Talk

Flip

1 2 3 4 5

AMA

Recovering heroin addict - AMA

109 replies

GeidiPrimes · 26/11/2020 15:30

I think there's still a fair few misconceptions around addiction, I know this because I was an intravaenus addict for most of my adult life. From the age of 21 I was heroin-addicted, interspersed with prescribed methadone. Late 30s I ceased heroin, relying only on my methadone script and it took me ten years to gather the bottle to taper off that. I became completely opiate-free in May this year.

I'm (selfishly) doing this as a sort of marker for me, so I can recognise the steps I've taken, if that makes sense? So curiosity most welcome.

OP posts:

Report

lawandgin · 19/01/2021 23:57

Hi OP, what an amazing thread and an amazing person. I must admit I was shocked to read your list of withdrawal symptoms as I see a lot of those in my brother. We know he takes cocaine but now I wonder if there's anything else too? I know this is an AMA but I don't think I can expect you to answer that one!

Report

dane8 · 20/01/2021 00:37

This reply has been deleted

This has been deleted by MNHQ for breaking our Talk Guidelines.

GeidiPrimes · 20/01/2021 15:00

I'm sorry about your friend Wrongsideofhistorymy arse (love the username!) When people are in the grip of addiction, there's really nothing others can do to help unless the addict's at the point where they will accept help. Those moments of clarity are pretty rare, sadly.

I have briefly come across Gabor Mate (on a Russel Brand show I think) Veevee, will look in more depth, having an addictive personality never goes away, all I can do is funnel it into thing that won't harm me - ie I stay away from romantic relationships and do a fair bit of exercise. Thank you, and a pat to you MissConduct, I'm glad you managed to escape the crapness of addiction too.

Heroin and (crack) cocaine can often go hand in hand lawandgin, heroin makes cocaine/crack comedowns easier to deal with. Cocaine's a horrible drug all by itself though.

I was able to access drug services easily enough Dane, (many years ago, mind!) which consists of providing drug tests and prescribed methadone or subutex. My MH was pretty dire following my detox, as I'd been using the drug to keep all my anxieties at bay, and of course they all thundered back into my life. You do very little thinking and processing when you're an addict, so stay stuck at an age much younger than you are - I've probably done most of my "growing up" this last year. I know I'm always banging on about it, but I think if drug services and MH were more synergistic it would help, less people falling through the cracks.

It's not so easy getting a place in rehab - you usually have to break the law first then the probation services pay for it, which results in many people being in rehab who don't want to be there but prefer it to prison. When I was sent to rehab I wasn't ready, as far as I was concerned the drug was my reliable friend and it made no sense to stop. Long-term addicts who have been unable to detox within the community will sometimes get funding from the LA for rehab.

OP posts:

Report

Wishingwell75 · 22/01/2021 11:44

Hi OP, I have just read through your AMA after finding the link in the AMA from the poster whose dp is an addict.
Absolutely cheered up by everything you've written about, can I add my congratulations, admiration and respect to the many others who came on to thank you.
I have been off heroin for two years and I am currently tapering off a daily methadone script of 30mls, so several years behind you.
Thanks for taking the time to write and share your experiences, it's meant a lot to me and obviously to many others and of course there will be many others who have read through your thread and have gained some hope for themselves or their child or loved ones but have not replied to you for many reasons.
I hope with all my heart you do go on to work in addiction recovery if you want to because the support workers who have real empathy with their clients are the very best. Have the best day, weekend, life ever, you are a warrior! X

Report

GeidiPrimes · 23/01/2021 09:07

Your post made my morning Wishingwell75, thank you. And look how far along you are - you're stable on 30mls and heroin-free for 2 years! (from one warrior to another ) I had this sort of mantra (nicked from a song) "I'll keep on trying, might as well" during the times it felt like a hard slog. I'll be here on MN if you ever want to chat, and bear in mind that the actual detox was nowhere as difficult as I'd imagined it to be x