely die herself if I bought the farm that night, etc., etc.

After I began to stabilize, the doctor came back to tell me just how close I had come (as if I hadn't felt the grim reaper breathing down my neck the entire time), and that if I continued doing what I was doing, I would certainly die. I looked straight at her and said, "I am never going to touch this stuff again". She shrugged her shoulders as if to say, "Yeah, I've heard that one before", and discharged me.

I attended one 12-step meeting and ended up walking out. No offense to any of you in 12-step, but I remember thinking, "Shit - if I have to come in here and listen to people's horror stories every night, I'll be freebasing again in no time". It just wasn't my kind of thing, and I wanted to eliminate anything and everything related to cocaine altogether...so I did. Even though it was around me all the time (hey, it was the '80s after all), it never even crossed my mind to do it again. Don't ask me what it is, but when I make a decision, it's etched in stone. I'm a Scorpio...does that help?

No one in my life back then believed I would stay sober. Some of them are dead now because they couldn't fend off their own demons. Amazingly, I'm still here, and I really didn't think I'd live another 20 yrs. after putting my body through all that coke (and ecstasy, too). For you young whipper-snappers: I was doing ecstacy BEFORE it became illegal in 1985. lol

So...here I am, with other life tragedies, and other physical/psychiatric maladies which are ameliorated by one drug that was always around or in my house back then (I generally only used it to help me come down from the coke), but for which I never developed an affinity, nor an appreciation. I was a stimulant addict. Now I look at MJ as a sacred entity in my life. I don't abuse it, I use only as much as is necessary, and it has helped change my overall health prognosis in astoundingly positive ways. My lupus? In full remission. My bipolar disorder? No more scary swings since I found the same meds have an extraordinary mood-stabilizing effect.

So I guess one could say that marijuana was my gateway drug OUT.

I have never officially celebrated any "anniversary", but I think it's worth blowing off work today and going down to the beach for some great seafood.

I hope all you fellow WTs have a wonderful day. Those of you with addiction issues: just know that it's NOT hopeless...and I'm living/breathing proof of that. ~~ LD

Congratulations, Lady D!

Thank you for sharing your positive story of recovery. It may bring a shard of light to someone who may be suffering at this very second without much (if any) hope.

Be well,
iconoclast

[stuckk]

20 yrs. cocaine free? CONGRADULATIONS!! I have family members that have been on and off the stuff for years.Cocaine has destroyed many families and communities. Big props to you for being strong.It really takes a disciplined mind set to stop.CONGRADULATIONS AGAIN!!

[yamita]

You go girl......!!!

Blessings to you always......

Peace and Love to you all

Thats amazing Lady D!!! Congratulations! You have a lot to be proud of yourself for!! 20 years!! That's an inspiration to everyone!!

[MediMarCollective]

Sobriety is wonderful and as we would say Happy Birthday!!!!

[eclecticreason]

Originally Posted by Lady D

Well, the title says it all, doesn't it?

20 yrs. ago at midnight, I finally overdosed on Lady Snow while weekending in Palm Springs. By the time my friends carried me into the emergency room, I was well on my way to cardiac arrest (my resting heart rate was 240), and the doctor who attended to me gave me no sympathy, just straight talk. "You have a 50/50 chance of living through this. Try to stay calm(!), and we'll give you meds to try to counteract this. I don't know WHY you kids do this to yourselves!" I was 28 at the time.

Well, after heaving the oral meds administered and being put on an IV instead, I had an entire 2 1/2 hrs. to think about what an asshole I was, how I had let my s/o at the time bring coke into my home to make its insidious way into my life for 4 yrs., how my mother would likely die herself if I bought the farm that night, etc., etc.

After I began to stabilize, the doctor came back to tell me just how close I had come (as if I hadn't felt the grim reaper breathing down my neck the entire time), and that if I continued doing what I was doing, I would certainly die. I looked straight at her and said, "I am never going to touch this stuff again". She shrugged her shoulders as if to say, "Yeah, I've heard that one before", and discharged me.

I attended one 12-step meeting and ended up walking out. No offense to any of you in 12-step, but I remember thinking, "Shit - if I have to come in here and listen to people's horror stories every night, I'll be freebasing again in no time". It just wasn't my kind of thing, and I wanted to eliminate anything and everything related to cocaine altogether...so I did. Even though it was around me all the time (hey, it was the '80s after all), it never even crossed my mind to do it again. Don't ask me what it is, but when I make a decision, it's etched in stone. I'm a Scorpio...does that help?

No one in my life back then believed I would stay sober. Some of them are dead now because they couldn't fend off their own demons. Amazingly, I'm still here, and I really didn't think I'd live another 20 yrs. after putting my body through all that coke (and ecstasy, too). For you young whipper-snappers: I was doing ecstacy BEFORE it became illegal in 1985. lol

So...here I am, with other life tragedies, and other physical/psychiatric maladies which are ameliorated by one drug that was always around or in my house back then (I generally only used it to help me come down from the coke), but for which I never developed an affinity, nor an appreciation. I was a stimulant addict. Now I look at MJ as a sacred entity in my life. I don't abuse it, I use only as much as is necessary, and it has helped change my overall health prognosis in astoundingly positive ways. My lupus? In full remission. My bipolar disorder? No more scary swings since I found the same meds have an extraordinary mood-stabilizing effect.

So I guess one could say that marijuana was my gateway drug OUT.

I have never officially celebrated any "anniversary", but I think it's worth blowing off work today and going down to the beach for some great seafood.

I hope all you fellow WTs have a wonderful day. Those of you with addiction issues: just know that it's NOT hopeless...and I'm living/breathing proof of that. ~~ LD

FFFFing awesome. I'll have 5 years off the hooch on Wednesday myself. I always love hearing how others have overcome. Marijuana was a gateway out for me as well. Hell, I even quit smoking cigarettes with the power of the magic herb.

[The Lysergic Projekt]

Just because you quit using a drug DOES NOT qualify you as being Sober.

I used to have a gnarly habit of fixing heroin, but I havent touched chiva in years. But I would never say Im Sober, I would never disrespect the people in The Program by claiming to be a part of it. I use marijuana. Yes, I have my mmj recommendation. Yes, I have a legitimate medical condition which the marijuana provides great relief. Yes, it is my preferred medication.

But you know what else? I like getting high. I love the shit out of it. We all do. And if you say you dont, youre being completely disingenuious. If we didnt, we wouldnt use the medication. We wouldnt look for great tasting, smelling, super potent pot. We would never refer to it as "stoney".
And that is why Im not sober. I alter my conscienceness with marijuana. And like the rest of you, I do so knowingly, willing, and happily.

[BrattonBasher]

I think we have all lost loved ones and friends to Coke. I am over 20 yrs since the last time I did Coke and am proud as hell. Way to go!!! Coke Kills!!!
MMJ does not!!!

[420Vtec]

good for you congrads for the 20yrs

[Jamesf]

Congrats.
I couldnt help but laugh when you said that your were "blowing" off work for the day.

[MediMarCollective]

Congrats Lady D 20 YEARS WAY TO GO,, July 6th will be 17 years clean from narcotics for me........other then the vicodins or norcos etc, etc.....the Doc use to perscribe to me before I switched to My MEDICINAL CANNABIS and you know what the cannabis works great...A good brownie will take any pain away and put you right to sleep..no More sleep less nights...Peace for now "Lady D" keep up the good work

[bluntman]

Well done Lady D.


Much love and respect

three cheers for u!

[darksteppa1]

Congrats on being clean for 20 yrs. keep it going.

[godisred]

20 years, that is just wonderful! Taking the day off from work is well derserved, have a grand time at the beach.

[amsterDAN]

congrads lady d!!! that is a vile narcotic and it seems to have made horrendous comeback the last few years amongst young people. the cocaine trade is one of the most violent and insidious industries in the world that murders and corrupts and exploits and ruins people lives and should not be supported in any way.

Congrats to you!

May 2nd 1984.
The day I stopped killing myself and began to live.
No need to pat me on the back for not killing myself. :)

[SoulRebel]

Congratulations!!! I haven't packed my beak in over 3 yrs now myself ... not to mention other various nasties. Blessings...


... S R...

[Lou Weed]

Conbgratulations!!!

I'm glad you're utilizing more productive, safer means that enrich your life instead of consuming it.

[Tao420]

Congrats! May you continue to be empowered the rest of your life!

[CainmosnI]

Congrats, Lady D, any battled vice that has been overcome deserves recognition and respect!

That is one of the reasons why I love cannabis so much, some people have been known to reference cannabis as a gateway drug but for me that couldn't have been more untrue.
I've been smoking buds for years now, and I am proud to say I don't really drink alcohol and I have never felt the need to try cocaine or any other hard drug for that matter.