Stimulants Why I'm thinking of switching from pot to meth

[richardj]

Yes this may seem like a slightly click-baity title, but it is justified by the content.

Background: I never so much as drank alcohol until around age 30. I started with acid and shrooms at 28 which changed my life overnight and made me an enthusiastic psychonaut, after which I grew to love the occasional MDMA roll, and I used cannabis when available (I live in a country where weed is so expensive and taboo I never considered it an option at this point) as well as dabbling with a dozen or so of the most “famous” drugs other than meth, opiates, etc. and some more obscure psychedelics.

I always traveled overseas to do drugs other than acid, but I have no friends or family and sobriety became so boring that eventually I wanted to incorporate them into my daily life. Tolerance prevents tripping more than once a month (I know, DMT, but it’s always been terrifying to me and not an option for a "go-to" regular use drug), so my only choices were weed and alcohol. I decided to get a volcano vape and I learned to make a gram of weed, which again is literally more expensive than gold here, last a month even getting high multiple times a day. Weed makes me really anxious and I'm not sure why I wanted to do it, but I did so compulsively for a year and change. Maybe I just liked the "idea" of weed? Recently I used the last of my weed and quit. I have no real desire to return to it other than when travelling.

After a year of weed, I've gained 90 pounds, quit all my hobbies, become severely depressed (I do nothing but work (at home) and sleep and my house is now unimaginably filthy). I had hoped quitting weed would put me “back to normal”, but it hasn’t and now I've started drinking heavily instead. I tell myself I'm drinking to try to make friends, but I always just go to a bar, waste a lot of money, get really wasted alone, and after a couple of years I have yet to make a friend. I also take small doses of alprazolam several times a week to regulate my sleeping (or just to knock myself out when I'm not working because I'm too depressed to do anything other than work).

I'm sure I'm not addicted to alcohol or alprazolam because I go for weeks without using them (and I’ve never increased my alp. dosage even once) and it doesn't bother me, but the former is definitely becoming a problem in terms of psychological addiction and abuse. Fwiw I’ve also tried coke a few times and I hated it.

Amongst all this, as I've searched for MDMA among my hard-won local contacts (there are no darknet vendors here and I would never risk international shipping), I've constantly been offered meth--sometimes even for free! But I'd always told myself I'd never do meth due to the horror stories not only in the media but also on boards like this and Shroomery.

However, as I transition from a stoner to a de facto alcoholic, I find myself wondering:
I've become fat as shit which will probably have me in an early grave especially with the sleep apnea and I'm almost always drinking, plus I'm so depressed that I can barely leave the house except to go get drunk. And I'm wary of SSRIs with the suicidal ideation and other side effects, not to mention that going to a doctor to get them might entail an unsolicited drug test which I might fail (no doctor patient privilege where I live).

So in conclusion, especially considering that I've never become physically addicted to anything and after reading stuff by people like Dr. Carl Hart, I'm starting to think trying meth isn't this no-turning-back life-ending decision that I used to think it was. If nothing else I'd eat less and become motivated to clean my house, right (I hear that meth users compulsively clean and get other shit done)? I figure if I approach it like benzos (which I also read lots of horror stories about and most sources warn is “extremely addictive” although that wasn’t the case with me in the slightest), deciding a low dose range and never going beyond it and never using an ROI other than oral I could actually end up improving my quality of life.

And as a final aside, MDMA is the only drug that allows me to not be a wallflower. Even ten beers isn’t enough for me to “dance”. So perhaps taking meth and going to see music might be a healthier (both physically and socially) way to meet people than being a barfly.

So, are there any occasional oral meth users out there who can tell me I would or would not be making a huge mistake by going down this path?

 

[spacejunk]

i take speed (dexamphetamine) orally from time to time, and i used to take meth. i don't drink, and i smoke weed pretty regularly.

just briefly - i think you're in a good position to rethink this, but the decision kinda leaves your hands if you actually take the plunge and start taking speed. meth isn't as evil as anti-drug propaganda tells us, but it does really do a number on a lot of people.
it can really fuck up your life, frankly.
it's hard to explain how compulsively addictive and self-reinforcing amphetamine (especially meth) can be.

you have done really well not to have become addicted to anything by now - but i daresay that your alcohol and benzo use is likely to be a lot less controlled if you start taking speed. the tension you get from speed; feeling of being wound-up - can really lead people down the path of poly-drug addiction.

speed gives you "motivation" in the honeymoon phase, but the more you use it, the more it just sorta spaces you out, in my experience. after a while you get a lot less accomplished on speed.
it's not some kind of wonder drug; if it was, speed would be more socially/medically acceptable.

now, it's easy to be in my place and say "no, that's not a good idea" - but a few things you say (depression, sleep apnoea) make me think amphetamine - especially meth - would be really bad for you.
speed can malnourish people who abuse it, but it's not a sustainable way of losing weight either - people tend to stack it back on when they quit, and they tend to quit because speed has quite a lot of bad effects on people's mental and physical health.

i'm definitely not a "just say no" type, but i think meth may compound and complicate some of the stuff you're dealing with, not make it better.

 

[zephyr]

Id go get a script for duramine instead of meth mate.

Its not for everyone and a last resort but meth is not a good way to lose weight at all

 

[CFC]

Meth is highly unlikely to work for you long term, even if you don't get addicted and fucked up by it OP. The rebound alone tends to cause you to put on more weight than you lost, and the love of anything sweet becomes insatiable for many.

Perhaps try discussing moclobemide with your GP, an anti-depressant that works immediately (without suicidal ideation) and tends to suppress appetite. Two birds with one stone and all that.

 

[ovo1024]

What country do you live in OP?

 

[Burnt Offerings]

I doubt you'll stick to oral consumption. It's just too fun not to blast some into your nostrils and/or lungs for a quick pick-me-up! Lol. That's how my personality works anyway, perhaps you're different...but I've always found the idea of consuming a "street drug" like meth in a "drug regimen" to be wishful thinking.

I mean, when you obtain illicit methamphetamine you're obtaining a very powerful, highly-water soluble drug which can be abused with ease in various ways. The only legitimate reason to purchase something like that is to get really, really high. Lol. There's no utilitarian, practical use for it IMO...all of the habitual meth users I knew back home (I grew up in a western American state where meth was/is very prevalent) had varying degrees of dysfunction in their lives.

It's funny though, if you'd ask them what they were up to it'd always a long ramble about how busy they are, how hard they're working etc. I grew up a rural American hick around other rural American hicks, and let me tell what, there are few sins greater in rural American hick culture then being seen as somehow lazy or not a "hard worker". Meth kinda accomodates this notion by setting people into motion, keeping them awake to work on projects etc. Ultimately it's an illusion, though...mostly it always ends up as half layed plans or partially complete "tweaker projects".

Bottom line: be very skeptical of the notion that meth will somehow make you start "accomplishing things".

Ultimately it is meth's universal appeal which defines it, I feel...its massive dopamine action in the user's brain. I see crystal methamphetamine as the ultimate hedonistic, get high-as-fuck drug, nothing more than that though

 

[spacejunk]

very well said, especially the last two lines. i totally agree.
speed gives me heaps of focus, but zero control over what i focus on.

 

[Tubbs]

the productivity thing is a load of shit. after long term use that i want to clean turns into you spacing out for hours on end. i used to sit and stare at a wall for hours, and that used to trigger flashbacks. not gonna say don't do it but i haven't met many people who can do meth in moderation

 

[PerpetualAnhedonic]

Methamphetamine is EXTREMELY reinforcing. And it really fucks with the head if even the slightest error in judgement regarding your use is made.
But to me, at least in my locale, the worst and most dangerous aspect to the drug is not actually within the drug itself, but the community, the people involved with the drug.
No matter how careful and responsible you are with your use, there is always serious danger at your doorstep because of the folks you're associating yourself with.
I'm not saying all tweakers are bad people, because there ARE some decent ones....they're just very few and far between. Most of them tend to be very sheisty individuals, who would steal, hurt or turn on anyone for any reason or none at all. Even their friends. No matter how good a person you are, nor how good you treat them- in fact, your goodness, kindness, etc may very well be interpreted as a sign of weakness and make you a target. Even if you generally use alone and keep away from the social circles, you'll still have a very risky association with your sources.
They can make your life an absolutely miserable hell.

As for motivation, focus, etc....yes, it can motivate you extremely well, but as others have already alluded (very accurately) to, you don't often have much control over WHAT you focus on. One minute you'll be doing a planned task very productively, and the next, you spend hours floor diving searching for lost crystal, turning up nothing and having wasted all the time you had planned to spend on your project.

It's not likely you'll stick to oral ROA when you can just as easily use it better. Maybe for awhile, but that will almost certainly not last with methamphetamine. It's simply too easy and too reinforcing a substance.

I would not at all recommend switching out cannabis for methampetamine. Cannabis is relatively harmless (and in fact carries some benefits) and the social scene is generally tame. Methamphetamine is a complete opposite case. I can't quite explain it as well as I'd like though, so if you do end up doing this, you're in for quite a surprise. Not at all a wise decision. But I understand the allure. I do however, speak from much experience and have learned through much trial and error that these things simply generally do not tend to work well, and that cannabis is the way to go to avoid any type of harm or serious life consequences. Used responsibly, it is very likely a normal and productive life can be lived while using cannabis (in fact, used responsibly, it has always improved my life and myself- used irresponsibly can backfire though).....methamphetamine, not so much....but YMMV.

Good luck OP, and whatever you choose to do, please be as wise in your decision making and actions as possible....there is much at stake and this is not something to be taken lightly...I know though, that for much of us, we need to make the mistake to truly understand....words from someone like myself are barely heard/understood/comprehended until then...but I can only hope that they may have helped in some way or another, even if I haven't impacted your decision to use the substance or not, I can hope that if you do, you will keep these words in mind and truly learn throughout your experience, and that if you realize it was a mistake and problems arise, that you will be able to see things for what they are.
Your decision is up to you....but you know my opinion and whatever you choose, please stay in touch on the site and be as safe and responsible as possible.

We're here if you need anything, just reach out and never hesitate to post

-PA

 

[shadowstryker]

the productivity thing is a load of shit. after long term use that i want to clean turns into you spacing out for hours on end. i used to sit and stare at a wall for hours, and that used to trigger flashbacks. not gonna say don't do it but i haven't met many people who can do meth in moderation

Ditto, when I was doing meth at first I was insanely productive (although usually doing things that didn't necessarily matter). By the end, I'd spend hours on end staring at a painting on my wall instead of watching the TV that was on next to it.

Please don't start using meth man, it can be some scary shit and fucks with your body and mind. Any weight you lose while on it will likely be gained back when you rebound off of it.

 

[Tubbs]

i was productive as hell at work, my boss was always on my dick how we could make everyone else productive. i actually told the dude straight faced we should cook and distribute meth in the shop, then laughed hard as hell. dude thought i was joking, i was never not twacked at work, and like half of us were tweakers

 

[methyldreams]

I disagree with all the comments so far as meth having only a honeymoon period of motivation. The reasons I use are to yeah "get high as fuck" as well as to finish all the boring stuff that I have started and not finished.
here is a example of my past week and a bit...
went and scored 1.7g 9 days ago. this lasted me 8 days which equal aprox. .2 a day, I spring cleaned the house the backyard and the shed and put in place a system to keep everything organised as I will now be having a month break. This is what I must do! if I don't I will find myself in the desperate search of meth everyday like I have in the past.
If you decide to try meth only get small amounts that will not last long and then have a clean period twice as long as you were high.
Get sleep at least every 48 hours!
DO NOT HANG AROUND YOUR DEALERS PLACE!! EVER!!
Be careful with some crystal which looks good and smokes good taste good what ever.. Some has been synthesised by people who do not have a clue about chemistry and could have any kind of side reaction compounds in the crystal.
Good luck.

 

[downerhead]

I am totally unable to see crystal meth as being a life improving drug. Everyone I have known that uses that stuff becomes a tweaked, psychotic bundle of crazy from crystal meth. Have you ever seen a person with stimulant induced psychosis? They're like paranoid scarecrows that cause me to need good, high dosages of Roxicodone and Xanax ( both are legit prescribed to me) just to be around them. I think if you start doing crystal, you will need a lot more benzos and booze to cope with the effects of meth long term.

 

[zephyr]

It is far too addictive and will eventually take over and become your main thing in life. It is not worth considering.

When good ol bikie speed was around that was easier to take recreationally. But meth- no.

Doctors can prescribe duramine to kick start weight loss but it has a weird thing about it, exercise on it is uncomfortable but reduces appetite.

I implore you, try that with doctors advise.

Its not the answer but once weight starts coming off its eadier to continue.

 

[treezy z]

I've only fucked with meth under 10 times but even regular speed (amphetamine) which I have experience with I end up chainsmoking weed and cigarettes and popping bars like candy and going on porn binges. It is only productive at first, once you get aquainted to the drug it's worthless for productivity.

 

[Captain.Heroin]

Yes, there are people who rarely take meth, but it's rare. Most people like it too much and get addicted.

It's the second-most addictive drug, next to nicotine

 

[richardj]

Thanks for all the thoughtful responses. Unfortunately part of my anxiety is that I had to get wasted to work up the nerve to come read them.

I was on the way to where the free sample of meth was, but you guys scared me straight again for the time being. I still want a drug I can use daily or several times a week, but I guess meth could make things even worse than they already are.
Maybe I'll set up a little ecig vape pen with DMT and do tiny hits surreptitiously when I'm out listening to music or something as a way to trip without tolerance...

 

[LucidSDreamr]

...I feel the same about weed it makes me anxious unlike downers but I do it everyday when I'm not on downers because it's something.

Theres no sustainable drug that's a great functional daily high unfortunately

 

[Tubbs]

Tbh trading pot for meth is like trading booze for heroin

 

[xkore88]

I dont care if you smoke Fentenyl or inject China White (pure Heroin) switching from fucking anything to Meth is such a bad idea.