New Forum Suggestion

Cathode_Ray

Hey All
I've only just registered , but I've been lurking around for a few months now so I think I have a feel for the place. I noticed recently that a lot of threads related to illegal drugs are quickly brushed under the carpet once someone begins to go into any sort of detail. I myself have had some difficulty with drugs in the past . I never considered joining any groups for fear of my secret being found out. what I have done is use the internet , telling your secrets to a tree I suppose. Simply by letting people know about my problem and sharing my thoughts with them made me feel that my own struggle was not the insummountable mountain that I thought it was , after all , I had talked to people who had managed to kick the habit. For someone as vain as me ,it really was a help. To cut to the chase, would it be possible to have a forum where people could come and post anonomously , without the retribution that usually accompanys a drug related post in the Personal Issues forum?

Gordon

You want some type of Drugs anonymous board? Why do you say that you can't do this on PI? Although any posts on drugs and physical problems such as addictions would be treated with a redirect to doctor -PI should be able to take on board an alcoholics anonymous feel to it.

Maybe I am wrong here, would like to know what other people think.

I would also like to know what retribution you are talking about - do you not think that you can post freely on PI? Do you have a problem with PI? If you don't want to post here please pm me.

mr_angry

I can see why PI should be an appropriate place to have this discussion, but addiction is an ongoing problem, and I can see why people would desire a place to (1) find information quickly and easily on treatment for an addiction, and (2) discuss the matter with other addicts, with less 'joe-soaps' throwing in their tuppenceworth.

Its not a terrible idea. Call it 'rehabilitation' or something.

DeVore

Carefull treading needed here. I can see a wonderful opportunity for an Addiction Support board where people could talk and find links to other groups for support. But it needs to be handled delicately and strictly. I dont want someone giving advice on such a board and us getting into trouble if that advice is felt to make things worse. We have the same problem on PI and hence the strict redirection to medical practitioners for anything remotely medical in nature.

Its an interesting and potentially very positive idea and could service a group for whom PI might not fit the bill or might be too broad in charter. All the same I'd like to hear other peoples views on this...

DeV.

Paddy20

An 'Addictions Forum' where those with addiction problems can openly discuss and make 'suggestions' would imo be good. Addictions cover a very wide number of substances and habits from basic food, chocolate, cigarettes, alcohol, watching TV. To the other illegal drugs.

I personally know that Alcoholism is extremely high amongst those in the Medical Profession, and telling someone too "Go to your GP" may not exactly be in itself the correct answer for an alcoholic. As a suggestion that someone looking for help with an alcohol problem would probably find appropriate help with Alcoholics Anonymous as it is an immediately accessible helpline or website, and it is voluntarily operated by those who 'have been there'. Could not imo be deemed as ' Wrong Advice'.

A comprehensive list of links to helplines or websites run by specialist organisations dealing with particular types of life threatening, and other types of addictions could prove of real benefit.

I must state that in my life I have witnessed quite a few addicts approach their GP's then be referred or admitted to hospital. Yet some have ended up dead!. Mainly due too the fact that in our health service we simply do not have the infrastructure thats needed.The system failed these people, and GP's and other medical professionals are themselves at a loss at the lack of funding in the wide area of addictions as a whole.

This is why most really good Residential Addiction treatment and rehabilitation centres in Ireland are run by Non-profit Voluntary/ Charitable Orgs .

Thats just my 2cs worth.

P. :ninja:

Cathode_Ray

Hey All
I firmly believe that Personal Issues is an invaluable forum , Im sure that it has helped many people and will continue to do so well into the future. However there is a great stigma present in Irish society in general regarding the misuse of illegal drugs. As a result of this many people see addicts as 'fair game' , unworthy of any help simply because the brought the problem upon themselves.

I saw a very interesting thread containing quite accurate descriptions and effects of drugs degenerate into an ill researched debate between people opposed to drug use on one hand and those who think drugs should be legalised on the other. Both sides were very selective regarding the research they put foreward to further their arguements. While this may be all well and good for a school or college debate where nothing of importance is to be won or lost . It is of little use to a 17 year old who wants to know the cold hard facts before he/she experiments. A certain proportion of young adults are going to experiment regardless, all we can do is give them what information we have and hope they make the best use of it.

With a membership as large as boards has, there must be many people who have problems with drug addiction , (I inlcude alcohol with drugs when I say that. After being a drug user I now see that alcohol is just as much a drug as cannabis or cocaine) But because of the relatively concersative attitude held by many boards users they are reluctant to post because of the retrubution and snide remarks that they may face.

I believe that people are perfectly entitled to their own oppinions and beliefs , but sometimes , some things are better left unsaid.

BuffyBot

However there is a great stigma present in Irish society in general regarding the misuse of illegal drugs. As a result of this many people see addicts as 'fair game' , unworthy of any help simply because the brought the problem upon themselves.

I can't really see how a specialist forum will offer any more protection than PI can for this issue.

Personally, I can't see it sustaining a whole board.

Lump

I would support this, providing that there was some serious modding involved. I'm sure there are posters on boards that can offer serious advice on drug use and abuse. I think it would take some serious modding, I'd suggest a private forum, but it's a little had if random people want to join it just to post a bout a specific problem, so that probably wouldn't work. I'd quite like to see it though. I think that PI needs to be divided a touch, surely there are subjects that raise there head on PI often.

Or maybe they dont raise there head because people are afriad of getting the GO TO A Fúcking doctor reply.

I don't think drugs issues should be treated by going to a doctor.... I'm sure drug users would possibly fear that more then as Cathode_Ray said, just talking about it. I'm not a genius, but I've seen a fair few friends mess up university, life etc etc with drugs, mostly starting on Hash and moving on to Coke and pills. I'm not a goody two shows, but I think if help can be offered, then we should try.


That is all,


John

Vader

There is an option for mods to veiw posts before they go up, and an anonymous poster thing too, both of those should make the forum quite workable. Maybe make it a subforum of PI or something

Ryo Hazuki

As many people know, I’ve been to the edge of addiction and barely came back alive. I found boards.ie a great distraction from the temptation of the bottle.

And although its quite different from Cathode’s past problems, it was still a terrible addiction

Id say there’s quite a few people in a similar situation as I used to be, and I feel boards can offer a useful service to aid in beating addiction.

If we help just one person, then its worth the effort.



(Oh yeah I’m dry for 3 years this June )

Paddy20

Ryo Hazuki,

Quote:- " If we help just one person, then it is worth the effort " end quote.

Exactly. You said it.

P. :ninja: