I keep thinking I should take a break from myLot...
By JJ
@JolietJake (50190)
May 10, 2016 5:27am CST
...but I can't seem to stay away.
And I don't know what I'd do if I wasn't here.
This is my 'safe place'...I know I stopped using drugs several years ago, but that has mainly been by the effort of avoiding being around them, and in a town of this size, that pretty much means staying home and not going anywhere.
Even at WalMart, I still seem to manage to run into people from the old 'crowd' all these years later, and they ask why they never see me...well, since I'm not using, and that's pretty much the only reason these people knew me...
So I just stay here, and hide out behind this avatar, where no one can shove a pile of dope at me and say "Here, do this, you'll feel better". 
The truth is, I'll always be an addict, which means I have to maintain certain practices to not get sucked back into that hole.
And myLot is one of them.
So I guess y'all are just stuck with me here. 
*goes off to refill coughee cup*
So I just stay here, and hide out behind this avatar, where no one can shove a pile of dope at me and say "Here, do this, you'll feel better".
The truth is, I'll always be an addict, which means I have to maintain certain practices to not get sucked back into that hole.
And myLot is one of them.
So I guess y'all are just stuck with me here.
*goes off to refill coughee cup*61 people like this
50 responses
@Rollo1 (16677)
• Boston, Massachusetts
10 May 16
You can't effectively deal with a problem until you identify it. You have identified the problem and have your solution. MyLot is your solution, and if that is what works for you and you are happy, then it's great! Who would have thought that we, the lowly myLot members, would be the solution to any problem?
11 people like this
@GardenGerty (163530)
• United States
11 May 16
@marlina I was in a bit of a depression when I joined myLot and the people here made me feel important and needed. The great thing is it is cheaper than therapy and it has fewer negative side effects than prescriptions.
@marlina (154117)
• Canada
10 May 16
Such a good answer. Yes, I guess Mylot is a great help for a lot of people.
JJ, @JoiietJake, congratulations for staying away from that stuff.
2 people like this
@WorDazza (15830)
• Manchester, England
10 May 16
Most people tend to replace one addiction with another. At least your new addiction is safe!! Unless, of course, you upset the wrong person and they hunt you down and murder you in your sleep. But I don't want to worry you!!!!
Well done for staying away from the bad influences. It can't be easy
6 people like this
@WorDazza (15830)
• Manchester, England
10 May 16
@JolietJake If he's anything like my cats when they get comfortable they could drive a tank through the house followed by a marching band playing at full volume and he wouldn't notice.
3 people like this
@JolietJake (50190)
•
10 May 16
They'd have to get through Scar first...unless he was cat-napping, of course
5 people like this
@Drosophila (16571)
• Ireland
10 May 16
@WorDazza that's so true! When I gave up smoking I took up working lol
3 people like this
@JolietJake (50190)
•
10 May 16
Just can't seem to break that vinyl addiction though, got something playing right now
4 people like this
@pgntwo (22408)
• Derry, Northern Ireland
10 May 16
@JolietJake So long as you don't start trying to smoke your vinyl records, orr otherwise trying to force them into your body, you should be safe enough. 
2 people like this
@LovingMyBabies (85296)
• Valdosta, Georgia
10 May 16
I am very happy your sticking around-this place would not be the same without you! 
4 people like this
@LovingMyBabies (85296)
• Valdosta, Georgia
10 May 16
@JolietJake Yup too bad for them!!
1 person likes this
@JolietJake (50190)
•
10 May 16
I'm sure there are a couple that wish I would leave...to them I say 
4 people like this
@JolietJake (50190)
•
10 May 16
I post quite a bit usually...I try to keep my discussions started down to only a couple a day, but sometimes I have a bit to say so there are more, and I cruise through the 'Most recent' discussions constantly looking for something to reply on
2 people like this
@slayer08 (2377)
• Philippines
10 May 16
@JolietJake that's good to know then.. :-)
1 person likes this
@Sweetsona (300)
• India
10 May 16
Yes, you are right. When i was addicted to playing video games, that kept me away from everything. I dint even know when i felt thirsty or hungry. I was into video games the whole day and night. Addictions can be of anything.
3 people like this
@JolietJake (50190)
•
10 May 16
Some addictions can be a bit more deadly though...
4 people like this
@ElusiveButterfly (45942)
• United States
10 May 16
I commend you for keeping up the good fight. I tell people close to me that they need to make new friends. But, like you, we live in a small town. The old friends are everywhere and many of them do try to give others a pick me up to make them feel better. I can only hope and pray that they don't fall back to the old habits and can keep up with the new.
Many understand the struggles an addict goes through. Just walk away they say.....well even so, that old craving can still wiggle back to the surface and become a struggle.
JJ, I am glad that you are here and open with others about your addiction. I am proud of you for staying clean. You do whatever it takes to stay that way.
2 people like this
@ElusiveButterfly (45942)
• United States
10 May 16
@JolietJake you have helped me through some really tough times. Thank you for being here for those in need. You really are a good egg.
1 person likes this
@JolietJake (50190)
•
10 May 16
Yeah, you've known me pretty much my entire time here...it's people like you I really thank 
1 person likes this
@annierose (21570)
• Philippines
11 May 16
If I feel too tired already, I just go on my browser and type mylot url. This seems to be my routine especially nowadays that too many things are needed to be done. I just did very few responses this last few days because I got ill. Stress perhaps is the reason why I did get sick.
1 person likes this
@annierose (21570)
• Philippines
11 May 16
@JolietJake It looks like Mylot never escapes your thought.
1 person likes this
@JolietJake (50190)
•
11 May 16
I come in here as soon as I awaken in the morning, and it is the last place I am before I call it a night.
1 person likes this
@much2say (57566)
• Los Angeles, California
10 May 16
Things wouldn't be the same without you here . . . so you have to stay!
We're all myLot addicts - and you're in good company here.
This place is a good distraction from some of the things that go on in real life . . . yes, a safe place for many of us.
So you're stuck with US too! 
2 people like this
@JolietJake (50190)
•
11 May 16
Damn...guess I'll just have to learn to accept it
1 person likes this
@allknowing (146005)
• India
11 May 16
I too like this place as I find socialising here is better than meeting people in the real world. What I fear however is that I am more and more getting less and less interested in socialising in the real world.
1 person likes this
@allknowing (146005)
• India
11 May 16
@JolietJake I do exchangea few phone calls, emails and I find them on FB. We classmates do meet. I just missed one meet which was specially organised for me as I had invited them last year at my place.
1 person likes this
@JolietJake (50190)
•
11 May 16
@allknowing I passed up my last 'class reunion'...those people haven't bothered keeping up with me over the years anyway, so I didn't need to waste an evening with them.
I have one or two friends from my youth I keep in touch with over the 'net, but other than that...
1 person likes this
@JolietJake (50190)
•
11 May 16
I don't socialize much in the 'real' world these days except work, and then I occasionally might talk to my family a bit...other than that, normally I'll be here.
1 person likes this
@thesids (22180)
• Bhubaneswar, India
11 May 16
I dont know much about who feels and agrees, but for sure, MyLot would be a different place without you around... and if I could have it my way, I would never ever wish you find another dwelling. Stay around, I love this place and find it safer when you are around...
Luv yah big bro
2 people like this
@JolietJake (50190)
•
11 May 16
You're one of those I have known for years now, and I am glad we met
1 person likes this
@Juliaacv (53385)
• Canada
10 May 16
@JolietJake I was in high school when Rush went mainstream. Funny how it seems like yesterday, but no, it was decades ago. My favorite Canadian rocker has to be Bryan Adams. We saw him last winter in concert, it was his 30 year reunion tour.
That was nice that you scooped up those albums, kind gesture of somebody. Its a good day to hunker down and listen to some good tunes today since going outside isn't something anyone but a duck would want to do with the rain.
1 person likes this
@JolietJake (50190)
•
10 May 16
I got my secondary addiction fix Sunday when someone gave me about 100 record albums for free...my turntable is getting some heavy use...these guys are from your neck of the woods, the first live album from Rush
1 person likes this
@JolietJake (50190)
•
10 May 16
@Juliaacv This live album really shows how talented they are, since there are no extra parts overdubbed on it, just three guys playing their hearts out
1 person likes this
@sabashekh (1218)
• Bhopal, India
11 May 16
Sometimes even I think to take a break ... But hardly possible ... I am addicted to mylot *_*
1 person likes this
@JolietJake (50190)
•
11 May 16
I haven't really 'taken a break' in almost 10 years now...the two years it wasn't paying and almost everyone disappeared were two of the hardest years I have had since I joined
1 person likes this
@sabashekh (1218)
• Bhopal, India
11 May 16
@JolietJake great :) 10 years huge time :)
1 person likes this
@celticeagle (174667)
• Boise, Idaho
10 May 16
I think this is one reason addicts make so many tries and failures. They meet up with an old pal and get right back into it again. It's just too easy. Just stuck with ya huh? We've put up with you this long. I think we can a bit longer.
I'm proud of you for sticking with it and wanting a better life for yourself.
1 person likes this
@JolietJake (50190)
•
11 May 16
I'm always seeing things in the police reports and obituaries here that make me think 'I am so lucky that isn't me'...and it is no exaggeration to say that it probably would have been by now if I hadn't got away.
1 person likes this
@celticeagle (174667)
• Boise, Idaho
11 May 16
@JolietJake ....You were so smart to live that life behind. I went around with a friend when I was a teen and did the LSD thing. Am so glad I didn't go further. I was on the drinking thing for while too. But I never got addicted to any of it for whatever reason. I am sure thankful.
1 person likes this
@Orson_Kart (7360)
• United Kingdom
10 May 16
I am sure there are many that take great comfort from you always being here. You're like part of myLot's fixtures and fittings.
I am not here every day, but try to add my bit where I can, when I can.
1 person likes this
@jaboUK (64350)
• United Kingdom
11 May 16
@JolietJake I remember reading your fascinating story soon after I joined this site - it was quite an eye-opener for me.
1 person likes this
@JolietJake (50190)
•
11 May 16
It's not been easy...people I ran with all my life are people I had to break ties with, even people that were my best friends...but it was either that or just give up on living.
1 person likes this
@1creekgirl (43570)
• United States
11 May 16
Good for you J.J. It's a struggle worth the fight. A lot of mylotters would miss you...you keep this place interesting!
1 person likes this
@1creekgirl (43570)
• United States
11 May 16
@JolietJake It's hard to be friends when you don't have anything in common any longer. I'm thankful you escaped.
1 person likes this
@DianneN (247166)
• United States
17 May 16
@JolietJake It is harder to quit than to give up heroin use, so I've heard. Also, YOU have to want to quit.
1 person likes this
@JolietJake (50190)
•
11 May 16
Smoking is that demon I still haven't been able to put away. I keep trying, but it just won't go away....
1 person likes this
@Shiva49 (27218)
• Singapore
11 May 16
@JolietJake I am on online sites for six years now. Some closed down and one stopped paying.
That site is like a ghost town now as what made me to log in and post was the many comments I got and of course the little payments. Now it is almost deserted.
I like Mylot and I know it would have been just different when it stopped payment - siva
1 person likes this
@JolietJake (50190)
•
11 May 16
I spent the best part of two years while myLot was pretty much a 'ghost town' looking for another place like it...I was glad to see its revival
1 person likes this
