Poly drug user, am I an addict?

[Memantine]

Ever since I was a kid I was obsessed with all psychoactive substances. Lately I'm a bit depressed because my education failed and I don't have a job. Since then my drug use increased.

At the moment I use these drugs on a regular basis: Dextromethorphan, codeïne, pregabaline, hydroxyzine, clonidine and temazepam. It's not like I want one particular drug all the time but I just want some kind of downer now and then.


If I stay sober for longer then four days I get VERY depressed and agitated. Am I addicted or just obsessed with drugs?

 

[kleinerkiffer]

Well, imo by putting a label on it, like addiction or obsession, you gain nothing. Maybe you are addicted or maybe you are just obsessed, those are just words and highly subjective.
Imo what's really important is to find out the reason for your depression. That's the key to everything, if you know the reason for your depression you can change it and ime if you cure your depression you won't feel the need to be intoxicated all the time


Anyway, I feel like this is more suited for TDS
So OD - - > TDS

 

[herbavore]

^+1000.

Underneath the drugs is the self you have to be having a conversation with, scary as that may be.

 

[Moreaux]

I think you're depressed and have way too much unstructured time on your hands. Lack of purpose in life definately contributes to depression. I think you need to examine your life and try to determine why you are depressed. I also think you need to start scheduling activities like job hunting, exercise, volunteering, socializing. Being left alone with your thoughts for too long can be a very destructive thing. I also think if you're asking the question of are you addicted it's time to take a break from all mind altering substances. Good luck!

 

[zebedee79]

I totally agree with everyone about dealing with your underlying depression, but you haven't given much info on how long and much of those drugs your using. There's a real chance of physical addiction to codeine and temazepam, and while codeine is considered a weak opiate the withdrawals are hell (not close to heroin or strong opiates, but believe me codeine withdrawal ain't pretty). Any chance you could let us no the doses and frequency of the drugs your using, because of you are physically addicted you need to deal with it now. I suffer with depression and anxiety and used similar drugs to you cope. Ended up taking about 3 grams of codeine and dihydrocodeine a day, couldnt handle withdrawal when I had to go a couple of days without, made the biggest mistake of my life and scored heroin. So please be honest with yourself, and if you are addicted deal with it now, it only gets harder from here.

Good luck

After writing I re-read your post, if you can go four days without, then you've got a real chance of turning your life around. Read all posts on here and OD, all of us addicts started like you and no one wants to be an addict it's no life and if you carry on you will become one. Start to deal with your problems, if you've got a friend or family member to confide in then do it. If not speak to someone, a Dr, counselor whatever. Just do it now because you will end up a junkie.