Who here has been affected by addiction either personally, with a family member, or both? What has been your experience?

Question

I have been clean for 11 years now I smoke weed and occasionally drink. It was a hard rough ugly battle to get sober. The day after tomorrow It will be 12 years I've been clean. My bottom was waking up to my sister in my parents bedroom freaked out because of the way I was acting. That was the day I knew I needed to change or I would eventually drive my family away. I use n\a meetings to help keep me sober but what really helps me is seeing what I looked like when I was fucked up all the time. Not a pretty sight. My question is kind of a 3 part question. What is your experience with addiction? If you decided to get sober, what was it that pushed you to make that decision? What keeps you sober?

FunkyMonkee · Accepted Answer

My addictions are records, music and root beer. And Vinnie pies! And women.
I HAVE had friends with addictions and some actually died from them. Our producer drank himself to death as did a close family friend. My guitarist ended up with an addiction that not only killed him but, it actually turned him green!!
Dad used to smoke but we got him to quit. But, we couldn't get him off the beer! Lucky, he wasn't a hard boozer. He'd have a beer with lunch and probably wouldn't touch it again `til after dinner when he'd have 3 to 5 beers before he'd had enough and would go off to bed. He knew when he was drunk and would even refuse to drive while drunk!
When we had the pool open, he might have a couple more beers during the day, especially when my aunt & uncle showed up! They couldn't even go the 8 miles to our place without having a beer in their hand while driving!! And she was a cop!! But, once my brother started juicing, he'd get up in the morning and head straight for the beer tap and wouldn't stop drinking `til he passed out well after midnight, usually with a full stein in his hand which he'd spill all over himself, the chair he was sitting in or the carpet!! And, what a raging fucking ASSHOLE he'd become during his last decade!!
When it was just dad drinking, it would take him more than a week to blow through a quarter barrel. Once my brother joined in, they were buying half barrels and could clean one of those out in just about 5 days!! Of course, I doubt dad was responsible for more than 1/3 of that, if that much! Once dad died, mom sold the beer tap! None of the rest of us drank!!

ANDYB88 · Accepted Answer

I’m an alcoholic in recovery - my last drink was in 2014. I have an unrecognisable life now compared to the hell of before… Im aware of how lucky I am to have found recovery. I have seen many many people, some very young, die because of their addiction. I will celebrate my 8th year of sobriety in September one day at a time until then.
I lost a decade of my life to alcoholism - I now own a business, own my own home, am healthy and stable…. But I never ever forget those days or how low I went

WhatTheHeckkkk · Accepted Answer

Yep, all of above.

Both my biological parents have been affected by addiction. My biological grandmother as well, which affected my mother. Both my mother and father were addicted to methamphetamine, which ultimately caused them to pass away. They both suffered from health complications because of methamphetamine, and continued to take it. My father passed away from a drug induced heart attack. My mothers death certificate mentioned passing away from multiple health complications along with an overdose.

Since both my parents struggled with addiction and my biological grandmother, I was 100% genetically predisposed to addiction. I got adopted and was raised by a great family who stayed away from drugs and alcohol, however, I went to public schools and eventually found myself in the wrong crowd, and became addicted to marijuana. The gateway drug, which many people don’t believe to be addictive, but it is to some people. I dealt with it, and so have many others. I’ve been sober for maybe 3 years? I stopped counting, it’s better to not think about it as it increases the urge.

My best friend since second grade also became addicted. I won’t go into deep details, but she had no genetic predisposition to addiction, however, she became extremely addicted to marijuana. Im and out of multiple, high end, top of the notch rehabs, and she still continued to do it. That is addiction. I believe she has gotten sober now, but it went on for years, and it was a struggle.

Anonymous · Accepted Answer

I have an Uncle that use to be a drug addict. He was always borrowing money from people that he knew he couldn't pay off, he started making lots of bad financial decisions, and doing whatever he could to get more drugs. He stole from, lied to and cheated the people he loved to get money to fund his addiction. He decided to get sober after he hit rock bottom. His wife had left him, he lost all rights to see his daughter, he lost his job, he lost all his possessions and he was homeless. He realized that he had lost absolutely everything except his life, but event that he wouldn't have that much longer being a homeless drug addict. So he moved back in with his mom, went to rehab, and slowly started putting his life back together. As of now he has gained the rights to see his daughter again, he has a steady relationship, a good job, a place to live, and most importantly a supporting family. He said what keeps him sober is the memories of him losing everything, and the person he was when was on drugs. He wasn't a person he would ever want his family or himself to be around. Also the debt that's burning a hole in his pocket. He's still paying people off that he borrowed money from when he was an addict.

I didn't know him when he was an addict, but It's so hard to believe that the person he is now could ever be someone like he used to be. He did a complete 180 with his life, and he's never been happier.

ArrowheadSW · Answer

Not in my own family. But a family in my old neighborhood that I grew up with has issues. The youngest son (now a middle aged adult) was into addiction off and on over many years. He would get off of the drugs but then after so long, he would relapse unfortunately. Normally he would steal stuff around the house to sell for drug money. Several years ago they had to kick him out of the house because they couldn't deal with it any longer. When I was down visiting my old neighborhood a few years back, I saw him walking along a major street with a plastic bag of cans over his shoulder. It was incredibly sad.

Bluemax · Answer

I've never battled it. I rarely drink and I don't do drugs.

That being said, my father was an alcoholic and my brother flirted with alcoholism. My father sobered up by quitting cold turkey. He was hospitalized and diagnosed with cirrhosis. He didn't touch a drop after that until his death 12 years later. I was very happy to see him recover.

My brother flirted with alcoholism. Heavy drinker. His wife said she would leave him. I told him if he chose to go down that road I would not be there to help him. Once is enough in one lifetime.

Andres77 · Answer

Three uncles, an aunt, two brothers, dad, step dad... all battling with addiction.
Killed some, messed up others lives.
I vowed to myself at 12 I would never let a substance control me.
But I had other issues, abuse and self-esteem issues.
Sex became my master.
I was sorta committing suicide via sex.
No protection. Being with some of the dirtiest women I could find, demeaning self-destructive behavior.
Only my dedicated (third) wife decided to get me the help I needed.
If you're not surrounded by those that love you... it's hard to break the cycle/habit.

Anonymous · Answer

My ex started dating this deadbeat after me. I tried to warn her about him. I felt guilty because even though I knew she needed me, I just wasn't going to get back together with her. She always liked drugs but after meeting this dude it became a problem.

Her friends called me one night and I told her if she got in her car and didn't let one of us get her home I was never going to talk to her again. She couldn't stand up straight. She started saying all this crazy shit to me while she was drunk. She drove off and I stopped talking to her.

Then I got a call from a rehab and she had this half hearted bullshit apology. Literally never felt so conflicted in my life. I know other people have been through worse, but I really thought nothing like that would ever happen to me. I hate admitting it, but it was a guinely humbling experience. If you get what I mean.

Changiis07 · Answer

So my dad was an alcoholic and growing up my whole life we were scared of him. We didn’t know how he would be or how drunk. He would pick fights and throw things. Mom, sis and I were always scared of him. He barely stopped but not too much. He still has a beer or 2. I hate being around him when he is drunk. I also got into partying and drinking but I wasn’t toxic or anything. Mom would get mad when I would come home late but I got saved and what keeps me from drinking and partying is our Lord. He saved me. I started reading the Bible and it’s been a blessing ever since

dovendyret · Answer

I've struggled with a drug addiction and alcoholism from the age of 14-21ish. I drink on occasion now, never more than one or two glass of wine and sometimes smoke a joint. That was how I coped with my issues and oh boy was sobering up hell.

My father and mother are former alcoholics, my step father died from alcoholism. On my mothers side: my uncle has been in and out of jail all his life due to drugs, almost lost his life more than once. My two aunts are prostitutes - or former, heavily into drugs - alcohol.
On my fathers side: I've an alcoholic aunt and uncle and a cousin who's dying from drug use.

My uncle almost dying & waking up with a man on top of me - yet again, while thinking I didn't deserve more than being raped was the starting point of me becoming sober.

FriendlyDrugDealer · Answer

I had a tough moment at one point in my life when my heart was crushed by someone I was engaged to. I turned to anything that didn’t make me sober, weed, liquor, X, casual encounters, etc. I was deeply afraid to look in the mirror and face my emotions, my thoughts, etc.

It was effecting different aspects of my life but through combination of therapy and support from my loved ones, I faced my emotions and cried the hardest I ever could in my life on that couch with my therapist. Ever since then, I’ve continued to be self reflective and acknowledge my heart. I don’t engage in anything except a casual drink socially for the most part

jamesgoldman · Answer

My worst vice was probably caffeine (I drink, gamble, smoke cigars and partake in weed but none have ever been addictive issues)

My first bad spell I was about 11 drinking canned iced coffee, had it cut out of my life and carried on
I got deep into energy drinks when I was balencing my business, my job and school (later college and once the job ended the other two)... I would drink a litre in a regular day
My worst day was a restaurant shift where I drank a double espresso and the equivalent to 18 standard Red Bulls and ended up at the bar being pulled off the ceiling with ice cold neat vodka
Nowadays it's the daily few cups of coffee, occasional can of energy drink (branded not cheap swill anymore) and the rare espresso

N. b. Could be nail varnish huffing but it was short term and had less detrimental effects on me in that timeframe

DryGermanGuy · Answer

A longtime friend of mine is heavy into alcohol (15+ years). Maybe not yet to the point of no return but since he is still in denial, there is enough potential to escalate further. I have only minimal contact at the moment since I can't stand the sight of sloppy drunks and I seem to be the only one to bring it up (therefore getting attacked).
Stay away from alcohol, people!

UniquelyBasic · Answer

Yeah, my whole family has issues with addiction or some had. My parents are doing better and my brother is working on it right now and he's doing a great job so far. Im just fortunate I haven't had any issues with addiction at all. Congratulations on being 12 years clean. Keep it up.

Anonymous · Answer

Struggled with porn all my youth. Started with 15/16 until about 22, I watched about 10 to 15 a week if I was alone also 20h. I was an outsider at school with not many friends and felt like I never get a girlfriend anyway why I shouldn´t I watch porn then.
It´s not the most common talk about that but I´ve overdone it with porn in the past that´s why I probably stay single.
I born with a dysfunction that keeps me from orgasm I can only edge myself. So I wanted to know what I miss and thought porn is a good start.
Had been clean for many years until some months ago in a lockdown I had a fall back. I didn´t watch much porn since then but far too regular.

Redstang88 · Answer

Family, friends and myself.
Quite a few classmates from highschool are gone because it. Family isn’t super close but know of a few relatives that have had drug and drinking problems. Ex girlfriend had/has a pretty severe drinking problem and has been to rehab a couple times. I’ve had my periods of struggling with that and just recently coming out of one.

Contra1166 · Answer

Congratulations on 12 years of sobriety that's an amazing accomplishment! I am prone to addiction smoked weed almost every day for 3 years until about 2 months ago. now I only smoke once every few weeks (only 4 times since 2/17) I occasionally go on drinking benders. It's a constant struggle to stop the war in my mind

dolemite89 · Answer

my addiction was absolutely out of control from when i was about 16-20 to the point i would have ended up dead or in prison if i didn’t make a complete change and i just hated who i was when i was using so i got clean from the hard stuff and only smoke weed and occasionally drink now. I was a confused kid in bad circumstances and even thinking about going back to that just makes me cringe now.

silkjames · Answer

A long time I woke up in the morning and she was gone she relapsed that night I would of stop her from useing like I always did but I was sleeping she overdosed the paramedics said she had a seizure or stroke I remember grabbing the paramedics yelling saying save her wake her up please I begged and begged them then reality hit me harder like I fucking failed her because I was sleeping it took me along time to finally acknowledge it was not my felt well that's my addiction story of a loved one :(

kellytheman · Answer

Both my parents have suffered through addiction with my dad with his acholism and my mom with smoking. They also did some hard drugs. My mom has done AA and my dad stopped drinking for a year before but sometimes life kinda pulls your addiction back in.

clampfan101 · Answer

I personally battle with addiction, but not smoking or drinking. I feel like a horrible person every time I give in. If I’m having/have had a bad day, the main thing keeping me away is if I’m too tired.

Tedster420 · Answer

I do overdose response. I'm affected by it on the daily.  We lose 10-30 people in our small town every year to fentanyl poisoning.

Kaamraj · Answer

I personally battle with Porn addiction, I am trying to fight it, but most of the times I fail.

OneNineZero · Answer

I am addicted to loneliness Does that make sense

Who here has been affected by addiction either personally, with a family member, or both? What has been your experience?

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