New Ideas about Heroin addiction.

[mambios]

Was wondering if someon could help me out?

I recently recall reading an article by a well known doctor who questioned our perception of heroin addiction and the well we treat it.

The basic idea was that the phsyical addiction is nowhere need as bad as we may it out to be but that it's kept at an artificial level due to the re-hab industry - 'If we're told it's bad then is must be and therefore I need special help'. Therefore this keeps people in jobs, whether councelling, nursing or running rehab centres etc.

He also pointed out numerous cases where the patient was denied the usual treatments and told no, or had a strong reason to get clean (get out prison or lose their kids if they don't stop) who managed to get clean far easier than those who were pampered too.

I was just wondering if anyone else saw the article or if they could link me to it as I'd love to give it a second read.

[exjunky]

I didn't see the article but I believe it.

Every addict thinks that they are going to die if they don't get their drug of choice. Because it really feels that way! There is part of your brain which tells you "if you don't eat you will die!" and "if you don't drink you will die!" Well the heroin addict has a voice that says "if you don't do dope you will die!" Of course it's not true but it sure seems true. We are all hardwired to listen to that voice.

[moja]

I have not seen this article, but as an ex-junkie, I know that I could not get clean on my own. At times, I got clean in jail but the moment I got out, I NEEDED drugs. I didn't have the symptoms of diarrhea, vomitting, shaking, etc..., but instead had overwhelming anxiety that was unbearable. I think we each experience drugs (everything in life for that matter) at a very personal level. The experience of detoxing and recovery is also intensely personal. I don't think I would have died from using - I wanted to. But I know my dis-ease would rather see me drooling, in diapers and a wheelchair first.

[mambios]

Without having the article to hand it's hard for me to reply exactly within context but I think the some of the things that you posted are the ones that he attacks.

He was very quick to point out that once the mindset was 'Ok, I'm not getting any help' the traditional symptons of cold turkey were very far and few between, as though it was almost the brain causing them in order to obtain the opiate.

[exjunky]

I was once hanging out with some junky friends back when I was using heavily, and somebody asked a hypothetical question:

Suppose you had some billionaire uncle who left to you in his will 100 million dollars. But the one caveat is that you could never do heroin again, or you don't get a penny. Would you be able to quit, to get the old man's money?

My friends and I (all being hardcore addicts) concluded that the answer would be "no" ... we couldn't quit. Not because we don't want to quit, and not because a hundred million dollars isn't enough compensation, but just because we were all physically incapable of quitting. When a junky tells you they can't quit they really mean it... they can't quit. You might as well ask them to give up the habit of breathing. If your head is in that space then there's nothing that can possible change your mind.

Then one day (usually after hitting rock bottom) the addict voluntarily sets out to accomplish what used to be impossible. But until that point is reached, quitting is basically impossible. That's why when parents discover their child is using and they force them to go into rehab, it almost never works. You could spend a million dollars on the finest rehab centers in the world and the second they leave they'll be out on the street coppin' dope again.

[websurfpro]

An addicted person thinks that if he or she does not get their dose they`ll feel bad and make things worser for them, they don`t think of recovery except if they really feel bad while on drugs, I cannot find that article but you can use Google to search for it.

[TraumaK4ri]

I like the inheritance post. Let's be real: a real addict would swear they were clean and probably get away with it long enough to get the money and then lose it in a week, or a couple of days.

[BrookeBroken]

Can someone tell me how to shoot up? I forgot when i had a brain surgery

[kimalee]

are you fucking stupid? seriously don't come onto this threads asking how to shoot up. Its not funny and no one will help you get high!

[Swastik]

Every time this doesn't happen that every addict has to die. If he/she got proper treatment on time then there is no risk to their life.

I haven't read the article but must say it is interesting.

[mrreno]

That shows the ignorance of many doctors & laypeople when it comes to addiction. Every person is different, but most junkies, especially ones who've been using for years, may die before they are able to get clean. I've been a dope fiend for over 30 years and still can't seem to get it together. As for "basic idea was that the phsyical addiction is nowhere need as bad as we may it out", that's Bullshit. All depends on the quality of the heroin and amount your using. I've been so sick before that I'd be pucking and shitting at the same time straight for 4 days or more and end up so dehydrayded that I'd be seeing 5 of everything and still deathly ill after 7 or 8 days. Sometimes not that bad but it all depends.

[Bamf08]

In my opinion the physical addiction is tremendous and it sounds to me like he has not been a heroin addict. It is all in your mind though i always told my self i'm going to slowly take less and less and then finally i would get off. That never worked i was to afraid of the withdrawals. Finally i came forward to my family realizing i was not going to be able to tackle this on my own and they gave me all the support i could ever hope for. Finally i went to a detox (only 3 days long) which helped for those three days yes but boy when i got home, i wouldn't wish the pain and constant vomiting and diarrhea on my worst enemy. But i sat it out with the help of my loved ones and here i am clean as a whistle. I still crave it some times but i know it's not worth it. On the other hand though i can see where he is coming from, every where you look you see addicts saying if i could just get past the withdrawals i would stop. Or i have been on suboxone for a year now, what? You don't withdrawal for a year and you can get past the withdrawals. Ya for 10 days your going to feel like shit but when its all over, its just that all over. Then you have the mental aspect to deal with. So i agree and disagree.