addiction
The realities of addition; the truth about living under, above and beyond the influence of drugs and alcohol.
Why Do Teenagers Pick Up Smoking?
It's common knowledge that many smokers begin their habit during adolescence. Teenagers surrounded by friends or family members who smoke are more likely to follow in their footsteps. Peer pressure, curiosity, and the desire to fit in often drive young people to light their first cigarette. But why exactly do so many teens start smoking, and what role does society play in this trend?
By Rishikesh kohale2 years ago in Psyche
I Had To Touch Death’s Door To Realize I Didn’t Want To Die. Content Warning.
For the longest time, I wanted to die. The depression and anxiety, combined with over a decade of alcoholism and addiction had led me to a point I considered as the point of no return.
By Patrick Meowler2 years ago in Psyche
The Journey. Top Story - September 2024.
I had a long week at work. I just started a new job, and was surrounded by new faces. This company had their cliques, and I definitely didn't feel like I fit into any of them. I had just left a two year long amazing relationship. Well year and half long, the last six months not so much. I really thought he might be the one this time, he was so different from the rest. Fucking drugs got in the way. Not to mention the stress of just losing the motor in my car, which I had just bought from a used lot about 4 months before. I was proud, because it was the first car I had actually got on my own. Didn't last long though, was warned too late it was a shady dealership. I had just tripled my rent by moving out of my ex's, and of course, chose those wrong insurance plan. So I was screwed. So onto the bus I went. I hated it, getting up two hours earlier just to make it to work on time, and getting home two hours later just to go to bed, wake up, and repeat. I became bitter and resentful toward life. I felt like I got the short end of the stick. It was the last day of work that week, I was exhausted, mentally, physically, and emotionally. I didn't know if I could take it. “Maybe I should just relapse too…” I thought. At least I could feel numb inside instead of just dead. I was sitting on the Trax when that thought crossed my mind, headphones blasting, trying to tune out the rest of the world. That's when she got on, and came and sat across from me. She had short shoulder length brown hair, it was dirty and ratted. She was wearing a torn sundress, I believe it was sky blue. One strap falling off her shoulder. Held securely between both hands was a small plastic cup, the kind you get from a gas station. And in it was a single daisy. I looked down at her feet, she was wearing two different shoes, both obviously way too small. So small she had to push the backs down just for them to fit. I noticed the people around me glaring at her with disgust. And suddenly I felt a part of me start to judge her too for how she looked, and I wanted to criticize her for not taking better care of herself. But before I could I just happened to look up and glance at her face, and it shook me inside. There she was, clearly homeless and un-showered. Mismatched shoes, and a yard picked flower in a cheap plastic cup. What hit me though was her smile. She looked content, dare I say at peace… It would have been more gentle had she used her own palm to slap me in the face. What the fuck was I on about? Was I really being so sorry for myself that I forgot what it feels like to really struggle? Had I become so full of myself and what I was building, that when I lost it all I became bitter , instead of having gratitude for what I did still have? A stable paycheck? A roof? A fridge full of food? Clothing that I was able to buy for myself…? My eyes started to tear, and she looked at me with concern. All I could spit out was, “That's a beautiful flower. “ Her face filled with joy, and she hugged the cup, simply saying “Thank you.” I couldn't stop staring at her shoes. I was wearing a brand new pair I had just got for work, since my old ones started to wear. I looked back and forth at our feet and a giggle escaped me. I was so ridiculous… Right before my stop I started untying the laces of my new black and rose gold Pumas. I slipped them off and asked, “Wanna trade?” She seemed hesitant at first, but when I assured her I had another pair at home, she took them in her hand and slipped them on. They fit. And she was glowing… I held back my tears as my stop came up. I was newly born walking in the mismatched, too small shoes. Yet, for a moment, when I noticed the people around me starting, I almost cared. That's when I felt a tap on my shoulder. I turned around, and there she was, handing me her daisy. I think a mutual kindness was shared that day. She hurried back on the Trax, and I never saw her again.
By Tressa Rose2 years ago in Psyche
Keep My Treasure Safe
Meeting my best friend was like two souls recognizing each other from a past life. The moment we met, you never would have known that we didn't grow up together. It was an instant connection of loud laughter and conversations that lasted well into the night. Looking at us, we were polar opposites; her dressed in black at all times, myself dressed head to toe in pink, the angriest highlighter you'd ever met. We met on a cold winter night in December, and by January, I was living in her apartment, partying and using together, working illicit jobs to pay the bills and keep ourselves high.
By Autumn Stew2 years ago in Psyche
Simple Ways to Stop Overthinking and Find Peace. AI-Generated.
Introduction: Understanding Overthinking Everyone encounters overthinking sometimes or later in his or her lifetime. It may occur at first as a general idea that snowballs into developing a number of hypothetical scenarios. This behaviour may bring about a lot of stress in the body system and therefore raise anxiety levels. When working on a problem of overthinking, it is crucial to find out what it actually is and why it occurs.
By Khalid laakiki2 years ago in Psyche
Homeless people suffer sores as xylazine enters fentanyl supply. Content Warning.
A dangerous drug that is being mixed into fentanyl is causing those who inject it to develop a rash of sores that resembles a case of flesh-eating bacteria. People experiencing homelessness around Denver can sometimes be seen with these bloody, weeping wounds. I recently mentioned this phenomenon to a fentanyl user who told me about the xylazine connection.
By David Heitz2 years ago in Psyche
Effective Concussion Management Strategies
Concussion Management is essential for anyone who has suffered a head injury. Proper care helps ensure a safe recovery and reduces the risk of long-term problems. At Hillcrest, the focus is on providing the best possible care for concussion patients.
By Andrea Barker2 years ago in Psyche
A Beacon of Hope
I had been working at the local coffee shop for a few months when I first noticed her. She came in every morning, always ordering the same thing—a black coffee, no sugar. She had a quiet demeanor, but there was something about her that caught my attention. Maybe it was the way she always seemed lost in thought, or perhaps it was the faint smile she gave me every time I handed her the coffee.
By Tracy Toccara2 years ago in Psyche
My Relationship With CBT Essay
MY RELATIONSHIP WITH CBT Neil Fluke (HAL) “Take from no man his song” – Sheldon. B. Kopp In this essay I will attempt to portray what I perceive as a life or death relationship with my mind; essentially, my thought life. In doing so I hope to illuminate the intrinsic relationship I also have with a CBT based programme (which until recently I failed to identify as elementally CBT) that continues to help me to recover from alcoholic addiction. In doing so, I would also like to inspire appreciation of Korzybski ‘s observation that “The map is not the territory”. To assist in the intimacy that I feel is necessary for us to explore this, I use a metaphor - (HAL, a computer), for my addictive mind (egoic self).
By Neil Fluke2 years ago in Psyche
