Misc Functional addicts - question

[THECATINTHEHAT]

Simple question. Are u an addict?

I would question that, I dont think it's a simple question at all.

Personally I think it's a very complicated and somewhat pointless question that invites disagreement and argument. In my opinion a much better question is.....does your use of substances impact your life in a negative way such that you feel compelled to do something about it?

Of course it's wrong and i want to get rid of this but doesn't yet know when and how and all that stuff.. I'm scared about it.

Dont worry that's normal!

I would forget with worrying about whether you're an addict, 'funtional' or otherwise and just ask yourself the question I put above. I think worrying about whether they qualify as an addict or not is a pointless question that many people waste loads of time on and skews their perception of addiction and recovery in a way that is not accurate and may prevent them from asking for or receiving help. I know that happened to me anyway.

You've made one of if not the most difficult step which is admitting that your drug use is 'wrong'. I wouldnt use that term myself because it implies that you have been immoral or unjust or need punishing or something, but I know what you mean.

 

[2spun4one]

Once again it's all a matter of perspective. If my life is going the direction I am wanting it to go, and my standards are being met on my terms, and I smoke dope all the time, someone else's opinions on functionality and drug use have no bearing on my life or the parameters of functional and/or drug use I set for myself.

 

[Wilson Wilson]

Once again it's all a matter of perspective. If my life is going the direction I am wanting it to go, and my standards are being met on my terms, and I smoke dope all the time, someone else's opinions on functionality and drug use have no bearing on my life or the parameters of functional and/or drug use I set for myself.

Most people here are talking about harder drugs rather than smoking weed. It's rare for weed to be a "problem drug", I smoke daily right now and it doesn't impact my life, I'd say it's a net positive in fact. But the same can't really be said for an opiate habit for example.

 

[JoEhJoEh]

My reason for quitting the RCs is: I just want to get a normal life again. I don't want to go on like that. I have no anxiety disorder, so I do it recreationally, but for what? I'm asking myself this question more and more.

One reason is for sure my ADHD - all that benzos calming me down and for me it's like a biiiiiiig biiiiig relieve.

I should never have tried it, I'm so stupid I can't believe.

JJ

 

[NicoOregon]

When it comes to hard drugs there are no functioning addicts, only those who haven't lost control YET.

I have a friend that used heroin and crack cocaine for 15-20yrs without severe consequence and managed to avoid debilitating physical dependence, which he always bragged about and derided us for. He slowly started having trouble in his marriage and his using increased. He then got in an accident at work and is now hopelessly strung out on heroin and crack, looks like half the man he used to be and is slowly losing everything in his late 40yrs. In my experience addicts are functional until they are not and that time is different for everybody but if we keep playing the game it eventually takes everything that we have until we surrender and lay down the belief that we can control our addiction. The only question is are you going to crash and burn early enough to stabilize and rebuild a normal, sober life or are you going to lose everything you had worked so hard to build in the mid to later years of your life when it becomes that much more difficult to repair the damage. Not only that but we as addicts have no idea as to what we lost out on in life because of our addictions, simply because we were sleepwalking past those opportunities.

Yes but these things happen whether your on drugs or not.

 

[2spun4one]

Most people here are talking about harder drugs rather than smoking weed. It's rare for weed to be a "problem drug", I smoke daily right now and it doesn't impact my life, I'd say it's a net positive in fact. But the same can't really be said for an opiate habit for example.

did you think i was talking about weed?

 

[euphoricc]

MAN I HAVE BEEN ON SUBLOCADE 2 YEARS SUBOXONE AROUND 8 OR 9 YEARS all opiate free except the bupe i also take SUBLOCADE/klonopin/gabapentin & remeron. at night ----------------so i have around 10 years clean from trash just prescribed meds am i clean in ur eyes? in mine i am

 

[Keif' Richards]

Keif Richards said it 100% correctly. Mine was simply money. Though I make decent money, I recently found out that I can spend money on other "addictions" that won't ruin my life, or potentially kill me. For example, I LOVE gambling... It gives me just as good of a high as heroin (in a sense.. though they are obviously completely different). Though I am spending my money, It can't kill me. And I can walk away anytime I want (without horrible WDs at that).

"For example... I LOVE GAMBLING."

I literally spit my coffee all over my computer when I read this. So good. So worth the water damage.

 

[dalpat077]

"For example... I LOVE GAMBLING."

I literally spit my coffee all over my computer when I read this. So good. So worth the water damage.

To the original OP that posted about the gambling part: don’t go fooling yourself into thinking that a gambling addiction is any less destructive than a drug addiction. That is justification and denial at its finest. And it’s by no means a benign addiction relative to a drug addiction either. Once again and fortunately not something that has ever been on my radar. But I have had the dubious honour of seeing it take certain individuals down and to places that one could not imagine. And to the extent where a gambling addiction can easily lead to a substance addiction.

Not implying that is the case. But keep it fun and entertaining. Just a bit of free advice. It’s probably one of the most overlooked addictions on the planet. And unlike a drug addiction: once these casinos and resorts have their hooks into you they don’t let up and will move heaven and earth to get you on their floor even if it costs them money to do so. It’s a carefully honed and highly profitable business model and strategy. And it works very very well.

 

[Keif' Richards]

I'm not insulting anyone's intelligence here. I hope it doesn't come across that way. A defining characteristic of addiction is often denial regarding the severity of consequences. I remember, like a lot of folks, the day I discovered that Heroin would allow me to manage my Opioid-related finances in a responsible way. Half the cost? This is going to be awesome. Two weeks later, I'm broke again and in a dead-end marriage to a prostitute. Such a common trope.

 

[Oxyonthemind87]

MAN I HAVE BEEN ON SUBLOCADE 2 YEARS SUBOXONE AROUND 8 OR 9 YEARS all opiate free except the bupe i also take SUBLOCADE/klonopin/gabapentin & remeron. at night ----------------so i have around 10 years clean from trash just prescribed meds am i clean in ur eyes? in mine i am

I say yes if you are legally prescribed everything. It’s a chronic condition like heart disease and one people require medication the rest of their lives. It shouldn’t be stigmatized. I would just try to stay on lowest dosages possible, esp on the subs. As you know that’ll be the hardest if you ever try to quit.