<p>NACHATROOM.ORG - Online Narcotics Anonymous Meetings & Chatroom <p> <p>We were a group of Narcotics Anonymous with two daily online meetings where addicts seeking recovery can chat 24/7 for support and fellowship. It's free. No registration is required, and we don't ask for your contact info or e-mail address. A first name or a chat handle will suffice.<p> Just type a nickname into the chat box above and click "connect" to instantly join the room and begin talking to other recovering addicts who are here to share their experience, strength, and hope with each other!</p> You can choose to remain anonymous if you wish, the chatroom will give you a name like "NAGuest123" by default. Don't be afraid to just listen. Or share whatever you feel comfortable sharing, especially if it will get you through today.<p> We welcome you whether you identify as an addict, an "alcoholic," (in NA, alcohol is a drug), or are just starting to wonder whether you have a problem.<p> Our primary purpose is to carry the message of NA to the addict who is still suffering. In NA, we like to say that NA = "Never Alone." <p> NA has only ONE promise to make, and that is: <p> "The message is that an addict, any addict, can stop using drugs, lose the desire to use, and find a new way to live.... That is all we have to give." (NA Basic Text, 5th Ed., p. 65) <p> At all other times this is "open chat," making it more like what we call "fellowship" in NA, rather than what we would call a "meeting." Feel free to suggest a recovery topic or type !jft to play the NA Just For Today meditation.<p> We have no affiliation whatsoever with Narcotics Anonymous World Services. We are merely "one group" out of more than 63,000 groups. Nor are we even the only NA group online. <p> Please stick around and greet visitors! This may be their first exposure to an NA group. <p> <p>Any two or three addicts gathered together may call themselves an N.A. group, provided that, as a group, they have no other affiliation. This website is not endorsed by any Narcotics Anonymous entity other than NACHATROOM.ORG. This website no longer hosts a chatroom meetings in the "NA" format.<p> I don't care how attached anyone is to them, they're all disease and no solution. People aren't going to meetings or reading literature. You need to give them an engaging topic while you still have them on the line.<p> We have moved to <a href="https://www.neveraloneclub.org" target="new">https://www.neveraloneclub.org</a> <p> Our official blog is <a href="https://blog.neveraloneclub.org" target="new">https://blog.neveraloneclub.org</a>. This will give you some examples of what a discussion topic may look like in a future meeting. <p> Meetings and recovery topics will resume on NEVERALONECLUB.ORG in April of 2023. They will be in a secular, non-NA format. <p>

Withdrawal

EARLY WITHDRAWAL


Withdrawal from opiates and other drugs can be a difficult and uncomfortable experience, but there are things that you can do to make yourself more comfortable during this time. These include:

  • Hydrate: Drinking plenty of water can help to ease some of the unpleasant side effects of withdrawal, such as nausea and headaches. 
  • Rest: Getting plenty of rest and sleep can help your body to recover and repair itself. 
  • Nutrition: Eating healthy, nutritious meals can help to support your body through the withdrawal process. 
  • Exercise: While it may be difficult to motivate yourself to exercise during withdrawal, gentle exercise such as taking a walk can be beneficial for your physical and mental health. 
  • Seek support: Connecting with others who have gone through similar experiences or seeking professional help can provide emotional support and guidance during this challenging time. Overall, it is important to prioritize self-care and seek out resources that can help you cope with opioid withdrawal. Remember, this journey may be difficult, but with the right support and tools, it is possible to successfully navigate opioid withdrawal and move towards a healthier, happier life. 
  • We have talked a LOT of people through "kicking" dope for days or weeks on end over the years. If it's helpful for you to do that in this environment please do not be ashamed to share about it.

People who drank alcohol in large amounts may have the most severe symptoms. The symptoms can include nausea, low energy, anxiety, shakiness, depression, intense emotions, insomnia, irritability, difficulty concentrating, and memory problems. These symptoms typically last 3 to 5 days but can last up to several weeks. Some people must be hospitalized to detox safely.

For people who used opioids or prescription drugs, the 7- to 10-day withdrawal period (or longer for people who use benzodiazepines) can be physically uncomfortable and may require hospitalization and medication. It is essential to have a physician closely monitor withdrawal in people dependent on these substances. Along with the physical discomfort, many people experience nervousness, trouble sleeping, depression, and difficulty concentrating. Successfully completing withdrawal from these substances is a major achievement in early recovery.

Early Abstinence (4 weeks; follows Withdrawal)

For people who used stimulants, this 4-week period is called the Honeymoon. Most people feel quite good during this period and often feel “cured.” As a result, participants may want to drop out of treatment or stop attending group chats, IOP, or other forms of talk therapy and support during the Honeymoon period. Early abstinence should be used as an opportunity to establish a good foundation for recovery. If participants can direct the energy, enthusiasm, and opti­mism felt during this period into recovery activities, they can lay the foundation for future success.

For people who used alcohol, this 4-week period is marked by the brain’s recovery. Although the physical withdrawal symptoms have ended, participants still are getting used to the absence of substances. Thinking may be unclear, concentration may be poor, nervousness and anxiety may be troubling, sleep is often irregular, and, in many ways, life feels too intense.

For those who used opioids or prescription drugs, there is essentially a gradual normalization during this period. In many ways the process is similar to the alcohol recovery timetable. Slow, gradual improvement in symptoms is evidence that the recovery is progressing.

Protracted Abstinence (3.5 months; follows Early Abstinence)

From 6 weeks to 5 months after participants stop using, they may experience a variety of annoying and troublesome symptoms. These symptoms—difficulties with thoughts and feelings—are caused by the continuing healing process in the brain. This period is called "the Wall. "

It is important for participants to be aware that some of the feelings dur­ing this period are the result of changes in brain chemistry. If participants remain abstinent, the feelings will pass. The most common symptoms are depression, irritability, difficulty concentrating, low energy, and a general lack of enthusiasm. participants also may experi­ence strong cravings during protracted abstinence. Relapse risk goes up during this period. participants must stay focused on remaining abstinent one day at a time. Exercise helps tremendously during this period. For most participants, completing this phase in recovery is a major achievement.

Readjustment (2 months; follows Protracted Abstinence)


After 5 months of recovery, the brain has come a long way in terms of healing from the damage caused by drug or alcohol abuse. However, the main task now is to develop a fulfilling life that supports continued recovery. While this may seem like a daunting task, it is essential for long-term recovery success.

As cravings occur less frequently and with less intensity, its easy to start feeling like the danger of relapse is behind you. However, this is a critical time when the risk of relapse is actually increased.

Therefore, it is essential that you remain vigilant and focused on your recovery goals to avoid putting yourself in high-risk situations.

For individuals who have used hard stimulants, like cocaine, methamphetamine, crack, and stimulating research chemicals, the recovery time may extend to six to eighteen months.

Its important to understand that everyones recovery journey is different, and its crucial not to be discouraged if progress seems slow. Its crucial not to give up on the hard work youve done so far.

Even if you feel like you havent made any progress, its important to remember that recovery is a process, not an event. Turning to drugs is often an attempt to deal with underlying emotional pain, and to overcome it, one must address the root cause and develop healthier coping mechanisms.

In conclusion, it is vital to appreciate the progress made so far and not to give up on your recovery journey.

Developing fulfilling activities that support your continued recovery, maintaining vigilance against high-risk situations, and finding healthier ways to cope with emotional pain are key to long-term recovery success.

Remember, youve come this far, and with continued effort and dedication, you can overcome addiction once and for all.

You never have to do this again.

Part of this content is adapted from Center for Substance Abuse Treatment. Counselor’s Treatment Manual: Matrix Intensive Outpatient Treatment for People With Stimulant Use Disorders. HHS Publication No. (SMA) 13-4152. Rockville, MD: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, 2006. These are materials in the public domain, used with written permission from SAMHSA.