hope benny does well too. but, judging from his posts, he might may need someone to actually put their foot in his ass, or be required by law to stay in rehab for 90 days to have a shot.

Is it possible to use heroin and other super strong opiates and not become a junky?

I would think it has to be possible but extremely difficult, right?

In Shantaram the main character talks about some foreign businessmen who would just roll into Bombay once in a blue moon and do some heroin and then head back to their normal life thousands of miles from their heroin use.

That's what I was thinking then I tried searching for addiction percentages and found a .gov site saying 23% of all heroin users end up addicted. They do not define user but I'm thinking that means anyone who has done it even once. I still thought that was pretty low but I guess considering it's availability for most people maybe not so low.

I was able to do heroin and oxys back in the day and not get super dependent on them. Heroin Ive only done a few times but me and my friends did oxys a lot. It got to the point where I could feel myself getting addicted and I basically quit doing it and cut all ties with those people and just never did them again. The friends I used to do them with got hardcore into heroin and 1 has been locked up a couple of times for steal to support his habit.

Id say most people are better off just not doing those hard drugs though. For whatever reason I dont get hooked right away but many of my friends that have done the harder drugs get hooked and stay hooked. From there it just turns into a really sad story.

I've now finished reading this whole thread and I want to say that this thread is incredible interesting to read. Please keep posting updates both you Layzie and Benny and get thru this ****. Unfortunately I don't have any advices to give you like other people as I'm only 19 and haven't done drugs (and won't ever do that especially after reading this thread) but please keep us updated because I really want to know how it is going for you (and I don't think I'm alone).

And in a strange way I'm now "feeling" my mom who's got depression. Before this I was kind of mad at my mom because she was always in a bad mood and in my head I would blame her for things that I shouln't do but this got me thinking a bit more about it in a strange way. I'm suddenly understanding my mother's situation more and kind of want to help her in a way that not be blaming her for things, not being so ***** selfish, understanding that has a hard time with that, it isn't her fault, and be easier with her even though this thread isn't really about depression. I don't know why I write this but anyway thanks for this thread!

Well I still don't have internet/cable at the moment and it's kinda low on my list of priorities. I lost my stepfather a few weeks back and managed to keep my sobriety throughout it all. My mother lost her house and my family is going through rough times but things are alot less scary with a sober head. I can normally peek at 2p2 a little at work so I'll continue to post updates and check the thread from time to time.

Sorry to hear about the hard times you and your family are facing right now, Layzie. Hope things turn around for you guys.

I agree. Seems the same story with people I grew up with and cocaine. Some did it every once in awhile or maybe once a week and others would stay up all weekend and do it again in the middle of the week. The former group have moved on with life and started careers. The latter group are all for the most part hooked and broke still waiting tables or cooking in a restaurant b/c they couldn't finish school and can't seem to move forward.

Layzie, thank you for the update. I'm sorry to hear about your stepfather and your Moms house. I'm glad that you've managed to stay clean in spite of it. Appreciate you checking in occasionally to let us know how you're doing.

Benny, are you out there?

One thing I wanted to add is that my marijuana use hasn't stopped but is signifigantly less than its been in the past. I mainly smoke right before I go to sleep, but I also sometimes endulge right after I wake up. I know that sounds bad, but it actually has somewhat of an opposite effect for me in the morning. It kinda gets me moving like a cup of coffee. I honestly feel as if I can continue smoking and maintain my sobriety from opiates, but the risk may not be worth the reward. I've worked really hard to stay sober, and a relapse would disappoint so many people. We discussed this in depth earlier in the thread. I feel as if I should probably stop and find another route for falling asleep.

I'm kinda rambling, but I just got alot on my mind and could use some input.

Need some advice, i'll keep it quick. brother addicted to oxy's. haven't been in touch with him for a few months. parents go away for vacation for first time in 6 years. he calls me that night 10times, says he is desperate from money because hes owes bad guys money. (dont really believe him). has been calling/texting me 30-40 times every day looking for money. i have given him some, but can't/won't continue to. leaving for vegas wed, parents not due back til friday night. i'm scared he will harrass our grandma and other family in between that. he went to meth clinic, only gave him 5mg of meth. he says its not even close to enough. parents left no numbers of parole officer, clinics, no one.

at a loss of what to do. any advice is welcome.

While not encouraging the weed use, I have to think the most important thing right now is to stay off the opiates. Maybe tackle this issue a while from now when you're further into recovery.

I have no idea what to tell you other than try to talk him into getting to a hospital. Good luck.

layzie-

I believe battling insomnia is MUCH more likely to cause a relapse than smoking marijuana.

Start looking at marijuana like ambien or a natural valium. Would you have issues taking these if a doctor said to do it? If copping it on the street is a problem then head on over to the micro grow forum on icmag. You can solve all those issues in about 3 months.

I think Ambien or Valium would be a lot worse in this situation.

So do I although I know they use them for alcoholics in detox. Not sure about H detox though.

fwiw, i was prescribed ambien during a medical detox and didnt have any issues.

I basically agree with you guys that the marijuana isn't doing me any harm but if you go over the thread there were several people with different opinions.

Ambien has been tried and isn't an option. It doesn't work for me. Also, any benzodiazapines (xanax, valium, avtivan, etc) are out of the question because I've abused them in the past.

I'm back yo! 45 days of treatment, and back at the parents house. I've really learned a lot, mostly about myself. Rehab was kind of fun, after all the dope sickness wore off. I still feel fatigued as ****, and a little off. They say I might have Post Acute Withdrawal Syndrome. I don't know though.

It has been about 50 days since I last shot up. I've been getting 7-8 hours of sleep for the last 3 and a 1/2 weeks, and I still feel tired as hell. it's solid sleep too. Not the waking up every 30 minutes kind.

Anyway, I'm way better mentally. Heroin can really **** with your emotions, man.

So things have really been working out for me lately. I accomplished my top three main goals for when I got out of treatment before I even got out. I got a job, I got a band lined up to start up again (my old bandmates from high school just moved back to town too, ****in' awesome), and I've been going golfing. It's amazing how drugs effected my golf game, I'm a lot better now. go figure.

I just got out of rehab about 3 hours ago, and I actually got to leave for work in 10 minutes. It's only a dish washing job, but it's 10 $/hr cash, which ain't horrible. It will be humbling anyway, which is going to be good for me. College educated recovering junkie dishwasher. That will spruce up my resume. ha.

gotta go to work now, I'll post other updates or more info if anyone likes.

benny

Oh ****, sorry to hear about your stepfather and recent problems Layzie. My heart goes out to you bro.

benny

congrats man

Really glad to hear you made it through rehab Benny. Stay clean.

impressive work benny and layzie. def think this thread was/is good for you guys and semi-regular updates would probably a decent idea.

Man, life is good. Just got home, and let the dog out. One forgets how many stars are in the sky when living in the city for so long. I would always say this every time visiting my parents house over the years, but ****, it still amazes me.

benny