addiction
The realities of addition; the truth about living under, above and beyond the influence of drugs and alcohol.
Heroin Freak
If you asked me six months ago if I’d ever use hard drugs, my answer would have been no way. I don’t believe in drug use, it’s for the weak minded, the weak willed. It’s for people who want to run away from their problems rather than fix them. Now fast forward to today, and I’d tell you that my drug of choice was possibly the best and worst decision in the world.
By Kierstyn West7 years ago in Psyche
Little White Pill/Little White Lie
I was 16 when I chose to use drugs as a way to escape my problems. I had a friend who had dropped out of high school and I often visited her on Saturdays. I guess she sensed that I was sad and she offered me a Percocet. I was in pain. My mother had joined an ultra religious cult when I was 5 where women weren’t allowed to be taught and were property of men. There was no asking questions, it was blind devotion I was truly suffering and I couldn’t talk to anyone about what was going on because I was afraid of being labeled a heretic and ostracized. And I did not want to seem uncool in front of my friend who, to me, was the a epitome of cool and so I took one of the horrible white pills. The problem was I didn’t feel anything when I took one Percocet. I just realized that the dull, throbbing pain in my right ankle from a small twist had gone away.
By Maayan Atias-Golbus7 years ago in Psyche
Hunger
The hunger started when you were about 15, you went to Jack’s with a couple of mates and he passed you a zoot. You’d never even smoked a cigarette before because you were such a little mummy’s boy. Didn’t know how to inhale properly, so you choked. Cough. Cough. Pass.
By mollyglinski7 years ago in Psyche
Substituting One Drug for Another?
There is a lot of controversy and anger from recovering addicts and the community at large about the use of Suboxone and methadone with persons in active addiction. There is a real stigma in the recovery world, drug world, and in our communities attached to using methadone or Suboxone—social media has become a huge perpetrator in this regard. I looked on recovery Facebook pages, and here are some of the comments I came across.
By Rebecca Morris-Miller7 years ago in Psyche
Where the Grass is Greener
As a child I was always the good kid. I was the teacher’s pet, never misbehaved at school, homework always on time. At home I was the ideal child, I didn’t throw a fit and I always ate my vegetables. I lived an ideal life. I was never around drugs or that kind of lifestyle. My mom did everything she could to keep me away from things like that. Despite my serene background, I still found my way around to the other side of society, what conservatives call, the "counterculture."
By Chris Coleman7 years ago in Psyche
National Addictions Awareness Week 2017: Addiction Affects All of Us
I am the daughter of an alcoholic. I am not in unique company, but certainly those of us who are related to someone who struggles with addiction know for sure the baggage that comes with it. There are certain character traits that appear to be universal, and we all have our own ways of coping with the challenges that come with having an addict in our lives.
By Christina St-Jean7 years ago in Psyche
You Can't Fix Someone Who Won't Fix Themselves
Over the years, I have seen this through the eyes of a little child and onward as an adult. I have watched individuals abuse alcohol, narcotics, and other types of drugs on an ongoing basis for weeks, months, and even years on end. It never stopped nor ended and the pattern of the individual(s) never changed. I always wondered was it the substance or substances that held them back from moving forward or was it them? Did they have an enabler behind them cheering them on or condoning what they were doing by providing them money for the substance or providing the substance themselves?
By Kathy Lester7 years ago in Psyche
Apps To Help You Cope With Addiction
Addiction is one of the most brutal diseases out there, and you often don't realize how deep you're in until you hit rock bottom. Realizing you have a problem is usually the time you realize you need help — and reach out for help.
By Ossiana Tepfenhart7 years ago in Psyche