It's not an addiction...is it? - SoberRecovery : Alcoholism Drug Addiction Help and Information

miston · 07-18-2006, 12:08 PM

Hi all.

I wasn't sure if I should introduce myself here or somewhere else, so here goes.

Hi, I'm Miston, I'm nineteen, nearly twenty, and today my younger brother told me I have a drug problem. I live with a housemate, and during a conversation with my brother last night, he told me that he was worried about the amount I was using, and said that he'd started to notice a difference in my eyes and the way I was acting. He asked how long it'd been since I used anything, and I lied to him, telling him it was a few days ago, when it was actually today.

I just wonder, is that usual, or could it be I do have a problem? I'm starting to worry myself now.

***Anna*** · 07-18-2006, 12:20 PM

Hi Miston and Welcome to SR,

Well, lying is a big red flag when it comes to addiction. Addicts lie, that's what we do. An easy way to decide if you have an addiction or not is to stop using any drugs for a period of say, three months, and see how you feel and what happens. I think the fact that you're here questioning yourself, means that you likely have a problem. Your brother must have been concerned enough to question you.

Take a look around and you'll find lots of support and information.

There is also a Substance Abuse forum where you will find more information about using drugs.

splendra · 07-18-2006, 01:22 PM

Hey miston,

Welcome to Sober recovery. I sounds like you could be in denial about your use if you feel that you have to lie about it. Maybe hang out here and read and see if any of the posts remind you of yourself...

Take care be truthful with yourself and be gentle too...

miston · 07-18-2006, 01:25 PM

Thanks 51Anna and Splendra, I wasn't sure what people would think about my post, I feel more comfortable about coming in here and posting now

Hope · 07-18-2006, 01:31 PM

I'm glad that you're here. Lying is a big problem in addiction. Sometimes addiction is just really sneaky. One thing to know is that it only gets worse...it really does as I've witnessed that from my own addiction.

I hope you stick around! Talk about whatever you like, we're here to listen and help!

miston · 07-18-2006, 01:35 PM

How about the fact that it doesn't seem an addiction? That you feel you could just walk away from it at any point...just as soon as you've run out of your stash.

***Anna*** · 07-18-2006, 01:47 PM

So, walk away then and you'll be fine.

If you don't think it's an addiction, that's wonderful and you're lucky. I always told myself I could stop drinking any time I wanted to, too.

Hope · 07-18-2006, 02:28 PM

I used to tell myself that I could walk away from it too. Until the time I tried to walk away and then found that I couldn't stay stopped. Not being able to stay stopped is a huge indication of a problem.

michski · 07-18-2006, 03:15 PM

I ditto the above! Walk away from it for a few months and see what happens! The crap will still be out there if/when you're ready to abuse your physical and emotional health again.

Your brother sounds like he loves you very much... lying to him about when/how much you use is a definite sign of addiction.

GettingFree · 07-18-2006, 03:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by miston

That you feel you could just walk away from it at any point...just as soon as you've run out of your stash.

If you're concerned, as is your brother, this may be the only way for you to know if you have a problem. Walk away for three months and observe your behavior.

Also, I'm curious what you're using if you're comfortable sharing. That may be helpful in understanding what's at stake here.

best
gf

miston · 07-19-2006, 03:00 AM

Thanks guys. It's marijuana to answer the question, though I've tried other things too.

I did try to stop, though it didn't quite work out as planned. I think he might have a point

indigo · 07-19-2006, 03:27 AM

Welcome look inside yourself, you are here and we can help, maybe it is denial and if it is ask yourself "Can I stop?) if you can stop then please do before the weed turns into something else.
indigo

GettingFree · 07-19-2006, 04:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by miston

I did try to stop, though it didn't quite work out as planned. I think he might have a point

Hi miston,
This is a pretty brave first step you're taking. Looking in the mirror and being able to acknowledge that there is a problem is incredibly difficult. Everyone gets to that point in different ways, at different times.

Taking the next step and commiting to get the support to change things as they have been is possible too. Keep posting -- there's lots of wisdom and support here if you're ready.

best
gf

wishful · 07-19-2006, 04:58 AM

Don't know how much time in a day you actually spend using, but think about how much time you spend thinking about it -planning it, looking forward to it, etc. Now, if you felt like this about ... say, chocolate chip ice cream, would you consider your behavior normal? That insight really helped me to realize how huge a part of my life my addiction had become - it was like I'd changed the whole orientation of my life to orbit a bottle instead of the sun.
Welcome to SR!

miston · 07-19-2006, 06:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wishful

Now, if you felt like this about ... say, chocolate chip ice cream, would you consider your behavior normal?

Well, when it's put like that

Thanks to everyone for the support, means a lot

kali ma · 07-19-2006, 08:00 AM

Hi Miston.
Welcome to SR. I think that coming here to post is the best thing you could have done. As everyone else said, lying is definitelly a good indication that there is a problem. I used to smoke too, and thought I could give it up when I wanted to...and I finally did four years later, only to switch to vodka, but we're all different. Read some posts. I'm sure you'll find people you can connect to. We're all here for you.

PaperDolls · 07-19-2006, 08:27 AM

Welcome to SR miston!

Quote:

Originally Posted by miston

I did try to stop, though it didn't quite work out as planned. I think he might have a point

So -- now that you've learned this.........now what? Do you have a plan? You might consider confiding in your brother, it sounds like he would really like to help you and you can start helping yourself. Talking to someone who you can trust is really a great help in my opinion.

Good luck miston. Keep coming back. SR is a great place!

Doll

dollhouse · 07-31-2006, 02:10 PM

Hi Miston. You R young and have your whole life ahead of U. If you would like to have the deisire to quit,than U can make choises in your life.U can lose alot if drugs R A problem for U.It doses not matter what U use,or what U have done,only what U R willing to do now!U may or may not have a problem,only U can deside that.Please look into this site and maybe try N.A.meetings.Hope I have helped U.It takes alot of courage to post.Best of luck to U..........

07-18-2006, 12:08 PM	#1 (permalink)
miston Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: England, United Kingdom Posts: 9	It's not an addiction...is it? Hi all. I wasn't sure if I should introduce myself here or somewhere else, so here goes. Hi, I'm Miston, I'm nineteen, nearly twenty, and today my younger brother told me I have a drug problem. I live with a housemate, and during a conversation with my brother last night, he told me that he was worried about the amount I was using, and said that he'd started to notice a difference in my eyes and the way I was acting. He asked how long it'd been since I used anything, and I lied to him, telling him it was a few days ago, when it was actually today. I just wonder, is that usual, or could it be I do have a problem? I'm starting to worry myself now.

07-18-2006, 12:20 PM	#2 (permalink)
*Anna* Administrator Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Dancing in the Light Posts: 22,846	Hi Miston and Welcome to SR, Well, lying is a big red flag when it comes to addiction. Addicts lie, that's what we do. An easy way to decide if you have an addiction or not is to stop using any drugs for a period of say, three months, and see how you feel and what happens. I think the fact that you're here questioning yourself, means that you likely have a problem. Your brother must have been concerned enough to question you. Take a look around and you'll find lots of support and information. There is also a Substance Abuse forum where you will find more information about using drugs. __________________ And I dont know what the future is holding in store I dont know where Im going, Im not sure where I've been There's a spirit that guides me, a light that shines for me My life is worth the living, I dont need to see the end. John Denver

07-18-2006, 01:22 PM	#3 (permalink)
splendra the girl can't help it Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: splendraville Posts: 5,495 Blog Entries: 3	Hey miston, Welcome to Sober recovery. I sounds like you could be in denial about your use if you feel that you have to lie about it. Maybe hang out here and read and see if any of the posts remind you of yourself... Take care be truthful with yourself and be gentle too... __________________ nice has a hisssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssss

07-18-2006, 01:47 PM	#7 (permalink)
*Anna* Administrator Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Dancing in the Light Posts: 22,846	So, walk away then and you'll be fine. If you don't think it's an addiction, that's wonderful and you're lucky. I always told myself I could stop drinking any time I wanted to, too. __________________ And I dont know what the future is holding in store I dont know where Im going, Im not sure where I've been There's a spirit that guides me, a light that shines for me My life is worth the living, I dont need to see the end. John Denver

07-18-2006, 03:15 PM	#9 (permalink)
michski Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: California Posts: 972	I ditto the above! Walk away from it for a few months and see what happens! The crap will still be out there if/when you're ready to abuse your physical and emotional health again. Your brother sounds like he loves you very much... lying to him about when/how much you use is a definite sign of addiction. __________________ Fake it til you make it!

07-18-2006, 01:25 PM	#4 (permalink)
miston Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: England, United Kingdom Posts: 9	Thanks 51Anna and Splendra, I wasn't sure what people would think about my post, I feel more comfortable about coming in here and posting now

07-18-2006, 01:31 PM	#5 (permalink)
Hope Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 3,300	I'm glad that you're here. Lying is a big problem in addiction. Sometimes addiction is just really sneaky. One thing to know is that it only gets worse...it really does as I've witnessed that from my own addiction. I hope you stick around! Talk about whatever you like, we're here to listen and help!

07-18-2006, 01:35 PM	#6 (permalink)
miston Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: England, United Kingdom Posts: 9	How about the fact that it doesn't seem an addiction? That you feel you could just walk away from it at any point...just as soon as you've run out of your stash.

07-18-2006, 02:28 PM	#8 (permalink)
Hope Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 3,300	I used to tell myself that I could walk away from it too. Until the time I tried to walk away and then found that I couldn't stay stopped. Not being able to stay stopped is a huge indication of a problem.

07-19-2006, 03:00 AM	#11 (permalink)
miston Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: England, United Kingdom Posts: 9	Thanks guys. It's marijuana to answer the question, though I've tried other things too. I did try to stop, though it didn't quite work out as planned. I think he might have a point

07-19-2006, 03:27 AM	#12 (permalink)
indigo Community Greeter Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Mid-Life Express Posts: 9,928	Welcome look inside yourself, you are here and we can help, maybe it is denial and if it is ask yourself "Can I stop?) if you can stop then please do before the weed turns into something else. indigo __________________ When you judge others, you do not define them, you define yourself." Namasté

07-19-2006, 04:58 AM	#14 (permalink)
wishful Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Fight ... WIN!! Posts: 109	Don't know how much time in a day you actually spend using, but think about how much time you spend thinking about it -planning it, looking forward to it, etc. Now, if you felt like this about ... say, chocolate chip ice cream, would you consider your behavior normal? That insight really helped me to realize how huge a part of my life my addiction had become - it was like I'd changed the whole orientation of my life to orbit a bottle instead of the sun. Welcome to SR!

07-19-2006, 08:00 AM	#16 (permalink)
kali ma Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Connecticut Posts: 136	Hi Miston. Welcome to SR. I think that coming here to post is the best thing you could have done. As everyone else said, lying is definitelly a good indication that there is a problem. I used to smoke too, and thought I could give it up when I wanted to...and I finally did four years later, only to switch to vodka, but we're all different. Read some posts. I'm sure you'll find people you can connect to. We're all here for you. __________________ Katie AKA Kali Ma (Goddess of Change) â€œWhen you get into a tight place and...it seems as though you could not hold on a minute longer, never give up then, for that is just the place and the time that the tide will turn.â€ -Harriet Beecher Stowe

07-31-2006, 02:10 PM	#18 (permalink)
dollhouse dollhouse Join Date: May 2006 Location: hamilton,ontario Posts: 39	Hi Miston. You R young and have your whole life ahead of U. If you would like to have the deisire to quit,than U can make choises in your life.U can lose alot if drugs R A problem for U.It doses not matter what U use,or what U have done,only what U R willing to do now!U may or may not have a problem,only U can deside that.Please look into this site and maybe try N.A.meetings.Hope I have helped U.It takes alot of courage to post.Best of luck to U..........

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