Q&A With Josif Wright

Elin Strong has shared her journey to sobriety publicly on social media, being incredibly transparent with her followers. We sat down with Elin to better understand her journey and how she uses social media to support her path to sobriety.

Her followers had a few questions for her, so we connected with Elin to have a conversation about sobriety, social media, and what 1,000 days means to her.

Q: How long does ketamine last stay in your system?

The duration of ketamine’s effects can vary based on factors such as the method of administration, individual tolerance, and dosage. Typically, when ketamine is taken intranasally or through injection, its effects last for about 1 to 2 hours. It’s important to highlight that ketamine is primarily used as an anesthetic in medical settings, and its effects might last longer when administered for medical purposes, depending on the specific procedure and dosage. However, recreational use of ketamine is illegal and dangerous. It can lead to severe physical and psychological side effects, and its effects on the body can be unpredictable, depending on various factors. If you have any concerns about ketamine use or its effects on your health, it is crucial to seek advice from a healthcare professional. Always use medications and substances responsibly and only under the guidance of a qualified medical expert.

Q: How long does Dilaudid stay in your system?

The length of time Dilaudid (hydromorphone) stays in your system depends on various factors. On average:

• Urine test: Dilaudid can usually be detected in urine for about 1 to 3 days after the last dose.
• Blood test: It is generally detectable in the blood for about 24 hours after the last use.
• Saliva test: Dilaudid can be found in saliva for approximately 1 to 2 days after the last use.
• Hair test: It may be detected in hair follicles for up to 90 days or even longer.

Keep in mind that individual factors such as metabolism, frequency of use, and dosage can influence the detection window. For accurate and personalized information, it’s crucial to consult a healthcare professional. Moreover, always follow your doctor’s prescribed dosage and usage instructions when taking any medication.

Q: Could you tell us a little bit about yourself?

Hi! My name is Elin (E-lynne), and I’m based in Long Beach, California. I work in marketing, but I took a break from agency life this past year to get married, travel 5,000 miles across the PNW and Canada in a converted van, and regroup for what’s next. Needless to say, my first year of sobriety was quite an adventure! My favorite hobbies include writing, re-decorating, reading, and all those nerdy activities that homebodies like myself just love. When I’m not being such an introvert, I’m obsessed with live shows (comedy and concerts), hiking, coffee shop hopping, and traveling with my BFF/husband.

Q: What was your journey to sobriety like? When did you, as you say, “transcend into a new chapter?”

My journey to sobriety, like many, has not been a linear path. If cats have nine lives, I think it’s reasonable to tell you that, well…I have three: before, during, and after my dark love affair with alcohol. While I’m just over a year sober today, my sobriety story began years ago in 2012. Despite an incredibly positive and stable upbringing with endless opportunities, my goals and interests changed dramatically when I moved 400 miles away for college in 2006 and joined a sorority aka inherited an inner circle who loved to party. While things started off on the right foot, everything spiraled out of control when I developed an eating disorder within the first six months.

As a result, my mood was unstable most of the time and alcohol (the hard stuff) allowed me to let loose and cope because I didn’t know another way. This freshman-year fiasco led to six years of secret drinking, dysfunctional relationships, location changes, job instability, and debilitating depression until I woke up with nothing left except for a desire to change. I’ll never forget crying to my mom for help, dashing to our family therapist, and then attending an AA meeting with mascara running down my face — all in one day. Something clicked in those rooms and enabled me to stay happily alcohol-free for almost four years. My life was so good and secure, I even shared my story with the internet. Unfortunately, I wrongly perceived my amazing life (gift of sobriety) and thought that I was “cured” from alcoholism as a result.

The day I decided to try to drink again did not feel like a relapse at the time because I truly felt like I had been absolved of addiction. Our minds are funny like that. Not surprisingly, my experiment to blend back into society as a normal drinker was incredibly difficult and ultimately impossible. The destruction was slow, not immediate, as I continued to try and fit wine into my weekly/sometimes daily routine. Long story short, the agitated whisper in my mind turned into a blood-curdling scream: STOP DRINKING OR LOSE YOUR ONE PRECIOUS LIFE. I had too much to lose, living off of leftover gifts from my sober past, and decided to listen.

Today, I am 13 months free of alcohol and feel incredibly fortunate to have another chance to explore the sober life. I am more aware than ever how cunning, baffling, and powerfully destructive alcohol can be and am more cautious/deliberate with my recovery program as a result. Failure is disappointing, but it teaches us so much. The most important lesson I learned thus far has been this: I am so much stronger and capable than I ever imagined, but I cannot do this alone.

Difference between amphetamine and methamphetamine

Amphetamine and methamphetamine are both stimulant drugs with similarities, but they have distinct differences. Chemically, methamphetamine has an additional methyl group, making it more potent than amphetamine. Medically, amphetamine is used to treat conditions like ADHD and narcolepsy, while methamphetamine has limited medical use and is mainly associated with illicit drug abuse. Methamphetamine’s effects are typically stronger and longer-lasting, and it is more neurotoxic compared to amphetamine. Both drugs have the potential for abuse and addiction, highlighting the importance of using any medication responsibly and under medical supervision.

Q: We love the stories you share on social media. Not only is it brave, but it’s also inspiring to others! What made you decide to start posting about your journey on Instagram?

Thank you so much! When I got sober for the first time at 24, I became super proud super quick about my newfound life in sobriety. As a result, sharing my 90 day AA chip on Instagram was something I was eager to share with my personal community of friends and family on social media. Once I realized how supportive everyone was and how accountable my vulnerability made me, I was an open book from there. But yikes, I was so embarrassed when I started drinking again a few years later. Because I had been so raw and honest about my sobriety in the past, I was so terrified about what people would think once they saw me posting selfies alongside pitchers of margaritas and bottles of wine. Eventually, I stopped caring. About everything. If you look at my personal feed circa 2016-2018, you will know exactly what I mean. Despite all of the above, I chose to be transparent once again when I got sober last year on October 23, 2018. I waited 90 days even though I was ready to share at 60. Relapse and experimentation is nothing to be ashamed about, and it’s definitely not unique. I want other people to know that it’s okay if your path doesn’t look perfect. We all have our own way, but we need each other.

Q: Could you share some info about 1,000 Hours Dry, and what do you do there as a co-host?

One of the benefits of starting my sobriety-specific social account has been connecting with so many like-minded people. Without the connections I’ve made, I would not have had the opportunity to be a co-host or connect with Caring Hands! Back to your original question, 1,000 Hours Dry (or 1HD) is a social movement dedicated to educating people on the benefits of living alcohol-free. As a co-host, I manage the @1000HoursDry Instagram account every Monday and share a unique message or two with our community in the hopes of providing strength and guidance that so many of us need as we embrace life beyond the bottle. My fellow co-hosts and I use facts and personal transformation stories to help change people’s perception of the non-drinking culture. Our ultimate goal is to help as many people as a possible transition into a maintainable, alcohol-free lifestyle. It has been an honor to join Kayla’s growing campaign and connect with so many incredible sober humans along the way.

Q: What is the 42 Day AF Challenge? How can people get started?

The 42 Day AF Challenge is simple: 42 days. 1,000 hours. No alcohol. To assist participants through the journey, we provide an accountability tracker for guidance and support. The program formerly ran on a round-by-round basis 4x a year, but now you can get started anytime! When you’re ready, you’re ready, and we’ll be there every step of the way.

Q: How long does Subutex stay in your system?

The elimination of Subutex (buprenorphine) from the body depends on various factors such as metabolism, frequency of use, and dosage.