Question about Poppers
 

Hi there, I have a strange but import question to ask. Im a gay man in recovery (alcohol addiction), over a year now, and I was wondering, are the use of poppers a bad idea for recovery? or against the AA program? I don't know who to ask and I really want to do recovery properly and follow all the advise I can to stay sober. Ive tried google but can't find any info on it.

Thanks in advance.

Poppers are a recreational drug taken for the euphoria and mood enhancement/stimulation. So, I wouldn't use them and call myself "sober."

It's a street drug. What do you think?

Welcome to the forums. :)

Welcome to SR padw! Congrats on your year of sobriety. What exactly are "poppers"? If you are following AA you could certainly check with your sponsor.

My personal view on sobriety is that I don't take any mind-altering substance willingly/knowingly. My addiction is to alcohol specifically, but i still avoid any other substances too.

Poppers contain active and harmful chemicals. I wouldn't recommend them for anyone under any circumstances, with the possible exception of reviving someone who's fallen unconscious when no immediate medical help is availae.

I wouldn't. I would not take anything that alters my mental state or causes a feeling of euphoria....if I am euphoric I fear I will be more likely to reach for my drug of choice - alcohol. So I stay away from alcohol, any benzo, pot, energy drinks or anything that gives me a RUSH or a feeling of extreme "F it all I'm soooo happy right now" feelings. I try to keep myself on an even keel by taking a multi-vite, drinking lots of water and reach for natural things like magnesium supplements if I am stressed or anxious.

Totall Agree
 

I agree with you . Sober should be sober.

Something like that would in my mind would lead you back to drinking. Im 16 days sober thought about smoking pot for about 5 minutes to "escape" then I played the tape through and snapped out of it became I know ill just start drinking again . My sobriety is more important then getting high .

Think about the ways in which drinking and drugs damage you.

Do poppers do anything different?

Using chemicals to change your mental state is the basis of your addiction.

That's bang on right. I used Poppers in the past for sexual
uses (Hetero) in the 90's. It goes hand in hand with this
behavior with alcohol. It is needed for what purpose?
I am aware of the physical advantages from a gay point of
view obviously.. But that is the point isn't it... Drink to have
a good time, Popper for the same..

And don't forget that a sniff to hard and the liquid
goes up your nose and down your throat can be fatal.

never heard of a Popper....

but it sounds like a drug to me....

addiction to substitute for addiction.

I wouldn't.

They aren't illegal in the U.K., not even under the new legislation to outlaw legal highs. I wouldn't have them personally but it's your choice.

I would use poppers if I wanted to and would not feel I had broken my sobriety in any way whatsoever, I have no want to, but it would be no problem if I did. Doesn't the AA say that you are allowed to smoke and drink coffee so why would 'poppers' be any different? You are in AA not NA. But consult your sponsor or the Big Book if you are worried although I don't think the BB has a story "To the Popper Sniffer" lol.

Usually if we start wondering if I should or if I shouldn't, the answer will be shouldn't. We don't give good moral actions a second thought.

M-Bob

Would be more concerned about their safety, do they endanger you or kill brain cells... Or encourage high risk activities? Because even Benadryl can be abused, and it's an OTC. But also poppers are illegal where I live so that's to consider too. Do you have a sponsor? Try asking them?

Welcome PadW

Welcome to SR PadW . I don't know the answer to your question regarding poppers but I would agree with some of the above if they make you high/stimulated might lead to taking other drugs or alcohol . Someone mentioned cigarettes and coffee and I think they have a point . Where do we draw the line ? If I was having a really bad spell with anxiety and was struggling to manage it with my usual natural methods would taking a small amount of diazepam mean I had broken my alcohol sobriety ? I'd like to hope not . Oh and if I smoked a cigarette I would be buzzing since I stopped that nearly 5 years ago .

When I first read your headline, I though you were talking about Pop Rocks -- that candy that pops in your mouth. Shows you how out of touch I am! But yeah, I have to agree with others here. Substituting one drug for another is generally not a great idea.

I was and still am so nieve to all
that has been and still is available
to do so much damage to our minds
and bodies.

I never heard of poppers even when
I enter rehab in 1990. It was the same
time I first heard about Zanax and folks
drinking cologne for some sought of
high.

Me, I thought alcohol, my red wine
was safe enough, and soon enough
found out that is cause more harm
than good.

Im happy to be heathy, honest
and happy in sobriety for a many
one days at a time.

You can too. :)

Thank you so much everyone. Really appreciate you all taking the time to get in touch and give your opinions. Its so cool to be able to ask questions that you mightn't be able to bring up at a meeting! I just want to do this properly and don't want to drink again.

are they perscribed by a physician for the treatment of a medical/ mental symptom?