Hey! Get in here and pat me on the back.

I’m annoyingly proud about something today. Let me give you a little background.

The past two weeks have been very difficult for me. We are putting a new show up at work, and as any theatrically inclined Dopers know, that means a lot of work. Over the past two weeks, I have worked over 180 hours, with 96 of them in the past week. That’s not unheard of in theatre, but it’s still a lot. I haven’t had a couple of weeks like that in about 8 months. Here’s the good part: I haven’t had any cocaine in 8 months, either. I was able to get through other shows we’ve done pretty well, but they were much less time consuming. This past show was pretty rough. I actually dialed “the number” a few times only to hang up when it started ringing. It would have been so much easier just to have a bump or two every day to keep me going, but I didn’t do it. I’m not really sure why, I guess it was just time to stop relying on coke to keep my awake. So now, aside from an occasional beer, just a couple cups of coffee, and a few packs of smokes, here I am, free of illegal drugs, after the most challenging couple of weeks in my professional career.

I feel kind of weird posting this here, but no one in my personal life really knows about my past drug use, so I can’t really brag to them. I think a big part of why I stopped was because I was tired of hiding it, and too ashamed to admit it. Sorry if this is too personal for the boards, but it’s stuff that I had to share with someone. Thanks for listening, and yay for me.

Yay for you! And congrats! You won a personal battle - that’s great.

And wow - 180 hours in 2 weeks?? Makes me tired just reading it!

<pat pat> Woo-hoo, ** lightingtool**! That’s fabulous! Please know we’re all behind you here in your efforts. It’s not too personal here at the Straight Dope, if you wish to share it. You’ll have cheerleaders in your corner. (But NO WAY am I wearing the short skirt. I do have my standards.) :wink:

Way to go, you!

Having worked many productions myself, I can thoroughly appreciate the amount of work that goes into them, believe me. Your accomplishment is fantastic, and congrats on both achievements!

Congratulations! Please keep up the great work!

Since Ellen won’t wear the short skirt, I guess I’ll have to. But it won’t be pretty. :smiley:

Good on ya,Lightningtool !!
And keep fighting the good fight.

Dude, you have wrestled a mighty foe to the ground!

And I couldn’t be more proud of you. You have every right to brag. And brag loud. And often. And in pear shaped tones!

Now, whatever you do, don’t let the bugger up again!

Congratulations on a job very well done!

YAY!!

Good for you. And good for your health and sanity, although sanity in the theater might be an endangered species, and possibly counterproductive.

Proud to be a Doper with you! Keep that monkey (monkey, hell, that one’s a gorilla) off your back!!

Very good. I know how it feels to be free of slavery to doing something. Now YOU are in control, and exercising choice.

Very good. I know how it feels to be free of slavery to doing something. Now YOU are in control, and exercising choice.

props to lightingtool. Having worked construction for 8 years, I know what long hours are like. However, to work those hours while vanquishing a personal demon is a feat worth boasting.

Never apologize about a personal accomplishment. We all rage against our own demons and a victory for one is a victory for all.

Just a quick, “GO YOU!!!”, lightingtool

Well, once again I am astounded by the kindness and supportive attitude of Dopers. Thanks for your support, and for replying with such warmth to a self-congratulatory OP. You guys rock. Now let’s see if I can get my inflated ego out of the office.

Thanks again

-tool

Way to go, 'tool!!

And hell, I’ll wear the short skirt - I’ll wear the whole damn uniform!! As long as you don’t care that it’s kelly green and white … but even though the colors suck, I do have those cute little “panties” that go under the skirt.

Also, I still have my saddle shoes