Heroin, drug addiction and other related topics

[genius]

Here is another generalization; they also can be not all that motivated either (other than motivated to get high, but motivation as far as school, work, career — not so much).

Thinking about my post I would like to add just a little clarification.

Although the vast majority of people I knew in college those who smoked weed heavily were not in the scientific or technical programs or if they were, flunked out, there is a difference between association and causation.

Maybe those who were not that motivated "as far as school, work, career" would have had the same outcomes in their lives had pot not existed (association) as opposed to smoking pot causing such lack of motivation (causation).

Ps. If anyone cares to know genius smoked pot once during military service and then many years later (during my 40's) smoked pot a couple of times with someone I dated (who, btw, other than with sex, wasn't all that motivated). My only recreational drug is alcohol in the form of 12year old scotch although maybe at this point in my life "V" is now another recreational drug I use.

 

[Slinky Bender]

A lot of the information on illicit drugs (including on government websites) is bullshit. Even the "cocaine" being sold these days doesn't have cocaine in it in many cases. The reason for the rise in meth and fentanyl finding their way into the supply chain is they can be fairly easily synthesized. Unfortunately certain groups have decided that disinformation about drugs could be used as a deterrent in the "War on Drugs." If you've been fighting a war for a century and you just keep losing, perhaps you need to reexamine your priorities.

 

[genius]

.....If you've been fighting a war for a century and you just keep losing, perhaps you need to reexamine your priorities.

Or just give up.
BTW, heroin importation increase a a direct result of ban on opium importation. The reason is simple: Heroin can be imported in much smaller volumes than opium for the same narcotic effect as 12 percent of opium is made up of the analgesic alkaloid morphine, which is processed chemically to produce heroin. and now "the road goes on forever* " as fentanyl has much, much smaller volume for the same narcotic effect as heroin.

For a fascinating history of these drugs:

https://www.narconon.org/drug-information/heroin-timeline.html

* IMHO the version by Robert Earl Keen is the one to listen to with The Altman Brothers and The Highwaymen versions a distant 2nd.

 

[trader1]

Helena from Queens- perfectly put together, toned, athletic, a zest for life one of my ATF- I immensely enjoyed our time together- “retired’ from the scene, moved down South to start a successful business and be closer to her family a number of years ago. Missed her-

Saddened to learn an abusive relationship led to alcohol and drug addiction. The dark dark path she has stepped into is heartbreaking

Another statistic
Damn Sad

 

[Sophia Belle]

Helena from Queens- perfectly put together, toned, athletic, a zest for life one of my ATF- I immensely enjoyed our time together- “retired’ from the scene, moved down South to start a successful business and be closer to her family a number of years ago. Missed her-

Saddened to learn an abusive relationship led to alcohol and drug addiction. The dark dark path she has stepped into is heartbreaking

Another statistic
Damn Sad

Remember that we are all a statistic… Getting out of the bad statistics takes work, takes effort, takes desire…

 

[trader1]

Recently learned that the sibling of a colleague has become part of the ever growing list of those suffering from addiction.

30 something former professional in a respected industry became hooked on painkillers after a routine operation, which progressed to opioids, crack and more.

Lost everything and is now living in a shelter in a bad bad place..The person has resorted to doing some bad things..

The toll addiction takes on family, friends os something I wish on no one.

just saying

 

[MassyMan]

Just watched a newly released mini doc that finding pure cocaine or heroin is near impossible. All of it is cut with fentanyl at this point. The doc went further in how pure fent is moving into it being cut with Benzos, tranquilizers and more heavy chemicals. Expect alot more overdose deaths and addicts from all walks of life. That chart keeps going up and up since 2018.

 

[genius]

Just watched a newly released mini doc that finding pure cocaine or heroin is near impossible. All of it is cut with fentanyl at this point. The doc went further in how pure fent is moving into it being cut with Benzos, tranquilizers and more heavy chemicals. Expect alot more overdose deaths and addicts from all walks of life. That chart keeps going up and up since 2018.

During the Vietnam war, the quality of heroin was pure and cheap. The use there differed from heroin use back in the US.
1. Users in Vietnam are of many personality types and backgrounds and most had little or no previous drug experience.
2. It is smoked, snorted, or ingested and (until the end of the war) mainlining was rare.
3. Because the heroin was so pure the amount needed to feed the addiction was consistent and overdoses rare.
4. Guys out on patrol would never consume alcohol you needed your wits about you and if you were drunk if the VC didn't kill you your fellow soldiers would give you a medial injury (some didn't survive such injuries) to take you out of action to keep them selves from getting killed. Guys could function while being addicted (but interesting enough function poorly on pot).

The problem was that when the guy got back to the US, the stuff they got on the street varied dramatically in strength and was cut with all kinds of bad crap. Many of the so called over dose deaths around that time where actually reactions to the material used to cut the stuff but since heroin was also in their bodies the cause of death was listed as drug OD.

 

[MassyMan]

Remember that we are all a statistic… Getting out of the bad statistics takes work, takes effort, takes desire…

This summer I drank alot, mostly to relax, hang with female companions… sometimes to cope. Its been a rough couple years and a few things hit me all at once. All over the island and in many different bars, you can see what alcoholism does to people. The way it creeps in and around their souls slowly over the years gridning away at whats left of their ‘self’. Mix in other chemicals and you have a recipe for disaster. It is the true gateway drug.
A strict gym routine, healthy eating and self care are on my list as I go into the fall.

 

[Bricktop]

This summer I drank alot, mostly to relax, hang with female companions… sometimes to cope. Its been a rough couple years and a few things hit me all at once. All over the island and in many different bars, you can see what alcoholism does to people. The way it creeps in and around their souls slowly over the years gridning away at whats left of their ‘self’. Mix in other chemicals and you have a recipe for disaster. It is the true gateway drug.
A strict gym routine, healthy eating and self care are on my list as I go into the fall.

Stoped drinking loooooong ago. Best thing I ever did.alcohol is poison

 

[MassyMan]

Stoped drinking loooooong ago. Best thing I ever did.alcohol is poison

What was your best way? I dont find AA effective personally.

 

[frogger54]

What was your best way? I dont find AA effective personally.

Vivitrol Injection once a month will work if you really want to stop

 

[trader1]

Vivitrol Injection once a month will work if you really want to stop

To clarify that a bit further—
Yes, Vivitrol will prevent the cravings -
There has been much discussion lately from Addiction Specialists ( MD’s) that the injection should be given closer to 21 -24 days.. The potency of the garbage on the street has increased so, that the injection should be given sooner- ( Insurance companies have balked on this)

 

[frogger54]

To clarify that a bit further—
Yes, Vivitrol will prevent the cravings -
There has been much discussion lately from Addiction Specialists ( MD’s) that the injection should be given closer to 21 -24 days.. The potency of the garbage on the street has increased so, that the injection should be given sooner- ( Insurance companies have balked on this)

Correct Sir! When drinking became problematic for me some time ago, I took the shot every month and was also given the pills (Naltrexone) in case cravings came back towards the end of the month. Eventually I began getting it every 3 weeks, and thankfully insurance covered. Its very expensive ($1200+ back then) to get without insurance.

I do not know if the shorter span of the Vivitrol effect is due to the potency of the drugs on the street. I was not doing opiates, but I can say for sure the effects wore off in that 21-24 period most definitely. It was like a switch turned back on after 3 weeks. So anyone looking into using Vivitrol should ask about getting the pills as a back up.

Vivitrol will only prevent the cravings, it will not stop you from getting drunkwhereas if you are taking it for opiates, it is supposed to curb the cravings and block the high. Opiate users can still overdose while taking the Vivitrol. Many people have tested that theory and found out the hard way.

campril (not sure of the spelling) also works well for the cravings

What I DO NOT recommend is anti-buse.

A side effect of Vivitrol can be a decrease in sex drive. Didn’t happen to me but I was warned.

 

[trader1]

Correct Sir! When drinking became problematic for me some time ago, I took the shot every month and was also given the pills (Naltrexone) in case cravings came back towards the end of the month. Eventually I began getting it every 3 weeks, and thankfully insurance covered. Its very expensive ($1200+ back then) to get without insurance.

I do not know if the shorter span of the Vivitrol effect is due to the potency of the drugs on the street. I was not doing opiates, but I can say for sure the effects wore off in that 21-24 period most definitely. It was like a switch turned back on after 3 weeks. So anyone looking into using Vivitrol should ask about getting the pills as a back up.

Vivitrol will only prevent the cravings, it will not stop you from getting drunkwhereas if you are taking it for opiates, it is supposed to curb the cravings and block the high. Opiate users can still overdose while taking the Vivitrol. Many people have tested that theory and found out the hard way.

campril (not sure of the spelling) also works well for the cravings

What I DO NOT recommend is anti-buse.

A side effect of Vivitrol can be a decrease in sex drive. Didn’t happen to me but I was warned.

The first step towards recovery is acceptance —
Hats off to you for sharing this and your journey towards recovery

 

[mugi]

Recently I have been living a life very close to nature. Not really by choice. It just happened that way. Drink lots of lemon water and sweat and walk in the South Pacific heat.

I was never a big drinker, but some beautiful long neck amber bottled beers or a nice bottle of sake, some scotch or rye was always appreciated and enjoyed.

But, for the past year, alcohol and drugs, the mere thought of them, repulses me. My system changed.

in Asia, the fourth biggest stimulant in the world, after alcohol, nicotine, caffeine, is chewing betel nut. I used to chew and spit the toxic red saliva with the locals, daily, last year. (excess causes oral cancer, severe addiction, and rotted teeth)


Now, It would be impossible. I have a physical repulsion to drugs and stimulants. They just seem to offer nothing. I am satisfied to be the sober self. No need for a flight from my own state of awareness.

I believe this aversion to substance started when I was administered an opioid derivative in a hospital intravenously. My reaction was so horrible and life-threatening, experiencing a psychological and physical forced death; the memory is so impregnated in my system, that I am I unwilling to budge from my natural state.

Although, I hang with many substance users, I feel fine being around them and enjoying them. I just grew out of it.

 

[Bricktop]

What was your best way? I dont find AA effective personally.

I stopped during the week for a bit then stopped weekends never looked back. I’m fortunate that I could do it on my own. Many others I know have great difficulty.

 

[mikeyny]

I stopped during the week for a bit then stopped weekends never looked back. I’m fortunate that I could do it on my own. Many others I know have great difficulty.

Similar experience here. I didn’t need to go to AA although I did struggle psychologically to overcome those cravings after work and on weekends. It’s understandably tough. Like someone else pointed out, sometimes people grow out of their shitty lifestyle choices and/or grow tired of the burden it brings into their life; more money for mongering, hobbies, groceries, gas - things of that nature.

I first got serious quitting last summer in 2021. I spent three months clean as a whistle from booze (June-Sept) which was the longest time I’d gone without a drink ever since I picked up a drink! Then as the weather got cooler, days got darker, and the stress from the pandemic came back to haunt me (amongst other problems), I caved and relapsed later that September. I haven’t drank hard liquor or even wine since 2019, and never have been in trouble legally, but I have just learned throughout the years I can’t control my alcohol intake — no matter what kind of drink it is — and that my body is much better off without it.

Spent my birthday last October getting drunk by myself, it was really depressing that I undid all that hard work and wasn’t happy. The pluses to quitting, I had lost all the lockdown weight, my skin cleared up, I slept better, no worrying about if I’m “good enough” to drive or anything. Now I have another 3+ months in the bag and intend to keep it that way.

I have no urge/s to drink at all anymore. I think I’ve gotten everything I could out of it at this point. Slip-ups and relapses are quite common amongst seasoned drinkers/dry alcoholics, but it’s about how you learn from it. I took each mess up as a learning experience and just grateful it wasn’t anything worse. Now there is no turning back for me, either.

 

[vad1]

Alcohol is a tough addiction to kick

1. It's legal. You can get how much ever you want. Get a case at your local store, no questions.

2. See above.

I had a friend relapse after 15 years of sobriety - BECAUSE he was celebrating "15 years of sobriety" - by just having a "couple".

DUI follows, of course.

Jail time, just 'cos judge wanted to "make an example".

All the years of "rehab" down the drain ... in lawyers and crap.

All the years of "rehab" down the drain because... that's the nature of the beast.

V

 

[Bricktop]

Alcohol is a tough addiction to kick

1. It's legal. You can get how much ever you want. Get a case at your local store, no questions.

2. See above.

I had a friend relapse after 15 years of sobriety - BECAUSE he was celebrating "15 years of sobriety" - by just having a "couple".

DUI follows, of course.

Jail time, just 'cos judge wanted to "make an example".

All the years of "rehab" down the drain ... in lawyers and crap.

All the years of "rehab" down the drain because... that's the nature of the beast.

V

You are certainly right about dwi you can’t get just one. Visits in the South when young I saw first hand what they do to drunk drivers. Friend said you couldn’t put a gun to my head and make me take a sip of liquor and get behind the wheel of a car. Nosireebob