#substanceuse

[unknowingaddiction]

Tfw

You aren't trying to kill yourself but realize the amount you have been doing doesn't work anymore.

[studyingsobriety]

What is Addiction?

Addiction. The big and scary word. The word that many have unfortunately experienced. The word that many think they understand but don’t quite get it. So what is it? Allow me to explain to you from a definitive and psychiatric standpoint and from the point of view from an addict herself.

Define it.

According to the Oxford dictionary, to be addicted is to be physically and mentally dependent on a particular substance, and being unable to stop it without incurring adverse effects; in other words, to be dependent on something or for something to become habit.

According to the Webster dictionary, it means to exhibit a compulsive, chronic, physiological, or psychological need for a habit-forming substance, behavior, or activity.

According to the American Society of Addiction Medicine, addiction is a treatable chronic, medical disease involving complex interactions among brain circuits, genetics, the environment, and an individual’s life experiences. People with addiction use substances or engage in behaviors that become compulsive and often continue despite harmful consequences.

My own personal definition of addiction: Being addicted is like being madly in love with a demon straight from hell. It’s like a toxic or abusive relationship, but you’re too in love, you’re too invested to give it up. You begin to turn to your addiction when you’re upset, you feel as if it’ll make you feel better. You turn to your addiction when you’ve had a good day, as a way to celebrate, you deserved it. You’ll find any reason to turn to your addiction, no matter how ridiculous it may seem, you have a reason to use. You don’t know you’re going to suffer from addiction until you’re already there, it’s already too late. Because addiction does not discriminate, it can happen to anyone Satan chooses to send his demon after. Like I said, it’s like falling in love with a demon straight from hell. One day, when you decide to get help, you’ll fall out of love with that demon. But that demon is apart of you now, always. Some days the demon will feel as big as a pea. Other days, that demon feels much bigger than you. But he will always be there, that’s why they call it a chronic disease. You just have to learn to carry him with you now.

Let’s talk more about addiction.

What are some warning signs someone is suffering from addiction?

• They are showing signs of lack of control

• They are abandoning hobbies and activities

• They are performing poorly at school or work

• They are having unexplained financial problems

What are some warning signs my substance use is turning into an addiction?

• You’re hiding your substance use from others

• You’re using the substance as a coping mechanism

• You don’t know how to use in moderation

• You’re experiencing negative consequences, but you continue to use anyway

• You experience withdrawal symptoms when you go without the substance (Withdrawals differ from substance to substance. If you’re using a substance regularly, research what possible withdrawals may occur. Withdrawals can be physical or mental.)

• You’re gaining a tolerance to the substance, needing more and more to get the same high

• You’re becoming obsessed, like you’re in love with the substance, and find yourself constantly thinking about it

• You use at inappropriate times (for example: right before work, before seeing your kids, etc.)

• You’re losing interest in doing other activities that don’t involve using the substance

• You’ve thought about quitting or slowing down but have been unable to

According to Alvernia University, there are 5 stages of addiction:

• First Use

◦ The first use is the first stage of addiction. It’s hard to tell someone to just “not try it,” but we never really know whether we’re going to be addicted to something later down the road or not unless we just do not try it. Addiction does not discriminate. Some substances are more addictive than others, and some people have more addictive personalities than others. But addiction can still happen to anyone.

• Regular Use

◦ This is when you start using the substance more frequently. Maybe you need it every night before bed. Maybe you do it when your friends are around.

• Risky Use

◦ This is when the substance becomes a priority. You may start using while driving. During this time, you may start slipping in school or work. Your relationships may start to fall apart.

• Dependence

◦ Once you become dependent, you will find yourself getting cravings for the substance. If you don’t use, you may experience withdrawals. You will have also built a tolerance and need more of the substance to get the same results. This is when you are truly addicted.

• Substance Abuse Disorder

◦ This is when the substance has become such a priority, you don’t know how to life a normal daily life without using. You feel as if you need the substance to do normal things. The using has become habit. For some, you may prioritize it over school or work, resulting in dropping out or losing your job. For some, you may prioritize spending your money on the substance over bills, resulting in homelessness.

So this is the addiction basics. Frankly, the only way to fully avoid addiction from ever happening to you is to not try any substances. Curiosity killed the cat. But when you have a new substance in front of you with people telling you, “try it,” are you going to be thinking about this journal article? Probably not. Live your life. Take chances. But take precautions. And if you ever find yourself stuck in the middle of addiction, know that there is hope. No matter how far into it you are, you are not a lost cause. Anyone can get better. It just starts with reaching out your hand.

[ehlehmann]

HELP ME END THE STIGMA! Stigma is killing more people than any drug on this earth. @resurrektion_of_me said it perfectly… “My heart is broken that maybe somehow I haven’t made this crystal clear to everyone in my life-⁣ I am a sober person who loves people who use drugs. I don’t mean I love them in hopes that they find recovery. I mean I fucking love them just as they are and I want them on this earth forever. If you use drugs or are thinking of using… PLEASE DO NOT USE ALONE!⁣ ⁣ I invite you to use in front of me. I am a safe and loving person who can watch over you in case anything happens. Narcan is worthless if there’s no one there to administer it.⁣ ⁣ If you are a safe a loving person who wants people who use drugs to know that they can use in front of you too… tell them. Please make sure that they feel accepted and supported.⁣ ⁣ If you’ve been sober and have gone back to using and feel excluded and judged by your recovery circle… get a new fucking circle.⁣ ⁣ Fuck the day count.⁣ Fuck the new comer chips.⁣ Fuck the humiliation tactics.⁣ Fuck the shaming in the name of accountability.⁣ ⁣ A human life matters so much more than any of that superiority bs.⁣ ⁣ I don’t want to lose anymore beautiful people to the stigma that permeates our society. The stigma we swallow and turns into a beast of shame in our souls. Stigma is killing more people than any drug on this earth.⁣ ⁣ No one should feel afraid to ask for someone to sit with them while they use. No one should feel like a disappointment or a burden just because they are struggling or want to use drugs.⁣ ⁣ We have designated drivers for folks who want to drink… we need the same globally supported initiatives for those who want to use other drugs.⁣ ⁣ Period.” #stigmakills #fuckstigma #endstigma #stigmafighter #mentalhealthstigma #addictionstigma #harmreduction #harmreductionsaveslives #harmreductionworks #narcan #narcansaveslives #neverusealone #naloxone #naloxonesaveslives #overdose #overdoseawareness #endoverdose #substanceuse #pwud #cranbrookbc #cranbrook #kimberleybc #agoodplacetobe #mykimberley #eknpud #pwud #peoplewhousedrugs #eastkootenays #peerwitnessing (at Los Angeles, California) https://www.instagram.com/p/CQylFINsc09/?utm_medium=tumblr

[otpisms]

OTP Idea #833

Imagine Person A has secretly had a crush on their friend Person B for as long as they can remember. One night, Person A gets drunk and drunk-texts Person B that they have a crush on them. The next day, Person A sees that Person B hasn't opened the text yet and tries to get to Person B’s phone to delete the text before B can see it.

[harmreduction]

Next Thursday 10/26 Harm Reduction Coalition partners with Prime Education,  for a FREE #HepC webinar: #HCV Testing and Linkage to Care. 

Register here: https://primeinc.org/webinars/1325 

[unknowingaddiction]

What can I do instead of participating in my addictive behaviors?

*The suggestions listed are not exhaustive, and are behaviors, habits, and hobbies I have used or heard from someone in a recovery program. If you would like to add something that has worked for you to this list, please comment below and I will add them to the list.

Listen to music mindfully

Meditate

Make or appreciate art- draw, craft, create music, write, sculpt, dance, photography

Go outside

Go for a walk

Plan a trip whether it be a vacation somewhere you have always wanted to go, or an outing alone or with friends

Think of what you can do to make your day

Think of what you can do to make someone else’s day

Partake in self care

Read a book

Call a supportive friend

Watch your favorite movie 

Learn something new

Build mastery

Cuddle your pets

Garden

Exercise

Join a hobby or interest group 

Journal 

*Each individual is different with their own limits and abilities, not every replacement on this list will fit every individual. 

[unknowingaddiction]

What is an addiction, and how do I know if I have one?

Hello and welcome to a small part of something greater than myself, 

something I made for you. 

I’m 

glad you’re here. 

I imagine you read that, and never paused 

to let it sink in, 

you didn’t allow yourself to 

feel it. 

So let me help you, 

feel it. 

Unlike most people and organizations, concepts and ideals, 

I’ll give you another chance, in fact, I’ll  give you unlimited chances, unconditionally. 

Feel it. 

I’m

Glad

You’re

Here. 

But, I must ask, what brought you here? 

What compelled you to continue reading this post?

You’re either connected to someone who has/had an addiction, 

Or you are the one with an addiction. 

Perhaps you wonder,

Why the bluntness? I don’t know that I have an addiction, what a bold assumption from an online stranger. 

Bold I may be, in this moment, but I can wager there is some nagging tendril that visits you when you least expect it, tickling your mind coldly– in still moments where your thoughts become something nearly tangible. This tendril, this ghost that haunts you, it whispers that you are in the grips of something seemingly impossible to get out of. 

You’re in way too deep. 

In fact, I think you have become close to a professional at banishing your ghost. 

I’ve been haunted too, and I know that they don’t stay banished for long. Our unconscious and subconscious mind begs it, summons it to come back to save us from 

Ourselves. 

That’s my guess at least. So, you are one of two sides on the same coin– or chip, whichever you find connection in. 

Now that we’ve established that you’re trapped, hopelessly. 

I hope you allow me to show you how to create 

keys. 

One for you, 

One for me, 

(Because helping you helps me)

One for all the rest of us trapped in keyless cages. 

To make the key for your keyless cage, I have to first fashion one, to teach, to be an example; shaping its body with my words. 

Words of experience will shape the bow of our key, 

Words of strength will shape the blade, 

Hope will shape the shoulder, 

And your own experience, perspective, and individuality will shape the unique cut of the key’s “teeth”. 

Occasionally, I will provide you with scholarly, peer-reviewed research and my own counseling professional opinion which will become the tip. 

Now then, back to our first question, and the question that led you here and kept you here. 

Do I have an addiction, and what is addiction?

Are you ready for the answer? 

Probably not, 

And that’s okay. 

But I pray that you 

Read this anyway. 

You already know the answer. 

In fact, you’re the only one who holds the answer 

to the question 

you seek. 

Maybe it lies 

buried, 

lies behind denial and, 

lies behind so many secrets and justifications,

lies behind failed attempts that you would rather not see,

lies behind 

years of lies 

to yourself and others. 

So then, what can you actually expect from me since I didn’t answer your question. 

I’m not here to convince you that you have an addiction, I’m not here to provide you with proof that someone you know has an addiction. Rather, I am here to nonjudgmentally share with you everything I know so that you can form your own educated understanding of who you are and if who you are aligns with who you dreamt of being. I will provide data and research on addiction prevention, recovery maintenance, harm reduction, substance use disorders, and treatment. In addition, I will incorporate the perspectives and stories of those who encounter addiction, this includes individuals with substance use disorders, behavioral addictions, and friends and family members of those with addictions. I will attempt to include multicultural applications and will make a point to have continuous improvement in my own multicultural competence. 

Stick around and questions will be answered and research will be provided. 

Follow or subscribe, like, comment, and share. 

All of this 

I request 

as a gesture of sacred reciprocity, 

our energy exchanged.  

Ask questions and I will tell you all that I know or don’t know. 

But take heart that you’re not alone. 

If you made it this far, 

Take a small token 

Of gratitude 

From someone who is 

Glad 

You 

Are 

Here. 

Gebo,

You are 

becoming. 

[otpisms]

OTP Idea #832

Imagine your OTP (plus friends) forming a book club where everyone takes a turn reading a page of the book, and once they finish that page, everyone has to take a shot.