klee Posted January 26, 2008 Share Posted January 26, 2008 So I have a new friend (I've known her about 6 months) and she told me the other night that she likes to do Heroin. She then pulled up her sleeves and showed me her, albeit faint, but apparent, track marks. I was initially repulsed, then horrified for her, then disgusted again, and now just plain confused. She claims that she only does it once in a while, and that she has been maintaining this "habit" like this for years. WTH? Can people really do this? I have never used Heroin before so I have no clue. But a good friend of mine ended up really f-ing up his life because of it so I automatically assume that it only leads to peril. I am concerned for her and I am not sure what to do. Any opinions/thoughts would be appreciated. Thanks! Link to post Share on other sites
Fun2BMe Posted January 27, 2008 Share Posted January 27, 2008 I would think that anything done very sparingly would not lead to addiction. If she was shooting up let's say once a month, there would be no track marks on her arm. Just a tiny hole that would go away within a month, so she must be doing it at least once a week and is in denial. Just because her life isn't ruined doesn't mean she's not an addict. Don't let her convince you it's harmless and don't dare try any of it. Link to post Share on other sites
Woggle Posted January 27, 2008 Share Posted January 27, 2008 It depends on the drug. You can smoke pot and never become an addict but I seriously doubt you can do heroin and not become an addict. The addiction to that stuff is so strong that going through withdrawl without medical help can kill a person. It's the worst drug out there. I would advise people to never go beyond weed if they don't want drugs to ruin their life. Link to post Share on other sites
Pyro Posted January 27, 2008 Share Posted January 27, 2008 So I have a new friend (I've known her about 6 months) and she told me the other night that she likes to do Heroin. She then pulled up her sleeves and showed me her, albeit faint, but apparent, track marks. I was initially repulsed, then horrified for her, then disgusted again, and now just plain confused. She claims that she only does it once in a while, and that she has been maintaining this "habit" like this for years. WTH? Can people really do this? I have never used Heroin before so I have no clue. But a good friend of mine ended up really f-ing up his life because of it so I automatically assume that it only leads to peril. I am concerned for her and I am not sure what to do. Any opinions/thoughts would be appreciated. Thanks! Who really knows just often your friend has been doing heroin for the past six years. From what I hear and understand, heroin is one of the most addicting drugs on the planet. It took the lives of Brad Nowell, Shannon Hoon, and Hillel Slovak, but the level of addiction will vary per person. Unless you see any signs of addiction or danger in your friends health, then you really can't do anything for him/her. You could try to suggest NA. Personally I did coke for about six months, but I was able to control it. I only used it one weekend per month and then I realized just how much of a waste it is. I also did crack-cocaine once and I will say that it was a great feeling. I loved it and I was ready to buy more, but I stopped in front of a mirror and I took a look at myself and the desire immediately went away. Link to post Share on other sites
ElvenPriestess Posted January 27, 2008 Share Posted January 27, 2008 I think some people have more addictive personalities than others. I smoked weed for a year, around the clock, and a little speed, only twice. But when I hurt some one over it, I quit on the spot. Didn't touch the stuff. So I think if I was addicted I wouldn't have been able to quit cold turkey. Just depends on the person really. But I don't think drugs, even on the rarest of occasions, is a smart choice. Addicted or not. Link to post Share on other sites
HoustonScrewed Posted January 27, 2008 Share Posted January 27, 2008 I have friends that do pot and other things casually, they are not what I would call addicts, but when it comes to crack, heroin, meth or anything injected you need to RUN! Link to post Share on other sites
Author klee Posted January 27, 2008 Author Share Posted January 27, 2008 Thank you all for your replies. I personally think that casual use of the harder stuff is just begging for trouble. I mean, I like my beer and red wine, and I think a little mary j huana is ok, but the rest just makes me sick. I totally think she is in denial. I am worried about her and I told her that, but she thinks I am just being a stick in the mud. Link to post Share on other sites
Reverie Posted February 21, 2008 Share Posted February 21, 2008 As previously posted, It all depends on the individual & on the drug but some substances (i.e. heroin, crack) are addictive as hell and there is no casual, weekend use of a drug as dangerous & potent (mainly, addicting) as heroin. Some people can have a few glasses of wine socially on the weekends once a month & not be addicted, as they remain in control of their usage and do so in moderation. Those are the 2 key words to maintain being a "casual" user of any substance. It is unheard of & physically impossible to be a casual, "only once & a while - user" of heroin b/c of the withdrawal effects a heroin user will feel after they stop using the drug for at least 12 hours, their body needs to have the drug in its system in order to be "normal" or else they go thru intense, horrible feelings & symptoms, which only leads them to go get more of the drug so that they are "normal" again. I belive it is the most addictive substance out there. And I can say this from personal experience on many levels... from knowing addicts personally to being one myself. And yes, it can only lead to peril. However, you cannot help your friend unless she is willing to help herself first & admit she has a problem. Heroin users, like crystal meth users, are among the best liars out there. I lived a lie for 2 years. It seems though, that by your friend showing you her track marks & inviting you into the tip of her proverbial world, that may be a subtle cry for help or attention. Do your research on the subject of heroin abuse (the internet/google will provide you with a plethora of information regarding this topic) so that you may educate yourself on it -that is, if you are willing to help your friend, or at least attempt to call her bluff & show her the reality of what heroin can & will do to her & the people/thngs around her - and perhaps educate her as well. If need be, I can post links to websites/blogs/articles on heroin. I dont take this topic lightly, I have seen this drug destroy way too many lives, including my own, and take the young lives of others. Please do not let your friend's habit -no matter how she describes it to you- go undermined. Here are a few for starters... Good luck. http://www.heroin.org/ http://www.drugfree.org/Portal/drug_guide/Heroin http://www.usdoj.gov/ndic/pubs3/3843/index.htm Link to post Share on other sites
Author klee Posted February 21, 2008 Author Share Posted February 21, 2008 Thank you for your reply, Reverie. We talked about this the other day and she said that she is "backing off for now" whatever that means. I don't feel I have known her long enough to bug the he** out of her at this point, as I might do with one of my girlfriends I have known since childhood. Does that sound bad?? I don't mean that I don't care as much...I am open to helping her, just don't know what I can do right at this moment. Anyways, I just never heard of anyone doing the harder stuff casually, and wanted to know what you all think. Thanks again for the replies. Link to post Share on other sites
Lucifers Rising Posted February 21, 2008 Share Posted February 21, 2008 Everyone who responding to this is nailing the issue. It totally depends on the drug AND the person. I've been out of the scene for a few years now and have always been described as a heavy "tourist" by my friends. I've never been what anyone would call an addict(that is not denial, it's the God's honest truth, I'm just lucky and I know it). I have had many friends who where nowhere near as lucky as me and have really messed up there lives with this stuff. I think the main reason is: I don't touch Crack, Meth or Heroin, I've done everything else, some more than others but those are the big three. Few comeback to tell their story once that dance starts. And the few I have seen comeback are never the same person again. Link to post Share on other sites
fanxdam Posted February 21, 2008 Share Posted February 21, 2008 some people can. i believe that we're all born with or without the addictive gene. my best friend was one of those people who did heroin 'once in a while', she didn't get addicted. she also didn't stick needles in her arm. i think if someone's shooting anything they've got a serious problem, maybe not with drugs but definitely with self-esteem. i'd be concerned. and i'm also concerned that this is a RECOVERY section and people are saying to only use certain drugs, that's not recovery that's stupidity. Link to post Share on other sites
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