Has anyone here learned to control substance abuse without compleatly giving it up?

[Doug]

So Real-88, how is that incredible will power working for you?

[JustOleMe]

Thought I could control it. I figured I could have a couple beers, since that wasn't my drug of choice. The scary part was I did control it a couple of times. Not this time. A few beers lead to a crack binge and its terrible coming off it.

[hope45]

I was where realization-88 was for a long time. Bargaining with myself about how I was a strong person, I could control this, I would only drink x number of drinks a week, blah, blah, blah. Of course, it all failed. If you even have to have that conversation with yourself, you're in over your head. I, like one of the earlier posts am a "high bottom" drinker. Solid marriage, great kids, nice house but things began to get worse about a year ago. I found myself having a couple of drinks in the middle of the day, waking up with a hangover almost every day, realizing my hands trembled sometimes, starting to hide how much I was drinking ... Today is day two for me after a false start last week. I feel great (but dang, I'm HUNGRY all the time) Whenever I start to have those "well, maybe I can stop for a while and go back to being a social drinker" I remember to just concentrate on today and then slap my forehead and remember I've NEVER been just a social drinker.

[msh58]

i didn't see anyone else mention it, but i was at my most dangerous during those times when i tried to control my drinking when my stopping mechanism had pretty much given out before i was aware that it was gone.

"i'll just have a six pack tonight". Then have to drive and get more after that of course.

[jazpoppy]

I doubt it. I could never control use of any substance without leading to more of it or more of my DOC. Even medications I take for pain I give to someone else to "dole" out to me "as prescribed". So no, I don't think there is a such addicted person who can call themselves and addict and "control" use of any substance successfully. We addicts just should not gamble with it. I thought I could drink because I was only addicted to drugs, but I became less inhibited and would take more chances when I drank, and eventually ordered drugs! For about 6 months I was a raging drinker too! I would shake during the day after binging on 15 or more beers the night before! Horrible! I would come home at lunch and drink a 24-oz beer with my alcoholic bf (now my ex abf!!!). He would encourage my drinking and then he would buy drugs and give them to me! How sick!

So please for sanity sake and your sake, don't try controlled social use!!!

Luv

Jaz

[emack321]

When you consider that the definition of addiction is: "I have no control over (substance), I have personal doubt about "sort of using". When you also learn about the receptors in our brains that can trigger out of control use, I'd say you're taking a big risk.

Check out this sight: newaddiction

[leviathon]

U know this was/is one of my demons. I get to thinking... I've got it licked, I'm in control.... guess what, that's how you slip.

For me personally, I don't think I can ever drink again. The reality is that I don't drink like normal people. I drink a lot real quick, and then pass out. I don't "enjoy" drinking, I drink with a purpose... get drunk and shut down.

In short, no I don't think I could every use again without having the same issues... I'm an alcoholic and I can't drink EVER.

Levi

[paray29]

I don't know if that's possible, as it's en my exper. that even one day of use (or one time) can lead to the desire of wanting to use daily again and it has a hold of you beofre you even know it. I am currently trying to quit taking suboxone and adderall, and am having to go to work everyday and put a smile on my face as if nothing is wrong.....definitely the hardestt hing I've ever done. Any advice or thoughts?

[C2H5OH_Free]

Also consider the amount of energy you are proposing to put into this effort, using all your willpower if necessary. It sounds like quite a Herculean task!
Why bother, just quit, and divert your obvious conviction elsewhere.


Good luck in your pursuits!

[ian_g]

I'll put it simply like this, if you have to control it, you are probably out-of-control. Normal people who aren't addicted to these things don't have to control what ever it may be. If you have to try and control it, then you probably don't have any control. (I heard someone say this once so I didn't make it up haha).

[ian_g]

Originally Posted by Doug

But like I already said, good luck. You'll be the first to know if it doesn't work, but you'll be the last to admit it.

Damn Dough so well put, seriously.

[Bel303]

I can control some things, Like pot and harder drugs. They are not my thing. I have no explanation for it, other than the overall experience is too intense for my liking on a regular basis. I don't like my brain being distorted or the harsh come downs, but i know some people are very weak for these things and their lives can be destroyed by it.

My `risky areas' are smoking and drinking. But even with those, I am picky. Wine and spirits are not for me, but beer can be a problem because its `mellow', relaxing, and I don't get hangovers from it.

I can't smoke casually at all. Some people do, and it amazes me! So i had to give that one up. I've been free of smoking for 4 years now.

[Zanthos]

Originally Posted by realization88

Don't quote me on this but I'm pretty sure most if not all substance abuse is peoples attempts at self medicating their undiagnosed personality disorders.

Because of the society we live in due to a combination of the way many children today are raised and the social environment kids encounter when they start school most people have some kind of personality disorder, but this fact is largely unnoticed by the general population and seems to be ignored. I guess the reason for this is many people tend to overcome or at least cope with their personality disorders without ever realizing they had one in the first place. Some people cannot and often those people end up homeless, in mental institutions, or self medicating their whole life with an addiction.
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I know that the reason I have abused substances in my life are an attempt at self medicating the disorder because they present immediate positive mood changes. As I learn more about the disorder, myself, and the way my mind works I will eventually be able to control and overcome the disorder by working on changing my personality without self medicating.

Isn't this what the Big Book says?

Our liquor was but a symptom. So we had to get down to causes and conditions. Therefore, we started upon a personal inventory.

[splendra]

You know there probably are some people who can smoke a joint or take a sniff of coke occasionally when out partying or with friends.

But, if drugs have ever taken you down to the point of going to jail, loosing a job, home,relationship, or other important aspect of living most likely you will not ever be able to ever be a casual user.

Some people don't want to quit using drugs and alcohol they either haven't lost enough to make quitting and staying sober a priority or they don't care how much they have to give up in order to keep using or they are one of the few who can have a drink with a nice meal or on an evening out or can go to a concert with friends and take a puff of reefer or a hit of coke.

You need to evaluate for yourself if your drinking and drugging is a problem for you or is negatively affecting your life or relationships and if you care about how your use will continue to affect the progression of your life. Is using drugs and alcohol worth more to you than your life?

[navysteve]

Some people are just problem/heavy drinkers, most of us in these rooms have come to the conclusion that we are alcoholics/ addicts and therefore we have come to the conclusion that we cannot use under any and all circumstances. Not everyone who comes to a meeting is a drunk/addict.

[Lily]

Nope, let me know if you figure it out though....