I have an addiction to self-injury and I'm under the impression that it's a behavioral addiction. My addiction has become particularly severe to the point that it's life-threatening and it's scaring me. I want to know how others quit their addictions because everyone I ask for advice tells me to distract myself or find something else to get addicted to and that just doesn't help at all. Whether your addiction is the same as mine or not, I want to hear how you managed to stop for a while or completely.

Don’t get paid for a few days can’t decide if I want to spend my last Pennie’s on some nicotine or coke. Talk about pathetic! Fuck the treats … I’m in need of some tricks right now!

This is mostly just a rant since I know the only advice would be to go to rehab but I’ve been an addict since I was 14 I’ve been addcitwd to coke alcohol and mdmA , recently this years I’ve thrown painkillers and other pills into it too but the pills I can go without I just like to take pills when I’m out of alcohol or anything else , I’ve been using mdma and cocaine everyday for the past few months consecutively

Hi, i’ve never personally done any drugs or had any addictions, so I’m clueless as what i should do.

I have a family member who previously helped me for pay last year and who I also sent money to to handle somethings on my behalf.

I then gave another task to her that she said she’d do and I had to send some money in order for her to solve it. She hasn’t solved the issue despite getting the money, she said she could handle the task for me and I just found out she got kicked out of where she used to live and my family wants nothing to do with her due to drug addiction.

how do I get my money back? what works on people who’s on drugs to get money back?

I’m 27, male, and struggling with addiction to multiple substances. It started with prescribed medications, like buprenorphine (been on it for two years, recently tapered from 24mg to 16mg), Klonopin, Baclofen, Gabapentin, and Pregabalin. But now, I’ve relapsed into meth use, injecting straight away, even though I hadn’t touched it in almost a year. I told myself it was for my new job, but deep down, I know that’s just an excuse.

I’m damaging my body—my veins are collapsing, especially in my left arm, already wrecked from heroin and coke years ago. I’m not eating, barely sleeping, and know I’m heading in the wrong direction, yet here I am in sober living, self-destructing. They haven’t drug-tested me here yet, but I know it’s only a matter of time before I’m out on the street again.

I’ve been to rehab over six times in the past three years, spent time in jail, and violated my probation, meaning I could face more time. I feel trapped, exhausted by this cycle. I want it to end—I've wanted that for so long—but something in me just can’t make the final commitment to change.

He gambled 100€ this month, doesn’t see a problem with that. Which I can partially understand, because it’s a process.

This was my last post (https://www.reddit.com/r/addiction/s/Pesz4kqhoV).

After that we had an in depth conversation and I really thought he would start working on things. He is doing a lot better, that’s for sure. I said some hurtful things because he was refusing to see a therapist “Not even your sister’s death could make you stop.” After which I was very apologetic and told him I would do anything to help him and it was coming from a place of fear, fear of him never finding happiness. This conversation took place 2 days after me finding out he relapsed.

On the 3rd day he called my parents to ask for my hand. I have been waiting for that moment since July, however this timing was so odd. I was most unsure about us at that point. Felt as if he was making sure I would have a hard time ending it.

We also signed a contract for a house recently. Today was the first day we have been renovating it.

After I have caught him he was ready for the change. We agreed he would send me screenshots of him paying all the bills and depth after pay day. He did not want to send me the whole salary although it was an idea he thought about and chose to use it as a last resort. Pay day comes. I ask for the screenshot on 3 different occasions. He gets upset and sends them (5 days after pay day). I apologise for asking him and for making him feel as if I don’t trust him. To which I receive a 24 hour silence treatment.

The screenshots don’t make sense and there are things missing. So today I asked him to see his transactions in person. He refused and got upset. I will not control his life, I am crazy, if it wasn’t the phone I would find another thing to complain about. All that jazz.

He has been more disrespectful lately. There is no remorse. He believes he did nothing wrong, he did not lie. But understands that I am upset. I am “on his neck”…

I didn’t eat today. This whole situation takes me back to the time when we lived together. I don’t want to go back to that horror. I am also becoming a miserable, complaining version of myself.

This whole post is one big mess. He just returned my house keys as I demanded. My brain is scrambled. I need to end this. I might be toxic too. He owes me 450€ just from last month…I stopped counting after 10k…but 100€ that he gambled is what is left over for him after he paid all the bills, so it’s on him how he will spend it. Non of my business and not my problem where he spends it on. It’s a process of his recovery.

I don’t know what advice I need when rationally I know what I have to do. It’s just so difficult. Right timing though. It’s so fucking hard, because he is amazing when he keeps the addictions under control. I am embarrassed to tell any of my friends or family…I will have to though. Idk share your stories that might encourage me. I am devastated!

Tw: r4pe I don’t know how to start this off but basically I experienced some trauma about a year ago from being sexually assaulted by a 27 year old. I was having such a hard time coping at first, but a little while later I got convinced to try coke, and it made me feel so much happier than I’d been able to since the incident. Since then I’ve been consistently doing it almost daily, even during school and work (I have epilepsy so I tell people my pupils get big due to my medication and no one questions anything). I feel so stupid, I should be saving for college but instead I’m wasting all my money on this horrible drug, and I don’t know how to stop. If anyone has any suggestions or resources I could look at please lmk!

I am addicted to using a nebulizer but, don't panic, I am not using it with albuterol or a medication that requires a prescription. I am using it with hypertonic saline of a low concentration like between .9% and 3.0%. Child's hypertonic saline, basically.

On one hand, I hate it. On the other hand, it relaxes me, and I can do it for hours at a time.

I know using albuterol in this manner can cause albuterol addiction and lung collapse, but I don't know if using saline this way is harmful. Anyone know? I have never asked.

Anyone have an idea on how to stop? I am guessing it has to do with taking breaths but just taking deep breaths doesn't seem to mimic it and using it with no saline solution seemingly has no effect. I know it doesn't feel the same and that may be because I know it has no solution in it. Not sure. I am guessing it might be related to an oral fixation which I may have. I smoked for years and ended having to quit cold turkey.

Anything helps.

What do you do instead when you celebrate something or want to do something fun or get that feeling of rewarding yourself?

39 days without alcohol and I'm just bored out of my mind.

Had issues related to addiction since I was 17. I’m 23 now, and I still haven’t managed to stop this. The way I would describe myself is a functioning addict, I’m a college student, I have hobbies, I have a car, I make sure that I’m sober around my friends and family, but I can’t stay sober when I’m by myself behind closed doors. I don’t use for fun, I always used to distract myself from the memories that make me depressed.

I don’t have a preference for a particular substance, it’s more so that I use multiple substances throughout the week. The reason I don’t have a preference for one substance is because I’m aware that the more I use one substance the harder it’s going to be to quit that substance, which is why I use multiple drugs to minimize the dependence to a particular drug. As of right now I’m using weed, nicotine, caffeine, prescription amphetamines, prescription painkillers, and gabapentin throughout the week.

A vicious cycle is what it is. It started off as a way to numb the emotions, but those same emotions flood back like a tsunami when ever I try quit. It’s like a codependent and toxic relationship: I always need them here, I’m emotionally wrecked when they’re gone, and despite how much damage they cause me, I can’t stop letting them back into my life.

Social Media and all this YouTube/Spotify music have each been like magnetic hypnosis for me. Just like a drug except electronic addictions. However when I spent time away from them while drawing, talking to friends, creating music, reading and writing songs, I felt so much happier and much more fulfilled to be away from this gadget laziness. The laziness I struggled to control is what made my life so boring in the end. I have been very hard on myself many times before about this, and honestly, I feel so much happier when I'm in control of my temptations.

I'd strongly recommend blocking all lazy temptations away, cus instead of making you happier and fulfilled, they'll probably do the complete opposite if you're like me.

What things do you do to reinforce your recovery and protect it? I am currently journalling a lot, praying daily, going to NA meetings multiple times per day when possible (by far the most helpful thing for me at the moment) and using these sorta subs here on Reddit to get more involved in my recovery and recovery communities in general. What works for y’all?

My friend and I recently came to a difficult point in our friendship. We've known each other since 4th grade and are both 24 now, studying at university.

We started using cannabis together in our teens, but I mostly stopped and now only occasionally use substances, without drinking. He, on the other hand, has always consumed more, and after school, he started going off track. He initially studied mathematics with me but quit. Then, he went on to study biochemical engineering in a small town where he knew no one because it was the only university that would accept him. There, he also struggled, and instead of making new friends, he only connected with people he could smoke weed with, which led to a habit of drinking alone daily. I don’t know the exact amount he consumed, but I suspect it was significant. During this time, he also stole money from me, which I only got back after he returned home.

There was also an incident where he took around €200 worth of MDMA—not by snatching it, but because he was supposed to buy it and never returned with the drugs. I assume he used it all.

Recently, he moved back to our hometown, where I’m continuing my studies, and we reconnected. Initially, I wasn’t aware of the extent of his addiction, and I was frustrated that he hadn’t returned my money or answered calls or messages for over a year. It took some time, but eventually, he quit smoking and drinking. I supported him as much as I could without overstepping my own boundaries. I suggested therapy to his parents and asked friends to avoid normalizing his drinking. Eventually, he got clean, started therapy, and was doing well in a new field of study that seemed better suited to his personality.

However, he recently started smoking cannabis again and didn’t tell me directly. I noticed some obvious behavioral changes, like taking longer to respond to messages and showing up late. I talked to his parents to confirm my suspicions and then asked to meet him for a serious conversation. I had been planning to move in with my girlfriend and little brother, and he was going to join us since we had an extra room. But I told him this was no longer an option and that he couldn’t come to my current place without supervision, as I worry he might steal to support his habit. He has a fund for his studies, so finances aren’t an issue right now, but in the past, he’s asked me to hold onto his debit card and block his mobile payment app. I agreed to block the app but not to keep his card.

Now, he’s really upset with me for not trusting him, and I’m questioning if I was too harsh or unfair. I truly want the best for him, but this is more than I can handle right now with everything else going on in my life.

Frist off please excuse my english, it isnt my first languege.

Second I hop this is a fair representation but of course it is biased through my point of view.

EDIT: By 2-3x per week, I mean that he will start using one day in the evening, continue using for 24-48 hours straight, stop for a day or two, then start the process over again. So in the span of a week, I'd estimate that he's probably using for 4-5 days cumulatively.

Hi all. I recently posted on this sub about a guy I was dating who is addicted to cocaine (post linked if you want more background).

I'm coming back for more advice because I am genuinely concerned for his life after getting everyone's feedback from this sub. It appears that he is deep into his addiction, using 2-3x per week, from what I observed.

He is not from the USA, having moved to a major US city 2 years ago, and started using around that time. A lot of friends regularly use drugs/alcohol, including cocaine. He also said that I am the only one who knows the extent of his addiction.

Our relationship is over, but I still care for him and worry that he is going to harm himself. I know a few of his friends that do not use drugs- do I reach out to them and let them know that I am concerned about his drug use?

I fear this will isolate him further, but it concerns me to just let him continue and not say anything to someone in his life.

I am at a loss on what to do and could use some advice.

I’m 25 years old and addicted to meth. I was sober for a year and relapsed and slowly became full blown everyday use and look terrible. I want to quit but keep getting more saying to myself this is the last time and have for the last few months. I haven’t lost my job that I make decent money but my job I do use as an excuse because it’s 12 hours shifts and hard. Not many people around me know and I don’t hangout with people who use and I live with my gf that doesn’t know which she thinks I have been but I haven’t admitted to her and have lied to her about it. I feel bad and terrible

Nearly 6 months ago, my partner broke up with me out of the blue. We had what i thought, at the time, was a perfect relationship — we never argued, we supported each other and we just got along really, really well.

Toward the end, he started to withdraw from me a lot and I couldn’t quite figure out why, but now I can chalk it up to his worsening drug addiction, to which I was completely clueless of the entire time of being together (he hid it extremely well, but it turns out he was using the entire time we were together).

I lost an immediate family member to an OD within the past few years, so I have a lot of empathy and understanding for those struggling. However, I’m having such a hard time understanding the relationship itself.

He said he loved me, and I genuinely believe he did. He didn’t date anyone for years, and for a bit he was always wanting to see me. He ultimately broke up with me because he said he didn’t want to hurt me and that I deserve better. I told him we can stay friends and for a bit he agreed to (we didn’t talk during that time though as we both needed space to heal) and he’s decided, while still on good terms with each other, talking is still a bit too much. I respect it because I know he got worse after we broke up and I think me sticking around won’t help anything at all.

I told him I’m here for him in whatever capacity he’ll let me be, he knows the door is open to come back as a friend if he ever wants to. However, I just feel so destroyed and hopeless. He doesn’t want help, and I know I can’t try to push it on him. The guilt of not being able to do anything eats at me every day, and I often feel like I wasn’t a good enough partner. I hate not being able to do anything and sometimes even struggle to process whether he loved me or not with how easy it feels he left me, even though I do know deep down he did.

I’m just trying to understand his mind, honestly. I love him so much and I’m terrified of anything happening to him.

Looking to replace my addiction with something thats not harmful. I know about hobbies, still trying to find one of those. But what about activities that can be addictive but are not going to ruin my life? Reacently I heard the term “workaholic”. Im not going in that direction but maybe I could do something else to replace my current addiction

Im an addict. Im addicted to drugs, to porn. Im suicidal, and life although I perceive it has meaning feels meaningless. I isolate myself. Im an addict to anything that alters my state, I usually take coke, acid, ket or amphetamines or really whatever else I get my hands on if it gets me high. When Im off drugs, I feel the constant urge to be on it and when I cant be, I compensate with porn. Shit is fucked. And the horrible part is, Im doing it in secret. I say it here, cause I cant have anyone irl know it. I feel so fucking miserable. But Im trying to improve, Im really trying. But fuck this shits hard.

It's worse than you might think... some may not believe this story, as it is quite a unique case, I admit, some facts might not add up. I was really young when all of this started and my brain tends to forget what it doesn't want to remember. There are still gaps in the story, empty spaces that I just couldn't fill up no matter how hard I try, because I simply do not remember. I do not want to remember. I'm seeking advice, someone who can relate (probably no one can) or at the very least, someone who can tell me I'm not alone.

It all started when I was around 8 years old and had a realisation that one day, I'd have to marry a man and have kids. I thought that this was what I had to do because I was born a woman. My parents weren't the best couple and they were my only relationship example so I assumed that's how every relationship goes. I didn't know how to process this, even then I didn't want kids and I certainly didn't want to get married seeing how my parents acted towards each other.

I was a curious child and knew what sex was way before this, well I knew it's when a man and a woman touch their genitalia and that makes kids.. or whatever

I was terrified of that thought, I always hated being naked and why would I get naked in front of someone that's not my mum?

Only logical thing to do was mutilate my genitalia to the point no man would ever want to have sex with me because I didn't want kids and a husband.

So I did that... for about 3 years until I realised what I'm doing and learned that I can be single... or with a girl... or stay a virgin... and I don't have to have kids... I can be alone...

I was around 11-12 years old at this point. Although I had realised what I've been doing was unnecessary and only hurt me in the process, I couldn't stop. it's like an eating disorder, you know it's bad for you, you know it's unhealthy, but you get this weird sense of accomplishment when you don't eat, in my case, if I mutilate myself...

so I went on and on, for years, I tried to stop but I always relapsed.. it's an addiction now. My partner doesn't know, my family doesn't know. It's a secret, the biggest secret I've ever kept from anyone. Now the question stands... What do I do? I cannot stop, I've been doing it daily... sometimes even twice a day does it hurt? yes. does it make me sick? yes. do I care? In the moment, no, afterwards, yes.

how do I stop this? I've not once met a person or saw a post online about someone doing the same... Maybe there's someone else who just doesn't want to admit it, like I hadn't for years? Maybe I'm the only in the world...

TL;DR: I mutilate my genitalia due to childhood trauma and now I cannot stop cuz I'm addicted.

I'm so disgusted and disappointed in myself. Every time I say I'll stop, there I go again and do it. Like 2-3 weeks later. I'm tired of spending my money on a empty thrill. This doesn't even feel real to me anymore. Like I'm not in control and I just want to stop. I'm going to use this as a counter to see how many days it's been since I last lost control. I'm hoping I make it through next month. Any of you guys have had a similar story or any strategies that help you stop? I'm sick and tired of this. Also I've always used protection but somehow got herpes from these encounters I think. I just feel like I'm trying to fill a void sometimes. I've never been in a relationship and I'm 28. Any prospect of one seems impossible to me at the moment plus I help my family out and have limited time to have fun out. I also out and have to work. All this stuff just stresses. Even the stress I get from hyper focusing on working out and my looks (I always feel ugly even though other people don't feel that way). I always stress myself with the question of why I can't get a girlfriend. I have a few friends that tease me on getting a girl "when you getting a b..." stuff like that. So yeah, I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed right now. I feel like total garbage and that I won't be able to fix this.

I got addicted to prescription pills at 15, a family member gave me a painkiller and wouldn’t tell me what it was, they just said it would help with period cramps, it did and it also numbed the pain I was feeling mentally too. once I took that one stupid pill I was addicted, the family member supplied me with more whenever I was having migraines or cramps and I began to lie about being in pain just to get that numb feeling from the pills. When I was 16 I started dating a guy that was older and in deep addiction, he passed away a couple years ago a few months after we broke up, the drugs and depression caused him to end his life. when we were together he got me addicted to xanax laced with fentanyl. when we broke up I started buying from sketchy dealers who gave me pills laced with meth and fent and part of me knew they were laced but I was in so much pain I didn’t care if I died. a couple years later im addicted to codeine, promethazine, valium, vicodin, xans, klonopins, and molly. I liked feeling like a zombie but I didn’t like the times I would od or have seizures. I od’d on laced xans, klonopin at my first NA meeting with 30 people in the room, I was so selfish and I hate myself for scaring all those people like that, including my mom that was with me at the meeting, the people were very kind and a few of them had to carry me down the stairs, I could barely walk, open my eyes, I was slurring my words, and my mom said I was cold but sweating and I looked pale. i’ve been close to death many times due to drug abuse and I still take a few benzos everyday and smoke weed because the urges are too strong. addiction made me selfish, cold, traumatized, and it killed all the happy chemicals in my brain. I have no motivation to do anything but lay in my bed and get high and watch tv everyday. I can’t get a job or drive, I didn’t get to graduate and make my family proud, I wasn’t a good role model for my younger brother and we aren’t as close anymore. I hurt everyone I love these past 5 years with my addiction, and I hurt myself bad. i’m disappointed in myself and what I turned into and how I can’t ever have a normal relationship with anybody because of my sicknesses, I struggle with a number of diagnosed mental illnesses too and i’m just so tired I don’t want to tell people that are close to me these things because I don’t want to feel like i’m a burden and for them to worry about me. i’m sorry this was such a long paragraph but I don’t have anybody I can talk to anymore. does anyone have advice on what I should do? I feel very lost

I'm not gonna say my addiction for privacy reasons since social media is public.

But I keep doing it i pray to God and say i won't do it again but I relapse the next day.

When i actually completely stop for about 3 days it comes back even harder and I end up doing it multiple times a day after stopping.

Had this realization in the shower:

My cigarettes and weed cost me about $7000 a year. If I quit now and invest all that saved money into my retirement fund, I would have $660,000 saved by the time I’m ready to retire. This assumes 30 years of growth at 7% growth per year.

So by just quitting cigarettes (I’m almost 2 months free now) and weed (I haven’t started yet), not only am I investing in my future health and happiness, but I’m literally investing in a comfortable retirement.

The power of compound interest and breaking our addictions ✨

More than a month completely sober from everything (only thing I was doing right now was weed) and a year with no pills except for tramadol once earlier this year, but outside of that I haven’t touched any of the things I was addicted to (benzos particularly)

Specially now that I might have epilepsy, where I am currently going through one hell because of my meds, I reminisce on all the other hells I put myself through but remembering such fond times on not having to think about anything, just being on autopilot and enjoying the moment, I particularly miss Xanax, god I miss that feeling of recklessness followed by a warm feeling, something that I’ll truly miss, but I can get that feeling, something I’ll never get back are my teen years, I’ve wasted them, I’ve learned nothing, I’ve had no development, my life is just boring now, I have no friends, I struggle making them, I constantly argue and move onto other friend groups, I don’t have any passions

I wish younger me would’ve never touched that shit, now I don’t feel dopamine flowing through my brain and I don’t feel motivation to do stuff anymore, no point anymore, but oh well I guess I still have to be alive because more of my past mistakes will be exposed if I’m not here

I’m an 18M freshman at UCSB and dealing with some bs rn and just been using a gram of coke daily it be happy. Like yeah I’m an addict but I feel like if I quit rn with the shit that happend I will prob kms. 3 weeks ago my parents filed for divorce cause my dad cheated. I’ve know he cheated since I was 12 years old saw pictures of that shit over text on his phone at Disneyland while checking ride times and I was 12 and got an older and younger brother and saw what divorce does to friends and I never told her. My moms an amazing person and I feel guilt that I knew and didn’t speak up. Then 2 weeks ago my grandpa died and I hadn’t called him in a year it was unexpected and he used to be my best friend when I was younger and before I left for college I said I’d call him every few weeks and I never did, now he’s gone. I broke up with my 2 year long ex gf first love in the first week of college and she got r@ped at college like said no and got pinned and like there’s a video and it’s just hard with this shit in my life to quit cause I feel like rn I can’t with this shit in such a time frame. Never started before college but just drink, vape and do coke daily skip class constantly my grades are dropping and I’m losing friends that think I’m a tweaker it’s just a hard point idk what to do?

I got introduced to coke over 2 years ago, up until 6 months ago it’s been a nice and fun thing to do on special occations. I could buy a bag once every two months and it never had an impact on my life. FYI It’s really hard for me to get addicted to anything unless I force it on myself, for example when I was a teenager I started taking ”snus” (like dip kinda) because, well I thought it was cool. I forced it until I actually got addicted to it.

Other than that im really drug positive and have tried almost everything concidered a party drug at least once and never had a problem, I’ve been smoking cigs everytime I go out for drinks and never had a problem with that either.

About six months ago I met a guy in a bar and we clicked really good, quickly becoming good friends. The thing with him is that he is what you would call a coke rat, he does coke everyday but that didn’t bother me.

One day he offered me a line after work on a Tuesday, under the 2 years of using coke I’ve never ever drysniffed, but I accepted. I hated it and didn’t like it at all, he offered me lines a couple more times on weekdays and it slowly grew on me.

The whole thing happened so fast that I haven’t even thought about it, but in around 2 months I’ve gone from doing coke once every two months to craving coke almost everyday, three weeks ago I bought my own bag on a weekday.

I feel like I still have time to break this ugly habit, but I have no one to talk to about it because I don’t want anyone to know about my problem.

In the last weeks I’ve noticed being extra tired all the time and have painful cravings at least once a day, I’ve almost spent my entire pay on coke this month.

I just want to have someone to talk to, DMs are always open. Thanks

My girlfriend drinks everyday. She has a minimum of three glasses of wine. She pours half a glass of wine and tops it off with a beer cooler thing. I notice her moods swing. And she is also red in the face. When I'm cleaning up the kitchen I find glasses and coffee tucked in corners with a bit of wine in them. She also smokes. There shifty menthol cigarettes she orders from China. Should I be concerned? Is she heading down a addiction road? Her parents were drunks. Her brother is recovering drug addict. I feel like I should just let her be, but when should I get worried?