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AIBU to be Feeling Really Upset and Unsettled ?

85 replies

NewUserName1000 · 22/02/2026 11:34

I could really use some support right now. I'll just be transparent I have been struggling with addiction for the past six months.

The past few days I have been getting high at night and messaging this guy online. Strictly platonic on my side, but he kept pushing my boundary. I am still traumatized by my abusive ex. I kept asking him to stop, he would agree but then he kept doing it. I sort of just laughed it off but he was starting to make me feel uncomfortable. Thing is, it as confusing to me because we did click really well, so it wasn't that hard at the time to give him a bit of slack.

He said he was having a bath. Told me I could get in it with him. I told him to stop it. He did. Then started it up again. He sent me several pictures of his bath bubbles. Remember, I was high, and didn't see that red flag like I would if it happened now when I am sober. To be more precise, I still don't know where the line is I guess I'm trying to say maybe I don't understand the rules of boundaries or perhaps what mine actually are. I sort of was just acting like this was normal as we were "new friends"... a short time later, as I was having a discussion with him, another male messaged me in response to a post I wrote. So I was juggling two friendly conversations.

The first guy continued to send me pictures of my bath bubbles saying get in the bath i'll wear a swimsuit, etc. I sort of was mentally backing away at this point and talking to this new guy, said straight up to him I'm not interested in flirting or anything and he said that was fine and just wanted a conversation about my post. I ended up saying to the second guy look il be honest I'm talking to someone else at the same time as you and it's hard to follow and juggle the two so I'll cut the other conversation short because I wanted to talk to him properly about my post, and that, besides, the other guy kept flirting with me even though I had kept asking him to stop. I even said to the bubble bath guy, stop it, you have a partner. I told him I was tired I'm going to bed, good night we said bye.

So I spent a few hours talking to guy number 2. We clicked very well and I was enjoying the conversation. I found him very intriguing. He was very highly intelligent and as we know this can be quite rare. We were talking about my drug problem for the most part. But then, I felt like he was beginning to act weird.

First off, he made a comment about women on drugs being hot, which I called him out on. He said I didn't call you hot, it's just a turn of phrase. I said fine. Moved on. An hour or two later, he started talking about.... he didn't like some types of women. He didn't like "fatties, single mothers and whores," I asked him if that comment was directed at me he said no. We had a bit of a tussle over it then moved on but as you can imagine I began to feel uncomfortable....

He then started saying things like, society is turning women I to whores to undermine men or some shit like that, that women hated guys like him or something just for telling the truth. I kept asking him was this personal against me I kept saying you seem really angry. Remember, I'm high on drugs and I just was feeling really confused with this argument that we started to have. At the time it felt very personal I felt like he was saying these things about me basically even though we didn't know each other which he denied also as you can imagine I just didn't lie to listen to this shit ? About women general or otherwise.

He was messaging very fast just going on about this sort of tone for a bit and I was just getting this really weird vibe that he was really a guy and I started to grow unsettled and sort of disturbed. He was talking about someone, I don't know which sex, anymore; "loving abortions"... And in between all this he was talking very fast and changing the subject and I kept pulling him up on the things he was saying and taking it personally. My sense of being unsettled deep in my stomach was compounded by the fact this man was very, very intelligent, like when a man is saying these things to you and asking why are you upset about this...

Then he began to say like, sort of, there is a massive psy- op, women are degrade men they repress and undermine me n and then we call them "incells" and the argument got heated and more and more heated I was very upset and confused.

And then eventually he said "I don't care if women are whores, I can respect a whore but I can't respect a liar" and he kept saying this,

While gaslighting me that these were valid things for him to be saying to me and I ended up freaking out at him, asking if he has mental issues, asking him why he was so angry with me which he kept denying and saying he was just talking in a general sense but I FELT his utter rage towards me and I was so upset and freaked out and confused. And then I said I think you are a psychopath and then he said I won't be insulted and he completely just stopped speaking to me at that point.

I the sent him several messages saying how insulted I felt, and how dare he be saying these things to me, how I felt like he was setting with rage towards me and then gaslighting me that I was imagining things and I felt scared of him he has scared me and is he happy now.

I had told this man I have a 17 year old son. I told him the city I live in.

It's just etched in my mind, repeated comments of I have no respect for liars, over and over again.

I think the two men are the same person. I "lied" about going to bed. I was really in fact talking to "another man" can you see where I'm coming from ? I feel sick. I sent him a last message and just said I'm sorry for calling you a psychopath that was too far but that it was in response to him pushing my boundaries and scaring me.

I had a panic attack I was imagining him finding me and murdering me.

This is the major wake up call of my life. I need to get clean right now. What the hell am I doing with my life. This is dangerous. I feel so ashamed of myself. I have left myself with £50 per week for groceries for the next month (my son has his own money) (he is not aware that I have been using drugs)

I am also having g this sudden insight that I do not think it is safe to talk to strangers I line at all. It's become so normalised but this isn't normal at all. We shouldn't talk to strangers, it is not safe. I was imagining him finding me and harming me or my son. I feel completely freaked out. I don't know how to process or deal with this. I swear, I am never taking drugs again. What the hell do I think I am doing. This is insane.

I need to change and I am going to change right now. I will go to meetings if I have to. How could I put myself in such a vulnerable situation. I feel scared and paranoid and unsettled and sick.

I know fine we'll some of you will just me harshly, and I deserve it but please, I am feeling so vulnerable right now that I do not think I can handle any hate

OP posts:
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Dollymylove · 24/02/2026 06:15

You need to see your GP who will refer you to the relevant services. You are playing Russian Roulette and it wont end well.
Please take these steps for your own, and your son's wellbeing

Carycach4 · 24/02/2026 05:49

NewUserName1000 · 22/02/2026 13:24

I know it's not normal. He's 18 next month. He doesn't know.

I bet he does!

SnowFrogJelly · 24/02/2026 01:08

Stop taking drugs and talking to men you don’t know online

canisquaeso · 24/02/2026 00:29

I think you have nothing to worry about, unless you live in a small village the information you gave him is really vague.

Saying that, if you don’t like where a conversation is going online, you can just stop it. Thats the boundary. There was no actual physical hot tub or bath tub or whatever. Where’s that tweet from Tyler the Creator when we need it?

Book a NA meeting and get off socials.

SimplyBedeviled · 24/02/2026 00:01

You keep saying you’re bored, do you work? How can you afford £400 (per week? Month?) on drugs?!

NET145 · 23/02/2026 23:55

Good wake up call. Use this opportunity and have a fantastic life ahead. You can do this! It is scary but it needed to be - people can do very bad things

TealSqueal · 23/02/2026 23:47

If you would prefer a more secular option to recovery groups, SMART recovery is a good option.

smartrecovery.org.uk/

sarahbear87 · 23/02/2026 22:03

Also just to add no one thinks that it will happen to them but it's an insidious thing addiction so Don't be so hard on yourself. Start of with small achievable steps like reaching out about the meeting. X

sarahbear87 · 23/02/2026 21:55

I think distancing yourself from your cousin is a good idea op. It's going to be difficult enough to stop and being around anyone else taking drugs is not going to help your recovery. Brilliant that you have found a na meeting. Everyone there will understand what you are going through and be able to help and support you through it. X

missbish · 23/02/2026 20:47

NewUserName1000 · 23/02/2026 12:42

Thanks. I have calmed down I think it was the drugs I just freaked out and got majorly paranoid. I feel much better today. The reason I don't want to tell a GP is because I don't want to be refused co- codamol when my back pain flairs up or sleeping pills when I get insomnia. But a user here directed me to a resource for narcotics anonymous meetings online and I am going to give that a go in the next few days. I think it might really help to talk to others who have been through it. I think it's the coke that's the main issue.

Every month I say I'm gonna stop and every month I cave. I never thought I would be here. I always thought I would catch a habit before I got in too deep. It's just so addictive.

I've only been using the opiates for a couple of months, and I'm thinking potentially it's being high on coke that's making me reckless and abuse them possibly ? The main reason I was buying them was for very painful migraines that my prescribed sumatriptan doesn't really help. Maybe there's something else I can try I could talk to the GP about that.

I think the main reason I'm doing all this is cause I'm really bored all the time. I'm on psych meds that just numb me so I'm not sad but I'm not very happy either
I like being happy. I believe and know I can turn this all around. I'll go to an online meeting and see how that goes. I'm going to tell my cousin today that I can't see her for a few months, until I'm straight. Thanks again for the support x

I was expecting a lot of judgment but you all have been nothing but kind and helpful, I'm really grateful everyone xx

You should be careful taking uppers and downers together

NewUserName1000 · 23/02/2026 17:32

Notmymarmosets · 23/02/2026 17:31

Lots of really indulgent over detailed advise here that you are clearly going to completely ingnore. You don't need to talk about it anymore. Just stop it. Don't take drugs tonight. Bin any you have in the house. Now. If you are about to go on line or take drugs - call the Samaritans instead. Tell them you are a drug addict and don't know how to stop.

How am I clearly going to ignore it ?

OP posts:
Notmymarmosets · 23/02/2026 17:31

Lots of really indulgent over detailed advise here that you are clearly going to completely ingnore. You don't need to talk about it anymore. Just stop it. Don't take drugs tonight. Bin any you have in the house. Now. If you are about to go on line or take drugs - call the Samaritans instead. Tell them you are a drug addict and don't know how to stop.

BillieWiper · 23/02/2026 17:22

If you tell your GP you are addicted or use the local addiction service you're right it's a black mark on your name in terms of any pain relief or CDs. Sad but true.

I know people who've been clean for decades but they still get treated like drug seeking junkies when they have genuine pain conditions.

RosaMundi27 · 23/02/2026 13:05

Go through your phone and block all numbers from men you've met online.
Contant the NHS addiction services here: https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/addiction-support/ do this today.
If you're serious about getting clean, stop putting off the day. There is no better time or day than now.
Please try to be more caring of yourself - you are deserving of love and kindness, but you will never find that from random people online.
I wish you all the very best.

nhs.uk

Addiction support

Find advice and support for getting help with drug and gambling addiction.

https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/addiction-support

NewUserName1000 · 23/02/2026 12:42

sarahbear87 · 23/02/2026 12:03

Hi op, have just come across your thread, I hope you are doing ok this morning and are feeling a little calmer. I know you prob don't feel like it but you have made an amazing first step to admitting to yourself that you want and need help. You can do this. Reach out to your gp I know you said you don't want to do that and it is a scary first move but they are best placed to help you, they will have seen it before know who to signpost you to for support in getting clean. If you don't want to act say it out loud. Write it down and give it to them. About the guy you were talking to he just sounds like a classic garden variety prick. I can promise you that it wasn't about you it was about him and his deep rooted insecurities and misogyny. Don't give him another thought but don't get into conversations online with guys again until you are less vulnerable. They sense it and will prey on that. If you want to talk, vent here let us guide you through it. I don't have addiction issues myself but I am close to someone who does and she got through it and so will you. I won't lie it isn't going to be easy but you can do it. X

Thanks. I have calmed down I think it was the drugs I just freaked out and got majorly paranoid. I feel much better today. The reason I don't want to tell a GP is because I don't want to be refused co- codamol when my back pain flairs up or sleeping pills when I get insomnia. But a user here directed me to a resource for narcotics anonymous meetings online and I am going to give that a go in the next few days. I think it might really help to talk to others who have been through it. I think it's the coke that's the main issue.

Every month I say I'm gonna stop and every month I cave. I never thought I would be here. I always thought I would catch a habit before I got in too deep. It's just so addictive.

I've only been using the opiates for a couple of months, and I'm thinking potentially it's being high on coke that's making me reckless and abuse them possibly ? The main reason I was buying them was for very painful migraines that my prescribed sumatriptan doesn't really help. Maybe there's something else I can try I could talk to the GP about that.

I think the main reason I'm doing all this is cause I'm really bored all the time. I'm on psych meds that just numb me so I'm not sad but I'm not very happy either
I like being happy. I believe and know I can turn this all around. I'll go to an online meeting and see how that goes. I'm going to tell my cousin today that I can't see her for a few months, until I'm straight. Thanks again for the support x

I was expecting a lot of judgment but you all have been nothing but kind and helpful, I'm really grateful everyone xx

OP posts:
IfThen · 23/02/2026 12:36

NewUserName1000 · 23/02/2026 11:45

Yeah, you're right. The thing is I've left my self for hardly any money for food (my son has his own money) I think 45 per week I've got left for the next several weeks

Well, spend the time researching therapists with addiction experience, see who is taking on clients, chat on the phone if possible. It’s likely they would only see you once clean/drug free, though.

sarahbear87 · 23/02/2026 12:03

Hi op, have just come across your thread, I hope you are doing ok this morning and are feeling a little calmer. I know you prob don't feel like it but you have made an amazing first step to admitting to yourself that you want and need help. You can do this. Reach out to your gp I know you said you don't want to do that and it is a scary first move but they are best placed to help you, they will have seen it before know who to signpost you to for support in getting clean. If you don't want to act say it out loud. Write it down and give it to them. About the guy you were talking to he just sounds like a classic garden variety prick. I can promise you that it wasn't about you it was about him and his deep rooted insecurities and misogyny. Don't give him another thought but don't get into conversations online with guys again until you are less vulnerable. They sense it and will prey on that. If you want to talk, vent here let us guide you through it. I don't have addiction issues myself but I am close to someone who does and she got through it and so will you. I won't lie it isn't going to be easy but you can do it. X

NewUserName1000 · 23/02/2026 11:45

IfThen · 23/02/2026 11:42

OP, you said you wish you could speak to a private therapist. You say you spent £400 on drugs. That would pay for a lot of private therapy sessions. But you need to find someone with experience in addiction.

Yeah, you're right. The thing is I've left my self for hardly any money for food (my son has his own money) I think 45 per week I've got left for the next several weeks

OP posts:
NewUserName1000 · 23/02/2026 11:44

BillieWiper · 23/02/2026 11:37

It's not dangerous it just makes you very sick if you quit cold turkey.

Try and take less today than you did yesterday. Just try and say that to yourself each day. Gradually go down til it's just one pill, then a half. Then none. This could take weeks but it's the least painful way.
Maybe try and go to the lower strength codeine you can get OTC? While also trying to reduce.

I know it's hard but don't speak to those men anymore and focus on your recovery.

Thanks for the advice

OP posts:
IfThen · 23/02/2026 11:42

NewUserName1000 · 22/02/2026 14:39

Part of it is just that I without question clearly went too far this time. I just took 90 dihydrocodeine tablets in three days. And 14 oxys. Then the gear last night. Spent £400. I would have rather spread it out over the month and be able to control it so I could have it here and there, but , well, here I am. Unfortunately. Probably dangerous as well. I'm scared of what being straight all the time is going to be like though. I think I need an anti depressant. I just have to pray I find the strength somehow to get through.Thanks for the support.

OP, you said you wish you could speak to a private therapist. You say you spent £400 on drugs. That would pay for a lot of private therapy sessions. But you need to find someone with experience in addiction.

Trinity65 · 23/02/2026 11:40

Ponoka7 · 22/02/2026 11:49

Get off the drugs and start being responsible for who you have in your life, what you accept and when to call a stop to things. You aren't going to find a man online who just wants to chat, they are on there for sex. The drugs have disordered your thinking, now you are in a state of fear. You can sort and change your life. Do you have local services?

This sums it up imo

BillieWiper · 23/02/2026 11:37

NewUserName1000 · 22/02/2026 13:22

Strong pain killers. I've got 1 oxy and 1 strip of dihydrocodeine. I bought it all a few days ago... I've taken a lot. I didn't know stopping can be dangerous

Edited

It's not dangerous it just makes you very sick if you quit cold turkey.

Try and take less today than you did yesterday. Just try and say that to yourself each day. Gradually go down til it's just one pill, then a half. Then none. This could take weeks but it's the least painful way.
Maybe try and go to the lower strength codeine you can get OTC? While also trying to reduce.

I know it's hard but don't speak to those men anymore and focus on your recovery.

NewUserName1000 · 23/02/2026 11:32

Bristolandlazy · 23/02/2026 11:16

If you did decide to go to the doctor's you wouldn't be saying anything they haven't heard before. They hear all sorts everyday. My daughter went to see her GP in a mental health crisis, the lowest she's ever been and the doctor was so kind to her. Very understanding. She's now on antidepressants and she's so much more stable, she was against anti depressants before she went on them but now she's on them she says she'd never want to be off them as she feels so much better. I'm on dating sites and avoid chatting late at night with men as I think conversations are more likely to be steered in a sexual/suggestive direction and that's not for me. Couldn't you be honest with your cousin and tell them where you're at, you've had enough, maybe they have too. Well done recognising where you are and confronting it. Nothing wrong with having online friends but healthy friendships with supportive people. You can do this, you're articulate and self aware. Your son needs you, you need to be kind to yourself, we all make mistakes. You can change your life, it will no doubt be uncomfortable and feel easier at times to take the wrong steps. You can move forward and one day look back at the past you and feel more healed and in a better place. Wishing you healing.

I'm worried if I tell a doctor I'll never get cocodamol again when my back pain flairs up, or sleeping pills when I get insomnia. I have told my cousin I can't keep doing this and I'm going to tell her I can't see her for a few months. I've being coke with her but only the pills for a couple months so I think I can get out of that before I'm on too deep. I primarily buy the pills for my migraines and I'm wondering if its because I've been high on coke that I've been reckless and abusing them.

I think part of why I'm doing all this is out of sheer boredom. I think I will meet friends again at some point, I would like that

OP posts:
Bristolandlazy · 23/02/2026 11:16

If you did decide to go to the doctor's you wouldn't be saying anything they haven't heard before. They hear all sorts everyday. My daughter went to see her GP in a mental health crisis, the lowest she's ever been and the doctor was so kind to her. Very understanding. She's now on antidepressants and she's so much more stable, she was against anti depressants before she went on them but now she's on them she says she'd never want to be off them as she feels so much better. I'm on dating sites and avoid chatting late at night with men as I think conversations are more likely to be steered in a sexual/suggestive direction and that's not for me. Couldn't you be honest with your cousin and tell them where you're at, you've had enough, maybe they have too. Well done recognising where you are and confronting it. Nothing wrong with having online friends but healthy friendships with supportive people. You can do this, you're articulate and self aware. Your son needs you, you need to be kind to yourself, we all make mistakes. You can change your life, it will no doubt be uncomfortable and feel easier at times to take the wrong steps. You can move forward and one day look back at the past you and feel more healed and in a better place. Wishing you healing.

NewUserName1000 · 23/02/2026 11:02

WLnamechange · 23/02/2026 10:59

Have you looked into going to meetings ir or speaking to your Dr?

I've looked up online meetings and found some I think I will give them a go i think I do need some support from others who have been there

OP posts: