[Lazamataz]

The only way addicts get and stay clean is when they are subject to random pee tests and the threat of incarceration. That's what "hitting bottom" means.

Nossir. Hitting bottom can mean any number of things, and it varies from person to person.

I know plenty of addicts who went to prison and/or jail and emerged to use within hours of their release. I know many addicts who used the day before a piss test. None of these things are guarenteed 'bottoms'.

I myself never really hit a bottom. I hit a wall. I lost a marriage and got arrested for serious drug crimes. Did either stop me? No, it was when I got sick of using that I stopped.

It is only through G-d, Narcotics Anonymous, and my Sponsor that I have begun my recovery from drugs. One year clean and counting! :o)

Prison and pee tests do not guarentee anything except prison and pee tests.

[billorites]

People who get clean and sober and stay that way usually do it within the framework of NA or AA.

The threat of certain consequences is what forces them to get with the program.

I'm worried about Limbaugh.

[RightOnline]

"One year clean and counting! :o)"

.....and God bless ya for it, bud.

[trebb]

Stick with it - 15+ Years in AA. Many folks hit a low spot around 2 years and the sailing gets a lot smoother after that. A little perseverance and you can truly be free for life. Statistics say that of those that make 5 years and stay active, 95% never head for the gutter again. Life is good - go for it.

[Agnes Heep]

The only way addicts get and stay clean is when they are subject to random pee tests and the threat of incarceration. That's what "hitting bottom" means.

Actually, it has to do with values. You can take President Bush as a prime example. He had a problem with drinking and his wife laid down the law; it was either her or booze. He valued his family life more than he valued drinking, so he chose the former.

[IGOTMINE]

I've long admired your wit and intellect, and now your honesty.

I wish you well, Sir.

[altura]

Why do you always say, "G-D?"

Is it the "he who must not be named thing" or what?

Just curious, if you don't mind answering.

[Twinkie]

We had a drug awareness program at church yesterday. The
stuff that's out there now is lethal. Thankful you stopped.
- I was pretty naive, although I had seen my cousins with
the dead brain cells & the destroyed livers barely able to
function. After that, I decided not to even start smoking
regular cigarettes much less marijuana and my Coke was
going to be ice cold Coca Cola. Clean feels darn good.

[Jim Noble]

Nossir. Hitting bottom can mean any number of things, and it varies from person to person.

Correct, and there is little evidence that is available to kibitzers such as we that Maharushi has indeed hit bottom-or even come close.

I'm very worried about him.

[carpio]

I know plenty of addicts who went to prison and/or jail and emerged to use within hours of their release. I know many addicts who used the day before a piss test. None of these things are guarenteed 'bottoms'.

I know these same people from my many years in AA. It is a difficult thing to understand. I had one close friend who did 12 years of a 25 year murder sentence in Texas. He got out on supervised parole with ankle bracelet electronic surveliance and weekly Pee tests. He could not stay clean even with going back to Huntsville for the balance of his sentence a sure result of dirty Pee tests. He is now back there doing the rest of the 25 year sentence. When all he had to do to be free was to be clean. This is totally incomprehensible to people who have never "Been There." No use trying to explain it.