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Long Term Recreational IV Drug Use - Can you Avoid Addiction?

minxxxy

minxxxy

Bluelighter
Joined
Sep 26, 2011
Messages
58
Location
Perth, Western Australia
Hey other healthy living people

I have been an IV user for two years, injecting meth. I use less than 20 times a year, mainly over summer. This year for example, I didn't use between February and August, and have three times in the past two months.

The few people who know about my behavior talk to me about being addicted and seeking help. I personally do not believe I am addicted to meth any more than I think I'm addicted to potatoes or my favorite television show. However the response I get is that this is exactly what an addict would say *frustration*

I wanted to know if others here have managed to find a balance between their drug use and a healthy lifestyle. Can you really be an IV drug user and not develop an addiction? Can you be healthy and well adjusted and be a casual user?

Thanks all
 
It's completely possible, but the question is that is it likely that an addiction will form.? More or less yes, but some people have a stronger will power than others with drugs. Just know what kind of fire you're playing with. Many people start out that way (usually lasts a lot less than a couple of years). Meth takes a large tole on your health either way, so the effort needed to maintain a healthy lifestyle might be greater, and it will simply take that much more effort.

My suggestion? Do what you want, but just be prepared for things to fall apart at any point in time. It seems like you're doing okay, but there's no telling what rests in the future. Be prepared for anything.
 
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I think that all drug users are addicted, in the same way if somethings good you want more of it. What you need to explain is that drug use if benefitting you, if it isn't then maybe these people are trying to help but you're the one failing to understand. Self assess your drug use, there is a strict difference between drug use and drug problem, but you can have a drug problem without being addicted.
 
I use to enhance experiences and ignore my crippled body for 24 hours when I have events on. I never use unless it's an event, and I go to events and not use, which is why the addiction part frustrates me. I like to do things that make me feel good, but consider addiction about urges, withdrawals etc. I'm not trying to be defensive... Just deceive how I feel. That said I appreciate everyone's opinion, and completely agree with what you have both said about my health and having a drug problem.

Do either of you have experience in this type of behavior? What do you think the biggest risks are?
 
Do you use other drugs more frequently? Do you think obsess about it on the days you don't use? Getting high 20 times a year is not addictive behavior imo. People just freak out because it is meth. No one would call someone that drinks 20 time a year an alcoholic, but keep in mind that one shot of meth is obviously much more powerful than a few drinks. For a different perspective you could look to the 12 steps. Are you powerless over drugs and has your life become unmanageable?
 
different people have different definitions of addiction. For me it comes down to four basic things that lead me to awareness of my addiction: obsessive thoughts, compulsive behaviors, denial of realities (despite all evidence to the contrary) and self-centeredness.

The self-centered part is a huge red flag for me. Whenever i start putting my wants before other people's needs then i gotta take a deeper look into what the exact nature of my behavior is revolving around.

If you are one of the few that can inject infrequently without it becoming progressively more frequent and uncontrollable then hell... ,ore power to you. Just know that you are the only one who can really answer whether you are addicted or not so honesty with self is critical
 
The critical part for me is this:
If it hasn't got to the point where the use impedes on your health, social life, work life, relationships and well-being then I really don't see it as an issue.

You use, on average, once every 19 days. That, to me, does not spell harmful addiction. Whilst you may be addicted in the sense that you really need to use it on those special occasions, if it isn't impacting on your life detrimentally then I wouldn't worry about it too much.

However, this is the present moment.
Can you affirm what the future holds in terms of maintaining control over your usage?
You must be honest with yourself. You shouldn't care what other people think of your usage. That is down to you and nobody else. If they wish to judge so dramatically, then so be it. Of course, they only hold your best interests at heart but really, you need to think about this yourself.
Do you honestly know that you will keep this level of control? What steps will you take if you notice your use increasing?

I would never advocate addiction, but I do feel that emotion-free logical thinking is crucial.
I myself have chosen an addiction to Kratom as it annihilates my anxiety and helps perk me up through the day, much akin to coffee for many. I made the (temporary) decision that it is better for me to use Kratom (as it has no serious adverse effects), and get on with my life anxiety-free than to suffer each day and be held back by crippling anxiety and depression. I never let it get to the point where it obstructs the 5 main aspects of my life: social life, health, relationships, well-being and work life. I make sure to prioritise by putting my health, well-being and friends first and never let it get in the way of that. I make sure to spend money on food and necessities first, and so on and so forth. This so far has served me well.
Now I know Kratom and Meth are 2 totally different animals, the latter being much more powerful and potentially destructive.
However, the point is that it is possible to use infrequently and keep it that way, and it is possible to use drugs to your advantage without them destroying your life and harming you, provided you take care, err on caution and keep your wits about you.

Always make sure your health comes first. You seem switched on, and on top of things, but I've seen even the most switched on people lose control and let it take over their lives. Despite all that I said, I would of course advise you stop using for the sake of harm reduction. Just be extra careful and monitor your usage, use it safely and stay wise.
 
I think that by the time you start using IVs for recreational drug usage it starts to become less "something to do" and more like "I need to do something!"
 
Hey everyone

Yes I honestly believe I have this under control.

Do I sometimes wish I didnt have a job and had heaps of cash and could live life in one blissful drugged out daydream? Yeah I do occassionally! I have had depression and so escapism is always appealing. But real life ensures that doesnt happen. I have responsibilities, family and friends, a career, Im studying for my second uni degree and I care about my health etc and that keeps me on the straight and narrow to some extent. Does it impact my relationships though - yes it does. Im single and this means any relationships I start are always based on lies, because really... who wants to date an IV drug user! I also have to keep my use a secret from everyone except my closest friends.

Do I think about drugs more often that when I use? Yes. But usually thinking about events in the future and making sure Im stocked up and ready. Ill happily spend a grand or two in Spring to stock up for summer. I dont have any friends who can have drugs in their home and not use.
 
Only you know what is best for you then minxxxy. Obviously we kind of all wish that sometimes, so I wouldn't consider that addiction, but it seems like you know what you're doing, and if you are satisfied with the way you are living your life, then I believe that is what is important.
 
Did you get my PM? I jst remembered that as a greenlighter you can't respond. So yeah, you seem to definitely know where you stand and have your head in the right place.

It's a shame that you can't find love because of this - though I think you just haven't found the right guy yet. It shouldn't be too hard to find someone who loves you for you, regardless of your IV use, and he should certainly see that it's not a full-blown addiction , it doesn't alter who you are, you do in fact care about your health and it's just a choice you make every 19 days or so which doesn't get in the way of your ability to love and care for someone. Me personally, I wouldn't really tell them about it at all and certainly wouldn't feel guilty about it. You aren't lying to them, merely withholding information that has nothing really to do with them as it doesn't really change anything.

Have you considered stopping? In what ways do you take care of your health? You go to the gym much? Have any hobbies or play sports?
 
Hey Attempt4 I did! I can reply but not within three hours of replying to another PM so I was a bit stuck :P

I cant not find love BECAUSE of my drug use - it just adds a layer of complication. IV drug use has stigma even amongst drug users, let alone non-drug users. My last partner I fessed up to after about four months. Was very clear about what I do and do not do, and that in our time together I had only done it once. It is hard for people to shake their preconceived notions about what IV use means and how you immediately think junkie Hep C AIDS trainspotting kind of scenarios. He was ok with it... but I broke up with him anyway :P

I generally have commitment issues! See the quote on my profile - Im a wild horse that doesnt want to be tamed :P

Have I considered stopping? NO more so than Ive considered stopping dairy and using artificial sugar. I m health conscious and often dream of being this raw food eating, organic, at peace with the world, meditative, yoga loving, earth mother. But the reality is that I enjoy my indulgences. SO I try to strike healthy balance
 
Yah mon, I get ya! There is absolutely nothing wrong with indulgences at all! You seem to have the balance down perfectly and like I said, clearly have your wits about you. Do you mind me asking how old you are?

I am inclined to say that even though it may impose a layer of complication, if they are ignorant enough to apply the stigma to you and judge you negatively because of it then they aren't worth your time. You don't want to be tamed and more power to you! Whilst you could argue that they may be only looking out for you, it's their problem if they want to suddenly see you as a Hep C-ridden scumbag not to be trusted as that's just not accurate. Whoever thinks that clearly isn't the right person for you anyway, which leaves you free to not only continue enjoying what you do, but eventually find someone who will love and respect you for who you are.
 
I am tragically 29yo, turning 30 soon. Bring on dirty thirty ;)
However compared to my spawn-producing, mortgage-loving, happily-loved-up friends, I might as well be 19.
But hey - its my life and Ill prioritise how I want to.

And yes yes yes - all the stuff you say about partners is completely accurate. But Im in the most isolated city in the world - we have two degress of separation here (I mean really!). There is a limited dating pool and finding someone who is tolerant of my behaviours who also meets my other criteria just reduces the pool even further.
 
PS By criteria, I mean a) I have a height restriction and b) attraction is a must.

I dont have a list like
- brown hair
- must be a millionaire
- with an enormous appendage
- and dead parents

etc etc
 
You could very well have it under control. If you didn't, you probably wouldn't know it though. Just because IV is stigmatized by certain people it doesn't mean that it's out of the realm of possibility to do so without becoming overly dependent.
 
minxxxy said:
I use to enhance experiences and ignore my crippled body for 24 hours when I have events on. I never use unless it's an event, and I go to events and not use, which is why the addiction part frustrates me. I like to do things that make me feel good, but consider addiction about urges, withdrawals etc. I'm not trying to be defensive... Just deceive how I feel. That said I appreciate everyone's opinion, and completely agree with what you have both said about my health and having a drug problem.

Do either of you have experience in this type of behavior? What do you think the biggest risks are?
Click to expand...

If i have drugs I'll use drugs, if i don't have drugs i want drugs, sometimes i can buy drugs and feel just as satisfied having them sitting there for a few days so that if i get bored want something to do i can use them. I would say i'm a drug addict but i don't use every day (except tiny amounts of medical {self pescribed} cannabis) my thing is binges. i need a binge now and again. obsesss about it, i'll go to a party andtake large amounts of e.
 
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