Im Still Employed So My Drug Use Isnt So Bad
Some substance abusers feel that just because they can still get up when the alarm clock goes off and make it to work on time, their drug use isnt a problem. Although getting fired from work and being unable to hold down a job is one sign of a chronic substance abuser, the opposite isnt true.
Just because you can hold down a job and stay sober at work doesnt mean you dont have a substance abuse problem. There are many substance abusers who abuse drugs or alcohol once theyre outside of work, but they can remain completely sober while on duty.
I Dont Drink In The Morning So Im Not An Alcoholic
Because one of the known symptoms of alcoholism is needing a wake-up drink, theres a myth that you arent an alcoholic unless you find yourself drinking in the morning. It doesnt matter what time you drink. An alcoholic cant stop drinking once they start, and they continue to drink even when drinking negatively affects their health, wellness, or well-being.
Drinking at night can be equally as destructive as drinking in the morning. Hiding alcohol, lying about how much you drink, and finding ways to drink when you know you shouldnt are all indications your alcohol consumption has spiraled into addiction. Time of day does not matter. Among the many lies alcoholics tell themselves, this one can keep them from seeking help if they continue to believe morning drinking is what distinguishes them from being a full-blown alcoholic.
Its More Than Just A Craving
Dr. Sal Raichbach, PsyD, goes on to explain that addiction is more than just a craving or a bad habit. A lot of people use the word craving when referring to an addicts lust for getting high, but using that word leads to a fundamental misunderstanding about the disease, he says. The reality is that the craving of addiction isnt the same kind of desire that someone would have for chocolate or potato chips. An addict doesnt just crave the drug their body is functioning as if it cannot live without it.
Also Check: How To Become An Addiction Counselor In Georgia
What Does Controlled Release Mean
One of the main reasons OxyContin is considered so addictive is because of the long-term effects it offers. The question of how does it feel to be on OxyContin, is usually derived because of people thinking that it provides that euphoric high they want.
Also, because of the time-release element, they dont have to keep taking the drug to get the pain relief benefits. As a result, it is often used for cancer patients, and others who have chronic conditions.
That Dui Wasnt My Fault
Addicts will often blame others for their own problems. Nothing is ever their fault. This lie is prevalent whether theyve tripped on the stairs during a drunken binge or been pulled over for a DUI after a night of partying. A DUI isnt their fault the cops had it in for them. They didnt trip because they were drunk the carpet on the stairs is loose. Its always someone elses fault. Blaming others for the consequences of their substance abuse is easier on the conscience than realizing your life is spiraling out of control.
Also Check: How Do People Get Addicted To Drugs
To Reconnect With Yourself
Recovery allows you to connect with yourself on a whole new level. You will regain energy and self-esteem as you deepen the connection with yourself and with others. For a long time, I felt numb and did not treat my body very nicely. I lived to please others, was extremely disconnected from myself, and became very sick. Now I am in recovery, I know that I deserve better and try not to deprive myself.
As you recover you will likely begin to feel intense emotions like never before and may even start to feel this way towards other people too. Recovery can send lots of raw emotions rising to the surface so try to be mindful of this and avoid acting irrationally or impulsively. If you do have a lot of feelings going on, it could be helpful to start a journal/diary to let your thoughts out. Journaling can also be good for personal reflection to see how far youve come.
To Make Your Loved Ones Smile Again
Possibly the worst part about being stuck in a vicious mental cycle, whatever it may be, is seeing your loved ones suffer. Often they try to help but might not know how and eventually relationships can deteriorate due to the illness. By changing our behaviors and maintaining these changes through long-term recovery we can really work to improve relationships. This can be a big motivating factor for many people, I know it was for me.
Ultimately make sure you choose recovery for yourself know that making your loved ones happy and proud is just a bonus when you are healthy again.
You May Like: Are All Muscle Relaxers Addictive
I Dont Care About The Long
This last lie that addicts tell themselves is another form of denial. If you can tell yourself you dont care about long-term consequences and that only today matters, then its easy to fool yourself into thinking another drink, pill, or hit of your favorite substance is okay.
There are always long-term consequences to your behavior. Its hard sometimes to realize what they are because the daily action of drinking or drugging doesnt immediately make you feel bad. If you overeat just 100 calories a day, within a year, you could gain considerable weight. There are consequences to your actions, even if you dont feel them immediately.
The same may be said for substance abuse. Today, you may not feel too bad. But what damage have you done to your brain, your liver, your heart, or your lungs? What changes have happened in your family, and what bad feelings have you generated with your children or your spouse?
Addiction has long-term consequences. Just getting through today isnt living. Your life is worth so much more than that. Recovery can help you get it back.
How Nicotine Withdrawal Works
Depending on how long youâve smoked and how many cigarettes you have a day, symptoms of nicotine withdrawal can last anywhere from several days to several weeks.
Nicotine withdrawal involves physical, mental, and emotional symptoms. The first week, especially days 3 through 5, is always the worst. Thatâs when the nicotine has finally cleared out of your body and youâll start getting headaches, cravings, and insomnia.
Most relapses happen within the first two weeks of quitting. If you can get over that hump, the physical symptoms will start to go away but youâll still be dealing with mental and emotional challenges such as anxiety, depression, and irritability. Those will also taper off after a few weeks.
You May Like: Can You Recover From Xanax Addiction
What Does Addiction Feel Like Heres A Clear Picture Of What Its Like To Experience Addiction To Go Through Withdrawal And To Work Toward Sobriety
- Many dont fully understand what its like to experience addiction, from developing the illness, to going through withdrawal, to working towards recovery.
- But its important we try our best to achieve a greater understanding, so we can best help those who suffer with the disease.
- A common misconception is that addicts are scary and dangerous peoplein reality, anybody can become addicted to drugs.
- The disease is also more powerful than most realize. It isnt just a craving the substance controls your entire being.
- Furthermore, going through withdrawal and working toward sobriety are both painfully difficult stages of the recovery journey.
- However, recovery is possible it might take some hard work, but there is hope for life after addiction.
Many people who dont experience addiction themselves struggle to understand why and how others become addicted to substances like drugs and alcohol. Some doubt or downplay the suffering that comes with this disease, and others, those who empathize with struggling addicts, just cant fully grasp the painful, strenuous battle that is addiction. In consideration of this lack of understanding, mental health professionals and recovering addicts explain exactly what its like to experience addiction, from the onset stages to recovery.
Helping A Friend With Addiction
If you’re worried about a friend who has an addiction, you can use these tips to help him or her. For example, let your friend know that you are available to talk or offer your support. If you notice a friend backsliding, talk about it openly and ask what you can do to help.
If your friend is going back to drugs or drinking and won’t accept your help, don’t be afraid to talk to a nonthreatening, understanding adult, like your parent or school counselor. It may seem like you’re ratting your friend out, but it’s the best support you can offer.
Above all, offer a friend who’s battling an addiction lots of encouragement and praise. It may seem corny, but hearing that you care is just the kind of motivation your friend needs.
Also Check: What Are The Effects Of Addiction
What Does Cocaine Feel Like
October 24, 2017 By Philip Markoff
What does cocaine feel like? If youre asking yourself this question then youve come to the right place. Im a former poly-addict meaning I was addicted to many different drugs, one of which was cocaine. Because of my extensive experience, both good and bad, I can accurately answer, what does cocaine feel like?
You Choose Different Friends
The more involved you get with substance use, the more it changes who you spend time with. You tend to push away the people who care about you and are concerned about your substance use. You also tend to spend more time with people whose substance use habits are similar to yours and people who can help you get drugs. Who you spend time with has a big impact on your values, beliefs, and behavior. Often, our friends attitudes influence us in ways we are not aware of. Spending time around other people who drink heavily or have other substance use issues is likely to reinforce your own bad habits.
Don’t Miss: How To Overcome Gambling Addiction
Why Quitting Smoking Is Hard
- Nicotine is the main addictive drug in tobacco that makes quitting so hard. Cigarettes are designed to rapidly deliver nicotine to your brain.
- Inside your brain, nicotinetriggers the release of chemicals that make you feel good. As nicotine stimulates parts of your brain over and over, your brain gets used to having nicotine around.
- Over time, nicotine changes how your brain works and makes it seem like you need nicotine just to feel okay.
- When you stop smoking,your brain gets irritable. As a result, you might get anxious or upset. You might have a hard time concentrating or sleeping, have strong urges to smoke, or just feel generally uncomfortable.
- These feelings are called withdrawal. This gets better a few weeks after quitting as your brain gets used to not having nicotine around.
- Some quit-smoking medicines contain nicotine. This gives you a safe way to get used to not having so much nicotine from cigarettes in your brain.
To quit successfully, you have to deal with both of these challenges: your brain not having nicotine, and not having cigarettes during your daily routines. It can be hard to deal with both at once:
How To Deal With Nicotine Buzz
The best and most effective way to deal with the nicotine buzz is to quit smoking completely. Easier said than done, right? Well, there are many ways to keep oneself occupied and avoid any thoughts of having a smoke. Some of these include:
- Engaging in physical activities
Take a walk, play some cards, drive around, or join the gym. Having something to do and focus all the energy on is a good way to stay distracted and reduce the temptations to smoke.
- Finding new hobbies
Life gets so busy that people forget about all the things they love to do. Well, rediscovering old and new things to do is important. This will not only help to keep away from the nicotine but it will also help polish up skills that could be very useful.
- Hydration
Dehydration elicits some reactions that may lead one to smoke. Being dehydrated may lead to anxiety and confusion which in turn brings on cravings. It is important to note that once these cravings present themselves, having a glass of water will bring things back to normal.
- Reaching out to friends
Sharing the struggles of life with friends helps relieve the burden and promotes growth. Acknowledging that smoking is not good and deciding to change is everything. Having friends who are accountability partners will keep one in check to avoid disappointments.
- Always remember why
What is the reason behind the decision to quit smoking? If the reason is strong enough, backing down will not be an option. Get clear on it and keep it close always.
Also Check: How To Help Someone With Alcohol Addiction
The Experience Of Opioid Withdrawal
While in active addiction, the longest I ever went without using, was 3 days when my ex had gone to jail.
It starts as anxiety a sick feeling in the pit of your stomach you know you cant get a fix and youre out of options. Then you figure that there is no way out, so youre just gonna do it.
Then the stomach problems start, along with this weird muscle thing, making it hard to move. All of your muscles tense up, and you feel like they are all locked up when walking or trying to move.
The stomach cramping and the puking are next along with sweating, and the feeling that the marrow of your bones wants to come out.
It literally felt like the insides of my bones were trying to get outside. It felt like the bones in my legs and back were breaking, over and over again.
Everything bursts like you have been beaten with a baseball bat, and your mind is going off the chain, trying to think of ways to make this go away.
You cry and lose hope, thinking, this is it Im going to die. There is no sleep. You cant get comfortable, and you cant shut your mind off.
The anxiety is a sinking feeling, like oh no.what am I going to do. And then calling everyone in your phone you think might have a line on something. Its the feeling of defeat every time those calls yield nothing.
Despite all the physical pain, the mental part of this trumps all of it. Your brain is screaming at you to GET MORE DRUGS!!!!!!!!!!!! over and over.
It was basically a very muted version of withdrawal.
The Kids Dont Know Whats Going On So Its Okay
Kids not only know, but they care deeply when their parents take drugs or drink. Even at a very young age, children are aware of the shifting moods and unreliability that goes along with living with a substance abuser. Drugs and alcohol change your behavior at home, which in turn changes your relationship with your kids.
An addict puts their substance abuse before everything else in life: family, work, community, even health. Therefore, even if youre careful to keep your substances out of the house, your children will still sense the change in you. Kids are both smart and perceptive, and they can tell when their parents are putting something else first.
Parents substance abuse always impacts their children. It may not be noticeable right away, but your substance abuse does affect your children.
Also Check: Which Of These Drug Users Is Most Likely An Addict
I Only Drink Or Use On The Weekends So I Cant Be An Addict
Weekend benders can be just as bad, if not more so, than constant, steady use. You can be an alcoholic or a substance addict even if you only get high on the weekends. Time and day dont matter. If you crave substances, use them to escape life, and find you cant quit on your own, those weekend indulgences have become an addiction.
I Only Use Occasionally
Sometimes addiction isnt a daily occurrence. Binge drinkers may remain sober throughout the week, handling responsible jobs, parenting, and school with sobriety. But come the weekend, they cant stop themselves. They are addicted to both alcohol or drugs and heavily use on the weekends.
As with quantity, timing and frequency arent hallmarks of addiction, either. Addicts who use infrequently may still find themselves spiraling out of control as their tolerance and the need for greater amounts rises. Using only occasionally does not necessarily mean you arent addicted.
Don’t Miss: Can You Get Addicted To Marijuana
Why Dont They Just Stop Addiction And The Loss Of Control
We have been discussing that “repeated involvement despite substantial harm” is a defining characteristic of addiction. This leads to some baffling questions, “Why would someone continue to engage in something that is harmful?” “Why don’t they just stop already!?”
There is considerable disagreement about how to answer these very sensible questions. There are two possibilities: 1) A person develops a complete loss of control over their behavior or 2) A person develops a decreased ability to control cravings for pleasure. It may seem like splitting hairs. However, the distinction between a complete loss of control and decreased control over cravings has big implications with respect to fixing this control problem.
Some people experience their addiction as a complete loss of control. These people believe they are incapable of managing their own behavior. Therefore, regaining this control would clearly require a power greater than themselves, such as divine intervention, or medical intervention. If this is the case, it seems pointless to ask them to control their behavior since by this definition, they cannot. From this perspective, only medicine or God can rescue them from their addiction.
