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

Morning
Just wanted to check in & say hi.
Sorry to hear about your dp, but I guess the withdrawal symptoms were inevitable.
I'm sure your doctor can help.
Sending strength to you both xx

Appt at 09:20. Time to fess up..

Will be back later. Thanks so much to you all xx

I'm glad you managed to get a little rest spice.

I've picked up on a theme in your posts, about wanting to help people - your DP, others who may be going through the same experiences. That's a wonderful quality. However, as I said in my other post, you need support too. You're particularly vulnerable at the moment, so you must keep some strength for yourself. It's natural to want to help your DP, but please don't take on the added burden of his recovery, as well as your own. I just feel a tad anxious for you that you are putting his needs ahead of your own.

Bless you Vernon - you are right, it's just giving me some focus, you know. He just seems to be so much worse than I am. To be fair, I'm still smoking cigs and he quit last week, so he's having nicotine withdrawal as well...

But you're right. I'm just more self aware that he is x

Doctor was great. She's made an emergency referral for addiction treatment for him, and signed him off work for a month. He's been unemployed since July but hasn't signed on yet, so she's given him a sick note to take in to DWP. Anyone know how I go about it? Sorry to sound so thick!

You need to go online first and fill in the online application. They will call you back. Or chance it and go in and wait. Good luck.
Just read the thread. I too have used ecstasy, cocaine, amphetamine and weed as a very unhappy young girl. Stopping was the best thing I ever did. Keep going. Arrange counselling before whatever pushed you to numb yourself comes to the fore. Be strong.

Brilliant. We shall do that tomorrow. Something to look forward to

I have a doctors appt in the morning, and then it's my turn to bare all. I don't care though, not anymore, I just want to feel well and normal.

Just wanted to offer my support too, as a weed / skunk smoker for 22 years, now 2 years clean.
I stopped by accident, started having panic attacks due to other factors in my life and weed was making it worse. Lots of my friends are still smoking an eighth a day, I am not in the least bit bothered by it now, something I could never imagine. In fact I've occasionally smoked at a party only to feel like shit after. Over the years I've done the lot bar heroin, used to do loads of e's and coke. Now all I'm trying to pack in is the smoking cigs, but I'm getting there. DH went to AA as he was an alcoholic, and I can honestly say our life is amazing now. We don't have much, work hard, but are happy watching X factor cooking a nice dinner on s Saturday night. Just deal with a day at a time, I feel so much better about myself than I ever have. Good luck & thinking of you x

Really well done in your proactivness (a word?!) Today spice

How are you feeling this evening? Be almost a week tomorrow, you must be breaking the back of it now surely?

How's dp feeling?

The insomnia is the worst....I had zero sleep pattern after cocaine binges. The twitching and muscle cramps are hideous withdrawing from any drug. I second valerian root. Also get plenty of multi vitamin it soothes the shock the body feels. Avoid anything with paracetamol in it your liver is under enough stress. I found the vitamin supplements with iron helped me feel stronger faster. Talk as much as you need to. There's no shame in this. So many of us are hard wired to self medicate. It's easier than dealing with the underlying issues before we're ready. Look into rapid eye movement desensitisation . Not commonly practiced but my god it works. I was sceptical until it was demonstrated on me with a particularly traumatic memory that set me to full attack mode. I replayed the memory after treatment and....nothing. It was like remembering going shopping. I'm not preaching, just letting you know what you have available to you.

Hey

It's been an ok day! We've been out for a couple of quite long walks and he's already yawning. So hopefully he'll get another good nights sleep. He's improving bit by bit.

Today we spoke to his dd. Yesterday we spoke to my dd. They have been the two hardest conversations that either of us have ever had to have. So glad we've done this.

Badger that's all I want. A normal happy family life. Bloody well done x

Can't believe it's been almost a week! That's the longest I've had no drugs in 25 years, apart from when I had my babies.

I think you are doing so well! You're doing a great job so far, seeking help! I'm so rooting for you and your dp!

You lot are amazing. I hope this helps someone else. This whole experience is like an epiphany to me, so over time, when other users get to a shitty place and make the same decisions, hopefully there will be loads of support here like there has been for me.

catlady Thanks so much! I'm excited for the future. I haven't had that feeling in a very long time

You're both doing so well, glad today hasn't been too bad, hopefully each day will be a little better. We're all rooting for you

Each day is definitely better than the day before. All you can hope for at this point really isn't it?

Really want some sleep tonight though. Can't quite believe I'm still up!

Well done! It's a good feeling to have got through the day drug free. I felt a bit like the sun started shining a little brighter when I discovered a shred of pride.
Something to build on...

Just to say good luck at the docs and to let you know your DP will need to claim ESA by phone (0800 055 6688) or print a form off and hand in at the Jobcentre, you can't go in and fill out a claim apparently. Let us know how the docs appointment goes, am thinking of you

Where are your dds then spice ? If you don't mind me asking?

I hope you got some sleep last night :)

Hello

Bit more difficult today. I have been very down and weepy and irritable this morning. DP is getting on my fucking nerves tbh, but I know it's not his fault.

Aaaanyway.

Docs appt was not too bad. She was pretty nice and understanding and is referring me for some detox help. I'm going back to her in 4 weeks.

Oh it's so complicated with the dc - 2 each, shared custody all round, some here sometimes and sometimes they're all here together which is my favourite

My dd is 18, his is 15.