11 year heroin and crack addict. Clean 16 yeasr

[CrimeJunkie01]

AMA

What got you into it? what was your upbringing like?

Wow congratulations. Are you still able to keep any friends you had during that time? What do you think is the most authentic fictional portrayal of drug addiction? It always irritates me on television (happens a lot on crime shows) when an addict is made to go ‘cold turkey’ and is suddenly not addicted to drugs within about a week. Really makes a joke of the struggles of addicts.

Who did you hurt?

How odd, two AMA about heroin in 24 hrs.

@Blindering

What got you into it? what was your upbringing like?

I was miserable at home (parents divorced and re married) and the group of people I was hanging around with started using, I was desperately trying to fit in. Thought I'd try it once, but that £25 worth lasted 2 weeks. All I knew from media and school lessons was that addicts spent all their money on drugs, so didn't think that applied to me as £25 in two weeks wasn't much money. So i bought some more, it lasted a lot less time, and when it ran out, I couldn't sleep so bought some to help me sleep. I didn't realise that the not sleeping was a first sign of withdrawal. By the time I realised I was spending all my money on it.

Yes, i am friends with a few of them, when I got clean a lot of them didn't, but would come to me to get advice. Lots of them have now died, but a few are still around, some clean and although we aren't close we still catch up occasionally.

@MrsPelligrinoPetrichor

How odd, two AMA about heroin in 24 hrs.

Yes, i saw the other one and thought maybe people would like to see what it's like to get out the other side.

@Porcupineintherough

Who did you hurt?

A lot of people. Mostly my parents and siblings, who were terrified that I would die or be killed. I was using when I found out I was pregnant with my eldest and stopped using (on methadone) while pregnant but started using again the day after he was born. He grew up with me using for 4 years. Not something I'm proud of. I never stole off of anyone in my family etc

@Kanaloa

Wow congratulations. Are you still able to keep any friends you had during that time? What do you think is the most authentic fictional portrayal of drug addiction? It always irritates me on television (happens a lot on crime shows) when an addict is made to go ‘cold turkey’ and is suddenly not addicted to drugs within about a week. Really makes a joke of the struggles of addicts.

I answered about friends above, but in relation to TV etc, nothing that I've seen has portrayed it well for me.

Where did the other thread go?

Where did the other thread go?

HQ have concerns about the OP so they removed it.

What made you get clean and did you relapse? How long did it take you? Are you afraid you could slip back?

@Tal45

What made you get clean and did you relapse? How long did it take you? Are you afraid you could slip back?

I went to prison, and nearly lost everything but still kept using. It was a really gradual process to be honest, I started on methadone and was still using on top. But not every day. One day I realised that I was only doing it out of boredom, no longer because I was withdrawing. So I just stopped using on top of my script and then took 18 months to very slowly reduce my script.

I've only thought I'd relapse once and that was during a relationship break up, I just wanted to feel peace, and the thing is I knew that heroin would give me it, temporarily. Luckily for me, I wouldn't know where to score without really putting my mind to it.

What does it feel like to use?

HQ have concerns about the OP so they removed it.

Concerned as in for the poster or concerned as in its authenticity? (Or MN venue concern?).

How did you find your addiction?

@Letthelightoflove

What does it feel like to use?

It's impossible to say really. At first it makes you want to be sick, but it's kind of nice, like that feeling as you start to drift off to sleep. Once you are addicted you literally just use to be able to function. It was just to bring me back to not feeling ill

@Monestera

How did you find your addiction?

My boyfriend at the time introduced me to it

How much were you spending each month and how did you afford it?

Did you have a 'normal' life ie working etc? Did those on the 'outside' know you were addicted?

Be careful OP

@SardineJam

How much were you spending each month and how did you afford it?

It really depended, at my worst I was using up to £500 of crack and heroin a day. My partner sold drugs so I wasn't paying that for it. I also shoplifted a lot, and worked proper jobs.

@hellosunshineagainx

Be careful OP

Thank you for caring, but I've not used for 16 years. 😊

@SardineJam

Did you have a 'normal' life ie working etc? Did those on the 'outside' know you were addicted?

I weighed 5.5 stone when I was at my worst so there was not much hiding it. I also injected so I had track marks.

I did hold down jobs for periods and even went to university but it always ended badly.