Tracy, what I said isn't just about drug withdrawal. It's about a person's way of coping with things in life. I was called a "drama queen" when I joined the withdrawal and recovery list. I had to accept that I was rather reactive, and tended to get into panics. And I'm not saying I don't understand why people do this. It is natural, and even programmed into our natures to an extent. But ask yourself: how does it actually help? It's got nothing to do with sharing with people; you can do that in a panic, or calmly, either way you can still get their support. But I have to say, having worked on this myself for a year and a half, I don't miss the drama and I find things tend to work out better without it, and I feel better too. I hope this is understandable; it's hard to explain. The Buddhist practice of mindfulness plays a big part in it. That means accepting what is happening to you in this moment, without judgement or reaction, just experiencing it and letting it ebb and flow through you.

This is just so hard to explain. The main way I've been learning it is through watching how other people deal with their own problems. If they are generally positive and hopeful in spite of them, then I figure I have something to learn from them.