Addictions

[Zetawill]

What have you been addicted to?
When did you get off/when are you planning to stop?
What did you find was the best help?

Not sure if this forum is really anonymous, but would love to hear some success stories. I hear success come out of the bodybuilding world more than other communities and I think it is due to the ability to overcome adversities and strongholds....so what's your story.

I was addicted to pain killers/alcohol (everyone imaginable except nubain...don't like needles that much) after surgery.

Had to go and lock myself up at my farm. Came out in 7 days feeling extremely clear headed for the first time. Made a pretty serious connection with God during this time. Haven't really had a problem since, but also haven't had any surgery or injuries

[SonOfPluto]

The list is long here: Besides caffeine, I have been addicted to Codeine, Nubain, Tramadol, Vicodin, and to a lesser extent, Zanax. The Zanax I was addicted to for sleep, and didn't really feel active withdrawal symptoms during the day. I was also very physically addicted to the anti-depressant Effexor, which was hell to come off of...a lot of vomiting.

[Zetawill]

oops....I guess I have to be honest and say I'm still addicted to caffeine. Luckily after about 1.5grams my body responds negatively.
Yep, I loved codeine and vicodin. Would still love it if I ever touched it again.
I'll be sure and stay away from Effexor, but staying in the gym tends to keep me off anti-depressants.

HOW did you beat Nubain? This one is the most interesting of pain killers, because it is never talked about, thankfully this board has opened it up for discussion!

[SonOfPluto]

oops....I guess I have to be honest and say I'm still addicted to caffeine. Luckily after about 1.5grams my body responds negatively.
Yep, I loved codeine and vicodin. Would still love it if I ever touched it again.
I'll be sure and stay away from Effexor, but staying in the gym tends to keep me off anti-depressants.

HOW did you beat Nubain? This one is the most interesting of pain killers, because it is never talked about, thankfully this board has opened it up for discussion!

I beat it by taking tramadol. However, it wasn't much of a victory as I subsequently became addicted to that for several years. Now please understand that most people using tramadol to kick bain WON'T get hooked on it, as long as they are keeping their dosages down to a modest amount. I'm on the very extreme end of the podium in terms of having an addictive nature. Kicking a bad tramadol habit is many times more difficult then kicking the bain. The reason being is that tramadol works both as an anti-depressant and as an opiate in terms of its physiological effects on the brain. Like effexor, tramadol inhibits the reuptake of serotonin and norepinephrine, but in addtion (and this is what makes it a bitch to kick) it also stimulates the MU opioid receptors. So when you try to kick it, you're kicking two drug habits at once. Not pleasant at all. I had nights when I was literally shaking like a leaf the whole night, sweating like there's no tommorow, sometimes having to change my shirts/and/or sheets several times. But let me say it again: most won't get hooked on it.

[Sistersteel]

My DOC was speedballing. Needles was the only was to go for me. My habit took me down a very ugly road until I had a life altering experience and was saved.

Remember that as addicts we never really "recover" from our addictions. It is who we are. BUT we develop coping skills and learn how to live with it.

[SonOfPluto]

What I noticed over the years, is that it became much easier to withdrawal off the drugs after doing a run. I think its a psychological thing. You finally get to the point where you acknowledge and accept that its not the end of the world and that there is life after the withdrawal.

[gettnbig]

Does smoking pot for nearly 20 years count. Would love to quite but don't have the will power to stop. any ideas would be awesome.

[Sistersteel]

Does smoking pot for nearly 20 years count. Would love to quite but don't have the will power to stop. any ideas would be awesome.


Why do you want to quit? You need to ask yourself, is your pot habit ruining your life? Is it affecting your family? Your job? your health? Have you tried to quit previously with no luck?

Have to tried attending a program of some sorts? Made an effort to quit?

Please tell me a little more about yourself.

[gettnbig]

Why do you want to quit? You need to ask yourself, is your pot habit ruining your life? Is it affecting your family? Your job? your health? Have you tried to quit previously with no luck?

Have to tried attending a program of some sorts? Made an effort to quit?

Please tell me a little more about yourself.
I think I could lead a better life without being so fogged in the brain. Yes it is effecting my home life, I have 4 young kids. Also I think I could do a better job in the gym lifting by being more focused. Problem is that it is all over the place and I have weak will power when it comes to smoking. Everything else I don't just smoking is my weakness. i am going to try and get away for a few days and see if I can get over the bigger cravings, and see if I can build the will power.

[gman]

Does porn count? I am not addicted to any drug, but porn is my nemesis.

[Sistersteel]

I think I could lead a better life without being so fogged in the brain. Yes it is effecting my home life, I have 4 young kids. Also I think I could do a better job in the gym lifting by being more focused. Problem is that it is all over the place and I have weak will power when it comes to smoking. Everything else I don't just smoking is my weakness. i am going to try and get away for a few days and see if I can get over the bigger cravings, and see if I can build the will power.

I would suggest you find a local meeting instead of going away for a few days. That is not going to fix your problem. You need to find a meeting in your area and start going and listening to others share, and when you are ready, share yourself. You do not have to quit right now. You are not expected to. You've had the habit for 20 years, and changing your habits is going to take time and commitment on your part. You have to start by changing your behavior, and the rest will fall right into place. You will learn about all that if you attend the meetings and work the steps. The first sign of recovery is admitting you have a problem. You have done that. Now it is time to do something about it.

Tell me where you are located and I will provide with you with the information you need to locate a meeting in your area.

Keep coming back brother!

[47ronin]

I think I could lead a better life without being so fogged in the brain. Yes it is effecting my home life, I have 4 young kids. Also I think I could do a better job in the gym lifting by being more focused. Problem is that it is all over the place and I have weak will power when it comes to smoking. Everything else I don't just smoking is my weakness. i am going to try and get away for a few days and see if I can get over the bigger cravings, and see if I can build the will power.

Maybe setting a specific goal in the gym would occupy some of your time and give you a reason not to smoke. If you smoke at home and your kids don't know it's just a matter of time till they figure it out. 20 years is not only an addiction, it's a habit- good luck.

[SonOfPluto]

Does smoking pot for nearly 20 years count. Would love to quite but don't have the will power to stop. any ideas would be awesome.


How many times during the day were you smoking it?

[gettnbig]

Maybe setting a specific goal in the gym would occupy some of your time and give you a reason not to smoke. If you smoke at home and your kids don't know it's just a matter of time till they figure it out. 20 years is not only an addiction, it's a habit- good luck.
Yes it is a habit and one that I will break by summer. I am determined for that. I do have specific goals at the gym, I am a Personal Trainer and need to make sure my business doesn't suffer, fortunately I don't smoke during the day while at the gym. I am also a bodybuilder and always on the quest to GETTNBIG.

[gettnbig]

I would suggest you find a local meeting instead of going away for a few days. That is not going to fix your problem. You need to find a meeting in your area and start going and listening to others share, and when you are ready, share yourself. You do not have to quit right now. You are not expected to. You've had the habit for 20 years, and changing your habits is going to take time and commitment on your part. You have to start by changing your behavior, and the rest will fall right into place. You will learn about all that if you attend the meetings and work the steps. The first sign of recovery is admitting you have a problem. You have done that. Now it is time to do something about it.

Tell me where you are located and I will provide with you with the information you need to locate a meeting in your area.

Keep coming back brother!

Thank you for the concern its nice to not get flamed. I am apprehensive about groups and the 12 step program. Yes I do see merit in this, I just have a hard time with it. I would like to find a counselor to talk with though, just not the group dynamic. I am located in Portland Oregon where the grass is always green.

[47ronin]

Yes it is a habit and one that I will break by summer. I am determined for that. I do have specific goals at the gym, I am a Personal Trainer and need to make sure my business doesn't suffer, fortunately I don't smoke during the day while at the gym. I am also a bodybuilder and always on the quest to GETTNBIG.
I didn't mean to imply that you were a bum that didn't lift or work, I meant maybe creating a renewed interested in training like doing a show, or dropping down to a certain bf %, or setting some weightlifting goals, etc. Quitting anything you have done for 20 years is difficult and I wish you luck.

[Sistersteel]

Thank you for the concern its nice to not get flamed. I am apprehensive about groups and the 12 step program. Yes I do see merit in this, I just have a hard time with it. I would like to find a counselor to talk with though, just not the group dynamic. I am located in Portland Oregon where the grass is always green.


Take a look at this link my friend:

http://theagapecenter.com/NAinUSA/Oregon.htm

[DaveV]

I'm addicted to valium. Can't sleep without it.

[Sistersteel]

I'm addicted to valium. Can't sleep without it.

Well honestly, that is something you can easily live with.
My father sleeps on valium as well. He has done it for the past 40 years and he leads a perfectly adjusted life.

Now if you have been using valium for purposes other than sleep, I would ike to hear of it.

[Dr. Joel Nathan]

I'm addicted to valium. Can't sleep without it.

I will be covering this in the Basic Training for Addiction Medicine forthcoming; however, note that detox from Valium is possible and this can be done under supervision in several ways. Although it is beyond the scope of what I feel is appropriate to write here, I can say the following:

If one has a history of seizures, then detox from valium is recommended to be done in-patient. Medications used to detox from valium are also addicting but are longer acting. Some docs use Klonopin (clonazapam) or phenobarbital. These drugs in appropriate doses and in appropriate tapering will allow someone to stop their dependency on valium.

As a doc, I need to mention that sometimes, people need a benzodiazapine, like Valium. Some can be switched to using Klonopin on a chronic basis. This is up to the person's physician to decide.

Also, during detox or afterward their are sleeping meds that are not addicting that can be used such as trazodone, amytryptiline (Elavil) or melatonin (an over the counter nutritional supplement).

Please note that I come from the medical prospective. My medical opinions do not cross the boundary of 12-step programs.

Joel

[Dr. Joel Nathan]

I.What is addiction?
Addiction is a disease. Addiction is a progressive and incurable illness. It is likened to the diabetes in that the when the patient goes into remission they still have the disease but are not cured.

When you’re in remission you are feeling well and are not abusing substances. So although it’s incurable, you will regain your health.

II. The Difference between abuse and dependency
In the medical field, when someone has continued use of a substance despite adverse consequences and this occurs for over a period of at least 1 year, the diagnosis is substance abuse. If you add to this drug tolerance (needing more to have the same effect) and withdrawal (unpleasant symptoms that occur when the drug is stopped abruptly), then the diagnosis is chemical dependency.

To have been able to abstain from non-prescribed drugs or taking prescribed drugs in greater dose than prescribed (and this includes alcohol) for 6 months, this is considered partial remission. If the time period is a year or more it is complete remission. *

It is notable that nicotine dependency is currently treated separately in medicine. So one can be in remission from drug abuse yet still be smoking cigarettes.


*These terminologies are used in the medical field and differ from “clean time” as referred to in the rooms of Narcotics Anonymous (N.A.).

[bigmikecox]

My drug of choice was cocaine. I never thought I had a problem with other drugs but looking back, I had issues with ketamine, extasy and GHB.

[razorsedge]

Pot, cigarettes & coffee. Still using coffee. Nicotine=most addictive drug ever.

[Dr.Muscle]

Well honestly, that is something you can easily live with.
My father sleeps on valium as well. He has done it for the past 40 years and he leads a perfectly adjusted life.

Now if you have been using valium for purposes other than sleep, I would ike to hear of it.
Valium is not something you can live with. Who are you to tell someone that? Are you a doctor. Valium can lead to seizures and even death if not used correctly. Valium is not for sleep. You should educate yourself on medicine before giving people advice.

Edit: I just saw your picture, now I know you are not a doctor. LOL

[Sistersteel]

When I said that valium is something you can live with, I was is no way shape or form insinuating that it was ok to use valium without a doctor's supervision. I am not qualified to give any medical advice. If you need medical advice, then Dr Joel would be more than happy to assist you in that aspect. The poster said he was unable to sleep without valium, and I used my father as an example. Just because my father has been able to lead a relatively normal life on valium, does not mean that that is the typical situation for anyone with a chemical dependancy.

Using Valium under a doctor's supervision to sleep, is not like self medicating with illegal street drugs.

Dr. Muscle, you can look at my picture all day long, darling. That's what people like you only wish they could look like. So if you don't have anything useful to add to these forums, keep your opinions to yourself. Cowards like you register just so that they can run their mouths when they have something malicious to say. Your one and only post on this board was a mean and useless one. We have a system that will find you if you are a regular poster on this board. Creating multiple accounts just because you do not have the balls to express your opinion is pathetic.

Have a great day.

SS

[Dr.Muscle]

When I said that valium is something you can live with, I was is no way shape or form insinuating that it was ok to use valium without a doctor's supervision. I am not qualified to give any medical advice. If you need medical advice, then Dr Joel would be more than happy to assist you in that aspect. The poster said he was unable to sleep without valium, and I used my father as an example. Just because my father has been able to lead a relatively normal life on valium, does not mean that that is the typical situation for anyone with a chemical dependancy.

Using Valium under a doctor's supervision to sleep, is not like self medicating with illegal street drugs.

Dr. Muscle, you can look at my picture all day long, darling. That's what people like you only wish they could look like. So if you don't have anything useful to add to these forums, keep your opinions to yourself. Cowards like you register just so that they can run their mouths when they have something malicious to say. Your one and only post on this board was a mean and useless one. We have a system that will find you if you are a regular poster on this board. Creating multiple accounts just because you do not have the balls to express your opinion is pathetic.

Have a great day.

SS

You are the REAL coward for deleting my posts just because you disagree with it. You are contradicting yourself. Before you said people could use valium for sleep. Now you are agreeing with me. You shouldnt open your mouth and give people advice just because you are an ex addict and current addict. You are addicted to steroids no doubt. You got the man voice and facial features of a guy. You shouldnt give advice to people unless you know what you are talking about "SS":), maybe a little bit of college could help you or an NA meeting. Night

[Sistersteel]

Dr. Muscle, I actually have my Masters and can insult you in 3 different languages, my dear. Thank you for being the embodiment of ignorance and gracing us with your insightful posts, that I am gladly going to place right back out in the open so as not to reign on your self righteous parade.

[Mike Rice]

I have suffered from various forms of addiction since the age of 22. I am now 35. Adderall has been my demon the past 3 yrs.

[Sistersteel]

I have suffered from various forms of addiction since the age of 22. I am now 35. Adderall has been my demon the past 3 yrs.

Mike tell me more about your adderall addiction. How bad is it?

[baby gorilla]

What have you been addicted to?
When did you get off/when are you planning to stop?
What did you find was the best help?

Not sure if this forum is really anonymous, but would love to hear some success stories. I hear success come out of the bodybuilding world more than other communities and I think it is due to the ability to overcome adversities and strongholds....so what's your story.

I was addicted to pain killers/alcohol (everyone imaginable except nubain...don't like needles that much) after surgery.

Had to go and lock myself up at my farm. Came out in 7 days feeling extremely clear headed for the first time. Made a pretty serious connection with God during this time. Haven't really had a problem since, but also haven't had any surgery or injuries

torbugesic iv
alcohol
norco
soma
oxycontin

been to week long medical detox twice and a 90 day inpatient rehab once.

i've been dealing with addiction for 7 years now. taking it day by day. torbugesic was by far the hardest drug to kick and it's the 1 drug that i haven't touched since i got off of it 5 years ago. but i've relaped several times with everything else .

so there it is

[Lucas]

I have not yet developed a full blown addiction but 3-5 days a week I go out and do a gram of blow or an 80 of oxycotin, smoke half a pack of darts and have a few beers. It just seems routine to me, I wont even go out if I dont have the money for at least one of these things. Oxys is the worst, cuz me and all my closest friends do them close to every day and when I dont do them for more than 2 days I get the chills, extremely lethargic and have trouble eating, btw Im 18, I go to university, I train in tkd twice a week and weight train every day. If Im capable of doing all these things, are all my 'bad' habits really holding me back? Has anyone else done oxies regularley like this or is still doing?

[irishpride]

i could get addicted to snorting fucking fireants if for a brief period it took me out of myself (which i am sure the terrible pain would so cross that off my to do list LOL) hmmm my list is this
booze, anything including copious amounts of mouthwash when i ran out and didnt wnat to have another seizure
opiates..all of them..i used to take them like tic tacs, sure i have tons of reasons for it medically but the reality is i loved being fucked up..
benzos used to take them to stop feeling so horrible from all the other withdrawels i was having
cocaine for awhile though it turned me into a maniac..would have and sure i probably did beat people into comas for more of the shit..funny thing was i hated being all speeded out.
but booze is my big thing..the second a drink touches my lips you have no clue what i will do..i wake up in strange places, am violent, blackout eveytime and cant stop till i need to be hospitalized for gastro problems,dehydration, liver and kidney issues.usualy when released too its back on the drunk merrygoround.
been sober for while and love it..easier and i dont need to worry bout killing,being killed or hurting anyone around me.

[Sistersteel]

Cocaine
cocayne
Kocain

lol
Quite obviously my drug of choice.

Followed by heroin
speed
benzos

I will only shoot my drugs too. What a waste to snort and smoke.

Cocaine is not a substance. Its an entity..a demon that possesses you and makes you do unspeakable things to yourself and to others.

[irishpride]

I will only shoot my drugs too. What a waste to snort and smoke.

.
agreed, i went on a kick where any illicit substance i could find i figured out various ways to inject..faster and much more of a kick..