this post was submitted on 17 Feb 2024
85 points (96.7% liked)

Asklemmy

43808 readers
778 users here now

A loosely moderated place to ask open-ended questions

Search asklemmy πŸ”

If your post meets the following criteria, it's welcome here!

  1. Open-ended question
  2. Not offensive: at this point, we do not have the bandwidth to moderate overtly political discussions. Assume best intent and be excellent to each other.
  3. Not regarding using or support for Lemmy: context, see the list of support communities and tools for finding communities below
  4. Not ad nauseam inducing: please make sure it is a question that would be new to most members
  5. An actual topic of discussion

Looking for support?

Looking for a community?

~Icon~ ~by~ ~@Double_[email protected]~

founded 5 years ago
MODERATORS
top 50 comments
sorted by: hot top controversial new old
[–] [email protected] 1 points 7 months ago

kratom for the heroin and patches for the cigarettes

[–] [email protected] 1 points 8 months ago

I did an ayahuasca ceremony and asked for guidance on how to quit smoking and never start again.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 8 months ago

It depends on the addiction but for me it's improving everything else. Bad mental health makes it very hard to deal with addiction. Here's a couple of things to try:

  • Proper sleep. Don't sacrifice sleep unless it's really important (e.g. feeding baby).
  • Exercise
  • Eat more healthy. (If not sure where to start then stop eating sugar, limit flour, alcohol and processed food).
  • Socialise at least the minimum you need. (Your milage and methods may vary).

It my experience the above plus a reason to quit does the trick. Weekly yoga classes, regular 8h sleep and not buying sweets is the easiest way to meet the criteria I know about.

[–] [email protected] 5 points 8 months ago (1 children)
[–] [email protected] 1 points 8 months ago

Dependency, reverse engineering, or heroin?

It's heroin isn't it. πŸ˜”

But in all seriousness and to actually add to the topics discussion, Suboxone and methadone are the 2 options. Suboxone for a quick taper. Quick tapers don't usually last for addicts, unless you can build stability (unlikely, addicts are often addicts because they're unhappy from a period of instability, or mental illness which is worsened by instability...) by the time you are done with your taper. But methadone has changed my life. Although I'm still on it, so technically I'm still on an opioid, but at least I can be productive and have periods of stability.

[–] [email protected] 9 points 8 months ago

Delete the application

[–] [email protected] 6 points 8 months ago (1 children)

East way Alan Carr.

I was skeptical going into it but yeah that audio book changed me.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 8 months ago

Same for me. Only thing that made it permenantly stick.

[–] [email protected] 8 points 8 months ago* (last edited 8 months ago)

Smoked for about 15 years, tried a few times to stop, never worked. Made myself a promise to stop once I get a dog. Got a dog and stopped smoking with no problem.

Possible contributing factors:

  • When it was time to stop I was already pretty disgusted by smoking. I just needed a last push.
  • My mind was in a more positive state after I had a deep depression for a few years. I was also more conscious about my health because of that (see previous point)
  • My friend group and work place used to be full of smokers and somehow that changed over time, so I was often alone with my addiction
[–] [email protected] 8 points 8 months ago (1 children)

I quit alcohol, carbohydrates, weed, porn and tobacco two and a half years ago at age 42, a few weeks after breaking my clavicle in complicated ways, and while checking for additional damage, a fatty liver was identified.

I never picked up alcohol, weed, porn and tobacco and reintegrated sugar in reasonable amounts, like at social events.

I did it cold turkey. One day to the next. It was absolute hell for three days. I was sick, had a fever and malaria like sweats. Then it was a psychological shitshow for two weeks.

I was overweight, so I fasted completely for six days to withstand any temptations. Only had salt and water / electrolytes. After six days I had eggs and sardines for two weeks or so. Didn't poop for almost a month, even had a colonoscopy to check. Everything was fine. Just adapting.

Then I did keto for a few months, found that to be too complicated, and then went carnivore with social-event exceptions, and never looked back. Keto was fine, but being a carnivore changed everything. All my little ailments went away. Skin issues, scalp issues, rashes, moodiness, sleepiness, urges and cravings, all of it.

Lost 12 kg in those first two weeks, barely slept, but was energetic like hell, only skipped work when having the fever and sweats.

Two weeks of hell, half a year of experiments and two years of a new life. It is like being 20 years younger. I haven't been sick or ill since, either.

Good luck to you.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 8 months ago (1 children)

Isn't carnivore just keto but on hard mode? How was that doable but not keto?

[–] [email protected] 1 points 8 months ago

For me, it was the plants and the fiber. They made me groggy, sleepy, and constipated. The word antinutrients is slowly becoming an item; And for me, it's true. Without them, I instantly felt better, stronger. And I had a much bigger will to live.

Keto to carnivore was as big a difference as standard diet to keto.

I would call it keto on easy mode.

[–] [email protected] 5 points 8 months ago

Medical emergency, months of painful rehab, permanent disability.

[–] [email protected] 12 points 8 months ago

Was severe albeit functional alcoholic til age 40. AA never worked. What finally worked was harm reduction, moderation management. Medical marijuana became a thing, and just one hit of a pocket pipe of medical grade indica... good for hours. No longer needed to drink a case of beer each night.

1st few years... I'd say, I'll let myself have 8 beers this year. Next year was 6. Year after, 3. By then, triggered addiction cravings stopped happening.

So weird, how overpowering the addiction felt when I was trapped in it.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 8 months ago

started running

[–] [email protected] 10 points 8 months ago (2 children)

Stopped smoking cold turkey and it was hard as f*ck. Thirteen years ago and haven't picked it back up yet.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 8 months ago (1 children)

I'm on month 4 over here. Do the cravings ever stop being daily?

[–] [email protected] 3 points 8 months ago (1 children)

You got this! Yes, but in my case they came and went on waves. Certain places or activities triggered me more than others so I avoided them until I felt I could master it. It will get better!!

[–] [email protected] 2 points 8 months ago

Thanks man, gives me hope.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 8 months ago (1 children)

17 years and sometimes I still crave one

[–] [email protected] 3 points 8 months ago* (last edited 8 months ago)

Good for you! That is a long time. Yes it happens to me too sometimes, but then again I just laugh because now I find it disgusting and the smell is awful but then there is that part of my mind that associates smoking with some pretty good times in my life, not because of the smoking per se, but the reminiscence and nostalgia of it all.

[–] [email protected] 26 points 8 months ago (1 children)

After a lot of struggle and multiple failed attempts, I quit drinking

The first attempt I got sober for the sake of someone else but never addressed the cause of my addiction. So when they died I fell off the wagon really fuckin hard. (This was also the only attempt at sobriety where I experienced withdrawal symptoms)

The second attempt I tried to get sober my life had gotten so much worse by that point and I didn't have any idea of healthy coping mechanisms so that one failed after a month.

The third attempt I had addressed some of the issues but I didn't have a healthy friend group that could accept me for being sober. So that attempt failed because I didn't want to lose my friends that I had gained.

The fourth attempt came after my doctor told me I would be dead before 30 of I didn't stop. My current friend group (the one from attempt 3) weren't supportive of my plans to get sober. And even told me to find a new doctor as my was apparently "too stupid". I was beginning to show signs of liver damage pretty bad at that point so I made the call and cut them out of my life.

I got sober for me, I went from a fifth of at least 100 proof alcohol every night to zero. I quit cold turkey.

It was so fucking hard. It was literally months before I no longer had to fight the urge to suck spilt liquor off the floor when I smelt it. It allowed me to face my mental health head on and actually deal with my problems.

And over the years it has only gotten easier to stay sober.

If anyone has any questions feel free to ask.

[–] [email protected] 9 points 8 months ago

Wow. Quite the story. Thanks for sharing. Really glad you were able to do it. I have a friend whose hopelessly addicted to alcohol, and your story is spot on the troubles he faces to quit. I don't think he ever will. Very very happy for you.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 8 months ago
[–] [email protected] 1 points 8 months ago

What I’ve often found is that even seemingly harmless addictive behaviours leave lasting impressions on my personality. My two addictions I’m trying to quit are porn and nicotine gums.

Porn was just taking up too much of my time and energy. Especially since I was working from home. I’d be in meetings with my camera and mic off browsing some weird nsfw on reddit. Stopped cold turkey and it feels amazing tbh

Nicotine gums stay on for now. This is one addiction which has actually provided me an unintended benefit. My jawline improved drastically over a year! But I hope one day I can be comfortable sitting with myself idle not wanting to compulsively do anything!

[–] [email protected] 10 points 8 months ago

I never did, i replaced them often tho.

Binge Eating, Cigarettes, Drinking, smoking pot... dropped all that tho when i got hooked on a cocktail of Tramadol, Hydromorphon, Lorazepam and Fentanyl through my doctors because of chronic pain. started abusing that stuff and had a few close calls. I tried quitting cold turkey but wasn't strong enough.

Forged a pact with my doctor, deposited my pain meds at his place and saw him 3 times per week for my next dose for over a year, but i couldn't stop abusing my meds.

Finally last year with the help of my therapist and a program for addicts transited over to suboxone.

i'm still addicted, but it's not self destructive anymore. When i'm feeling ready, i will slowly reduce my substitution over months, but even if i'm never ready for it, at least i do not damage my personal relations and my health anymore, i'ts just a pill in the morning to keep the cravings away.

The important part was putting my addiction on the table. Addiction thrives on feelings of shame, and i went through a lot just to hide my vice from my partner. Putting it into the open enabled me to get help - first in therapy, then with my doctor, and then with my partner.

Tl;dr: Get Therapy, start talking about your addiction to get rid of the shame, many addictions can be replaced with less damaging / health-neutral options if you're not ready to leave your crutches behind yet.

[–] [email protected] 6 points 8 months ago (1 children)

My addiction is lemmy . Someone help

[–] [email protected] 3 points 8 months ago (1 children)
[–] [email protected] 3 points 8 months ago

I am hopeless aren't i ?

[–] [email protected] 2 points 8 months ago* (last edited 8 months ago)

I... read a book?! A friend told me about "Allen Carr's Easy Way to Stop Smoking". I was more then skeptical but ended up reading it and, well, it worked! I had been a heavy smoker for 15+ years at that point. Made me realize you can actually use mental suggestion to change some habits.

[–] [email protected] 17 points 8 months ago (1 children)

Which addiction?

For Adderall, Vyvanse, Dabs, Alcohol, Benzodiazepines, and meth I went to rehab and learned why I used the dopamine inducing substances, to really get to the root of the problem. Honestly it’s been a world of difference and if anyone is struggling feel free to reach out. Childhood trauma is a bitch.

For vaping I am currently using nicorette until I run out and then it’s cold turkey!

For energy drinks I looked up how bad they were for the body and heart specifically every time I wanted one.

The biggest thing for me that has helped is getting the idea in your head that you’re not currently β€œquitting” but instead you’ve already β€œquit”. It’s more of a finality of a statement and helps reinforce no relapse. That doesn’t mean you won’t ever go back in a moment of weakness, however. What’s important is to not turn a lapse of willpower into a total relapse.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 8 months ago (1 children)

Hey, I’m struggling and I’m intrigued by your first paragraph.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 8 months ago

Hey, please reach out to me. I’m here for you and I’m an open book. Any questions, any concerns, and any advice you need I’m right here with you. I am here for you and I am judgement free. Anything I can do to help let me know even if you just need someone to talk to in recovery.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 8 months ago* (last edited 8 months ago)

Oh I forgot!

[–] [email protected] 10 points 8 months ago (1 children)

Mom didn't raise no quitter

[–] [email protected] 3 points 8 months ago

Proud of you bud

[–] [email protected] 103 points 8 months ago (2 children)

It announced changes to the pricing of its API for third party clients

[–] [email protected] 8 points 8 months ago

I'm still going strong, too. Congrats.

[–] [email protected] 16 points 8 months ago

Me too but now i got a new one

load more comments
view more: next β€Ί