Who actively practices harm reduction when using drugs?

[psytaco]

I thought that this might be an interesting topic to discuss. i studied Psychology and one of the things I learnt is that attitudes do not always have corresponding behaviours.

I believe in HR. i think it is the best way to use drugs, and would encourage my friends and all drug users to adopt a HR way of using drugs. i could say with confidence that most people on bluelight would probably do the same. However, i do not always practice these principles when using drugs. This is not something I'm proud of, but i guess after using drugs over a 9 year period, I have a sense of complacency.

When i first started using pills. I used to test them. I never used to buy pills at clubs, and if I had to buy them at doof I brought a testing kit with me. Now, i will often buy at clubs (though with a phone with internet I have started to check PR before ingesting), and don't test anymore.

further, i often engage in poly-drug use. most times i use drugs (with the exception of downers like benzos or opiates) I'll use alcohol. And will sometimes combine different stimulants.

The one thing that I consistently practice HR in is psychedelic use. i am very hesitant to use large dosages, and would never go for anything more than an average dose if I haven't tripped on that type of tab or shroom. I have alot of respect for psychedelics and do not want to have psychotic episode.

So my question is: who actively practices HR throughout their drug use? how do practice it or how don't you practice it? If not, why do think you don't?

Also: try and keep the conversation away from chastising those who don't use the same practices as you.

 

[drug_mentor]

This is a good idea for a thread. Its funny, these days I wouldn't really say I practise "harm reduction" as in actively seeking out information that is relevant to my own drug use to make it safer BUT I have extensively researched everything I use so I could say that any decision I make in regards to drug use is an informed one.

I mainly used to use HR when I took ecstasy pills and when I was new to pharms and poly drug use. There was a wealth of information to soak up but now I feel I have gained the benefit of all my research and there is not currently a need to further practise it. If I still bothered with "ecstasy" I would still check PR alot and maybe test my pills.

I guess I do practise harm reduction when it comes to my psychedelic use which is very rare. I don't always dose on the conservative side but I am a firm believer in set and setting and I do make sure that it is appropriate circumstances for myself and probably more importantly my less experienced company to trip in.

I think when you think about it any bluelighter practises HR to an extent, just to bother to read factual information about drugs and discuss safer ways to do them is going to benefit anyone in one way or another when it comes to their own drug use. Essentially there comes a time when ones own knowledge of drugs means they are consistently practising harm reduction even if they are not actively trying to do so, that is why I believe ubiased and accurate information on drugs is essential and anybody who doesn't actually care what they are taking or want to know anything about it is thick as a brick.

 

[Jakeperson]

Never tested a pill once, always check BL and PR before though, only ever had one bad one.

I have recently started engaging poly drug use as I wont take much without benzos/opiates/alcohol to come down. Never combine those 3 though. Has been up in 4-5 different drugs over the weekends.

I definitely consider HR beforehand and stick to moderately "safe" combination.

I'm also addicted to weed which isn't very HRey.

 

[paulii]

funny, at a club last night wanting to buy a pill, got some dudes number, said ill call him when rdy, cheaked pill reports n deleted his number haha

 

[Vaej]

i dont exactly practice harm reduction, but i am a lot more aware and cautious of the health hazards presented by taking drugs. i used to abuse ecstasy 2-3 times per week before i discovered this site, i love rolling, but its not worth the damage, or the money infact doing it that much every weekend, my harm reduction is posting on this site, and gaining knowledge.

 

[MindlessBilly]

HR for me has never been something i practice very much, while i might preach it to other people and try and inform them of the dangers i can say i have not practiced it my self sometimes. Sure if im using a new drug i will research it and try and learn about it but at the same time ive taken many stupid risks. Mainly with DXM & while coming down from MDMA when i very well knew the risks involved with serotonin syndrome & the combining of these two drugs, hell i had some horrible reactions from doing that but at the same time did not care. Combining benzos and alcohol has been another warning i chose to ignore & spent 3 weeks in Thailand on high doses of vallium while drinking all day, to be honest im lucky i didnt end up in jail over there.

I like to think im well informed & careful about drugs but at the same time i know i can be very wreckless, hell before i found forums like bluelight i used to binge on crazy amounts of ecstasy pills then wonder why i feel like shit for 3 days or doing so much NOS that my feet have been semi numb for over a year even when ive cut down a hell of alot.

Personally i think at the end of the day forums like this have made me better informed of the decisions i make with drugs & i have a better understanding of risks involved even if i dont practice what i preach all the time.

I also see friends of mine who are well informed making the same bad choices & taking the same risks so i guess sometimes its very hard to approach drugs with HR in mind.

 

[chemi]

HR is quite important to me, I always do lots of reading on Erowid and articles on BL before I consume anything. I often do a high threshold dose and a low small dose first time I try a new substance too, just to become familiar with the high. Always make sure to research combos before I try too.

I don't use testing kits for the 3 times that I've rolled, however I do read PR every time. This is probably my failing, I really should use testing kits more often.

I also have a few mates who do not practice any PR at all, don't look up their pills and just trust their dealer. I shake my head at dismay at these poor folk...

 

[marley]

Harm reduction is paramount for me! Started with Erowid, then Bluelight and Pill Reports, then my own test kits.

I've flushed the odd non reactive 10 pack in my time. As far as I'm concerned, if you're gonna do it, do it safely.

I find it amazing people don't test their pills these days - honestly, these people just provide fodder for the media!!!!

 

[Sykik]

I practise HR. If your going to place yourself at risk, which you are with any drug use, be it legal or illegal, you may as well minimize it. You can have just as much fun with HR, as you can without it. But without HR, it might be the last "fun" you ever have.

So yes, I do practise HR. Testing pills is my main method of HR, as well as eating the appropiate food before hand and after. The best HR i have ever done is to limit consumption, to once every couple of months.

 

[TranzE]

As a sort of aside question, what percentage of xtc users actually test their pills in australia? im guessing less than 5%. I have used a testing kit in the past, but really haven't bothered much lately.

Around my circle of friends no one tests anything, which is quite sad really, but then again they are mostly once every 3-4 month type users.

 

[Sykik]

I would say around .1% test there pills.

 

[headdah]

recently when i found out one of my friends tried butane gas. I smacked him across the back of the head pretty hard then proceed to show him on the computer how harmful butane is. Smacked him again when he tried to say butane is similar to nos as in damage wise.

 

[Sustanon]

I always check Erowid in regards to HR. Its prob one of the best sites i have known and used. HR is highly important to me. How erowid says it Know your Body - Know your Mind - Know your Substance - Know your Source.

 

[Jabberwocky]

recently when i found out one of my friends tried butane gas. I smacked him across the back of the head pretty hard then proceed to show him on the computer how harmful butane is. Smacked him again when he tried to say butane is similar to nos as in damage wise.

lol, you probably killed a few more of his brain cells

being mainly an IVer at the moment HR is a huge part of my life.

ive done all the wrong things in the past so bluelight is a nice place to give knowledge ive learnt back.

 

[expothead]

Absolutely!

I vaporise rather than smoke. Test my pills (although I rarely buy them these days). CWE when I feel like chilling out occasionally. Take smaller doses initially. Never drink and drive.

HR helps me validate the selfishness of my actions.

 

[dnaenterprises1@ya]

I'm incredibly fastidious with my IV use. I've never reused or shared a fit in nearly 20 years of using. And I used daily for more than a decade. I use Hirudoid for my track mark, only use vials of IV water, always use swabs and I very rarely let someone prepare a shot for me, I'd have to really know and trust there technique. I'm eternally grateful to the Needle Exchange Programs in Australia.

 

[Luude]

Im known amongst my group of substance using friends as the drug guru. Its not unusual for me to get calls several times a weekend from random mates asking questions about drugs they are going to use/buy etc.

I barely use anything these days, doing 90 hour weeks makes sleep seem more appealing than 1g of pure Methamphetamine or a similar amount of 98% pure MDA/MDMA.

In terms of harm reduction on my behalf, i have to admit there have been some stupid decisions made, usually through poly drug use, combining things i know can be potentially harmful, but im aware of the risks and do research as much as possible to fully understand the substances i consume and the potential consequences. Moreso risky combinations ie: alcohol/coke not dumbshit combo's like Opiates/Xanax, thats asking for death.

 

[sir pacman]

I consider being informed about substances a form of HR. If you have a knowledge about a substance then you have a greater respect for it. Well I do anyway.

 

[Jabberwocky]

Moreso risky combinations ie: alcohol/coke not dumbshit combo's like Opiates/Xanax, thats asking for death.

youre trying to compare two deadly combos, like that? i realise im quoting you out of context but thats a load of shit to have that kind of attitude. why are any drug combinations more a dumbshit combo than another? each combo inherits its own dangers, theyre calculated risks their users are willing to take. obviously not anyone should go mixing opiates and benzos - nor coke and alcohol. you do know cocaine and alcohol metabolise another drug in your body called cocaethylene? a lot of people mix booze and coke together because of the extra euphoria that brings, just like people who add benzos to the opiate high or vice versa.

i combine opiates and benzos all the time. my doctor gives me both. and im still alive. ive fucked up in the past due to stupidity, otherwise i know my limits and dont push them too hard too often. im definitely not advocating the combo, but when youre a responsible user you face no more danger you would with any other combination of drugs.

sorry but i just hate seeing people say things like that on bluelight.

 

[Luude]

youre trying to compare two deadly combos, like that? i realise im quoting you out of context but thats a load of shit to have that kind of attitude. why are any drug combinations more a dumbshit combo than another? each combo inherits its own dangers, theyre calculated risks their users are willing to take. obviously not anyone should go mixing opiates and benzos - nor coke and alcohol. you do know cocaine and alcohol metabolise another drug in your body called cocaethylene? a lot of people mix booze and coke together because of the extra euphoria that brings, just like people who add benzos to the opiate high or vice versa.

i combine opiates and benzos all the time. my doctor gives me both. and im still alive. ive fucked up in the past due to stupidity, otherwise i know my limits and dont push them too hard too often. im definitely not advocating the combo, but when youre a responsible user you face no more danger you would with any other combination of drugs.

sorry but i just hate seeing people say things like that on bluelight.

Well thanks for that rant.

Firstly, the point i was making regarding polydrug use is that some combinations are more dangerous than others. Alcohol and Cocaine do produce cocaethylene in the liver (BTW i appreciate you trying to school me with things i've known for 20 years). However GENERALLY on one occassion this isn't going to be severely damaging.

A combination such as opiates and benzodiazepines is completely foolish. I wont school you on the issue as you did with me because you seem to be rather irritated or something...... and i have no patience to reply like this again with someone such as yourself.

Just to highlight my point on the dangers of opiate/benzo combo's:

Benzodiazepines have also been frequently noted at autopsy (Richards et al., 1976; Monforte, 1977; Chan et al., 1988; Fugelstad, 1994; Zador et al., 1996). Monforte (1977) reported 12% of fatalities as positive for diazepam at autopsy. Fifty-five per cent of a sample of Swedish fatalities attributed to heroin overdose were positive for benzodiazepines (Fugelstad, 1994), as were 27% of cases in Zador et al. (1996) and 22% of cases reported in Richards et al. (1976).

Fatalities involving only heroin appear to form a minority of overdose occasions, the presence of other drugs (primarily central nervous system depressants such as alcohol and benzodiazepines) being commonly detected at autopsy.

Source:http://www.drugpolicy.org/library/darke2.cfm

Your credibility is really slipping here:

each combo inherits its own dangers, theyre calculated risks their users are willing to take.

So smoking a joint on MDMA is inherently dangerous?

you face no more danger you would with any other combination of drugs.

I won't even respond to this as i could reel off 1000 drug combinations that are safer than opiates/benzo's.

They aren't calculated risks at all, people are ignorant and have this sense of invicibility. Then you come on here and have the audacity to try and tell me that i have the wrong attitude when the majority of your response was crap within itself.

Also, i believe the OP asked for each individuals harm reduction methods, not a collective group.