i've been addicted to ... DXM

really? i didn't think that was possible. i was kinda heavy into dxm when i was quitting smoking, as it was the only thing that legitimately negated my cravings, but i never got near an addiction, which is why i had pretty much written it off as NOT ADDICTIVE AT ALL since i probably unusually susceptible to new addictions at that void-filling point and have never found myself actually craving it.

pretty curious to know more about this, as i've been going around like an asshole telling people that dxm is ok to screw around with. i don't want to be perpetuating bad info if this hits other people that much differently than it hits me. hell, i was posting about it a ton back in the day, so it may have been me who got the idea of it in your head in the first place. you deserve an apology if i fucked up your life even a little bit with that kind of shitty information

DXM is stuff in some (or all) over the top counter cough syrup. Drink enough of it an you can get high.
I think the addiction might be like weed, it's not physically addicting but you might bcome psychologically dependent on it.

dxm fucked me up quite a bit, i only did it twice. although i don't really want this to become a topic about drug talez. i think those are pretty lame regardless, but i definitely don't want pages of people talking about how cool it is to get high, regardless of what is accepted as addictive of harmful...just drawing a line

I kicked all my habbits like a year ago, i still have the occasional drink/cigarette but that's only like once or twice a week. It was tricky but pulled through. It's tough at first, but after your head starts clearing up, you can really feel better. Though now, I'm having to deal with depression sober, whilst painfull, it's easier to avoid doing stupid shit. And y'know, not wrecking my liver by drinking surgical alcohol anymore!

Hope you pull through dude, you have all the power of saltworld behind you.

 

I'm having to deal with depression sober

yeah, my head is a fucking minefield right now. I didn't realise how much shit I was hiding from, really. people say it gets better.

I won't be posting everyday as time goes on, but I had a good day today. Went to a meeting, then went out to a pub quiz thing with one of the uni societies. Met some decent seeming people. I actually had some fun. Just 11 days. I think I might be through the initial rough patch, though. The danger then, is keeping myself in line when everything begins to feel fine and getting drunk doesn't seem like such a big deal, which is a trap I fall into time after time. I'll just keep going to the meetings - sometimes they get a little culty, yeah, and even though everyone is nice not everyone is great to listen to - but I'm definitely getting something out of them. That 90 meetings in 90 days thing doesn't even sound that extreme to me right now. My mood is rising, I just need to watch myself.

I'll keep quiet for a few days assuming everything is going according to plan. No need to bump this every day, but I do like the idea of having it here as a check-in point at least for the time being.

backflip your way to success kiddo

really? i didn't think that was possible. i was kinda heavy into dxm when i was quitting smoking, as it was the only thing that legitimately negated my cravings, but i never got near an addiction, which is why i had pretty much written it off as NOT ADDICTIVE AT ALL since i probably unusually susceptible to new addictions at that void-filling point and have never found myself actually craving it.

pretty curious to know more about this, as i've been going around like an asshole telling people that dxm is ok to screw around with. i don't want to be perpetuating bad info if this hits other people that much differently than it hits me. hell, i was posting about it a ton back in the day, so it may have been me who got the idea of it in your head in the first place. you deserve an apology if i fucked up your life even a little bit with that kind of shitty information :(

it's okay, bro; it's not your fault at all! you have been only a positive influence on my life :D

if you do some googling, there's plenty of anecdotal evidence of DXM addiction. and plenty of people who have used it regularly for extended periods will attest to it having long-term effects, too. as far as studies on DXM neurodependency, here is a case study: http://www.jabfm.org/content/19/3/320.full and here is a summary paragraph about DXM addiction, from another source (from http://www.cesar.umd.edu/cesar/drugs/dxm.asp ):

"The level and likelihood of experiencing tolerance and dependence will ultimately depend on the dose and frequency of use. When it is abused regularly, DXM can actually cause some of the symptoms (i.e., insomnia and dysphoria) that it is designed to cure. In addition, high-dose chronic use of DXM can lead to the development of toxic psychosis - a mental condition characterized by a loss of contact with reality along with a confused state - as well as other physiological and behavioral problems. It is unknown, however, what effect infrequent use of low doses has upon the user, although anecdotal reports of prolonged use describe DXM as a drug with moderate physical dependence and tolerance. Most users that display symptoms of withdrawal will experience some form of anxiety, restlessness, insomnia, diarrhea, vomiting, severe weight loss, and upset stomach."

i definitely had some withdrawal symptoms when i stopped using it. i had been addicted for a while when i was around 14, but i got tired of chugging bottles of cough syrup only to vomit it up later... and it was sometimes making me feel "foggy" even when i wasn't on it. i don't recommend DXM to others because of its moderate addictive qualities, somewhat high likelihood of bad trips, and potential for long-term mental damage. it might be fun for responsible psychonauts to mess around with it once or twice, but i'd caution others against making it a regular thing.

but yes i agree with jamie that we shouldn't allow this topic to derail into ~talkin' 'bout drugz~, unless the discussion is focused around how to stay sober and enjoy life that way.

P.S. Kaworu i'm glad you kicked your old bad habits! i remember when you were pretty messed up, bro... so, it's good to see you clean and dealing with depression in a healthier way. way to go, dude~ :D

in my experience, getting into running makes everything better. maybe it's just my way of running away from problems, heh heh heh.

i did this thing -> http://www.c25k.com/

half an hours running is pretty meditative PLUS you feel healthier PLUS you're getting goals achieved PLUS you can get involved in a running community PLUS it's a half hour (or usually more) that you're not doing something counter-productive.

in my experience, getting into running makes everything better. maybe it's just my way of running away from problems, heh heh heh.

i did this thing -> http://www.c25k.com/

half an hours running is pretty meditative PLUS you feel healthier PLUS you're getting goals achieved PLUS you can get involved in a running community PLUS it's a half hour (or usually more) that you're not doing something counter-productive.

but I hate being out of breath

exercise in general is great both physically and mentally for pretty much everyone. i personally have found regular weightlifting to be very good for improving self-image and fighting off depression. i don't run because of asthma problems and also because i simply don't enjoy it, but i think it's a great activity for people who do like it and are able to do it (for all the reasons Frisky SKeleton mentioned).

Late but good luck man

but I hate being out of breath

on c25k if you're out of breath you're running too fast, so you just slow down! open your eyes to the world of running that's slightly faster/higher impact than walking!

running actually really sucks for the most part but afterwards you feel great, so running with a program is useful

Late but good luck man

there isn't really any late, this is an ongoing thing. i appreciate it. 14 days today. feels longer, in some ways, but i think i'm doing all right. i've been looking into volunteering work. you know, the idea being that if i start to see myself do positive things and realise the ways i could be using my time, wasting it will become less tolerable.

 i'm moving back in with my parents for a while soon, so I can eventually actually get on my own two feet rather than just hopping one legged all over the world like I usually do.

I made an appointment this morning for an intro session next monday at a place called starter packs, which is pretty simple; they make up starter packs for homeless people moving into accommodation. I figure I'll give that my best shot, and I'm also awaiting an application pack for something that sounds really interesting. It is a position where I'd go to Glasgow Airport and be a member of a committee that oversees the short term holding facilities people who have just arrived in the UK but don't have visas get put in. Monitoring conditions and stuff like that. I think something like that could be really fulfilling.

I might be planning to go into teaching, but really I'm not too sure about much right now. It definitely sounds like a good career and I can see myself doing it, but I don't know if I would be qualified or if other opportunities might come up. I still have 3 semesters of uni to go, anyway. I'm going to start looking for a real job next summer, just before I go into my final year.