A question regarding past drug abusers

[kaabost]

Is it possible for people who were once frequent drug abusers to be able to honestly put it down forever? I am specifically asking about the heavy, highly addicting, potentially life ruining drugs. The individual that I am concerned about abused drugs regularly in his/her past but never actually let them totally run his/her life. However, I am concerned that these substances will never actually be out of consideration for this person in the future. I know that quitting cigarette smoking a few years ago was one of the hardest things that I had to do. I couldn't imagine what it would be like to quit this other stuff that I am referring to. Sorry to ask such a heavy question.

 

[janette]

I know someone who did leave behind a dangerous habit. I think it depends on the person. When he wanted to quit he did, but I don't know for sure that he ever tried more than the one time but I don't think so. I'd be more inclined to believe that someone can quit if I knew they didn't have multiple attempts.

 

[MScott1851]

Yes, I think they can. I have a friend from college who had about a $300/week or so cocaine habit who hasn't touched it in years. She has no reason to lie to me about it, because I never condemned her for it. She just decided it was time to grow up and stop partying constantly about five years ago, changed her scenery and her lifestyle, and to my knowledge, is clean to this day.

I think some people have addictive personalities, and I also think some people's will is stronger than others. I mean, how many of us used drugs recreationally at least once in high school or college, and never turned addict, or even think about it now? I used to run with a pretty party-hearty crowd, but as we grew up, things just weren't acceptable anymore, and jobs/relationships/responsibilities took priority over having a good time.

 

[poohandwendy]

Yes I do, but I think it takes a very strong willed person who really wants to do it. I also think they are more likely to be successful if they enter a rehab program and totally remove themselves from the people they used drugs with and anyone who is still abusing drugs. They also need a very strong support system, people who believe in them and hold them accountable.

 

[snarfer1]

It depends....

It depends on the drug. Some drugs such as LSD and PCP can actually rewire the brain of the user, these changes are permanent. LSD users can have flashbacks without warning decades after their last use. I wouldn't want him/her driving our children to school!

It also depends on the person. We all know people who have lost weight and kept it off, or the smoker who quit for good, or the cheating spouse who stopped forever after being caught.

Unfortunately, we all know many more of the above people who have tried and failed many, many times.

Anything is possible, but not everything is probable!

Good luck

-Tony

 

[PattnFmly]

I think its possible if the individual really wants to and takes the proper steps to assure their success - whatever route it means for their personality. I have one friend who did heroin for years and is now totally clean, married with stepchildren and has been for 15 years or so. On the other hand, I have a cousin who's not been clean for years, despite numerous rehabs, jail (from stealing to support the habit) and numerous times being clean for >1 yr at a time. As soon as life gets hard for him, he goes right back to the heroin. He's really sad, actually.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

I say it depends on the drugs...What drugs were they? Also is this a "party" addiction or a "dependence" to function in life addiction?

Things like pot, cocaine, LSD, mushrooms, are all drugs that can be put up forever. Pretty easily in fact (for most people).

Alcohol, heroine, crack, meth, crank, prescription drugs, are a little harder to put up. They have very strong addictive powers.

All in all the person has to work on fixing what caused them to abuse drugs in the first place if there are very serious issues, like past abuse, mental illness, intimacy, etc...

That of course is not true for ALL but these are just generalizations.

 

[disneyworld!]

yep, me 21 years and my ex-huband a herion user- hard core is sober for 8 years now! and has a great consruction business going!

oh ya, a drug is a drug is a drug. whether or not it is food, drugs, alcohol, shopping. DISNEY etc. It all boils down to addiciton!

 

[patsvette]

i agree with the above poster,i started when i was 13 ,and was able to stop and never go back for 8 years now.It can be done with the right help and people around you.Also you got to stay away from the other people that are bad influances,i left all my friends behind and found new ones.Ieven stopped drinking too,i can once at dinner on a special occasion have a drink one and thats it and im fine.

 

[Straycat]

It is possible to quit, but hard, depends on the drug, the usage and the extent of the addictive personality. The best way I know of to quit is to lose access to any dealers. If you cant get it, you wont do it.

I used this and that when I was young and unfortunatly I have an addictive personality. Pot was the hardest to get off of, they 'say' its not addictive, i'm here to tell you it is very psychologically addictive, its the drug I most regret ever touching.

Coke is the most brutal drug I ever used. Its soooo addictive and its so dangerous if you abuse it. Coke is the drug that if it was put in front of me today, 16 years after I last used, after it took me to the brink of death and suicide, that I wonder if I would walk away. =0 How it can still have that kind of effect on my mind, idk, its a bad drug.. Needless to say, I dont put myself in a position to be near it.

But, as others have said, its the 'addiction' itself that has to be kept in check.. While I havent touched drugs in 4ever, I have to watch myself with other aspects of life.. These disboards are a slight addiction, but I dont abuse them, the 20/30 minutes a day i spend here arent interfering with my life so no biggie.. Anytime a new MMORPG (online gaming) catches my interest, I have to keep an eye on myself as they can consume all my free time if I let myself become addicted.

 

[TandJ61574]

A few great stories~

My uncle was addicted to Alcohol and heroine for over 20 yrs. I watched his horrible struggle as my mom took him in time after time.

His wife and 3 kids left him and a year later the Salvation Army found him in an alley near death, took him in and then he gave his life to God and was instantly delivered from everything!

He joined the Sal. Army in 1965, remarried, has 3 more kids and now almost 40 years later is a Major and is still preaching from state to state about what God did for him and how he saved his life.

My sister was a cocaine addict and after praying for her for 7 years God got a hold of her also! She has been free for 14 years now.

There are several more family members that I am still praying for but I know that they will get their miracle!

 

[EsmeraldaX]

I think it's possible but highly unlikely. It takes a person to want to stop and it depends on what kind of personality they have.

I have known one person who managed to successfully put drugs away forever and has been clean for over 10 years, but I also know many who keep going back.

 

[FroggyinArk]

it can be done, but it is hard. i wasnt that big in illicit drugs,, but was an alchoholic,, still am, recoverting is a life long trial, i can drink just one now, i can even be around others, but i do still get the cravings and have to walk away. i had to make a choice, dw and dd or the booze,, i am pretty sure i made the right choice

 

[Teejay32]

If you're looking for them, there are lots of success stories among people who work with addicts now. I've noticed that. They get clean and then want help others do it, and maybe that reinforces their own recovery.

 

[capthooksmom]

One of my brothers started taking drugs (started with pot, advanced to-you name it he's done it) when he was 12 and is now 42. He's been arrested numerous times, spent 7 yrs. in jail (committed armed robbery for drug money), has been paralyzed from the waist down from a motorcycle accident while drunk and probably on drugs, has been on the brink of death many times, and has alienated most of his family. He still takes drugs, drinks, and smokes. I don't know, after all that has happened, what could possibly make him quit. I'm so very happy for all of you who have quit, or know someone who has. You/they must have extraordinarily strong wills. It does give some hope when you read these stories, but sadly there are many more like mine.

 

[disneyworld!]

Capthooksmom,
I lived for 12 yrs with my ex, who had been useing since age 9. was up to a bundle of dope a day(10 bags herione) not to mention would drink a bottle of scotch, take any pill that was not tied down. we had lost 49 friends to overdoses etc.etc. hey, I never thought I would live to the day when my husband would sober up! thanks to a higher power he did. He just turned 49. so he was using, will do the math.
after seeing that, I will never give up hope for anyone. unfournatly I had to let go of him and let him do it on his own. he does know if he needs me I am here.
hey, he even gave up a 3 pk a day smoking habit!
it may have to be "tough love" but just hang by the way side for him....he will find his way.

 

[capthooksmom]

Originally posted by disneyworld!
Capthooksmom,
I lived for 12 yrs with my ex, who had been useing since age 9. was up to a bundle of dope a day(10 bags herione) not to mention would drink a bottle of scotch, take any pill that was not tied down. we had lost 49 friends to overdoses etc.etc. hey, I never thought I would live to the day when my husband would sober up! thanks to a higher power he did. He just turned 49. so he was using, will do the math.
after seeing that, I will never give up hope for anyone. unfournatly I had to let go of him and let him do it on his own. he does know if he needs me I am here.
hey, he even gave up a 3 pk a day smoking habit!
it may have to be "tough love" but just hang by the way side for him....he will find his way.

Hope you're right. Congratulations to your husband. I know from watching my brother's struggles how hard it must have been for him to quit. As I'm sure you know, the problem affects the whole family, not just the user. He was 11 when I was born, so this is all I've known my whole life. He is getting tough love from everyone but my mother. She continues to bail him out everytime he gets in trouble because she truly thinks she's helping him. She can't see that she's enabling him. He has put my mother (and himself) in life or death situations to make sure that he gets his drugs. I have little hope for him because he does not want to quit. Eventually the dashed hopes just lead to lots of frustration, hurt and anger. Still, it doesn't stop me from praying for a miracle.