Misc How has OD helped you?

[phr]

Hello OD readers and posters,

In an effort to improve the forum we'd like ask you guys a simple question, "How has OD helped you?" Or rather, what have you learned here?

Very rarely do we - the regular contributors to OD - get to see the results of the advice we give. Most of the time, all we see is the bad - the addictions, the health issues, the negative consequences of using - making it hard to believe that we're making a difference in people's lives. When all you see is the dark side of drug use, you start to wonder if you should even bother with helping others try to see the light. This thread is where you can post about how OD has helped you so the members can see that all their effort is not for nothing.

Sometimes it's important, and reassuring that we're doing a good job, for us to see exactly how OD has helped you and what you have learned.

Have you learned about a specific drug? Have you learned how to properly dose or use a certain roa? Have we helped you taper? Have we helped you avoid a medical emergency? You get the point. It could be a minor thing like "I started using sterile cotton filters" or something big like "You guys helped be successfully quit with Suboxone."

Please be as specific as possible and please stay on topic.


Thanks and we look forward to hearing from you.

-OD Staff

 

[etaks2evil]

I believe that OD is a valuable part of this site and that you guys do a great job. I would have to send a special thanks to Captain.Heroin for all of his valuable advice.

Here I learned how to channel Benzo use into something that has greatly improved my quality of life socially and mentally. Now being prescribed Klonopin has helped me with a lot of things in my life and the advice I got on here helped me curve away from abuse.

 

[Korn3x]

i probably woulda OD'ed on heroin if i didn't look up dosages and everything on here. and i also learned how to safely use needles. the mods have also been very good at answering any questions that I have.

 

[bagochina]

Cant recall too much that I learned, back in the day it was more about sharing what I knew [2000-03] and my mistakes. Now-a-daze I mainly just use OD to keep myself updated on new meds and of course to remind myself how easily I could slip and fall into oblivion if I dont keep my head up.

OD

peace.
seedless

 

[Sentimental]

Helped me be more aware of opiates, what they can do to me and how to manage my use - how often, what doses to take.

OD prevents OD's

 

[burn out]

it hasn't helped me one bit. quite the opposite actually. that's my fault though, because i was a stupid addict and chose to listen to advice that would help me to keep my addiction going instead of listening to people who warned me to stop.

 

[phr]

Well, I'm not even sure where to start, nor can I list every thing I've learned here.

I still remember one of the first times, if not the first time, I stumbled across OD. It was either 2001/2002 and I got my hands on an OC 40. Dosage, roa, defeating the time release, effects, and just about everything else had to be researched. I had somewhat of an idea of what I had, but not enough information to make a good decision. OD delivered that.

Other things I learned here; how to handle an opiate OD, proper iv technique, what to do when you miss a shot, drugs that shouldn't be mixed, importance of micron filters, potential iv complications, and countless other things I can't think of right now.

 

[sixpartseven]

Things I've learned here...

- I had no idea what Suboxone was till I read about it in OD in 03 or 04. If it weren't for learning about it here, I probably would have never known about it when I tried to quit heroin for the first time. At the time, I didn't know anyone who knew about Suboxone - no one in my city was even using heroin at that time. I likely would have continued using heroin thinking I had no options if it wasn't for OD. I didn't know there was a medical option for getting off opiates - other than Methadone, of course, but I didn't want to get on that.

- Like phrozen, I learned about proper IV technique and what to do when you miss. I can't imagine how many abscesses I would have had by now if it weren't for this.

Also like phrozen, there are so many other things I can't think of at the moment. I will post any significant ones I think of.

Keep it coming, everyone.

 

[TouchN' Stuff Blvd]

Learning about the BA of different drugs with different ROAs has been very useful. At one point I was sure I got more of oxys from sniffing rather than eating them. Also, How to potentate opiates, the fact that many of my favorite drugs tend to be gaba antagonists, lots of things about good mixes / mixes to avoid (particularly with tramodol) Rest assured people are having a better, safer time because of the good info many post here

 

[sixpartseven]

Ah, yes! Bioavailability. I too thought I was getting the most out of certain drugs with certain ROA's - specifically oxycodone, just like you mention - until I learned what BA was and how it varies depending on ROA.

I'd have wasted lots and lots of drugs if it weren't for knowing about BA.

Thank you for sharing and I'm glad we were able to help you with that, but on top of stories like this, I'd like to know if someone out there has been helped by OD in a life-altering way. Anyone out there with a life-changing story to share?

 

[oneswtwld]

i probably woulda OD'ed on heroin if i didn't look up dosages and everything on here. and i also learned how to safely use needles. the mods have also been very good at answering any questions that I have.

seriously, I probably would jave o'd;d probablby would have died,,, Capt Heroin gave me advice I d=could not ask anyone else... he is a :god:send


this si a place to go to ask the wuestions that mot people, even some doctorsm (including my former doctoer, although I have a GREAT doctor now) would shun you for.


This is a must or all pepole who are willing to esperiment with their bodies

peace


i wish I could sy more bu sleep calls

peace

 

[Znegative]

Proper I.V technique, the existence of micron filters, how to dose myself reasonably on suboxone, and I'm sure much more but I'm out of it now

 

[Lando138]

Well what brought me here in the first place was doing research on oxycontin after i had gotten into it. Had it not been for BL i would never have known all the technical things behind it such as BA, how it works (on the brain and how it effects your body and such), and the dangers of addiction, not to mention what to do about it.

Which brings me to the next thing. Once i realized i was addicted i found lots of helpful information on suboxone that helped me make the choice to get on it. Since then it brought my life back on track and i continue to find help and support through reading posts and posting where i feel my 2 cents would help. Kinda therapeutic in a way.

 

[HdoubleODeezy]

OD has done a lot for me -
First i learned about micron filtering which i do to my suboxone since i IV it.
Back in the day i used to try and IV benzo's with water thinking it was working but really wasn't and i learned why (because they weren't water soluble), so i learned that here too.
I always had a decent amount of knowledge of prescription medicines but OD has pretty much doubled what i had known about them, which i am thankful for since most of the drugs i use a prescription meds, whether they're mine or not lol.
Deffinately learning about the BA's for different ROA's with different drugs has been helpful.
Most of all, i moved away from most (if not all) of my friends that do drugs to try and settle down with them a little bit (and have now got my life somewhat under control with suboxone and bi polar medications), so i don't really have many people to talk to about what interests me (drugs, meds, etc.) so OD has given me an outlet to talk about things and also to help people by trying to give the best advice i can about the subject at hand.
So in a way i think of OD as a group of friends (whether people know me or not) that try to help each other as much as possible by giving harm reduction advice.
We may never know how many lives we've saved by the info we give on here but we need to think positive and assume we are doing people a lot of good by informing people of safe drug practices.
I know that BL has the best of intentions in mind (harm reduction) and i think it's doing a great job at that.
So overall.. OD has been a place for me to come and enjoy myself and help others while doing it..

 

[Captain.Heroin]

Other Drugs (and the entirety of Bluelight and all of its members) is a great support system, and I've been off of heroin for 18 months now. :D

Other Drugs has also helped me with various ideas/topics I have researched, including safe shooting, micron filtering, Suboxone, and more. I have learned a lot since joining here, everyone has a lot to contribute, and the more posts I read, the more I learn.

 

[synpse]

I get friends calling and asking "Can i shoot this pill?". This board has saved some random people some random lumps in their arms. I don't do much anymore, life after oxy's, but I can look up the +/- on pills, and the preps, and save someone some hassle.

Also, I find myself buying lots of clean needles for everyone.

Ugh, I still love the smell of oxy's. And the taste of sucking the coating off an 80.

If I wasn't here reading stories, I'd be out trying to cop in this ghetto town, and most likely be asked questions by people demanding answers. (under flashing lights)

 

[SmokeTrails]

Other Drugs (and the entirety of Bluelight and all of its members) is a great support system, and I've been off of heroin for 18 months now. :D

i wish i could say the same.

OD did a bunch of things for me
1) told me how to scam hospitals
2) told me how to shoot up
3) told me how to cop in the hood
4) told me how to function as a junkie
5) told me how to handle WD
6) gave me all the info i needed to become a operational dope fiend.

looking back, i dont know if i would have even been exposed to this kind of stuff without OD. i remember seeking opiates out more after reading about them here. on the flip side i probably would have died a long time ago had i not learned about proper technique and dosage. i think OD does a lot of good... i also think it does a lot of harm.

 

[Captain.Heroin]

i wish i could say the same.

OD did a bunch of things for me
1) told me how to scam hospitals
2) told me how to shoot up
3) told me how to cop in the hood
4) told me how to function as a junkie
5) told me how to handle WD
6) gave me all the info i needed to become a operational dope fiend.

looking back, i dont know if i would have even been exposed to this kind of stuff without OD. i remember seeking opiates out more after reading about them here. on the flip side i probably would have died a long time ago had i not learned about proper technique and dosage. i think OD does a lot of good... i also think it does a lot of harm.

You've been on the site 5 years longer than I have, but we don't allow anyone to post about how to scam doctors nor hospitals. That's a very specific rule we enforce regularly.

Safe shooting is definitely essential information, because you can find out through trial and error but that might be detrimental to you more than learning the safe way to inject.

I think it's important to realize that Other Drugs doesn't do harm, people do harm to themselves or others. When using certain types of drugs, or injecting drugs, harm is always a potential outcome. This is why we're not a "harm free" site, we're a "harm reduction" site. We would like to reduce the amount of harm that will come about with people's ignorance on various subjects, by informing them on what to do when attempting to do something that is potentially risky.

Bluelight doesn't seek out opiates for you either. While reading about opiates on here, you noticed you sought them out more. That has nothing to do with Other Drugs, nor Bluelight. If Bluelight didn't exist, Erowid still would. The experiences on Erowid alone would probably be enough for most people to still learn about how great heroin or other drugs are in terms of euphoria. Or you might have encountered friends who told you how great drug X or drug Y is.

I didn't sign up for Bluelight until after I was determined to quit using heroin once and for all, and ever since signing up for Bluelight, I haven't relapsed since. I think it's natural for people to be interested in using drugs, and that harm from drug use stems from the laws of your country, poor technique, impure product, crime and violence associated with drug dealing, drug use, drug abuse, and drug withdrawal, and finally the potential physical and psychological harm of sustained drug abuse itself.

Bluelight doesn't dictate any country's laws, poor technique comes from being new at injecting or the lack of knowledge about drug administration, impure products are a result of laws and the incentive to make as much money as possible since what a drug dealer is doing is already illegal as is. The crime and violence are a result of high demand and low supply, coupled with the laws dictating drugs are illegal. Drugs themselves can be potentially damaging, and this is why we are careful to point out that there's a benefit to not be addicted/dependent on drugs, but rather intermittent recreational drug use is more ideal.

I just don't see how Bluelight causes harm, when it all comes back to the fact that a country's laws prohibit drugs and drug use, and this is what facilitates, or directly causes, harm. Overall I still appreciate your feedback! Even if you have had downfalls, or problems since joining Bluelight, there's always time for recovery.

 

[smokeymcpot42088]

Dude, I owe OD alot....

First and foremost I learned I can not take more than 4g of tylenol in a day safely. (possible lifesaver)

I decided not to go on methadone because of peoples hellish first hand experiences on the program

I first heard about suboxone here and was one of the first patients in my area, you have no idea the pain this has saved me.


I've learned suboxone can be used as naloxone is an Emergency (in conjuction with 911 of course)

I feel alot more informed about the dangers of drugs seeing peoples first hand accounts, watching people who I respect go downhill and in some cases even OD and die......Nothing slams home how fucked up your life is like seeing someone you know die from the same shit.

I learned about many drugs that are less popular and harder to get and seeked them out gaining valuable new experiences.

I mean it could go on forever and ever, Id like to think I learn something helpful everyday on OD

smoketrails--- The internet cannot harm you, only you can harm you.....well maybe not only you, but still you cant be harmed via internet.

 

[sixpartseven]

i wish i could say the same.

OD did a bunch of things for me
1) told me how to scam hospitals
2) told me how to shoot up
3) told me how to cop in the hood
4) told me how to function as a junkie
5) told me how to handle WD
6) gave me all the info i needed to become a operational dope fiend.

looking back, i dont know if i would have even been exposed to this kind of stuff without OD. i remember seeking opiates out more after reading about them here. on the flip side i probably would have died a long time ago had i not learned about proper technique and dosage. i think OD does a lot of good... i also think it does a lot of harm.

1) Where in OD did you learn this? If it's there, point it out and I'll get rid of it, but until then, I have to wonder if it was actually OD and not some other forum on BL that you learned this in.
2) Of course we tell people how to shoot up, but we didn't directly encourage/make you do it. You made that choice, and that is exactly why we teach people how to do it: you make the choice to do it, we make the choice to teach you how to do it safely because you're going to do it whether we tell you how or not, so might as well help people be safe about it.
3) Again, where in OD did we tell you how to cop in the hood? Drug Culture has a thread specifically dedicated to this, so again I have to wonder if it was actually OD you learned this in. OD has never allowed discussions like that. We always moved them to DC.
4) Teaching you how to function as a junkie is much different than encouraging you to remain a junkie. YOU made the choice to become dependent. We show you how to make it as painless as possible. The point here and in (2) is that we are here to help people deal with the consequences of the choices they make on their own; we don't make those choices or encourage it. Ultimately, it is up to you. Is it OD's fault you did all this? Not at all. You read about it here, sure, but we're not the ones who stuck the needle in your arm. We were just here to help you stick the needle in right and deal with the consequences of repeating that behavior.
5) How is teaching you how to handle WD a bad thing? Most people would see that as a God-send.
6) Once again, you found the info here, but YOU were the one who ultimately chose to use the drugs. OD in no way forced that upon you. People are perfectly capable of reading things in OD and not feeling compelled to run out and mimic the stories they read.

Ultimately, it boils down to this: we provide the info, but we are not responsible for what you do with it. This goes both ways. You could choose to mimic what you read and possibly become a raging junkie, but then also listen to what we say afterwards and get clean again. Or, as in some sad cases, you could choose to not listen to what we say at all and end up dead.

The information our members have provided over the years have saved lives. Yes, there is a dark side to drug use, but there is a light on the other side, and that's what this thread is for. Which brings me to my last point: this thread is for the members to see all the good they have done. We hear about the bad all the time, so why did you have to post all the bad things we are apparently - but clearly not - responsible for in here?

Let the people see that they are doing some good. From now on, if OD hasn't done anything good for you, save it for another thread. The members deserve to know that the effort they are putting in to this forum is paying off.