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Very addicted to diphenhydramine
I know there are posts on diphenhydramine abuse on here already, however the ones that I've found are a few years old. I am wondering if anything new has come up on diphenhydramine abuse. There is still limited information online about it. Reading other people's articles has shocked me because my reaction to diphenhydramine is quite different. I'm a heavy user, usually about 20 a day, ten at a time. What makes me feel different is my lack of negative side effects on it. I don't take them for the delirium effects, I take it for the heavy euphoria that I get from it.
Through the course of my addition I never once entered into an intense state of delirium. Only one time I was in my pool and I was just relaxing, floating around, and I forgot where I was. I forced myself out of that state, and it's never happened again. I use this generally twice a day, 10 after school, and 10 before bed. I maintain myself without much difficulty. I have a 3.5 GPA, and not very many side effects that I'm reading other people have.
I've also gotten my boyfriend into using, although his use is considerably less, and he doesn't know the extent of my usage. We find sex to be extreme while on diphenhydramine. He takes about 2-4, and I lie and say I'm taking the same, when it's 10...Sorry if that was too much information.
On a particularly heavy bender, I had the shakes pretty bad, low blood sugar because I was craving something sweet and felt like I was going to pass out (I'm not diabetic), and had issues forming proper sentences. I'd forget halfway through my sentence on what I was talking about, but as my friends are stoned half the time it went unnoticed (I don't smoke marijuana). This was only once and probably around 60+ pills at 50mg each over the course of the weekend. I'm usually under the influence of diphenhydramine through the whole day, and I hide it very well. My parents haven't noticed, although my mom found some empty bottles, but had no idea what they were so I made up an easy lie to get out of it.
My rambling on about this is just trying to show you the extent of my addiction. So far I've had little to no negative side effects, just positive. This is scary because I know I'm probably killing my body. With me being young with a high metabolism is probably the only thing that has kept me alive through this. I also don't have any other drug addiction. I smoke cigarettes but just socially and not all the time. No issues with alcohol either.
I found this drug because I thought I was developing symptoms of insomnia. One pill didn't work, two didn't either, but when I went to three at once, I didn't get tired but I liked what I felt.
So if you are still reading, my question for you is if there is anything new on the effects, what damage have I done, how should I stop, and lastly why am I receiving no negative side effects? To me this is a wonder drug. I've been addicted for almost a year, with perhaps only one week out of it I didn't use because I had the flu. I'm 18 years old.
Thank you for taking the time to read this. Any information or advice is greatly appreciated.
Best Regards,
Matt
Through the course of my addition I never once entered into an intense state of delirium. Only one time I was in my pool and I was just relaxing, floating around, and I forgot where I was. I forced myself out of that state, and it's never happened again. I use this generally twice a day, 10 after school, and 10 before bed. I maintain myself without much difficulty. I have a 3.5 GPA, and not very many side effects that I'm reading other people have.
I've also gotten my boyfriend into using, although his use is considerably less, and he doesn't know the extent of my usage. We find sex to be extreme while on diphenhydramine. He takes about 2-4, and I lie and say I'm taking the same, when it's 10...Sorry if that was too much information.
On a particularly heavy bender, I had the shakes pretty bad, low blood sugar because I was craving something sweet and felt like I was going to pass out (I'm not diabetic), and had issues forming proper sentences. I'd forget halfway through my sentence on what I was talking about, but as my friends are stoned half the time it went unnoticed (I don't smoke marijuana). This was only once and probably around 60+ pills at 50mg each over the course of the weekend. I'm usually under the influence of diphenhydramine through the whole day, and I hide it very well. My parents haven't noticed, although my mom found some empty bottles, but had no idea what they were so I made up an easy lie to get out of it.
My rambling on about this is just trying to show you the extent of my addiction. So far I've had little to no negative side effects, just positive. This is scary because I know I'm probably killing my body. With me being young with a high metabolism is probably the only thing that has kept me alive through this. I also don't have any other drug addiction. I smoke cigarettes but just socially and not all the time. No issues with alcohol either.
I found this drug because I thought I was developing symptoms of insomnia. One pill didn't work, two didn't either, but when I went to three at once, I didn't get tired but I liked what I felt.
So if you are still reading, my question for you is if there is anything new on the effects, what damage have I done, how should I stop, and lastly why am I receiving no negative side effects? To me this is a wonder drug. I've been addicted for almost a year, with perhaps only one week out of it I didn't use because I had the flu. I'm 18 years old.
Thank you for taking the time to read this. Any information or advice is greatly appreciated.
Best Regards,
Matt
Oh I agree with neveragain 100%! What you're doing is so so scary. You're only a couple years older than my daughter,I've told her multiple times if for some reason she was ever in a postion like this with drug or alcohol use to please never never be scared to tell me. Not just substance abuse,anything at all!! That's why we are here as parents,you are our lives,our everything!! Your parents will want to help you,not bury you. You will kill them inside if they have to bury they baby. They will wonder where they went wrong,why you didn't come to them. You're so young,please don't end up like most of us on here with a life long addiction or dead.
How do know "It's more of a psychological addiction, rather than a physical one.?"
Do you use daily? If so, you definitely have a physical dependence and will experience withdrawals...dangerous ones, imo, upon quitting. That is why you must do this under medial supervision.
Telling your parents is not an option? Why? Are you afraid of them being angry with you? You are way over your head on this one. No amount of personal strength can mitigate w/d syndrome, and as I said before, there is a documented w/d syndrome associated with this drug.
You state you have "never entered into a state of delirium." I would counter that with: YES, you probably have, but don't remember it. This drug has strong cognitive impairment.
I tried to help, but you don't seem to understand addiction is cunning, baffling, powerful,and much, MUCH more a big deal that you're making it.
Good luck. I don't have anything else to add.
Do you use daily? If so, you definitely have a physical dependence and will experience withdrawals...dangerous ones, imo, upon quitting. That is why you must do this under medial supervision.
Telling your parents is not an option? Why? Are you afraid of them being angry with you? You are way over your head on this one. No amount of personal strength can mitigate w/d syndrome, and as I said before, there is a documented w/d syndrome associated with this drug.
You state you have "never entered into a state of delirium." I would counter that with: YES, you probably have, but don't remember it. This drug has strong cognitive impairment.
I tried to help, but you don't seem to understand addiction is cunning, baffling, powerful,and much, MUCH more a big deal that you're making it.
Good luck. I don't have anything else to add.
Thank you for your opinion and advice. I'd much rather get someone's straight up, and honest opinion rather than them sugar coat it or dilute it to spare my feelings. I am looking into talking to a professional to talk about it, but telling my parents is not an option for me at this time. It's more of a psychological addiction, rather than a physical one. I have a pretty strong will so I'm sure I can overcome this.
Thank you advice and your research. It is much appreciated.
Thank you advice and your research. It is much appreciated.
Sorry, let me amend something I just said:
There is a withdrawal syndrome associated with long term use of diphenhydramine, at normal usage.
There isn't any DOCUMENTATION of w/d for the huge doses you are on. That doesn't mean there aren't ANY withdrawal symptoms. It simply means there isn't a lot of literature on it.
The following is pure speculation on my part: I would guess that if you stopped, you could die. I also think if you keep taking these high doses, the probability of your death is also pretty high.
In other words, you are playing Russian Roulette, right here, right now. Matt, you're a ticking time bomb. SEE A DOCTOR TODAY. It's Saturday: go to ANY Emergency Room and tell the admitting nurse you took an overdose of diphenhydramine, then when they put you in a bed, tell the attending nurse who sets up your IV about your daily use and for how long.
If you don't take my advice, then you are choosing death...and right now, I know about 10 people with terminal diseases who would give their right arm to NOT be dying. They don't have a choice. YOU DO. So do the right thing.
DO THE RIGHT THING! There are people who love you...people whose lives will be forever ruined if you die of an overdose. Do you really want to cause all that pain?
I know my posts are on the harsh side. I have LONG THOUGHT that diphenhydramine should NOT be an OTC drug. In fact, I foresee it being taken off the OTC market in the next 20 years.
I didn't mention this before, but there are several small studied, only recently published, which link normal diphenhydramine use with an increased risk for several forms of dementia. It is no longer recommended for anyone over 60...but again, that is at NORMAL levels.
Sigh. I'm very upset from even writing all this...and I'm going to log off and say and calm myself down.
I'm going to pray hard that you follow my advice, honey. I don't know how you got yourself into this situation, but at this point, you need medical attention , and I mean this instant. Good luck.
There is a withdrawal syndrome associated with long term use of diphenhydramine, at normal usage.
There isn't any DOCUMENTATION of w/d for the huge doses you are on. That doesn't mean there aren't ANY withdrawal symptoms. It simply means there isn't a lot of literature on it.
The following is pure speculation on my part: I would guess that if you stopped, you could die. I also think if you keep taking these high doses, the probability of your death is also pretty high.
In other words, you are playing Russian Roulette, right here, right now. Matt, you're a ticking time bomb. SEE A DOCTOR TODAY. It's Saturday: go to ANY Emergency Room and tell the admitting nurse you took an overdose of diphenhydramine, then when they put you in a bed, tell the attending nurse who sets up your IV about your daily use and for how long.
If you don't take my advice, then you are choosing death...and right now, I know about 10 people with terminal diseases who would give their right arm to NOT be dying. They don't have a choice. YOU DO. So do the right thing.
DO THE RIGHT THING! There are people who love you...people whose lives will be forever ruined if you die of an overdose. Do you really want to cause all that pain?
I know my posts are on the harsh side. I have LONG THOUGHT that diphenhydramine should NOT be an OTC drug. In fact, I foresee it being taken off the OTC market in the next 20 years.
I didn't mention this before, but there are several small studied, only recently published, which link normal diphenhydramine use with an increased risk for several forms of dementia. It is no longer recommended for anyone over 60...but again, that is at NORMAL levels.
Sigh. I'm very upset from even writing all this...and I'm going to log off and say and calm myself down.
I'm going to pray hard that you follow my advice, honey. I don't know how you got yourself into this situation, but at this point, you need medical attention , and I mean this instant. Good luck.
Diphenhydramine abuse (brand name: Benadryl) has increased in recent years.
I'm going to give this to you straight, Matt. I'm a former pharmacist, no longer licensed. Nothing I say should be construed as medical advice...I'm just another person on this forum answering your post:
Honey, the possibility of you DYING is HIGH if you not address this problem.
Diphenhydramine is a relatively old drug, the first FDA approved antihistamine in the U.S. (1946.) The maximum dose is 50 mgs every 4-6 hours. You are taking 10X that amount.
Even at therapeutic (normal) doses, Diphenhydramine can affect heart rate (prolonging the Q-T interval) and resulting in cardiac arrest. Doctors used to recommend giving it in liquid form to infants, but recent evidence has shown that it is dangerous for anyone under 6 (autopsies of babies who died showed this drug in their system at the time of death.)
But I digress. You state you don't have negative side effects. I would argue that you DO. Disorientation, confusion...that is a negative side effect. The first time you experience a really BAD effect, there is the very REAL possibility that your heart will stop beating, and you will be dead.
Do you want to stop? Why? I hope it is because you realize that you have a long life to live, and that taking huge amounts of this drug is going to shorten it.
Withdrawal: I had to really dig around to find this info, but FWIW, here it is: There is a DEFINITE withdrawal syndrome associated with diphenhydramine, but NOT at the staggeringly high doses you are on.
Normal doses, taken for extended periods of time, then abruptly discontinued, will sometimes result is: Insomnia, vomiting, nausea, clamminess, nervousness, twitching, tremors, anxiety, etc.
I do not have any idea what would have happen if you stopped at the doses you are on, so here is my advice: If you are a minor, tell your parents. Yes, they'll be very angry and upset, but NOT AS UPSET AS THEY WILL BE IF THEY HAVE TO LOSE YOU (and then plan your funeral.)
If you are over 18, seek medical attention immediately. I cannot stress this enough. There is not a lot of information about w/d from very high doses of this drug, and you absolutely, positively MUST consult a physician and tell them the bare-bones truth about your usage,
Finally, you need therapy. Sorry, buddy, but you do. There is a reason you are poisoning yourself and you need to find out why. What is wrong in your life, your past, your head, that would cause you to seek relief in a cold medicine. I pray you take my advice. I pray you TALK TO A DOCTOR. I pray you choose life, not death.
Good luck.
-Robin
I'm going to give this to you straight, Matt. I'm a former pharmacist, no longer licensed. Nothing I say should be construed as medical advice...I'm just another person on this forum answering your post:
Honey, the possibility of you DYING is HIGH if you not address this problem.
Diphenhydramine is a relatively old drug, the first FDA approved antihistamine in the U.S. (1946.) The maximum dose is 50 mgs every 4-6 hours. You are taking 10X that amount.
Even at therapeutic (normal) doses, Diphenhydramine can affect heart rate (prolonging the Q-T interval) and resulting in cardiac arrest. Doctors used to recommend giving it in liquid form to infants, but recent evidence has shown that it is dangerous for anyone under 6 (autopsies of babies who died showed this drug in their system at the time of death.)
But I digress. You state you don't have negative side effects. I would argue that you DO. Disorientation, confusion...that is a negative side effect. The first time you experience a really BAD effect, there is the very REAL possibility that your heart will stop beating, and you will be dead.
Do you want to stop? Why? I hope it is because you realize that you have a long life to live, and that taking huge amounts of this drug is going to shorten it.
Withdrawal: I had to really dig around to find this info, but FWIW, here it is: There is a DEFINITE withdrawal syndrome associated with diphenhydramine, but NOT at the staggeringly high doses you are on.
Normal doses, taken for extended periods of time, then abruptly discontinued, will sometimes result is: Insomnia, vomiting, nausea, clamminess, nervousness, twitching, tremors, anxiety, etc.
I do not have any idea what would have happen if you stopped at the doses you are on, so here is my advice: If you are a minor, tell your parents. Yes, they'll be very angry and upset, but NOT AS UPSET AS THEY WILL BE IF THEY HAVE TO LOSE YOU (and then plan your funeral.)
If you are over 18, seek medical attention immediately. I cannot stress this enough. There is not a lot of information about w/d from very high doses of this drug, and you absolutely, positively MUST consult a physician and tell them the bare-bones truth about your usage,
Finally, you need therapy. Sorry, buddy, but you do. There is a reason you are poisoning yourself and you need to find out why. What is wrong in your life, your past, your head, that would cause you to seek relief in a cold medicine. I pray you take my advice. I pray you TALK TO A DOCTOR. I pray you choose life, not death.
Good luck.
-Robin
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