Heroin Occasional and controlled heroin use

[poppyplanet]

I have many reliable and great sources and have been using for 2 and half years along with my brother. Neither of us have developed a physical dependence or have mantained a significant psychological dependence. I go weeks at a time without using until I feel that I am ready to again. I think it mostly about self control and why you are using the drug in the first place. I completely disagree with your last sentence. You would have to know every single heroin user on the earth to say that truthfully.

No offense, but I use to think along these same lines and after a while it does develop into a psychological and physical addiction. I don't think anyone is totally immune from the consequences of an addictive drug like heroin. To think that you are, is dangerous, if not just from a legal stand point.

 

[The Rock Monster]

I tried that ocasional heroin use out.. i transitioned smoothly into using all the time.

If you will use heroin, you should know what youre getting into. Its one of the most addictive drugs there is. Its one of the hardest drugs to quit using.

What ive heard many a junky say: "i wish i never did it in the first place"

 

[TheLostBoys]

I tried that ocasional heroin use out.. i transitioned smoothly into using all the time.

If you will use heroin, you should know what youre getting into. Its one of the most addictive drugs there is. Its one of the hardest drugs to quit using.

What ive heard many a junky say: "i wish i never did it in the first place"

Ive never used heroin but I do have a question, If you had an unlimited supply of heroin, would you have quit using?

 

[IamSam12323]

Well the moment you make it a once a week thing then you know your addicted. What do you mean Sam?

I'm not saying I know anything about H. I have never tried and never well. However, I know i enjoy my occasional Oxycodone day then my other days. I limit my self to twice a month. Unfortunately, those days are usually the better days. It is nothing like picking up 10-12 30's and splitting them with your friends for an all day nod a thon. My friends use every day all day. They are addicted! I would like to say I'm above that.... But I'm not. I'm just an every 2 week addict. I work at a pharmacy, i have a gf, i have a life , school, family.... I fear losing that to a stupid drug. Therefore, I set a ground limit.

On the other hand, I know one day I have to leave these friends. They are no good and will not go anywhere. If I was in there life I would probably be doing what they are doing. I'm just glad I have a good life.

Not a day goes by were I do not think about taking every opiate in the pharmacy. I just know I can't... It is a nasty mistress...

 

[The Rock Monster]

Ive never used heroin but I do have a question, If you had an unlimited supply of heroin, would you have quit using?

Good question...... i believe yes i would have stopped. When i was using, deep down i knew i was addicted and i knew using was the wrong thing to do..but i didnt know what to do about it for a while..now im over a month dope free..

 

[toastedpanda]

I have many reliable and great sources and have been using for 2 and half years along with my brother. Neither of us have developed a physical dependence or have mantained a significant psychological dependence. I go weeks at a time without using until I feel that I am ready to again. I think it mostly about self control and why you are using the drug in the first place. I completely disagree with your last sentence. You would have to know every single heroin user on the earth to say that truthfully.

I'm the same except I use other opiates and only H on occasion, plus other drugs. I've never been dependent or used any drug heavily. And not only do I have consistent sources I keep a large stash on hand too. Have used for almost 6 years now. It really is a matter of self control and personal strength, most are not as powerful as the drugs. Right now I'm on a two month break for the hell of it but only use once or twice a month anyways.

NSFW:

 

[DooMMooD]

Given that pretty much every single heroin addict has started out by duping themselves into thinking they were the one in a thousand person that could handle their smack without getting addicted, it seems a bit unwise to present yourself or people who can actually do it successfully. People want to try heroin, and seeing others who can do it recreationally rather than habitually will just these people who many have weaker minds than they think they have into giving it a try.

FACT!!! You are not special. You are not a unique individual snowflake. You are not different than the rest of the addicts. Don't think you are.

That was the mistake a lot of peoples made, myself included (so yes I am an idiot too)). I thought i was special and could handle opiates without developing a problem: i was wrong, just like every other fool who thought that.

Heroin does not differentiate between those using it "intelligently" (if there is such usage), and those using recklessly.

You are not special. Get over yourself. I'd be willing to wager you are addicted, but are just denying it; both in a public forum and to yourself. Or maybe you're not, but it doesn't stay that way long.

By the way: mycotoxin, you're riding someone for spelling and grammar issues, attacking them for being "a dick" for critiquing the credibility of a non peer reviewed journal (the whole POINT of being peer reviewed by the way, is so that credibility is NOT a question), yet you dug through and bumped a 5 year old thread.

You got a degree: congratulations. What school was it from (you say accredited university,was it harvard? was it SUNY Oswego? Was it ITT Tech?)? Heres the big question: do you still live at home? Do you spend $ on anything BUT heroin? Or are you "functional" to the point where you can pay for heroin but nothing else? because thats a functional member of society IMO. Thats a functional ADDICT, maybe, but not a fully functioning society member. Getting

Sorry, its just one of my peeves to see someone attacking others for doing things that they themselves are either doing, or doing worse than. Dont be hypocrites people.

and if anything, remember: YOU ARE NOT SPECIAL WHEN IT COMES TO HEROIN! YOU ARENT! No one is.

The %s you all post include those who TRULY JUST TRIED IT ONCE! That is veryyyyy different than those who "try it regularly" or claim that they are "responsible heroin users". A better # to look at for those people would be relapse rates. Which, correct me if im wrong, are above 70%? Probably closer to that 9/10 # people were talking about?

Saying you use heroin "responsibly" for years, Great if you do. Seriously no sarcasm, thats fucking awesome and im very jealous. But last time you quit: how long did it stick? And how long before you used again? Whether its now using once a week, or once a day, how long, honestly and truly?

Sorry if this alls seems like its attacking people, i just dont want anyone else to be a heroin addict. Or to be the one LYING to themselves about how bad they really are.

The big question: do you buy things OTHER THAN HEROIN? You can be a functioning addict and not rob/cheat/lie/steal, but you might not be a functional society member, someone who spends time/money on things OTHER THAN smack.

 

[belfort]

i just have to add my 2 cents...i have always been interested in if there are people out there that have used heroin 'occasionally' for months and years without ever getting addicted..in real life i know of NO ONE that has been able to do this successfully...within the first year something happens and they slip and addiction occurs...im not saying there isnt anyone out there that can do this but id have to say it is very rare..i have read articles about heroin chippers, for example this one man was a real estate agent, had 2 homes, nice cars, a wife but he snorted heroin once every 10 days because he hated alcohol..now, he had only been doing this for 3-4 months at the time but im very curious where that fellow ended up...is he still using occasionally, is he addicted, or did he quit altogether??

im also curious if these occasional users use other drugs throughout the week and the just the heroin on friday..also, how much of their thinking is looking forward to that heroin..heroin is incredibly seductive...

it is true that stats point out that only 3 out of 10 people that use heroin become daily users but that doesnt mean much as its likely the majority of people that first try heroin take too much or simply dont like the high..we are obviously talking about folks that love heroin..

 

[Dedbeet]

While I agree that finding a reasonable sample of occasional heroin users isn't really going to be possible, I'm not convinced that addiction to heroin is qualitatively different from any other drug dependence. From what little I know of studying addiction, it seems to be about 1% physiological dependence, and 99% psychological.

The notion of "physiological dependence" is interesting.

The body is physiologically dependent on oxygen, and nutrition.

It doesn't seem to me that the body can be physiologically dependent on heroin, in the "strictly speaking" sense. If someone could handle any level of discomfort, they could kick H any time they wanted to. So, strictly speaking, is there such a thing as physiological dependence on opiates?

 

[tk5aprt1yr8hd]

In my experience it hasn't been possible. I don't shoot but even just blowing it down has taken my usage to another level. I've been a long time opiate user, started with nonsense like 5-500 hydros next thing you know i'm buying oc80's and some how i made the jump to the other....

 

[tk5aprt1yr8hd]

forgot to mention I used the previous substances with little to no dependence. I have decent will power but H is a different animal all together..

 

[Zenethylamine]

I think that cultivating a strong fear and respect for heroin is an important factor in not becoming addicted. I have managed to use it very occasionally with success because I've made myself terrified of addiction. The fear is strong enough that it can go head-to-head with the desire for dope and come out on top.

Also, having something less pleasurable to cushion you is a great defense mechanism. If I'm feeling upset and depressed, I make sure to keep some kratom around. If my guy calls and tells me he has some H, and I'm feeling really down, I can still "Just Say No" because I have kratom around. It's not as good, but it's great when you need a little pick-me-up and don't want to resort to harder drugs. I understand that doing heroin when you're upset is probably the worst fucking idea ever, so I have a back-up plan.

And, of course, having an irregular hook-up is super helpful. I'm sure he could refer me to another guy who could get H for me whenever I want, but having that step in-between is great.

Also, having lots of things to occupy your day. I've been very busy with school and life generally, and if you can convince yourself "oh I'm too busy to do heroin today", that helps with avoiding it. It's not easy because the H reflex is stronger than the reflex for pretty much any other activity. But it helps if you can keep your mind so full with other activities that it never even comes up.

 

[unsui]

@dedbeet: interesting observation and question... it seems like there is such a thing as physiological dependence. given our physiological and neurological chemistry, we as human beings are dependent on oxygen and nutrition. over time a (heroin) addict's brain chemistry changes, as well as they're body, and as a result of this neurological chemistry, one grows to be physiologically dependent on heroin. just because you don't necessarily die from feeding the dependence doesn't infer that you're not dependent. for example, as you mentioned, nutrition (which is very broad and abstract), you are dependent on essential vitamins and minerals for a valued nutrition and just because you don't die from not having one of those minerals or vitamins that doesn't mean you're not dependent on them...

but if by the "strictly speaking" sense you mean dependence in relation to survival, then i wouldn't say there is such a thing as physiological dependence to drugs...

and by the way, heroin withdrawals is a little more than just "any level of discomfort"...

 

[unsui]

and like someone else mentioned, no one is special when it comes to heroin. the addicted once had a big ego, thinking they were special, only to find out they're not. i think there is such a thing as controlled heroin use though. i will never go back to using everyday and becoming dependent and addicted to heroin as i'm scared as fuck to do so, but i've also been on suboxone for the past 3 yrs so that has helped me tremendously in using heroin only 1-3x every 4-8 months...

 

[FinnishPharmer]

I use heroin once a week. I have kept this same cycle for 2 years. Every friday, I score .2-.5 grams, use it, have a good time. Then I go out and party Saturday night, maybe have a few drinks, possibly a bit of coke. Sunday, I do my homework, workout and go to bed. The rest of the week I put in a full effort in AP classes such as BC Calculus, AP Chemistry and AP Biology to name a few. Go home, workout and repeat. I AM a controlled user. It is absolutely possible. Black tar is my meditation, my medicine, my relief from the daily grind. I have a 4.2 GPA and scored a 35 on the ACT while in this cycle. I play rugby as well. You must set a schedule and take pride in living this way, be proud of the fact that you've beaten the odds.
I have done every well known substance, crystal meth, crack cocaine, xanax, mushrooms, LSD and DMT to name a few. Don't fear drugs. When you fear, you obey. Respect their power, conquer it, and you will live a wonderful life

 

[suessmayr]

Lol at the title of this thread.

 

[belfort]

well i would be interested in these folks that are rich and have huge/cheap supplies...would they quit, i doubt it as usually with heroin addiction you must first have a very good incentive..theres a reason why most people hit rock bottom before they start to get clean..it is quite painful to kick heroin and the months/years that follow suck..so why would a multi millionaire with endless amounts quit in the first place?

 

[verso]

Lol at the title of this thread.

What's so funny about this thread's title? I believe that occasional and controlled heroin use is very possible, much in the same way that I believe occasional and controlled drinking is possible. A certain percentage will become addicts, and a certain percentage will become alcoholics. In fact, if you were to look up the numbers, it's something like 1 out of 10 people who drink become alcoholics... and unless I'm mistaken, the number of people who use heroin and then become heroin addicts is entirely comparable, something like 1 out of 7 or 1 out of 8.

 

[lorne667]

HAHAHAHA!!!! DO you inject your heroin sir? Because I've never met or heard of anyone who injected heroin and didn't become addicted once. Also, the 1% physiological and 99%psychological thing is interesting. In fact, I think methadone proves that theory, because I know from experience, withdraw from short yet intense opiates like heroin is the worst thing imaginable, but a weekk later, you are honestly normal again, physically, as you can start eating, and basic things like that. But methadone DT literally makes you want to fucking die. I mean, it is not only just as bad as H withdrawal(I personally find methadone withdrawal worse, but most say they are about equal) but it drags on forever. In fact, my dt's from methadone never ended when I finally ended up to where I couldn't afford it, I lost 10 pounds, and ended up in the hospital delirious. Needless to say, I haven't tried to quite since then, because one week without brought me literally to the brink of death, but the point is, if it was about physical addiction, they wouldn't swithc people from a drug with a withdrawal syndrome that lasts less than a week to one that lasts over a month.

 

[limonov]

Parallels with alcohol are bullshit. I would consider myself an alcoholic, in the sense that I cannot drink responsibly- I will never just have one drink, I will get hammered, but I stopped drinking about 3 years ago and it was fucking easy. Just one day I didn't have the first beer and didn't get hammered and just stopped drinking and it was easy, no cravings, no 'withdrawal', there wasn't even any rebound depression or insonmia, even living in a nation of alcoholics where going to a supermarket involves walking through a liquor store (booze is right by the door in NZ supermarkets- you have to walk past it to get to the food), everything is sponsored by alcohol, all of my friends are drinkers and around 70% of my closest friends would, objectively, be considered alcoholics- even so, no problems what-so-ever. The weirdest thing is that most alcoholics/drinkers have no problem wrapping their heads around why I don't drink either.

Opiates, that's a whole different ball game. I think the distinctive thing about opiate addiction that has no really been noted here is that opiate addiction often takes the form of relationship- junkies tend to be extremely romantic about their addiction in a way that say, meth heads aren't. Opiate addicts often use opiates as a substitute to relationships with other people/the real world- opiates are very enchanting drugs. This is because they are so pleasurable, once your body has adapted to an opiate-metabolism (addicts typically experience fewer negative side effects of opiate use than recreational users e.g. nausea) the most rewarding, relaxing and pleasurable thing that you can do is to take opiates. No matter how much you take meth, you will start hallucinating after being up for a week, you will go into a semi-coma for 2 days when you do take enough sedatives to sleep. Opiates encourage addiction by becoming more rewarding the more you take them- many people find opiates just make them feel sleepy, itchy and sick the first few times they take them, but as they build a relationship with opiates they learn to appreciate the effects and be willing to experience higher-doses, resulting in an even more profound euphoria (many opiate addicts seem to 'learn to nod'- initially they will take lower doses sorta like benzos to socialise, then they will gradually start using higher doses typically by themselves as they will be fading in and out of consciousness).

I think that most people become psychologically addicted to opiates long before they become physiologically addicted- the recognition that you enjoy this drug enough to become addicted to it and realising that you do not want this to happen to you because this would mean you would no longer be able to enjoy opiates freely resulting in you creating a 'schedule' to 'control my use' is itself an indication of the development of a drug dependency problem. You are adapting your life to accomodate the drug- this is one of the first signs of addiction. Saying you'll 'Use once a week' implies that, if possible, 'I'll use once a week for every week for the rest of my life'- doesn't it? Isn't that secretly what so many of us have been thinking when we've been coming up with these brillant fool-proof plans for escaping the physiological addiction that eventually pins us down and brutally fucks us?

However, I think that one of the most important factors is access. Most people who are opiate addicts have a high degree of access to opiates- this may mean that they have used drugs extensively prior to becoming an opiate user resuting in them being 'integrated' into the 'drug culture' thus able to aquire it on the black market, or they are doctors, nurses or other medical or veteninary staff who have access to opiates through their profession, or they are chemists who have the skills necessary to synthesise opiates and professional access to precursors and lab equipment. In New Zealand, for instance, there are a lot of people who grew up between around 1984-1989 who tried heroin a few times (often not knowing or understanding it was addictive/how opiate addiction worked) when NZ had some of the purest heroin in the western world for rock bottom prices being sold through cannabis-selling networks. At the time there was a hell of a lot going around and you didn't need to be more than peripherally associated with teh drug culture (say, through going to live gigs or being part of certain unions) to get some. But this didn't last, heroin dissapeared in the late '80s with a handful of major busts and only a small group of hardcore-addicts continued using, often turning to the now infamouns 'codeine homebake' (turning extracted OTC codiene into morphine then into heroin 4g codiene = about 2 decent shots, depending on your skill. By '93 90% of people were using morphine sulphate pills instead)- so most people lost access to heroin completely and that was that. Obviously trying heroin a handful of times during a period of high availability doesn't mean you will continue when it is no longer available or seek out/use alternative sources (codeine homebake, morphine homebake & NZ kompot- acetated poppy extract, like ultra-crude black tar heroin). Similiarly, a medical opiate addict who is for one reason or another cut off from opiates within a professional capacity may not have the inclination/ability to seek out/obtain opiates from illict/'loophole' sources.

But as I noted above- someone who is willing to create scedules and try to stick to them with probably does have the inclination to seek out opiates from various sources. I may be glad that I can largely support my habit using loophole and grey area sources rather than having to rely on the whim of the black market...but at the same time having the capacity to support an addiction is a terrible set of skills to possess. Being able to be an addict ain't nothing you would want to brag about.