Now Ye're Talking - to a recovered heroin user

I'm a recovered heroin user, AMA

y0ssar1an22 wrote: »

awesome AMA! and fair play for cleaning up. cant imagine, but must be hard.

1 question i could never solve, or got a satisfactory answer to - in relation to alochol and tobacco anyway....

is there a physical dependence on the drug, like the way you need water, or is it a mental one, if that makes sense?

alcohol for example, are you addicted to it as a drug (physical dependence), or just love being drunk (mental dependence).

i dunno, maybe they're one and the the same

Heroin has both mental and physical, effects. You don't need it like water, but your body will start to give out, I explained things as best I could in a previous post.

Opiate withdrawals are pretty much the worst, benzodiazepines (Valium etc) also are about as bad as you could ask for, physically.



(EDIT: please forgive my horrible phone posting)

ILikeBoats

Well done on the recovery and thanks for a great AMA

Would you have any advice for someone who might be heading down that route? I know a guy who is an alcoholic and coke addict, he's heading for homelessness, can't hold down a job and is losing everything in his life.
He is convinced he doesn't have a problem and therefore, won't accept he needs help.

Is it just a matter of waiting until he hits rock bottom and sees it for himself?
Or is there something we can do?
Just in your opinion - could someone have done something for you in your early addiction days to make you take a different path?

hufpc8w3adnk65

You mentioned in a previous post that Heroin is everywhere in the city Centre. Apart from the guys wandering the streets like zombies what other things would you see to indicate it? After been on that side for a number of years are there things you’d see that would tell you that a regular innocent joe so wouldn’t?

As allways thanks

Vojera

Fair play for you for getting things together. Long may it continue!

You had a good life before falling to addiction, and you'll have a good life again (with your positive attitude and hard work, it'll happen!). I live in Ballymun and there are people here (a minority, but a significant one), who were practically born into addiction. Heroin is obviously a big problem and crack even more so in the last while. You mentioned that while recovering you had to cut ties with everyone from that life, not socialise with people at the clinic, etc. Do you see a way out for people who literally live in the middle of it? Is there anything that you think could be done better to help them?

I'm a recovered heroin user, AMA

ILikeBoats wrote: »

Well done on the recovery and thanks for a great AMA

Would you have any advice for someone who might be heading down that route? I know a guy who is an alcoholic and coke addict, he's heading for homelessness, can't hold down a job and is losing everything in his life.
He is convinced he doesn't have a problem and therefore, won't accept he needs help.

Is it just a matter of waiting until he hits rock bottom and sees it for himself?
Or is there something we can do?
Just in your opinion - could someone have done something for you in your early addiction days to make you take a different path?

I don't know what I'd say, I don't really think there is much you can say or do about it. Trying to think back to how I felt at the time and I doubt that there's really much that could have changed the course.

Just be clear and non-judgemental about where he is heading (if you can) offer options if possible. But sometimes things just have to take their course.

Sorry I don't have better advice.

I'm a recovered heroin user, AMA

MrMac84 wrote: »

You mentioned in a previous post that Heroin is everywhere in the city Centre. Apart from the guys wandering the streets like zombies what other things would you see to indicate it? After been on that side for a number of years are there things you’d see that would tell you that a regular innocent joe so wouldn’t?

As allways thanks

I notice the citric sachets everywhere, they are like a lime green/yellow. If you see one it means someone just cooked up.



I see them absolutely everywhere.

I'm a recovered heroin user, AMA

Vojera wrote: »

Fair play for you for getting things together. Long may it continue!

You had a good life before falling to addiction, and you'll have a good life again (with your positive attitude and hard work, it'll happen!). I live in Ballymun and there are people here (a minority, but a significant one), who were practically born into addiction. Heroin is obviously a big problem and crack even more so in the last while. You mentioned that while recovering you had to cut ties with everyone from that life, not socialise with people at the clinic, etc. Do you see a way out for people who literally live in the middle of it? Is there anything that you think could be done better to help them?

I'm not sure what can be done then, the only way that I know is to try and visualise a better life or a better path for yourself. If you've never known one, I can imagine how hard it would be .

Life I've said before, I guess to just try give people a small sense of purpose and self worth, show them that there is a different way. Hopefully at least some will choose to take it.

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I'm a recovered heroin user, AMA

....... wrote: »

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No, they hand them out with the needles at the exchanges. It's because brown heroin doesn't dissolve naturally, it helps to break it down and make it soluble.

bullpost

Fair play to you for getting this far and best of luck for the future.

In you opinion, Is it possible to do cold turkey? Or getting off without going the methadone route? Or are the side effects just too tough or dangerous? And do you know anyone that went cold turkey successfully?

pc7

Fair play to you for getting to where you are now, no mean feat. Where you afraid when you first tried it? I know from school when we'd get talks from former addicts, they always said with heroin one hit and your hooked. Do you think this is the case, or is it if you are vulnerable enough to try it once you will keep at it. (say as in your case, everything had hit the sh!tter for you).

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I'm a recovered heroin user, AMA

bullpost wrote: »

Fair play to you for getting this far and best of luck for the future.

In you opinion, Is it possible to do cold turkey? Or getting off without going the methadone route? Or are the side effects just too tough or dangerous? And do you know anyone that went cold turkey successfully?

I've done it, I was out of the country and there was nothing I could do about it. But successfully not really because I just used as soon as possible once I got home. Side effects are as tough as you can imagine, but rarely actually dangerous.

Subutex/suboxone is a better route than methadone in my opinion, not as hard or the body and it incorporates Naloxone which blocks the opioid receptors in the brain so you don't get high if you use, it does nothing for you. I guess it's too expensive here, they trialled it years ago and I was a part of it. In my book it's a miracle drug. 100x better than methadone imo.

I'm a recovered heroin user, AMA

pc7 wrote: »

Fair play to you for getting to where you are now, no mean feat. Where you afraid when you first tried it? I know from school when we'd get talks from former addicts, they always said with heroin one hit and your hooked. Do you think this is the case, or is it if you are vulnerable enough to try it once you will keep at it. (say as in your case, everything had hit the sh!tter for you).

I was already physically (and mentally addicted) from smoking before I first shot up, so I'm not sure. But it wouldn't be physically addictive your first time I'm sure. No I wasn't scared to use because I really needed it, I did feel a little moral trepidation when I was smoking it at first and starting to get strung out, like a voice in the back of my head "what are you doing" etc... wish I'd listened!

hufpc8w3adnk65

I'm a recovered heroin user, AMA wrote: »

No, they hand them out with the needles at the exchanges. It's because brown heroin doesn't dissolve naturally, it helps to break it down and make it soluble.

There seems to be a bit to it.. was your first time smoking, then injecting, taking crack etc allways in the company of a seasoned pro? Looking back we’re they helping you for selfish reasons?

Follow up, how do you take crack coke?

Again Thanks

I'm a recovered heroin user, AMA

MrMac84 wrote: »

There seems to be a bit to it.. was your first time smoking, then injecting, taking crack etc allways in the company of a seasoned pro? Looking back we’re they helping you for selfish reasons?

Follow up, how do you take crack coke?

Again Thanks

There's definitely people who will 'want' you to get strung out, so you will buy their drugs in future, or just return the favor. I had to get someone to do it for me first time, it's hard do and get yourself with one arm at first.

I never injected crack/coke, but you can. I'd use/make a pipe.

pc7

I've been seeing/reading a lot that middle america is becoming addicted big time to opiates (starting say Oxy due to an operation etc.), then going seeking the local drug dealer for the likes of heroin. Did you see any signs of that starting here?

hufpc8w3adnk65

I'm a recovered heroin user, AMA wrote: »

There's definitely people who will 'want' you to get strung out, so you will buy their drugs in future, or just return the favor. I had to get someone to do it for me first time, it's hard do and get yourself with one arm at first.

I never injected crack/coke, but you can. I'd use/make a pipe.

Sorry I ment smoking & injecting the heroin..... taking the crack as separate questions... I’m also on the touch site so forgive me

I'm a recovered heroin user, AMA

pc7 wrote: »

I've been seeing/reading a lot that middle america is becoming addicted big time to opiates (starting say Oxy due to an operation etc.), then going seeking the local drug dealer for the likes of heroin. Did you see any signs of that starting here?

Not here in my experience, it's more the other way around.

But yeah I've seen a few things about that, it's really sad. They must have a lot of prescription happy doctors there.

pc7

I'm a recovered heroin user, AMA wrote: »

But yeah I've seen a few things about that, it's really sad. They must have a lot of prescription happy doctors there.

Yeah, few of the shows I've watched it seems to be big Pharma pushing it.

I'm a recovered heroin user, AMA

pc7 wrote: »

Yeah, few of the shows I've watched it seems to be big Pharma pushing it.

It's pretty brutal.

I mean, I made a choice. We can talk about extenuating circumstances etc all day but I'm not pretending I didn't know when I was getting myself in for (well I didn't know just how bad it was). But to have a car accident or hurt your back at work and end up with opiate withdrawals. It's a bad deal.

I don't take any painkillers now just to be sure.

VW 1

In terms of the difference in feeling/effects of smoking vs injecting heroin, are you able to describe how or why one is different tp the other? You say you needed to inject when you first did having been smoking prior to that, what was it that gave you that feeling?

Congrats on getting your life back on track, and best of luck.

I'm a recovered heroin user, AMA

VW 1 wrote: »

In terms of the difference in feeling/effects of smoking vs injecting heroin, are you able to describe how or why one is different tp the other? You say you needed to inject when you first did having been smoking prior to that, what was it that gave you that feeling?

Congrats on getting your life back on track, and best of luck.

It's hard to describe, it's like the same effect but totally different... I liked smoking because it took a while to do, takes longer, I liked the taste. When I had money or lots of stuff on standby I'd make sure that I still have a tray there to smoke after I'd used. I can't really verbalise the difference though, but it's night and day.

I guess the most prominent thing is the speed that it hits you, all at once, 10x stronger.

Bawnmore

Really interesting AMA op - thanks, and well done on the recovery!

Most questions I'd have are answered already, but here's a few more:

1. I've lived in Dublin and Limerick for a few years, and heroin use in particular would be more publicly obvious in both than where we are now (Galway). Would you say there's any anxiety among addicts to be seen injecting/using in public? Or would you say most use is behind closed doors?

2. Did you find crack was as easy to come by as heroin? Or less availability in general? Would you ever have actively set out to look to take crack or was it more so because that's all that was available at the time?

3. How long does a crack high last? Does it feel more or less as it's portrait in tv/movies (extreme awareness/energy)?

Thanks again for the AMA - super interesting answers.

Tombo2001

Hi OP - and well done. It must be one of the hardest things in the world to do, to stop using an addictive drug of any kind.

You mentioned Cannabis earlier. My own view of cannabis changed very sharply due to its effect on someone in my circle.

I feel there is a general view out there that Cannabis is quite benign, has medicinal qualities etc etc. That its no worse than alcohol. That its no big deal - 'stop giving out Ma, its harmless' kind of thing.

My own view is that all of that is true for some people - but for a minority of users Cannabis (i) leads to significant mental health difficult difficulties and (ii) is a very significant gateway drug.

You mentioned that you spent a lot of your teenage years smoking cannabis. Would that have been the norm for a lot of Heroin users?

I'm a recovered heroin user, AMA

Bawnmore wrote: »

Really interesting AMA op - thanks, and well done on the recovery!

Most questions I'd have are answered already, but here's a few more:

1. I've lived in Dublin and Limerick for a few years, and heroin use in particular would be more publicly obvious in both than where we are now (Galway). Would you say there's any anxiety among addicts to be seen injecting/using in public? Or would you say most use is behind closed doors?

2. Did you find crack was as easy to come by as heroin? Or less availability in general? Would you ever have actively set out to look to take crack or was it more so because that's all that was available at the time?

3. How long does a crack high last? Does it feel more or less as it's portrait in tv/movies (extreme awareness/energy)?

Thanks again for the AMA - super interesting answers.

1. I definitely tried to keep it under wraps, firstly out of shame and then thinking like "I don't want some kid to see me". But there where lots of times where it just "needed" to be done asap, didn't give a **** then. I think that's the attitude most have.

2. It's pretty common, but still nowhere near as prolific. Was more of a "luxury item" for me anyhow.

3. An hour or 2, the best part is when you are holding it in your lungs and exhale slowly, after that you are going downhill and you'll want/need to buy more. Doesn't last long at all

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I'm a recovered heroin user, AMA

Tombo2001 wrote: »

Hi OP - and well done. It must be one of the hardest things in the world to do, to stop using an addictive drug of any kind.

You mentioned Cannabis earlier. My own view of cannabis changed very sharply due to its effect on someone in my circle.

I feel there is a general view out there that Cannabis is quite benign, has medicinal qualities etc etc. That its no worse than alcohol. That its no big deal - 'stop giving out Ma, its harmless' kind of thing.

My own view is that all of that is true for some people - but for a minority of users Cannabis (i) leads to significant mental health difficult difficulties and (ii) is a very significant gateway drug.

You mentioned that you spent a lot of your teenage years smoking cannabis. Would that have been the norm for a lot of Heroin users?

Yeah from my experience most people who used had a background with other substances

miamee

I'm a recovered heroin user, AMA wrote: »

€15 for one or 2 for €25, then you get more etc with bulk

Not always, €200/250 that's at max street price, so only only on the really low days would I be paying that much.

If I/we were buying stuff in bulk it would work out cheaper, sell half get yours for free, rinse and repeat.

I lost/sold every possession that mattered to me at one stage or another other than a watch my granddad gave me.

By vulnerable yes, I guess that's what you're looking for

I ripped off younger/newbie guys and sold them nothings drugs. Did confidence scams on people and got a fair bit of money at a time.

By elderly specifically, no. Not intentionally, I might have taken something from a car, but I wasn't specifically looking for that.

Most people I tapped off or hustled where young people in town, out on a night out out shopping during the day.

Spun a story about missing a taxi or money for a hostel, and could make about €100 per hour. The right people will give you average €20/30 you just have to find them.

Just the bit in bold, you mentioned sometimes you'd buy in bulk, sell half and get yours free. Would you be selling to people you already knew, was it common for a group of you to take turns doing this sort of thing and just sell to each other or would you have to go to any efforts to sell it, e.g. go to a certain place where people knew to buy stuff or what? Were you ever arrested for dealing or afraid that you would be?

I'm a recovered heroin user, AMA

miamee wrote: »

Just the bit in bold, you mentioned sometimes you'd buy in bulk, sell half and get yours free. Would you be selling to people you already knew, was it common for a group of you to take turns doing this sort of thing and just sell to each other or would you have to go to any efforts to sell it, e.g. go to a certain place where people knew to buy stuff or what? Were you ever arrested for dealing or afraid that you would be?

Both, sometimes you'd be selling/splitting just among friends or people I knew, sometimes I'd walk the streets slinging it, like you said, there are a couple of hotspots in the city center where people congregate to conduct this kind of transaction.

Somebody else mentioned how drug pushers of all kinds are abhorrent, and I'd usually agree but I never sold anything to anybody who wasn't clearly strung out like me. It was just a means to an end and everybody was happy consenting adults. I'm still not saying that it's right though.