Does the fact that I use mean I abuse and does that make me an addict?

[Alex.anthony317]

Even since i first smoked meth I was drawn in by the feeling and also the process of doing it. It just made sense to me. It was like finding a piece of me that was missing. But after I was introduced to it I stayed away from it mainly because of the negative stigmatizing of it from the profiteering rehab organizations that benefit from a negative view of stimulant/"drug" use. But once my family split and we went our separate ways I've started using. Pretty frequently but I'm pretty productive with its stimulating properties. But I feel like I'm being labeled an addict because I choose to utilize the supplement. I also feel that this is partially because my associative society has been brainwashed by this negative stigma of it.

All in all I just wanted others opinions on whether use is really abuse and if justifying its utilization is really means to call someone an addict. Thanks.

 

[PriestTheyCalledHim]

I moved this thread from NASADD to the dark side.

If you use meth frequently you probably are addicted to it, and are just trying to convince yourself that you're fine and that you do not have a problem or addiction when you actually do as that's what meth addiction is like. Stay safe.

I do know a few people who did use meth/crank recreationally but they just used it once or twice, and did not ever use it again. They did not say it was like finding a piece of themselves that was missing, or want to repeat the experience or use the drug again.

 

[flannery oh]

Admitting that you're an addict is the worst. But it's important. In my opinion an addict is someone who relies on something to cope. People can be addicted to so many things, not just drugs.

I felt great when I did drugs, but at the end of the day I knew I was empty. I have been clean for 16 days and typing that makes me cry. I am proud to have the courage to say no but I am ashamed I am having to go through this.

Try to live a few days without it. What happens in those days will give you your answer.

 

[Burnt Offerings]

"Utilize the supplement"? Lol it's meth not fucking valerian root

No, simple use does not equal addiction. But just admit that you like to tweak...I've never gotten why some people feel the need to rationalize recreational drug use so much

 

[herbavore]

I find it very disturbing and frightening when people feel any drug is "like finding a missing part" of themselves. Liking the feeling of a drug makes sense but seeing it as what has been missing from your existence should set off some major alarms.

 

[Dresden]

Yes, if you buy into the official party line of the medical drug rehab complex.

 

[Beware_iaintright]

But what if yu knw yu can jus stop at any time but only want tht feeling when everything is going wrng.....lyk ni my gf nd my granny knw. They want me to gt help cool...but I dnt really see the point.
I ain't hookd havnt raild in lyk 3 days...thts good considering I am still in my freshman stage.

 

[RDP89]

Use doesn't necessarily equate to abuse/addiction. However meth is a drug that tends to be very hard for people to control their usage of. I get what you're saying about being automatically labeled an addict which might not be fair, but the reason drugs like meth and heroin got that reputation is because a pretty damn high percentage of users become addicted, and when they do it usually gets pretty bad. Also, just because you're productive on it doesn't mean it won't have bad consequences. Just the fact that you felt the need to post this question should be a red flag to you.

 

[Beware_iaintright]

It's coke...I don't feel addicted doe. It's only been lyk 2 months.

 

[CalicoSam]

An unaddicted person may use and may have a serious attraction to substance use. An addicted person finds that using subordinates all other values and desires.

If you are continually violating your own deeply help principles to use that's a good sign of addiction. If you continually vow to quit or curtail use, to yourself or others, and it keeps not happening that's another serious sign. If you do a rational analysis and know that your drug of choice has substantially lowered your quality of life but you still feel a big resistance towards quitting that is a good sign as well.

 

[Moreaux]

Use doesn't necessarily equal addiction, however, your description sounds like you are heading into addiction if you are not there yet. Addiction is a progressive disease. Some signs include building a tolerance to the drug, and having to use more to get the same feeling. Another indicator is if your frequency of using is increasing. The most glaring sign you're addicted is if you experience withdrawal symptoms when you quit, unless you can't quit long enough of withdrawal to kick, in which case you're addicted.

As for societies predominate attitudes toward recreational drug use - yeah, probably not going to change anytime soon. As fun as drugs are, more often than not, they have severe negative consequences for people who are addicted and that is what is influencing society's perception of drug use. People who can successfully balance life and drugs responsible aren't making headlines because they would probably lose everything if it became common knowledge that they use drugs recreationally lol.