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Dealing with drug addiction

Started by Thomas Peterson46 · Jan 11, 2006 · 👁 6 views · 62 replies

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Thomas Peterson46 NewcomerOP

9 messages
joined Feb 2006

#1 · Jan 11, 2006

This is my first time starting a thread here. I’d really appreciate it if everyone could keep things respectful; this is a serious topic for me. I’m hoping for some genuine insight and education, which is why I chose the Health section rather than one of the joke subforums...
I happen to know someone personally—very closely, actually—who managed to pull off what they called a "golden shot," narrowly escaping a fatal overdose...
My question is: since he’s been sober for three years now, what are the actual odds of a relapse? He truly learned his lesson and goes out of his way to avoid triggers, even though he struggles with certain impulses. More broadly, I’ve read that most people struggling with addiction end up cycling through rehab multiple times without success. How much truth is there to that statistic? I’d love to hear your thoughts on the nature of addiction itself. Do you have any personal experiences or stories from people close to you? I would truly value your perspective...
🙂
thanks

Adam Torres62 Newcomer

7 messages
joined Jan 2004

#2 · Jan 11, 2006

Look, I know there are plenty of people here who actually know what they're talking about, but here’s my two cents based on a couple of cases I've seen

Case one:
She’s highly educated, but she spent five years chasing a high. Ended up catching hepatitis, hit a wall, and now she’s stuck dealing with liver issues.
Now she swears she’s totally over it—and honestly, everything points to that being true. She’s gone all "spiritual," looking for deeper meaning through queer relationships, practicing abstinence, finding herself through alternative lifestyles, some kind of rebirth, blah blah blah.
Every few months, she needs some new "eternal truth" to cling to. She hasn't even renounced the easy drugs; she doesn't regret her past because she considers it just another facet of her "truth."

Then there’s him:
Barely finished high school, dropped out after a couple of years, a criminal record, a stint in prison, hepatitis, and he's on methadone. He’s living in a recovery community right now, but he’s itching to get back out into the world because he thinks he’s "healthy" enough.

Both of them:
They’re burnt out and moving at a snail's pace. I’d love to say things turn around for people like them, but...

Thomas Peterson46 NewcomerOP

9 messages
joined Feb 2006

#3 · Jan 11, 2006

😢
Someone I know used to be part of a commune, but I really hope they don't go back to that lifestyle...
I honestly feel like we need more public awareness and education regarding drug use here in the States, especially in places like California where the numbers seem incredibly high. I'm not saying there aren't prevention programs out there, but things feel a bit disorganized when you don't see significant results. From what I've gathered, many people struggling with addiction end up seeking help in communities over in Italy, which just goes to show that we aren't having enough honest conversations about this issue in America.

brightmarlin44 Active Member

52 messages
joined Dec 2005

#4 · Jan 11, 2006

Great topic, honestly!:-)! A few years back here in the States, there was this massive debate going on between people who thought the answer lay in rehab centers and residential programs versus those pushing for harm reduction—you know, things like methadone therapy and needle exchange programs. The second group basically argued that it’s better to just minimize the damage for people already using. Personally, I tend to lean toward the harm reduction side. It feels more humane to provide someone with clean supplies to protect them from hepatitis or HIV, and then, if they actually decide they want to get clean, you can transition them onto methadone. But let's be real: the actual personality of an addict shifts over time because that chemical cocktail they're putting in their bodies absolutely wreaks havoc on the brain (not to mention pretty much every other system in the body).
Residential rehabs feel a lot like those long-term hospital stays that modern psychiatry is trying to move away from. That said, for some people, those facilities really do work. At the very least, even if someone relapses, the stint in rehab provides a necessary reset button that gives their body a chance to recover a bit. The scary part is when they come out and immediately go back to their old dosage—which, god forbid, happens more often than you'd think—and that's usually where it ends in a fatal overdose. As for all those PSA ads and educational campaigns? In my opinion, they mostly just end up making the lifestyle look interesting to kids.

Thomas Peterson46 NewcomerOP

9 messages
joined Feb 2006

#5 · Jan 11, 2006

brightmarlin44 said:This is such a great topic! :-) A few years back here in the States, there was this big debate between people who thought rehab centers were the way to go versus those pushing for harm reduction, like methadone programs and needle exchange initiatives. Personally, I tend to lean toward the latter; it seems much more practical to provide clean supplies to protect people from things like Hepatitis or HIV, and then offer methadone as a path toward recovery if they're ready. That said, you can really see how a person's entire personality shifts over time because of how these substances impact the brain and the rest of the body.
Rehab facilities often feel a bit like long-term psychiatric stays, which modern medicine is moving away from. Still, for some people, that structured environment actually works. Even if they do relapse, at least they’ve had a break to let their system reset somewhat. The scary part is when someone goes back to their old dosage after being clean—it happens far too often, and it's usually fatal. As for public service announcements and education, I sometimes wonder if they just end up making drugs look interesting to kids.

That's true, but I think it all comes down to how we approach the messaging. We definitely need better programs starting in elementary school—maybe around 5th grade—and continuing through high school, ideally involving parents in the conversation as well.
To be honest, I feel like the core of any addiction education or awareness campaign shouldn't just be the cliché "drugs are bad" 🙄
approach. Instead, we should show the actual reality—the brutal consequences and the downward spiral that follows. If a young person truly understood what happens right after those few hours of euphoria, I doubt anyone would even think about touching them. Beyond that, we need to teach kids about the ripple effect—how addiction doesn't just destroy your own life, but tears apart your family and everyone around you.

fadedtrucker19 Member

31 messages
joined Dec 2002

#6 · Jan 12, 2006

For someone who has finally "cleaned up," the absolute priority is making sure they don't drift right back into the social circles where they used to use.

Moving to a different state might be the ideal move, but regardless of geography, the golden rule is to stay far away from the old crowd that might tempt them back into their old habits.

A visual reminder can also be incredibly effective when cravings hit; I have a friend I’ve known for two decades, a former smoker, who keeps the exact same pack of cigarettes on his office desk—the one he had in his pocket the day he quit. It all started after his friend, a doctor, showed him more than just an X-ray; he showed him actual lungs from an autopsy. He says whenever the urge strikes, he just looks at that box, remembers those lungs, and the craving simply evaporates.

So, if your friend is making a conscious, determined effort to stay clean, the most vital thing is to steer clear of the people they used to use with... as for everything else, they seem to have enough inner strength to handle it. Just make sure you don't doubt them; providing steady support is what really matters.

Adam Torres62 Newcomer

7 messages
joined Jan 2004

#7 · Jan 12, 2006

I honestly think it’s incredibly hard for people close to you not to have doubts when they see someone with just a few years under their belt and a handful of failed attempts at getting things right.

I mean, let’s be real—there’s a massive chance they’ve spent years listening to endless stories about what actual professionals look like, how mature decisions should be made, or how precise everything needs to be...

No, I’m not out here chasing a quick buck.
How would I even know where you’re hiding the goods?
Man, it’s like my old man is just charging straight at me through his green light and my red one.

I don't know, I keep playing these scenarios over in my head and... honestly, it gives me the chills.

fadedtrucker19 Member

31 messages
joined Dec 2002

#8 · Jan 12, 2006

Karen Howard84 said:I honestly think it’s incredibly difficult for family members not to harbor some level of doubt when dealing with someone who only has a few years of sobriety under their belt and a handful of relapses in their history.

Because, let's be real, there’s a massive chance they’ve spent years listening to endless stories about "real" addicts, "mature" decisions, making "sharp cuts," and all that other nonsense...

No, I’m not being overly precious about the money.
How am I supposed to know where your gold is hidden?
Look, honey, he’s just charging straight at me through the collision of his green and my red.

I don't know, I keep playing these scenes over in my head and... it gives me chills!

Sandra Hernandez13 claims this guy was using for three years—not more, not less—and that he goes out of his way to avoid drugs entirely.
To me, both of those points sound pretty promising... even if I do understand why you're feeling skeptical.

Nicole James Regular

313 messages
joined Dec 2010

#9 · Jan 12, 2006

I once had someone incredibly close to me who fell deep into the grip of alcoholism... It was heartbreaking because, despite our best efforts—everything from intensive rehab programs to multiple hospital stays—they just couldn't seem to stay sober for more than a few months at a time.
I recently laid them to rest.

Thomas Peterson46 NewcomerOP

9 messages
joined Feb 2006

#10 · Jan 12, 2006

cp.tar said:Sandra Hernandez13 mentioned he’s been clean for three years—she didn't say it once, she said it repeatedly—and that he avoids drugs at all costs.
Both of those points sound pretty encouraging to me, even if I can see where you're coming from.

True, he did go through rehab; he spent three years in Elvira's community over in Italy,
but I still find myself feeling a bit uneasy. He doesn't strike me as someone unstable, but he's almost too polished and put-together for his age. From what I've read about recovery, most people end up back in a group setting at least twice. I'm not saying he'll slip up—he's clearly working hard and is vocal about staying clean—but that tiny seed of doubt is always there, especially after dealing with the nightmare of addiction. You have to understand, that's what eats away at you. You never quite know if they're being honest, or if they've crossed paths with old friends from their past...

Thomas Peterson46 NewcomerOP

9 messages
joined Feb 2006

#11 · Jan 12, 2006

Gregory Turner71 said:I once knew someone incredibly close to me who struggled deeply with alcoholism... Sadly, despite every effort at rehab, hospital stays, and everything else, they could never stay sober for more than a few months at a time.
I just laid them to rest recently.

I am so sorry for your loss... 😢
In my opinion, education is vital—even if we have to be a little blunt or hard on people to get through to them.
We really need to involve the family, too.
I believe we have to make an addict realize that their addiction doesn't just destroy their own life; it drags down everyone who loves them, pulling those people right down into the depths along with them.

Megan Ruiz13 Active Member

79 messages
joined Apr 2016

#12 · Jan 13, 2006

Once an addict, always an addict. There's no such thing as being "cured." It’s really just a matter of when life hits you hard enough to pull that trigger again—one bad break and they're right back in the cycle.

I mean, look at us smokers. Take me, for example; I went four years without a cigarette, then boom, back at it. Or look at alcoholics. Someone can go years sober and then suddenly, something snaps and they're drinking again. Life just happens...
Now imagine dealing with heavy stuff like heroin. Give me a break. "Getting clean" is a myth.🙄

It's just a waiting game, which is pretty sad if you think about it....

The only real solution is to never start in the first place. That's why prevention matters. We have to reach kids and make sure they never even touch that garbage....

Thomas Peterson46 NewcomerOP

9 messages
joined Feb 2006

#13 · Jan 13, 2006

Gary Anderson38 said:Once someone is an addict, they're always an addict; there’s no such thing as truly being "clean." It’s just a matter of when life hits you hard enough to trigger that relapse, causing them to fall right back into it.

Honestly, look at us smokers. I can tell you from experience—after four years of staying away from it, one bad moment and I was back at it. Or look at alcoholics; someone might go years without a drink, then something snaps and they're back to square one. Life just throws those curveballs at you...
Now, imagine dealing with heavy stuff like heroin. Give me a break, talking about "getting clean" is a fantasy.🙄

It really is just a question of timing, which is pretty sad....

The only real fix is making sure people never start in the first place. We have to focus on prevention and reaching out to kids so they never even touch that garbage....

With enough willpower, anything is possible😉,
thank God we see plenty of real-life examples of people who successfully quit and are living great lives now. Of course, it depends on the individual and their environment, especially since former addicts here in the States often face a certain level of stigma, which I find 🙄.
I still believe, and will continue to believe, that everything is possible if you have the drive.
After all, the glass is always half full, and I try to keep it that way... at least in my case.😉

Anonymous Veteran

3.6K messages
joined May 2005

#14 · Jan 13, 2006

It’s really just a matter of time before that "trigger" gets pulled—it’s an inevitability that eventually

I couldn't agree more. In my own circle, I've seen people find true recovery (though, if you ask me, the real question is whether they can live their whole lives without that little voice in their head resurfacing), but I've also seen plenty of cases where the addict just stays an addict. Sadly, that's just the reality of it.

I believe everyone deserves a chance, but you only get one. After that... well, I wouldn't give them another shot. I used to date a guy who went through rehab; he managed to stay clean for a year and a half on his own before sliding right back into it. He’s still struggling, entering his fourth year of relapse. By the time he hit 35, he had already spent six years total in various treatment centers. It breaks my heart, but even if he manages to get back to a "normal" life, that trigger in his mind is always going to be there, just waiting to go off.

Thomas Peterson46 NewcomerOP

9 messages
joined Feb 2006

#15 · Jan 13, 2006

I’d actually like to suggest that my thread, or perhaps the one started by Casey Ramirez2, be pinned as a top topic. I feel like we aren't talking enough about the issue of addiction, even though it's becoming such a widespread problem. These kinds of discussions are always necessary; I'm certain there are people in our community struggling to quit, as well as young people who might be curious and could really benefit from learning about the consequences beforehand.
Once I have a bit more free time, I plan to write up some details regarding the side effects and characteristics of the most common drugs, opioids, and other types of substance abuse...
🙂

Casey Ramirez2 Newcomer

5 messages
joined May 2011

#16 · Jan 13, 2006

Look, I’m not gonna say this is tragic, because at the end of the day, you guys are just products of the environment you grew up in...
but honestly, the attitudes you're pushing aren't helping anyone trying to actually rebuild their lives after years of dealing with addiction and—more often than not—years of rehab...
Yeah, sure, it’s true that addiction is a relapsing disease...
and it’s also true that it isn't something you just "cure" once and for all...
but despite all that, there are literally thousands of living, breathing examples out there proving you can live a totally normal life even while managing a condition like this...
So, uh... someone mentioned communes or rehab centers? Look, everyone’s got their own individual story, but personally, until I completely hit a wall and checked myself into a residential program (and by the way, we have some decent ones here in the States—better than half the places in Italy, including some state-run facilities where, say, you could go on medical leave and the company is legally required to hold your job for you), I couldn't get my act together...

And yeah, the most important part is that mental "click"—that moment where you finally realize life is actually worth something more...

What else...?
Oh, right... not every addict is some street bum, and not everyone is so desperate that they turn to crime...
I mean, sure, those are the people you see hanging around downtown or wherever, but there are ten times more people you pass every single day wearing suits and killing it in their careers... and they don't label themselves as addicts because, heaven forbid, they aren't sticking needles in their arms! :O
I was exactly like that myself... right up until my mind snapped, my body started failing me, and my high-earning salary—which, given our lifestyle, was pretty significant—hit a massive deficit, leaving me with maybe $20 in my checking account by the end of the month...

That was when I finally reached out for help, and I don't regret it for a second, even if I still have to learn how to walk through this valley of tears without any crutches :P

If anyone actually wants to know anything, just ask...

Hannah Davis18 Active Member

170 messages
joined Sep 2008

#17 · Jan 13, 2006

Big Mama says:

I guess everyone deserves a shot, but just one. After that... they're done with me.

Wow, how generous.
Good luck with those repeat offenders though, I bet they'll find plenty of ways to try their luck again under different guises.

Hannah Davis18 Active Member

170 messages
joined Sep 2008

#18 · Jan 13, 2006

tinitrus said:Nice thread :-)! I guess a few years back here in the States, there was this huge debate between people who thought the answer lay in community programs versus those pushing for methadone therapy along with needle exchange programs... (those other folks were basically arguing that it’s better to just minimize the damage for addicts). Personally, I lean toward the latter group. It seems more logical to give an addict clean supplies to protect them from things like Hepatitis or HIV, and then—if they actually decide to get clean—move toward methadone treatment.

Honestly, harm reduction works pretty well.
👍
They do it right here in the US too.
Glad someone's actually thinking about this; instead of being one of those people asking why we’d even bother giving them stuff to use.🙂

Michael Long5 Newcomer

1 message
joined Apr 2006

#19 · Jan 13, 2006

Gary Anderson38 said:Once someone becomes an addict, they remain one forever; there is no such thing as truly quitting. It is merely a matter of finding that specific moment in life when the trigger is pulled—that breaking point that sends them spiraling right back to their substance of choice.
...

That is the fundamental truth of the matter.
In reality, every single one of us harbors some form of addiction that we either succumb to repeatedly or will eventually fall prey to again. It doesn't necessarily have to involve drugs or alcohol to be true.
😢

Anonymous Veteran

3.6K messages
joined May 2005

#20 · Jan 13, 2006

tilla said:really generous.
Good luck with that—giving recidivists more chances to relapse while they try to get clean through all sorts of different methods.

Look, I’m not a "generous" person, and I won't pretend to be. Addiction is addiction... damn it.

The people I see around me don't even deserve a second chance... and that’s just because of how they destroy their own families. Every addict in this country knew exactly what they were doing the moment they started using; they knew it was the end of the line. There’s no excuse like, "Oh, poor me, life is so hard, let me just black out for a bit..."

I know my take isn't exactly helping this debate.. I get it..

But here's the bottom line: Addict --- rehab center --- start a completely new life far away from home.

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