addiction
The realities of addition; the truth about living under, above and beyond the influence of drugs and alcohol.
Breaking the Hold You Had on Me
It was 2017 and at the time, I thought I was just like everyone else. Working to get ahead, just serving tables full time until something new came along or until I found my career path. Then, I was reintroduced to you at a party one night after turning twenty one. We had met a couple of times outside of class back in high school, but our times together never ended well. As the party went on, we got to know each other more and more and at the time I thought you were so cool and fun to be around. As the days continued to roll by, I found myself meeting up with you after I would leave work. Sometimes we’d meet at bars, sometimes I’d just pick you up and we’d go to my house. We had the greatest times, even went to parties together and made the greatest of memories. As time went on though, I noticed that you were beginning to be around more and more; until eventually it was like you never left my side and you were starting to get in the way of some things. If I had family plans, you’d find a way to get me to bail and crash a party with you or convince me to call off work so we could get together. I’ll admit, at the time it wasn’t a big deal to me; I enjoyed your company. I enjoyed our times together so much, the giddy laughter, the loud and vibrant music in our background, it was exciting. It was a thrill, until you started introducing me to your friends. That’s where everything fell apart but You wouldn’t let me go. It got to the point where I wasn’t showing up to work and if I had then it wasn’t for long because you’d call me with an excuse for me to leave, even my managers knew what was going on. We’d be out in the city all night, getting mixed up in all the wrong things, causing disturbances everywhere we went together. Your friends were even attached at my hip, always asking me to take them with me or to say hello before I leave, it was taking a toll on me. I ended up being with you and your friends so much that I lost track of everything around me, forgetting important dates and forgetting things I had done or needed to do, I was losing sleep and not eating; just to be with you and your friends. I thought you guys liked me, that you wanted to be with me because I was great, not because you wanted to tear me down. That’s exactly what you did, you and your friends had such a grip on me that I lost myself to you, I had forgotten who I was and every moment without you left me in cold shakes and paralyzing anxiety. I lost my Job because of you, I lost my apartment because of you, I even lost my friends because once I decided to drop you, you latched on to them and kept dragging them into your schemes.
By Brendon N.7 years ago in Psyche
The Power of Addiction...and a Message of Hope
Addiction is such an important topic today. And yet, all too often, we see addiction as a problem dealt with by others—and not our own problem. However, the stark reality is that today, the sad numbers being generated by America's opioid epidemic mean that all of us are being impacted by the costs of this disease in one way or another. And far, far too many of us know—or will know—a family member, friend, classmate, or colleague who is fighting their own addiction battle or whose life is ended by the effects of the highly addictive opiate drugs commonly available—both legally and illegally—today.
By David Wyld7 years ago in Psyche
Addiction, and the Paramedic
Addiction is taking its toll. There have been so many overdoses in my district, that not only are we short on Narcan some days, we are also short on responders. I am not one to judge. As a paramedic, I see people at their worst moments in many different situations. I am putting in my two cents today, because I feel not only addicts are suffering, but families, responders, etc. I have to elaborate on my own experiences as a result of addictions of others. This is in no way meant to be judgmental, or to condemn, I am hoping my catharsis can help someone.
By Kathy Roadman7 years ago in Psyche
Addiction, a Choice or Disease?
Addiction, is it a choice or a disease? This is a controversial question that has plagued the Internet as of late. Although this is not a new debate I am seeing more and more Memes, studies, comments and blogs about this topic. After much thought I decided to address the issue publicly, add my point of view and possibly ruffle some feathers.
By Tiffany Michael7 years ago in Psyche
What Addiction Means
I recently read a passage of a book titled Does Capitalism Drive Drug Addiction by Johann Hari in which outlined the addiction debate of both the left and right wing which is this: Right wing believes addiction is caused by a moral failure as it is a choice to consume a drug the first time and the left wing's stand is a similar chemical imbalance as exists in depression.
By Mars Saint7 years ago in Psyche
How I Broke Myself
There are too many people in this world who know the feeling: the nonstop urge, a relentless craving of something to feel right; to feel whole. I know very well the suffering that accompanies a life of addiction. My whole life I have struggled with trying to fill an unexplained void at all desperation. It didn't start with Budweiser and 1800 Tequila, that much I can testify. It started with gasoline and cocaine as a matter of fact. Foil boils and a few broken televisions hidden in the woods behind my apartment complex was my home away from home. I was nothing more than an angry eleven year old looking for warmth. I grew up feeling alone and worthless as an effect of an emotionally unavailable mother with two jobs and an emotionally and physically abusive sister. In the home, there was always tension and dysfunction; outside the home, there was always tension and dysfunction. With my role models rolling up weed and chasing white lines in front of me, I never stood a chance. Such is the story of my addiction.
By samy costello7 years ago in Psyche
Addiction Has No Face
“You DO know you could be facing a felony heroin charge, right?” I nodded my head, handcuffed to a cold concrete bench as the officer talked to me. How did I end up here? It was December 23rd, 2017, and I was 17 years old, high, sitting in the booking area of the county jail mid-afternoon. Just 4 years prior I had been a straight-A student, an athlete, a babysitter, a loving sister and upstanding daughter. And here I was, facing a felony heroin charge staring at the bag of drugs and paraphernalia they had found in my bedroom just an hour before. I wish I could say that this story is made up, but it is my reality. My story is a long one, and the events leading up to this very moment are a tale for another time. However, I ask that you bear with me... I will explain addiction from an addict’s perspective.
By Lanie Murphy7 years ago in Psyche
Addiction & the Homeless
I recently watched a video on YouTube of a man living in Vancouver BC, which is my home town. Before the man made this video, he believed that homeless people have it easy. They don't pay rent because they can find places to stay for free. They don't buy food because there are places for them to go to get it..
By Alyse McDonald7 years ago in Psyche
My Steps to Getting Sober!
Are you or someone you know trying to get sober? I'm going to give you the straight up truth on how that usually goes down or, well, how it went down for me. I'm laying it down in steps for ya to make it easy to understand. If you are not the one getting sober from alcohol or any type of drug, please take into account that it is very hard to let go of any and all addictions. We want to escape our pain, and this is generally how we do it, so please be patient with us and help any way you can. Also, sometimes, if you're in too deep, you need to seek out additional help, do not be ashamed of that! That is why there are rehab centers available to help, and they want to help you, so if you need to attend one please do so. Without further delay, here are the steps I went through while trying to get sober.
By Dagny Desiree7 years ago in Psyche
My Recovery, My Journey
We do recover. “Do you know where you are?” All I hear are sirens and this man screaming at me. “Where did these pills come from? Why won’t you tell me?” The paramedic keeps asking me these questions, and several other not so nice things. I’ve really done it this time. I really OD’d.
By Rachel Mullins7 years ago in Psyche
8 Months Free
Free from drowning in alcohol and drugs and the constant need to party with friends. Free from the worry of where my next fix is going to come from. Free from the need to pour whiskey and diet Pepsi in a cup, then to snort a line. Free from the all-nighters which became all dayers because I was still too messed up to sleep. Free from the two-day hangovers filled with stomach rot and very high anxiety. Free from the need to do it all over again the next weekend.
By Dagny Desiree7 years ago in Psyche
Threnody for a Prodigious yet Troubled Hip Hop Artist
Not even a year after the death of Hip Hop artist Gustav Elijah Åhr, better known to the rap world as Lil’ Peep, rapper and producer Malcolm James “Mac Miller” McCormick has died of a drug overdose just like Åhr. What has to be remembered in cases like this is that if a person wants to get high, they’re going to get high. You can step in like a speed bump and try to slow them down, but if they’re willing to risk it, they’ll speed up and just hop over you.
By Skyler Saunders7 years ago in Psyche
