Drug addiction

[NotTheSpiceOfLife]

I am astounded to discover that there's no drug support thread! So I thought I would start one.

I've been smoking weed for 25 years. Over the last 6 months, I've smoked legal highs instead because it's cheaper and you can buy it on the high street.

It has wrecked my life. I want to tell people about my experiences whilst I'm going through withdrawal, and see if there's any help/advice available.

Of course anyone can post about any kind of drug addiction that they want to talk about. I'd like to use this thread as a distraction to help me help others.

I'm going for a long soak in the bath now, as I'm trying to use distraction techniques to get through each day - but I'll be back with you later.

I'm an addict. I'd like to say recovering. I just need to keep recovering x

[SurferJet]

I'm not an addict but just wanted to say I'll help & support you. xx

[FartemisOwl]

Good for you on deciding to recover, I'll be cheering you on! A really great supportive site I've found is Recovery.org. I'm on there for alcohol recovery but it's for drugs too. Hopefully some other people will be along shortly!

[Stinkilinky]

I lost a friend to legal highs in 2013, it shocks me that this stuff is still available on the high street.

Wishing you all the best with your recovery OP

[NotTheSpiceOfLife]

Thanks so much for your support

So sorry about your friend stink x How did it happen? If you want to talk about it of course.

[NotTheSpiceOfLife]

Fartemis is it an American site? Hope you're doing ok too X

[NotTheSpiceOfLife]

Surfer thanks so much

[NotTheSpiceOfLife]

Not a very long soak in the bath was it really... Too hot and made me restless!

[Stinkilinky]

He was offered some legal high after having a few too many to drink, it made him feel poorly so took himself off to bed. His house mate found him in the morning, he had choked on his vomit. Such a waste of a beautiful life x

[NotTheSpiceOfLife]

That is so tragic, I'm so sorry :(

[SurferJet]

Op: do you have any real life support? do your family & friends know about this?

[exWifebeginsat40]

can I recommend soberecovery.com

the forums have a section for substance abuse. I've found the site massively supportive when I was getting sober from alcohol.

I'm sorry things haven't been great. it's a fantastic step you're taking by getting into recovery. are there any NA meetings in your area?

[NotTheSpiceOfLife]

Surfer I have support from DP, we are doing this together. He is my best friend and we are supporting each other through this.

I can't tell some of my friends and family, not yet, I'm too ashamed. To be fair, I don't really have any friends any more, couldn't be arsed with anyone, would rather be stoned and on my own...

I've spoken to my brother, he gets it. He is another habitual weed smoker, and also suffers the associated mental health issues.

[NotTheSpiceOfLife]

exWife thanks for the advice. I hope you're doing ok too. I hadn't even thought of NA. I shall have a Google.

[BastardGoDarkly]

It's absolutely crazy to my mind that cannabis is illegal and yet these legal highs are readily available.

I smoke a bit of weed, literally a joint a night, and have never tried the legal equivalent.

How bad is the withdrawal? What are your symptoms?

I'll hold your hand and keep you company :)

[NotTheSpiceOfLife]

We hit rock bottom last week. It was only a matter of time. The only way is up from here, but I need help and advice on how to change my life for the better.

[FartemisOwl]

There are both Brits and Americans on it, but it's very friendly.

[SurferJet]

So glad you have support from your DP, & yes, I can understand it not being easy telling all family members.

Just keep posting on here for distraction ( although I'm so boring I'll probably send you to sleep )

[NotTheSpiceOfLife]

Bastard to be quite honest, although I've had a relationship with weed all my adult life, even the natural stuff isn't any more. Sprayed with all kinds of shite.

The withdrawal from this is awful. Hot and cold sweats, manic episodes, depressive episodes, no appetite, shakes. I never want to feel like this again ever.

[NotTheSpiceOfLife]

Surfer DP is in the same boat. We have done this together and need to stop it together too.

[SurferJet]

Awesome. good luck to you both. x

[Dapplegrey1]

I recommend NA. It saved the life of a close friend of mine, returned her to the wonderful person that we knew and loved and enabled her to be a useful member of society and a loving, caring parent.

[BastardGoDarkly]

Sounds shit. I've done heroin withdrawal (long time ago now) I found lavender baths invaluable, and velarian herbal tablets really helpful.

Also milky drinks instead of tea and coffee if you feel like it.

Drinks aimed at replacing electrolytes, will help if you're sweating too.

How far in are you, and do you know how long withdrawal takes?

[2snugglets]

Your doing amazing, just remember the withdrawals will pass eventually and you'll be so much better when you make it to the other side.

In my line of work I have two teenagers on my caseload both addicted to legal highs. One of them has lost the support of his family because he stole from them and now living jin a b&b with ex convicts he looks so lost, poor lad.

The other young man now has a heart condition, he has attacks every few days of rapid heart rate causing him to fit, he's been told it is likely one attack in the future will ultimately be fatal!! I've noticed the attacks are causing him some brain damage as he slurs his words or stops mid sentance when talking now, this young man is 17 and got hooked in sixth form.

It's awful seeing the effects of legal highs, there is still so much unknown but from what I have seen over the last year they are devastating to the persons whole way of life. iMo legal highs are in a completely different league to cannabis.

Good luck, stay strong. X

[BastardGoDarkly]

snugglets that's terrifying :(

[Chopsychops]

I've done cocaine withdrawal and NA.
The addiction there was psychological rather than physical in the long term, so once I did the withdrawal part the bit that kept me clean was all in the head which was where NA was invaluable.
I did counselling to resolve WHY I felt the need to take this stuff to begin with which was really the turning point for me.

Withdrawal though, I found meal replacement type shakes good as I couldn't actually eat any real food, there are ones called Complan which are fortified that I used.

Some kind of sleeping pill to flatten out the weird dreams and tons and tons of water.

The 2 litres a day made me realise just how dehydrated I actually was...