Do you think im a drug addict?!
Question: Do you think im a drug addict?
I'm seventeen about to go to college still deciding if I'm going to ucla, csun or an instate school. I feel as if its time I get help before I go to university where parties will be a weekly thing.
Well let me talk about my drug use: I started smoking marijuana around fifteen and then I got into binge drinking. This was with a close family member. Even before that I would Save up tylenol and other otc and take them all at once but I know it wouldn't get you high just something to do. Then I was smoking marijuana a lot and drinking whenever I could but I did have breaks. Then I got into prescription drugs....I stole some pills from my cousin also after his surgery and I was takin vicodin while drinking alcohol I could find. I took a break from that and went back to smoking marijuana and drinking. (Not everday) but then my friends and I got crazy idea to do ecstasy and all this other ****. I ended up doing ecstasy more than once. I also tried some psychedelics. Then I got back into pain pills but this time lortab...there was a point I was withdrawing from them and I couldn't sleep but then I realized I couldn't do this **** so I managed to clean up. So basically I'm clean now since november but I still have urges to do drugs. Seriously if someone asked me to do anything I would. I made connections with people who use heroin but I haven't really contacted them but the thing is I can at any moment which scares me.
Yet, I keep thinking what I've done is nothing serious. I also think that ill be fine and can handle this. My mother only knows I've smoked marijuana but not anything else. She asked me if I ever done e but I denied and she believed me. The thing is I don't do it now cause I'm on anti depessants so I can't even get high on it and its also dangerous to mix the two. Yet I found myself looking through my moms room for her hydrocodone....I don't know what to do. I don't think I'm a drug addict.
Answers:
Having been in recovery for heroin addiction for the past 3 years let me give my opinion. If you notice yourself having to take more of the drugs to achieve the desired effect, it could be possible you are an addict. This is called tolerance. If you are experiencing withdrawal symptoms because of suddenly stopping your substance use then it is quite possible you have a problem. It is very hard to look at yourself as an addict. Probably one of the hardest things there is to do. The most important thing is to realize you have a problem and get yourself help. I think you mother is going to be more upset when she finds you dead on your bedroom floor, then if you calmly have a discussion with her about what/how you are feeling. If you can ask this question on the Internet then obviously the thought of you being an addict has crossed your mind multiple times. There are many criteria for being an addict. You can look at the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders IV-TR (DSM-IV-TR). This might help you make a proper diagnosis of yourself. But the most known and apparent signs of being an addict are tolerance and withdrawal. I don't know. I hope Ive helped. trust me though. nip it in the bud now. You may not have a problem, but addiction is a progressive disease which means it only gets worse and eventually you will find yourself broke, homeless, and in desperate need for help. And by then the family members that are still in your life might not be willing to help you. Again I hoped i helped. I have been struggling with this disease since I was 14 and i still haven't repaired all the damage Ive done because of using.
Studying to be a Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor (LADC).
Recovering Heroin Addict
I think you're making the right choice! There are other ways to have fun than drugs and alcohol at University parties. With drinking, moderation is the key :)
I don't think a meeting would be a bad idea. There are social stigma's that desperate, screwed up peple go to these things, but that's hardly the case. I highly recommend that you go check it out.
Maybe you think that you'll be find, but think about your future and what you're doing to your body. I trust that you are responsible, but by what you said at the end, it seems like it taking over.
I don't mean to be harsh, but please go see some people about this. You're at University which is great, so think about how awesome your future degree will be without drugs! You'll have a lot more money too.
Best of luck :) Answer mine?
u like getting high. there's no need to make it who you are. try normal stuff as well... like reading or cinema. as u grow up and go out u'll meet lots of different people who can get you all kinds of sh!t - u have to realise the life you have now and the life u want. i'd save it for sociable times when ur out and when u know u want to, not when u need to.
u don't want to be an addict, so don't be. only u can make that decision. choice is what makes u human, use it : )
life.
Okay..I am going to be completely honest. You DO sound like an addict..you should seek help. That fact that you STOLE pills from someone is addict behavior...my sister did the same thing after my mom's surgery and since then I have told her she has needed help. She ended up listening to me and quit taking all the pills she does not need. Taking pills that you DO NOT need exhibits addict behavior.
The pain pill withdrawal also shows signs of addiction. Taking vicodin WHILE drinking alcohol is dangerous. I'm glad you see that you might need help. The first step to recovery is ADMITTING you have a problem. I recommend you get yourself to those meetings..otherwise you might give into those urges.
I think you should get help. Even though you feel like your in control, your only young and it sounds like it could be very easy for you to be temped. Best to get some help to avoid you getting addicted in the future to stronger drugs.
Good Luck!