Addicted to bowl fresh cleaners
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Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2012
Posts: 3
Addicted to bowl fresh cleaners
I'm 29, and addicted to sniffing/eating bowl fresh cleaners - the one that smells like moth balls. I have been for quite sometime - 2 years to be exact. I started eating them 8 months ago because the smell literally makes my mouth water. I also have my affair with Comet cleanser - I love the smell of it. I've been diagnosed with anemia, and the iron pills don't curb my cravings for either. I needed to reach out here, as I know it's dangerous, but I just love the smell/taste of the bowl cleaner.
Member
Join Date: Apr 2011
Posts: 43
Wow! That is some pretty hard stuff that you are ingesting. I truly hope that you can get a handle on this addiction for yourself, and your family.
I am sure you are aware of the countless carcinogens that are mixed into bowl cleaners.
Well... Needless to say - All of us here are addicted to some sort of substance, and there is no such thing as one addiction being better than the other. Welcome to SR!
I am sure you are aware of the countless carcinogens that are mixed into bowl cleaners.
Well... Needless to say - All of us here are addicted to some sort of substance, and there is no such thing as one addiction being better than the other. Welcome to SR!
SR Fan
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Mississippi
Posts: 7,910
Welcome MissHysteria -
Glad you're here and wanting to do something about your addiction. I've heard about others who have the same addiction you do. Have you ever shared this with anyone before (or gotten professional help?). I think it's hard for us to stop on our own and I'm glad you reached out for support today!
Glad you're here and wanting to do something about your addiction. I've heard about others who have the same addiction you do. Have you ever shared this with anyone before (or gotten professional help?). I think it's hard for us to stop on our own and I'm glad you reached out for support today!
Member
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Southeast, USA
Posts: 631
I have always liked the way moth balls smell too.....but to actually eat them, no. Please seek medical health...that must be super dangerous for your liver, etc.
Welcome to SR. You will find a lot of support and non judgmental people here.
Welcome to SR. You will find a lot of support and non judgmental people here.
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Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: USA
Posts: 773
Choosing Life
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Montana
Posts: 1,435
It's not unusual for people with anemia to crave all kinds of weird, non-food items. I've had anemia myself, and while I never ingested anything like this, I did find myself wanting to chew a lot of ice and certain smells were very pleasing to me, like fresh dirt and gasoline. I know ... it's weird ... but it does happen. Perhaps the "fix" here is some blood work and more aggressive treatment of your anemia?
12-Step Recovered Alkie
Join Date: May 2010
Location: West Bloomfield, MI
Posts: 5,797
MissH...
Really, it doesn't matter WHAT it is you do, how much you do it, how often, or whether other ppl understand it or not. Hell, I knew drinking, smoking and doing drugs wasn't the smartest thing in the world and do you want to know what? That never slowed me down for a second when one was in my hand.
I come here to talk about recovery......and whatever it is you're taking, whatever it is that seems to have your number.... you CAN recovery from that crap.
Get started on the obvious stuff (anemia) and go forward from there. If you need help, there's plenty of that around.
Really, it doesn't matter WHAT it is you do, how much you do it, how often, or whether other ppl understand it or not. Hell, I knew drinking, smoking and doing drugs wasn't the smartest thing in the world and do you want to know what? That never slowed me down for a second when one was in my hand.
I come here to talk about recovery......and whatever it is you're taking, whatever it is that seems to have your number.... you CAN recovery from that crap.
Get started on the obvious stuff (anemia) and go forward from there. If you need help, there's plenty of that around.
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2012
Posts: 3
It's not about getting a high. I don't get a high from it. It's a satisfaction
That fulfills me. The smell of the cleaner is something I can't describe. When I crush one it's stronger and I take tiny pieces and crunch on them. It tastes so good and satisfies and calms me.
I called my doc and have an appointment for Thursday. Thank you everyone for your support.
That fulfills me. The smell of the cleaner is something I can't describe. When I crush one it's stronger and I take tiny pieces and crunch on them. It tastes so good and satisfies and calms me.
I called my doc and have an appointment for Thursday. Thank you everyone for your support.
Member
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Colorado
Posts: 1,071
Welcome to SR :-) My thoughts run along the same lines as desertsong, MissHysteria. Lots of people crave things that aren't food, especially when there might be a nutritional deficiency. It's called pica - sometimes pregnant women get it too. I'm glad you are seeing your doctor so they can help you with whatever the underlying issue might be.
Quitter
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Philly Burbs
Posts: 102
Originally Posted by OCDDan 
Wow.
Who knew?
Glad you're looking to stop this dangerous behavior MissHysteria
Welcome!
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2012
Posts: 3
I went to my doctor. He upped the iron pills, but it still hasn't kicked my urges. I am smelling the bowl cleaners more often and steadily now. I haven't eaten a piece of one in a few days though. But I'm sitting here right now wanting to go take a sniff... my mouth is watering just thinking about it.
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