Have you ever been addicted and how did you start recovery?

Question

Have you ever struggled with addiction to an illicit substance such as drugs or alcohol? Do you still class yourself as an addict? Are you now sober or in recovery? What worked for you and what didn't?

What advice might you have for those beginning their recovery journey?

Have you ever been addicted and how did you start recovery?

Telekinetic-Potato · Accepted Answer

I dunno, I went through a spell with oxy's because I was prescribed them after I dislocated my leg from my hip, my dad wouldn't let me take them... So I just got them through a guy lol. But when I looked at the pills I couldn't remember what my prescription was for.

I figured whatever, I'll just take half a pill. I only need it to fall asleep anyway.

But the linger you take them, the more sensetive to pain you become.

So about 2 months later, I'm walking to my car with a cane and I'm thinking to myself

"you know, I can't remember the last time I couldn't sleep because of my leg... But I'm still popping these pills😬"

And that was the moment I fully consciously realized that the desire to take it when I was in pain slowly got replaced by the pangs of withdrawal.

So I had let's say 15 left, I decided by the end of the week I was going to stop cold turkey. So I took like 3 the first day because honestly that shit is so dangerous I'll never take it again (it wasn't anything special) then I kinda just stopped, took a half on the last day and then it took 3 years to stop having cravings for it.

Gave the rest to a friend who got in a car accident.

Whatever you do don't mess with that shit. I'm a professional at not getting addicted to things... Except my own cooking.

sawno · Accepted Answer

Very mildly so I know partially what its like.
I have really good self control though.

Back as a kid I loved chocolate and ate it a lot, then we incorrectly thought I was allergic to it. I'd eat it on occation but I couldn't have much off it. If I ate certain kinds of chocolates i'd get chocolate cravings. Cote Dor was especially bad for that.

But it wasn't a large urge, just an urge to eat it especially when seeing a vending machine or something. So I know what substance addiction is like in its mildest form and in its mildest form its very beatable.

Mentally I have been addicted to AI back in 2019 for about a week. I caught it since I always evaluate my own behavior so I noticed I was getting addicted to it and cut it off for a few days. Then I did it again and have been able to do it without getting addicted since, it was the initial excitement that made it extra addictive and once that was over it was still fun but not addictive anymore. So I had to wait for that to wear off and then that was enough.

beenherebefore · Accepted Answer

No, for some reason I never get addicted to anything. I tried smoking and didn't like it, tried alcohol and didn't like it, not interested in trying drugs. Maybe I'm too health conscious.

Nikki1989 · Accepted Answer

I did many drugs back in the day, but I was never addicted to anything. However, because I tend to drink too much, I am always having to dial that back just to keep myself in control

IndianPhotoAcademy · Answer

Recovery began when I finally admitted I needed help and stopped pretending I could do it all myself. I began with baby steps -- avoiding triggers, being honest with supportive people, and focusing on healthier routines. It didn’t happen overnight, but consistency, self-awareness and patience slowly helped me take control of my life again.

AyChingao · Answer

I currently recover from 2 addictions (one should never assume total victory) I walked away from tobacco about 3 years ago now, had one relapse of a couple weeks but other than that all clear. Alcohol I'm claiming control. Went 14 years completely dry and have now begun tasting nice whiskeys one wee dram at a time, no drinking to get drunk. I was a beer drinker during my addiction and might drink a 12 pack in a day. Destructive. Glad to have that stopped.
In both instances cold turkey was the answer for me. Just stop. Walk away. You have to really want to do these things for yourself and your health, if you're not committed it's gonna be a hard time.

Grgroup · Answer

I went through a period of addiction, and the real start of a recovery was when I was honest and said I needed help. I began by cutting out unhealthy triggers, talking to people who were supportive, and focusing on small improvements each day, rather than looking for instant change. It was not easy, but by being consistent and forgiving myself, I was able to slowly rebuild my life.

Cidknee · Answer

Yes, for 11 years I had Rx hydrocodone and Soma. Addiction took over after 3 years and I began buying them on the side to go along with my prescribed 4 each a day. I was taking 10 hydros and 8 soma a day.
In January of 2013 I ended up with a real good pain management doctor, Dr. Sutherland originally from Chicago and he didn't just boot me when I failed the drug test a few months in. He got me down to 2 a day by early 2015. He was transferred in 2018 and I was now under a control freak of a doctor. He required all his customers to quit any and all tobacco products to get your script. I don't smoke but i did not like him and the way he treated the others. I just quit taking all in July of 2019.

Finchie40 · Answer

The only drug I got addicted to was nicotine, even after I quit cold Turkey , and stopped smoking for a few years , I still had the cravings from time to time and it eventually sucked me back in , so I now smoke and figured what’s even the point of quitting , we are all going to die of something

exitseven · Answer

Hi @lauren-green It is good to hear from you again. I never used drugs and was never addicted to anything but wish you luck for the future.

whosnumber_1 · Answer

Yes. Addiction comes in all shapes and sizes. You can be addicted to almost anything. It is defined as an uncontrollable urge or compulsive behavior that you can't stop that has a negative impact on your life.

Most addictive behaviors can not be stopped without help.

I had to hit rock and roll bottom.

Id be happy to talk to you in private about everything

Hunter-40m · Answer

Being determined and having faith in yourself to succeed is the key I think. I haven't been addicted so far but I drink alcohol almost regularly sometimes I have financial difficulties to meet my need to reach alcohol thats when. I say to myself you shouldn't buy alcohol you should wait till your circumstances get better and I dont

Staximus · Answer

I've been drinking and smoking weed since I was 16 and it never really became a problem. I've had a few friends die from drinking, pills, and heroin. Everybody I know who successfully quit doing hard drugs or drinking hard went cold turkey, no rehab. They just got sick of it and wanted a better life one day, and said "fuck this shit!"

NathanDavis · Answer

not addicted no... but I've had a bad diet before, it is it the same... so it just took will and some discipline this after a couple of visits to the hospital, lol...

midnightmoon05 · Answer

Nope… I don’t have an addictive personality.  in terms of how? Maybe born as an individual with strong personality.

DryGermanGuy · Answer

Only if German sweets/chocolate count. :-) For them I cut out sugar and sugarwater.

ChicoFromThe305 · Answer

Nicotine, I tried to quit many times, one time I did a prayer and managed to never fold on returning to drugs

Wodens_Apprentice · Answer

Where the answer for no, but I'm actively trying to become an alcoholic from now on?

TonyMetal___86 · Answer

I never had an addiction in my life, except for love and sadly i don't have a love life!

rapfan107 · Answer

I was drinking more than I should have !! For stress reasons but it became a habit and it took a while for me to stop it

Agape93 · Answer

Alcoholic, and i cut down the amount

Bklynbadboy12 · Answer

I'm only addicted to one thing and I still haven't recovered!!!

queenofcardio · Answer

Never been an addict

jamesgoldman · Answer

Nothing illicit, just caffeine and nail varnish

BCRanger10 · Answer

No, I have thankfully never been an addict.

bananathunder · Answer

I drink but am in denial lol

Xawyx-2 · Answer

Nope, never have.

dudeinohio · Answer

Alcoholic. Went to a 12 week IOP. Sober 17 years.

Have you ever been addicted and how did you start recovery?

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