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Chipping/Binging Heroin Use for Long Time?

I had a pretty sucessful run chipping for like 3 months. I had been clean for about 3 months before i even started chipping with dope. Started using it like 2-3 times a week and before i knew it, i was back to shooting like 30-50$ worth every day haha....Once you have had a habbit, its hard to control your level of use. I'm on suboxone now so it really cant be considered chipping although i still use here and there, the subs just keep me well in between and kill any cravings if i get them.

When i was using 2-3 times a week, i would always make sure to cop just enough for that night. IE-- do it all at night so i couldnt wake up to a shot, cause i know if i had that AM shot, id want another in the afternoon or evening. God damn baltimore and its cheap and consistanly available dope!
 
When I get dope I usually spend an large amount on it and get a whole stockload. 2 months later I run out.

I go to Baltimore to get my dope, but it's a 2 hour drive there. I suppose the fact that I have to drive 2 hours to get dope contributes to me not getting an addiction, although I drive more than 30,000 miles a year so a 2 hour drive to me is nothing. I have at times wanted to get dope, and 10 minutes later I'm on my way to Baltimore. But still, it doesn't really make it easier if I have to drive 2 hours instead of walk down the street.

Usually when my craving to use is over and I just have a little dope left over, I'll just go ahead and use up the last of the dope. If I still crave when I run out, I go pick up more.

I don't know if Baltimore is cheap but the quality keeps me coming back. I'm much closer to other cities for dope. But that's a little off topic.
 
I am in the process of doing a taper with pods, I consume about 4 pods every 3 days right now. I have cravings for dope, but they are not bad enough to act upon. I would really recommend pods for those trying to get off the smack train, they keep withdrawal away pretty well. For those with a Year+ habit, pods probably aren't an option, but for those who have only been on for a short while should try this. In any case, when I quit cold turkey, I had very little problem with WDs, pods could manage them easily. I'm not implying that this should work for everyone, but I think its possible to get yourself completely off dope with the help of pods if you have a small habit.
 
^^^if you are using pods you are not off dope you have just switched habits you still have to quit pods and you will still face withdrawal . it may be easier but you will still have to pay the piper so to speak.:\
 
I may not be completely off if i'm still using pods, but I have switched to a much easier habit to control. A little off topic thing, I have no detectable levels of opiates in my urine, which is strange. I don't use them to get high, only about 3-4 at a time every 3 days. I have taken 3 urine tests, one in a lab, two home tests, and all showed neg for opiates, even when tea was consumed the night before my lab test. As long as I didn't drink pod tea the day of the test, all showed negative.
 
That leg kicking/restlessness sounds like w/d to me. Restless leg syndrone is a terrible symptom of w/d that many people get .


I bet the H helps a lot with that ?


It is definitiely in the withdrawl symptom list. Like I said. It's insidious . It changes your brain chemistry somehow. If you keep using you may one day be singing a different tune. Just the longer you push it the more likely you are to become pysically dependent. If you stop in time, maybe not. We'll see.
 
if it wasnt for the restless leg and anxiety w/d would be my whore ,do what i please and not have to deal with it

i used to walk around hot and sweaty all the time ,from being an alcoholic ,constantly throwing up 20-30 times a day if i didnt drink ,so that part of opiate w/d is nothing to me

of coarse i never really became the heroin user i wanted to be .....thats a helluva thing to say huh...funny thing is i still remember all 6 of my dealers numbers and shoot the shit with them every now and then ...ah well
 
Could I stop for life right now? Am I addicted for life? Possibly. You could argue that. But, I know that if I somehow started dating some girl that I eventually would marry and die with, I wouldn't use anymore, assuming the relationship went well. But since that isn't the case now, why stop?


ok. this snippet ^^^^ is what prompted me to reply.
and i don't mean any disrespect.
i fell in love with a chipper.
but addiction doesn't work that way.
you are a college student, correct? 2 yrs of cushy use in a college student's world does not prepare you for what's next on the menu.
"chipping" in my opinion is a short phase.
life gets hard. you don't want your drug of choice to be the solution.
add physical tolerance issues on top of it...i dunno man, it's a slippery slope.
i don't think you're bragging... you think you know more than you do. in theory, i understand where you're coming from. in practice, NO.


what i mainly wanted to say though, is love and marriage is not enough to stop using.
 
I used heroin(and oxy before that) very regularly for around 4 years, stopping occasionally for brief periods. I was IVing heroin for 2 years straight(more or less) and at most going through 2 or 3 bundles a week.

Whenever I stopped long enough for withdrawals to kick in they never really came. The only thing I experienced, which has been mentioned already, was RLS or restless leg syndrome and I'd have trouble sleeping for a few days. The only time I've been sick as a result of opiate use has been when getting back on them after a period of non-use, and it was obviously caused by having a low tolerance to them.

Not all people develop serious physical withdrawals from opiate use. Some of us are just lucky, but I will say that the psychological addiction can be quite a bitch. I've been clean for over a year now and still crave.. who knows if that will ever go away?
 
only thing I experienced, which has been mentioned already, was RLS or restless leg syndrome and I'd have trouble sleeping for a few days.
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Like I said I have terrible insomnia due to restlessness, so it's almost like I'm always withdrawing from heroin as it is. Yea, I realize how stupid that may sound and naive, and how much more real and serious addiction may be. But my point is still the same, that even if I do develop withdrawal symptoms, I may not really be noticing them since I'm so used to not sleeping and restlessness.

I'm also pretty good as still leading a normal life even with a fucked up sleep schedule, where two days I may have no sleep at all, the next I'll sleep any chance I get, et cetera.

But it sounds like we're pretty similiar Snarf. It is something I think about, will I ever quit. But I also wonder, does it really matter if you could truly control it? I know the 'flaw' may be that eventually, everyone loses control. But I've had a pretty good streak so far...

number9, interesting comments. Kind of leaves me speechless in a way.

I know my life is cushy, it's very good at the moment, as unsatisfied as I may be at times. My whole life has been pretty good really, but I have gone through rough times just putting myself in stupid shit. 4 years ago it would've made sense for a person in my position to use, but now that all the problems have gone away in my life it doesn't really make much sense that I still continue to use. I think heroin, cutting, all that kind of thing, can be really good for a person if you know how to move on and realize it's only a short term fix.

So there's not really any point I can make in comment to what you've said. All I can really say is I realize my life is far from the worst, and while I've gone through stuff like everyone else has, it's all how you make it to be, and I'm truly blessed. Most people are, we just all lose sight of that, but I keep pretty good on that I think. I know myself well enough that I do think love and marriage and a kid and such obligations would prompt me to quit. I know you may think oh, well heroin is something different, but all i can really say is I just know.
 
TheodoreRoosevelt said:
I've always been under the impression this whole time that it took like 3 months of daily usage to gain an addiction. Recently someone posted a thread about coming of 3 weeks and I thought it was a joke, but everyone else was serious.
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Me, and i think the majority of all people will get phisycal withdrawals off heroin after like 5 days of using everyday.

I think the fact that you thought it takes 3 months to gain an addict, and was sure and uncurious abt that probably before you started using, played a serious role in your thing; it's all comes from your head.
maybe that one made you (maybe permanently) withdrawal free... (& maybe once, after 3 months binge you will get the kick; it's very possible...
 
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Well it must be because I'm naturally so restless and sleepless that I haven't noticed withdrawal affects.

I think the other withdrawal affects take more than a month to develop right? Stuff like feeling like total shit, depression, head aches, feeling really cold?

My world is shattered! How weird. Damn, only 5 days to get addicted that's nuts. I've been using for more than 5 days recently...
 
It takes longer than 5 days of continuos use to become physically addicted. But then again...who starts out to get addicted? It happens. You will get away with it for a while but if the psychological thing keeps bringing you back....then you've got to wonder. Which reminds me.....
 
I'm reviving this thread so as not start a new one, a friend (that some of you may know :)) asked me to post this for her:



X-Posted at: http://forums.lycaeum.org/index.php/topic,19859.msg197445.html

Thread Title: "Chippers & Ex-IV Addicts: How did it go for you?"
"I've started trying out this concept called "chipping," which is prevalent the most amongst heroin users I believe. It's when you only do your main drug of choice when it's around and offered to you, and you never, ever buy it, to prevent relapsing. (correct me if im wrong, i may be using the wrong terminology)

I've technically "relapsed" 3 times since quitting (around 1 month period overall, little more actually), and never bought any to bring home with me, no matter how minor the amount. I also never inject it anymore, as bad as I want to...

Just wondering what other people's experience is with this sort of thing... did it help? make things worse?

PS: I don't know if this is related to past injection use, but I have been pretty fucking sick and lethargic lately, lost my voice completely, stuffy nose, fever, all the typical signs of cold/flu symptoms... but here's the strange thing... in one spot I used to inject in regularly, an abscess-like bump has begun forming... and its VERY VERY PAINFUL when I touch it... there's a little bruise around the area, and I've been forming weird, long, thin scabs around there.

I am very reluctant to go to the doctor because I almost already KNOW how i'll get treated if I go (even if I have been off drugs this time, it won't fucking matter)... Is it possible to form infections from IV use even weeks after putting the needle down? I know this has nothing to do with my "chipping," as wayyy too much time has passed in between for this to be related. I'll be over at my friend's place tomorrow and he has his digital camera, so I can take a picture of this shit, if it'll help.

Any advice would be related, thanks."
 
Theodore- it almost makes me cringe inside when I hear someone say that they have their drug use under control. I know you know why some of us would feel this way. You have had users tell you that they were under control and I'm sure there was that 'yea right' factor coming from inside you whether you spoke you mind or not. I have a feeling that any answer you get will be that any one that has been using for 5 years or more (I'm surprised you have gone 2) will have lost control to some extent. I assume that your goal is to use for the next 10 to 20 years without becoming "addicted". I honestly can say that I have very little control over my use, so I give control of my pain pills to my girlfriend. I think it is very healthy to recognize within yourself, your shortcomings or (defects of character, some might say) and find a way to offset those shortcomings with smart decisions. I think you're a pretty cool guy and I enjoy reading your posts; so to hear you say that, kind of makes me worry a little bit. Hard drug users, of all people, can't afford to be disillusioned when it comes to our potentially deadly life choice. There are so many traps for us and in the end our diligence is often not enough to offset the consequences. I'm not saying you should just say fuck it and use everyday, as that is obviously an unhealthy mindset. I guess it just comes down to this. When and if the time comes that the control that you practice and enjoy now with some obvious success, isn’t enough to keep that monkey from growing into an ape, that you aren't in denial and that you recognize exactly where you are at in your drug use.

With all of that said, I have a friend that has been chipping for close to 20 years, with success, and he abides by this rule. He never uses when he craves it the most. Even if he has gone 2 months without using and he has serious cravings to use again or just had a bad day, he will wait until the cravings are gone before using. In other words he never gives in to the craving. It seems pretty simplistic but it works for him. He will also use a drug other than his drug of choice for a while if he feels in danger of spinning out of control.
Theodore- it almost makes me cringe inside when I hear someone say that they have their drug use under control. I know you know why some of us would feel this way. You have had users tell you that they were under control and I'm sure there was that 'yea right' factor coming from inside you whether you spoke you mind or not. I have a feeling that any answer you get will be that any one that has been using for 5 years or more (I'm surprised you have gone 2) will have lost control to some extent. I assume that your goal is to use for the next 10 to 20 years without becoming "addicted". I honestly can say that I have very little control over my use, so I give control of my pain pills to my girlfriend. I think it is very healthy to recognize within yourself, your shortcomings or (defects of character, some might say) and find a way to offset those shortcomings with smart decisions. I think you're a pretty cool guy and I enjoy reading your posts; so to hear you say that, kind of makes me worry a little bit. Hard drug users, of all people, can't afford to be disillusioned when it comes to our potentially deadly life choice. There are so many traps for us and in the end our diligence is often not enough to offset the consequences. I'm not saying you should just say fuck it and use everyday, as that is obviously an unhealthy mindset. I guess it just comes down to this. When and if the time comes that the control that you practice and enjoy now with some obvious success, isn’t enough to keep that monkey from growing into an ape, that you aren't in denial and you recognize exactly where you are at in your drug use.

With all of that said, I have a friend that has been chipping for close to 20 years, with limited success, and he abides by these rules. He never uses when he craves it the most. Even if he has gone 2 months without using and he has serious cravings to use again or just had a bad day, he will wait until the cravings are gone before using. In other words he never gives in to the craving. It seems pretty simplistic but it works for him. He will also use a drug other than his drug of choice for a while if he feels in danger of spinning out of control.
You're a smart guy, just be truthful with yourself (it's so easy to mind fuck ourselves) Stick to the rules that you make for yourself. I think just setting steadfast rules is the biggest step you can make and the first time you break one of your own rules should throw up huge red flag that control is slipping away. Evaluate your decisions on a daily basis and adjust your actions accordingly.
 
TheodoreRoosevelt said:
Anyways to those who have chipped, what made you fail? How long did you last?

To those who chip, how do you do it, and for how long?
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Without reading more into things, Ill tell my story.

I used to never use opiates until I had surgery, and I fell in love with the morphine drip. At 16 I first loved them, and used them like once a month. I stayed at this for about 2 years. At 18 or 19, cant remember, I found a good hookup for things. Accompanied with the stress of school, it changed to once a week, when I was on my "weekend". I chipped for about 2 years like this, occasionally doing it twice a week, but kept my tolerance down. I only needed like 20-30mg of oxy to get off nicely.

Then something changed, I dont know what, and I dont know why. At no distinct point, during no distinct period, I just started doing it daily. I woke up, and decided Id get high again that day. Two days in a row didnt make a difference. Then the third, fourth, and fifth day, I was still getting high. By the next week I need 120mg to get a buzz. And then the witdrawal set in.

Because I couldnt just suck it up, Id would buy more and continue, merely maintaining myself, keeping this to myself. When my bank account was empty and I was in debt, I started taking buprenorphine to help. I never went to a clinic because I didnt want this on the record. A good friend was going through the same thing and was supportive of me.

Im off the bupe now, having beat a 6 month oxy habit. But now the bigger struggle is here. Ive been high twice in the past two weeks since "overcoming". Maybe I will be able to chip again. I dont think Im ready to say goodbye to opioids yet so...

I just remember a guy like 1.5 years ago, not having any opioids to get high on my weekend ritual, and the fear I felt because of it. That shoula been my warning sign, but I ignored it.

My story is the same old story, probably been told a thousand times... I just never thought it would happen to me (and if you can quote the movie that line is from, you are awesome).

Be careful man. I did so well for so many years. And then one day for no particular reason, I fucked up and I was hooked.
 
I'm not saying you should just say fuck it and use everyday, as that is obviously an unhealthy mindset. I guess it just comes down to this. When and if the time comes that the control that you practice and enjoy now with some obvious success, isn’t enough to keep that monkey from growing into an ape, that you aren't in denial and that you recognize exactly where you are at in your drug use.
Click to expand...

Recently I've been trying to assess my mental addiction. I've pretty much decided I'm a junky, mentally addicted, and will always come back (as my current frame of my mind is). What difference this makes, none that I can really tell. But I do think I've perhaps traded the physical for the mental...

But I keep my life in check, don't let my use get in the way of my obligations, so whatever. Maybe it gets in the way of certain social aspects of my life, but whatever.

FYI I just stopped another heroin binge, and am going to go clean for at least a week to flush out my system. Maybe I'll abstain longer, maybe not.

I'll reply to more later, gotta go.
 
For me there is no such thing as chipping. Once I get involved with it, its balls the wall everyday. My body is like a drug steam engine, it needs to be fed and stoked constantly, be it IV scag or perico. Its a harsh reality. Thats why I go through 4-8 month periods where I just go crazy and burn out then get clean for like a year.
 
Wow I just looked at my post and just realized that I repeated myself. Sorry about that. LOL
 
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