How do you know you're addicted?

[BabySteps]

Okay well I don't know If I am addicted or could be considered an addict, if God is holding back the kingdom of heaven from me or his blessings for this reason?

I am seriously concerned about this one.

Okay well...

I smoke tobacco everyday, and have smoked regularly for 6 years now I consider myself addicted to it. I hate this one the most it is very unhealthy and deadly. I started at 13.

I drink alcohol very rarely I don't really like it but if it is available I will drink it.

I smoke marijuana If I had it my way I would smoke everyday but I don't cause I am without finances right now. I have pawned stuff to get marijuana and I crave it in my mind a lot i think about it all the time though I will not steal to get it. I feel it helps me concentrate idk...

Inhalants I have used sporadically for 10 years, though I stay away from them now because they are so dangerous.

I have abused pills...

IDk maybe I am a drug addict but I don't see how cause I don't use everyday... I do spend every money I have on some kind of buzz though ,it's like uhhhh hum i don't know what to do with this money I will get high.

How do you know if you are addicted or just a casual user?

I feel inside it is acceptable to drink a beer occassionally smoke marijuana regularly and I believe psychedelics are spiritual ( im not trying to be supporting it or saying use it this is just where I am coming from in my beliefs) I believe it is okay to take a pill every once in a while to take a buzz, I even say its okay to use "hard" drugs if you can handle it, so it's hard for me to distinguish what is addiction or just having a good time.

is there really "high on life", I don't know if i believe it, because i feel irritated all the time bored i can't concentrate or even feel pleasure so I don't see how life is good, this is even when I don't use.

idk... i really need some insight.

 

[jc7439]

I am an ex drug addict i was in the same boat as you. i was addicted to getting high. i smoke pot for about 5 years and was smoking about 1/2 ounce a day. i just loved being messed up on anything that wasent enough and eventlly i started modertally using harder stuff and then developed an addiction to oxycottin. i went to rehab and found God. he changed my life. i have been dug free for 2 years now and i got to bible college to persue a carrer in ministry (not everyone has to) my words to you are this. if you read the book of James it lays out how a christian should life and unfortanitly drugs and all that stuff is out. physcodlics are not spritual (i can say this cause ive done them) in all reality they are jsut another high to excape form reality. serving God is hard work, but in return you are actully set free. i dont have it all together i am far far far from it. but i encoruge you to seek God and want the change. the first step is realizing that stuff is harmful and not doing anything but taking you away from some sort of pain.. (mine was everyone loved my sister more then me lol) but in all reality you might not knwo what has you down. i used to think i had it all together untill i sobered up and really searched my heart. anyways if you have any questions ill be more than happy to help i know the situation you are in more then alot of people and believe me i know what stuggles you will go through i am still going through them

God bless!!

 

[rturner76]

To answer your question......I'm sorry to say you have addictive tendencies. Only you know if you are adicted for sure but when I was in treatment they said this is what decides it:
1-If you want it when you don't have it
2-Once you start, you can't stop

If you have both of these it's a sure thing. Only one and you may not be addicted yet. I can say for sure that if you are using because you don't like how you feel, you are very likely one of us (addict). Just how you said you would do whatever just pretty much to feel different. Doesn't really matter what the drug is. The good news is, you are young and you can still make the right choice and not go down that path. If you get into drugs namely hard drugs like I did. I can guarantee you will get addicted right away! I've seen it happen to young girls and they loose their innocence to drugs and end up selling their bodies. I have seen it a hundred times. I used to work in a club and I've seen girls 18,19,20, even younger selling themselves and living a hard life because they made a bad choice and tried something they liked. If I seem like I'm trying to scare you I AM.

My sister, right now you are still safe, curious yes, but you can still turn it around and be all God made you to be. I had to go to the doc and get medication so I could feel okay. It's not get high drugs but they make me feel okay and I can get a natural high from laughter and good food and I get goose bumps and warm fuzzies but I had to go through hell and I hope you can make better choices than I did. I'm old now and I wasted my youth. You still have yours my sister in Christ. I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to start a lecture. Sometimes I see my Christian young sisters and I just want them to be protected from the shameful sinful world. It's nasty out there. Stay in the loving embrace of Jesus Christ. there lecture over, I hope you think on this and don't just dismiss it. All said out of care for my young sister never out of judgement I hope you know

 

[chilehed]

Okay well I don't know If I am addicted or could be considered an addict...

People who aren't don't wonder if they are.

 

[beautygal123]

People who aren't don't wonder if they are.

indeed.

 

[forGod1]

I was addicted to marijuana, and still feel to this day like I still am. I always miss the feeling.. that probably gets intensified 10x when you use the drugs you are. That's the hardest part about addiction.. it's a life long battle.

 

[Ishraqiyun]

I feel inside it is acceptable to drink a beer occassionally smoke marijuana regularly and I believe psychedelics are spiritual ( im not trying to be supporting it or saying use it this is just where I am coming from in my beliefs) I believe it is okay to take a pill every once in a while to take a buzz, I even say its okay to use "hard" drugs if you can handle it, so it's hard for me to distinguish what is addiction or just having a good time.

I would say the sign to look for with addiction is the presence of an overwhelming need for drugs. Especially if you are sick or can't make it through the day without having your fix. If you pretty much need it to get through the day or if you find yourself doing it an inappropriate times like at work or when you are doing something that requires responsibility that's a really bad sign. Watch out though it can sneak up on without realizing it until its too late. Certain substances are so physically addicting that you can get hooked real fast. Especially opiates and benzos/valium etc.. Other drugs are so good that they grab you the first time you use and you have what is called euphoric recall that makes you want to repeat the behavior. Even a strong will can be worn down. Lots of people say "it can't happen to me" but then it does. Once your an addict your stuck fighting it your whole life. Then you look back at it and your like "dang why was I so stupid playing with fire like that."

For most people psychedelics (LSD, mushrooms, mescaline, DMT,etc..)are probably the least addictive but even that isn't always the case. If you are an addict using a substance that might not cause physical dependence like LSD can still lead to problems and should probably be considered a relapse though. Best to stay far away from drugs and booze if you are one.

 

[dirtrabbit11]

I suggest you go to NA.org and click the find a meeting button. Just attend a few open meetings. Ask some of the old timers how they started using. I've been clean for 1 month 10 days. I started just like you are. I used off and on for 32 years. I'm 45 now. Don't wait to convince yourself, Just go to the meetings. I wasted much time. You don't have to.

 

[earagun]

Okay well I don't know If I am addicted or could be considered an addict, if God is holding back the kingdom of heaven from me or his blessings for this reason?

I am seriously concerned about this one.

Okay well...

I smoke tobacco everyday, and have smoked regularly for 6 years now I consider myself addicted to it. I hate this one the most it is very unhealthy and deadly. I started at 13.

I drink alcohol very rarely I don't really like it but if it is available I will drink it.

I smoke marijuana If I had it my way I would smoke everyday but I don't cause I am without finances right now. I have pawned stuff to get marijuana and I crave it in my mind a lot i think about it all the time though I will not steal to get it. I feel it helps me concentrate idk...

Inhalants I have used sporadically for 10 years, though I stay away from them now because they are so dangerous.

I have abused pills...

IDk maybe I am a drug addict but I don't see how cause I don't use everyday... I do spend every money I have on some kind of buzz though ,it's like uhhhh hum i don't know what to do with this money I will get high.

How do you know if you are addicted or just a casual user?

I feel inside it is acceptable to drink a beer occassionally smoke marijuana regularly and I believe psychedelics are spiritual ( im not trying to be supporting it or saying use it this is just where I am coming from in my beliefs) I believe it is okay to take a pill every once in a while to take a buzz, I even say its okay to use "hard" drugs if you can handle it, so it's hard for me to distinguish what is addiction or just having a good time.

is there really "high on life", I don't know if i believe it, because i feel irritated all the time bored i can't concentrate or even feel pleasure so I don't see how life is good, this is even when I don't use.

idk... i really need some insight.

I'm sorry I don't think anyone is going to be able to help you, your admission to not finding anything wrong with getting stoned, is really all one needs to hear to see your addicted, I was a hard core drug user for half my life, and remember exactly where you are......only God can help you, I don't believe you would listen even if I shared my testimony, but if you would like to quit smoking cigs I have a really cool method that all smokers would love. first thing about this method is you can smoke as much as you want, in fact its benifical if you smoke alot, second thing is and this is crucial for this method to work, you must smoke alone!.....everytime you need a cig, you must find a place to smoke it alone......,and the last thing is while you smoke, you pray!....And for the entire length of the cigarette, pray for friends, family pray for anything under the sun, just praise God and pray........lol......Let me tell you somthing when satan finds out you turned his addiction into a time of prayer and praising God, he will remove all addiction to nicotine in a matter of a couple weeks, I was a pack a day smoker, thats 20 times aday I was praying for 7-8 minutes, I was a prayer warrior...lol......I was set free!....in fact I could sit between to chain smokers today and not even have the slightest craving........I would say this would work with any chemical addiction.....addictions of lust must be fought in the mind......goot free from those too!.....who the Son sets free is free indeed!

 

[If Not For Grace]

I do spend every money I have on some kind of buzz though ,it's like uhhhh hum i don't know what to do with this money I will get high.

Here's your sign....

The issue is what is it that makes you put an emphasis on wanting to escape?
It sounds like there may be some responsibility issues, If you spend your money
getting high, who's paying the bills? Why are you not focused on your future?
Are you just bored? No good can come from getting high every chance you get.

Are you just lonely? Is this a way of fitting in? There is always something behind the
desire to get high. It is a desire to feel "better". The trouble is it escalates cause
it's never enough, then slowly, slowly it takes over and before you know it, getting
high becomes your number one focus in life-that's such a waste. Is all you really
want from life to be numb? Change your friends, change your playmates & playgrounds and give Life a chance-it has alot to offer. Prayers.

 

[Ishraqiyun]

Adiction has little or nothing to do with a belief that a certain behavior is acceptable or unacceptable. You can believe that it's wrong to do drugs and still be addicted to them. You can think that it's ok to use drugs and not be addicted to them.

 

[richard william]

I have been smoking cigarettes for about five years and find it hard to resist till i tried on electronic cigarettes..... they replenish the nicotine need for me and there is no tar in it...... Over time i believe my urge for smoking has lessened and perhaps now i can finally quit this addiction for good.....

 

[RobCrandall]

There is no such thing as a casual user. Either you use drugs and alcohol or you don't. I'm not judging--I was an alcoholic for 8 years and smoked pot too. But, yes, you are an addict. Trust me when I say you don't want to be one later in life. It turns into hell on earth. It is very serious. More than you think right now. It gets bad. I was delivered from alcohol and pot, and your life gets better, not worse. Your anxiety level will go down--at least mine did -- a lot. Your behavior will improve dramatically, and you will have pleasure. Real pleasure...not fake pleasure... pleasure like you had as a kid before you started it all. I also smoked cigarettes, and quit that too. PLEASE consider this while you are still young...you don't want the horrible road this leads to. You really really don't. Make an effort --just start with one of your addictions and work on it. focus on it. You can do it. God bless you

 

[Notarien]

I used cocaine intravenously for over 3 years before quiting and recently had a relapse. I hate myself for it, and I know for certain that addiction is the non-possibility of stop using drugs either by free will or by force. I've tried both and none have worked except my faith in God.

Recently I stopped with nicotine as well and it feels great. Maybe I will continue with swedish snus in the future.

From an addict to others: read the Bible and do pray in the fashion that suits you. It helped me. Even in my worst episodes I turned to prayer after coming down and regretting my mistakes and when I was on the edge of jumping down a river in Copenhagen, before praying the Lord's prayer, I thought my life was at end.

Peace,
Karl AKA Notarien.

 

[spiritualwarrior77]

I believe psychedelics are spiritual

As someone who has taken heaps of acid, many mushrooms, lots of DMT, cactus, salvia, morning glory seeds etc. I would agree that psychedelics are spiritual...
Just not in a good way!

They are ALWAYS a gateway to the demonic. You may have insightful and uplifting trips. They may even seem life-changing. But they are always laced with deception and will eventually lead you away from the truth and down a blind and dangerous alley!

(Marijuana is exactly the same).

I'd pray about it and listen to what your heart tells you. Does your drug use lead you closer to Christ? (or not).

Hope this helps

 

[Logan Musil]

Heard great things about the settingcaptivesfree website ministry.
Blessings,
Logan