I hesitated about posting success stories on this website for one reason only. While they can inspire and encourage many people, there are others who become discouraged and upset mainly because of time-frames. For example, if I posted ten stories of people recovering within six months and just one story of someone who took three years or more, the only story that would have an impact would be that of the protracted case.
This is the way the withdrawal brain works so it’s not anyone’s fault. But I have spent a lot of time over the years explaining and trying to convince our friends that they won’t be like that worst, most protracted success story ever! 🙂 The withdrawal brain also looks for similarities. So someone will contact me, completely freaked out, because in the recovery story the person took very long to heal and they both were on the same drug, tapered using the same method, etc. Not everyone has this reaction but it is quite a common one and it can be very distressing for those who become discouraged. I guess I am being overly protective but this is where my thoughts are at the moment.
I don’t know if I will change my mind about the success stories. I know without a doubt that people do heal. It’s the aspect of support work that makes it most rewarding. Being able to witness this healing process. Recovery is indeed the normal outcome of withdrawal, no matter how problematic it has been: cold turkey, detox, a cocktail of drugs, ECT, you name it… no matter how protracted. The body is resilient and self-healing and the most important thing to remember is that this experience is temporary – regardless of how traumatic it has been and how long it is taking. This, too, shall pass!
In this video I explain why there aren’t more success stories. If I claim that people are healing all the time, where are they? 🙂
