don't like the term drug addict.

[ings81]

I don't like telling people that i am a drug addict or was a drug addict I think the term enthusiastic user sounds a little better. i am ashamed of myself for becoming an enthusiastic user but i am proud to say i am a former enthusiastic user. Just thought i would share my frase.

[Prospero73]

If it seems appropriate, I tell people that I am an alcoholic, even though I haven't had a drink in 23+ years.  I use the present tense, because as far as I am concerned, I am still addicted and always will be: realizing this is important to staying sober.  Generally speaking, the only people that admit to being alcoholics are those who no longer drink, who have abandoned the struggle to "drink responsibly."  I have sometimes used an analogy with cigarettes to explain the selectiveness of alcoholism:  nearly 100% of those who smoke become addicted to nicotine, but  5% or fewer (I would guess) of those who drink become alcoholics.

The line between use and abuse is less well-defined where drugs are concerned.  The issue is confused by categories such as legal vs. illegal, prescribed vs. street, addictive vs. non-addictive, etc.  I have the impression that quite a few people would like to find some sustainable level of drug use, either recreational, for pain management, or just to feel more comfortable and functional in their lives.  There's a lot of experimentation going on, and we hear more about the failures than the successes, if there are any.  Perhaps there are people out there who have enhanced their lives by taking exactly 10 mg. of methadone a day for 30 years with no ill effect on either mind nor body, but if so, they're keeping it to themselves.

[Ella789]

  Someday you will be clean,  it just takes time to come to the end of it.  I am a major Depression survivor,  depression S**** big time!  It is very near impossible to explain it to someone who has never lived with it.  I got help with mine and am now feeling better and thankful that I know I must have the medication to keep myself level.  I hope the same for you, please don't give up on yourself.

Ella

[pill_head_38]

whops that is-  do you ever experience depression, now that you are a former user...  typos!  bad nerves, anxiety i think !!

[pill_head_38]

ughhh i only wish i was a FORMER enthusiastic user-  i did the narconon program for xanax, ambien, benzo abuse mainly.  like 90 pills would last me 3-5 days...  my tolerance is still so high.  i relapsed several times in the past year and a half...  i have a shipment expected for delivery (from internet tomorrow)_  i just came online to read and try to find some inspiration.  it doesn't seem to be coming.  i have no drive to live even at moments.  im very depressed.  do you ever experience depression, not that you are truly a "former enthusiastic user">?

[broknbck]

well i am proud to admit that i WAS a drug addict. because that means i accomplished something pretty huge. but i will not accept that label now simply because i am not addicted to drugs anymore.

[Prospero73]

The main thing is, you don't owe anybody any explanations.  If anyone asks you to account for yourself, they're being rude.  If they don't, you don't have a problem.  Just be glad you're where you are.

[122 Tactical Fighter Group]

Well, I could never forget where I came from .........I may still be "pharmaceutically challenged" - - but its just a label.  If you get some time under your belt the labels just dont make any difference any longer.......

[dominosarah]

Some people dont like the word addict.....for me it is the cold hard facts....whatever word we decide to use is okay as long as we have "former" or "recovering" in it!!!!  Congrats on getting clean!!!

CATUF........congrats on 4 yrs!!!!  That is really great!!!!               sara

[Nathan_H]

Congratulations on 4yrs your a great inspiration to newcommers like me. Love u! And I'll keep comming back.

Nate

[Nathan_H]

Cat is right I need to remeber where I came from, admit I was powerless and my life was unmanageable. If I forget I was an addict I'll go right back to the spike. I'm grateful I'm an addict because if I wasn't I would have never found a new way to live and never found the steps or the fellowship of NA. Addiction is a desease and the drugs are just ONE of the symptoms.

Nate

[avisg]

CAT great post .......I am an addict I make sure I remember that every day

[sway1]

you hit the nail on the head with a big hammer! thanks, i needed that.   sway

[CATUF]

I take the opposite view.  I embrace the term "drug addict" as applied to myself.  I don't want any part of where I was, or what I became, sugar-coated.

it wasn't that i engaged in enthusiastic use, it was that i lived to use and used to live, in a world where nothing was more important than my need.  

long before the end there was nothing enthusiastic about my using.  my relationship with using reminds me of what was going on with gollum and his "precious" in Lord of the Rings.  That sent chills through me when i saw it.  It sends chills through me now, just thinking about it.

CATUF
(4 years today)

[gizzy32]

Congrats on being a former enthusiastic user. Some hate the term addict, but for me, finally accepting that I am, helped me to accept I am powerless and kick this once and for all. Enthusiastic user does sound better though, instead of druggies, lol. Well done on your success.

[ImGettingClean]

Hey dont beat up on yoursef. i dont think anyone of us would've imagined going down this path...the truth of the matter is, miliions of people are addicted to something one way or another...we're just the stronger ones that have admitted it and are facing our battles...

so, you should be happy and proud of yourself!!!!