Need help

[theplacidcasual]

Hey guys, I wasn't quite sure where to post this thread so I apologise if I have posted it in the wrong section. Basically, I'm a 22 year old male who has been using substances since the age of 15. I'd be honest in saying that the decision to partake in the use of these substances have brought on many problems. They have ruined relationships, caused some pretty severe problems with anxiety and has brought on full-blown psychosis on one occasion. One of these substances that I've had a problem with is alcohol. What I'm wondering is that whether the problem wasn't alcohol itself but the large quantity of substances that it leads me to take when drunk. Allow me to explain...
I find that on occasions I can have a couple of drinks and leave it at that no problem. The problem is once I become drunk, I develop very nasty craving for other substances (stimulants most of the time) and stop at nothing to get them. Not only that, I also go on for days spending money I don't have and the result of this is some very nasty psychological side-effects. I have often been in position where I have announced to myself and others that I am going to stop taking illicit substances and get clean, until I find that I've had a bottle or two of wine or some beers and I am on the phone desperately looking for anything I can get. This is a major pain in the arse to say the least and I'm currently at a point where I'm feeling incredibly low, I sometimes self-harm when I'm drunk and I just feel out of control. I'm aware that the solution would be to stop drinking, but I like any one enjoy drinking on the weekend (perhaps too much) and kid myself into believing that I won't buy any substances when I'm next drunk ("it's not gonna happen this weekend, I'll just get drunk!"). I know a lot of people who seem to have this problem, which definitely has me believing that alcohol is the worst "gateway drug" of all. Is there any one else here that can relate to this? I have had periods in my life where I'm able to drink without the need to go off and get "on it" so to speak. Perhaps the solution is to avoid alcohol for some time so I can break this horrible routine, which I believe if will continue I will become unwell. Anyway, that's enough from me.

 

[VitamaN]

I was a full on gutter drunk when I was young. Started around the same age you did. 12-13 ish (dont quite remember)
and booz is hands down the shiftiest substance I ever ingested . IT DOES cause those intense cravings for other drugs and I had to put it down because even when I drink "responsibly " I can get brutally depressed and have those craving issues that you have. I know its a temptation cuz its by far the most socially acceptable drug and its available anywhere and even street bums can afford it.
I look at it this way... just because twinkies are at the grocery store doesnt mean I have to buy them and eat em. That's booz for me. Junk food of the mind. Totally unhealthy on many levels, and NEVER worth it.

 

[flyhighk]

Hi there

I kinda have the same problem, but much milder. Can you do anything to stop yourself from ordering drugs while drunk? (Keep your phone at home, get rid of your dealer's number, or give your phone to a friend for the duration) If that's not possible, you'll have to drink less often.

Good luck

HL ---> TDS

 

[theplacidcasual]

Thank you for your responses. I have tried many ways to stop ordering drugs while drunk, deleting numbers being one of them. I haven't actually tried leaving my phone at home though. I'm not sure if that would work though as I hang around with people who also take drugs.

 

[Maya]

^maybe you should just completely give up drinking OP. It is the best way to avoid craving for other substances. Like fly, i am similar in a way but i more into cocaine. It is hard to stop thinking about getting another drug because you want to continue the great feeling of euphoria. Try to just stop the alcohol op goodluck.

 

[theplacidcasual]

Would a period of abstinence from alcohol do the trick? I'd hate to think that these cravings will always happen. Perhaps time without alcohol will mean time without drugs which will hopefully break this horrid routine?

 

[hydroazuanacaine]

drugs make you want to use other drugs. alcohol is a terrible culprit because it lowers inhibitions so severely. maybe quit drinking for a year so that you can get things together. not as in laying off, as it sounds like you know how well that works. don't expect life to be badass after a few months off. stick with it to realize the benefits. after that year, after all that commitment and progress, see if you really want to start drinking again.

best of luck.

 

[VitamaN]

Because of its social compatibility it seems like people don't realize that alcohol is a hardcore drug.
I always thought it was weird how chems are referred to as "drugs and alcohol"...as if alcohol is different from drugs. Nope. It's a drug . Now that you know how hardcore it is, decisions have to be made for your well being. Hope you figure it out! For real. I was stuck in the bottle for years and now I rarely ever even crave it and I sometimes feel like I'm gonna puke when I see it at the grocery store.

 

[theplacidcasual]

Alcohol is definitely one of the worst drugs I've ever dealt with, but I think myself feeling like I miss out on night's out with my friends and the funny stories that result from these night's out. I'd like to just drink and not go on a mad drugs binge.

 

[hydroazuanacaine]

you’d be surprised how much of the fun, weird, and energy of a night out is not the result of alcohol or drugs. if you go out and don’t drink one night, yeah, you’re gonna miss the alcohol and feel that things are lame without it. if you don’t drink anymore, you’ll begin to miss it much less and start having a damn good time. and you’ll wake up feeling good and able to remember all the stupid, crazy shit you and your friends did. including “you” in that, because you will still get caught up in it and get wild.

not trying to present not drinking as all cake. but it's so much better than addiction. and addiction is not necessarily waking up and getting drunk everyday. addiction can be continuing to drink even though the results are regrettable.

 

[theplacidcasual]

It's interesting that I am willing to persevere with something that makes me miserable, leads me to using heavy quantities of drugs, strips me of my creativity (I'm a songwriter and frontman in a band) amongst other things.

 

[edgewise1]

For a while you need to NOT go out with your friends. I would think that a bar or club would be the worst place for a new recovering alcoholic to go. You may even find it necessary to cultivate new nondrinkers for friends if your current friends do not respect your decision.

It all seems undoable at first but as time passes you will find it becomes easier.

GOOD LUCK! And please continue to post, good or bad.