Ask a former IV heroin addict

[Longhorn]

Why? As in, did it just feel that good or was it escapism from something?

[Faith No More]

Same to you brother. I've heard terrible things about alcohol addiction and if I'm not mistaken alcohol withdrawal is the one type of withdrawal you can actually die from? Maybe benzo withdrawal as well I'm not sure about that though.

Yes and yes.

Withdrawal can be very dangerous.

[Mister Agenda]

I hit the rock for a bit, but due to having a pretty good life was able to walk away when I realized I was becoming addicted. That was about 15 years ago that I quit. I would try anything smokable in the late 90s/early oughts; a time when I was hanging out with some women who were having a rougher time than me. It was foolish and I regret it, but I suppose it was a good lesson to learn.

Or maybe I'm just too lazy to put in all that effort chasing a high. It's like a whole lifestyle. I'm sure I would have wound up living in a small trailer in a bad neighborhood if I had stuck with it.

[Aegon]

Good Ama. I'm glad you found your way out. There's a substance abuse recovery thread if you're interested in posting there https://atheistforums.org/thread-46191.html. Been a while since somebody posted in it but.

[Brian37]

I hit the rock for a bit, but due to having a pretty good life was able to walk away when I realized I was becoming addicted. That was about 15 years ago that I quit. I would try anything smokable in the late 90s/early oughts; a time when I was hanging out with some women who were having a rougher time than me. It was foolish and I regret it, but I suppose it was a good lesson to learn.

Or maybe I'm just too lazy to put in all that effort chasing a high. It's like a whole lifestyle. I'm sure I would have wound up living in a small trailer in a bad neighborhood if I had stuck with it.

I love you buddy, we agree most of the time, but I don't see "lifestyle" as appropriate to say. It is an addiction. And addictions affect all classes, even the middle class and rich. I think using that word allows people to be stigmatized, especially the poor.

[Aegon]

I hit the rock for a bit, but due to having a pretty good life was able to walk away when I realized I was becoming addicted. That was about 15 years ago that I quit. I would try anything smokable in the late 90s/early oughts; a time when I was hanging out with some women who were having a rougher time than me. It was foolish and I regret it, but I suppose it was a good lesson to learn.

Or maybe I'm just too lazy to put in all that effort chasing a high. It's like a whole lifestyle. I'm sure I would have wound up living in a small trailer in a bad neighborhood if I had stuck with it.

I love you buddy, we agree most of the time, but I don't see "lifestyle" as appropriate to say. It is an addiction. And addictions affect all classes, even the middle class and rich. I think using that word allows people to be stigmatized, especially the poor.

I see what you're saying, but I do think it becomes something of a lifestyle. I mean, you literally style your life around the addiction.

[Brian37]

I love you buddy, we agree most of the time, but I don't see "lifestyle" as appropriate to say. It is an addiction. And addictions affect all classes, even the middle class and rich. I think using that word allows people to be stigmatized, especially the poor.

I see what you're saying, but I do think it becomes something of a lifestyle. I mean, you literally style your life around the addiction.

No "style" involved, your brain screams for it. Yes you do center your life trying to get the next high, yes, but I wouldn't call that a "style" merely an addiction that drives you to it.

[AceBoogie]

Why? As in, did it just feel that good or was it escapism from something?

I think it was a combination of both. Even with the heroin, it started out just something that felt good to do. Then after some time I think it became more about self medicating than anything else. Opiates took away anything resembling anxiety, sadness or depression... so even if using heroin started out innocently, it became so much more than that by the end.

Also I would argue that there is something inherently different between someone willing to try a hard drug like heroin and someone who maybe just smokes pot or drinks. I mean, drugs are drugs, alcohol included. But considering the stigma attached to harder drugs I would probably lean toward thinking there is some genetic component to addiction where, for whatever reason, I thought it was okay to stick a needle in my arm, whereas most folks would see that as completely insane.

Or maybe it's a combination of genetic factors and traumatic life experiences I went through in my younger years. Who knows?

[LastPoet]

To me, it seemed to take away all the pain. Nothing but a fleeting moment yes. I came to embrace the pain. I kept thinking in my mind that in a few years, I would be free. I knew that when I looked back like I am now, i would be feeling real dumb for getting into it in the first place. Heh, we make mistakes all the time, and I am now on a better high than I ever imagined back then.

[AceBoogie]

To me, it seemed to take away all the pain. Nothing but a fleeting moment yes. I came to embrace the pain. I kept thinking in my mind that in a few years, I would be free. I knew that when I looked back like I am now, i would be feeling real dumb for getting into it in the first place. Heh, we make mistakes all the time, and I am now on a better high than I ever imagined back then.

I hear you! Glad you made it out as well. That life is simply not worth it.