I quit alcohol & drug abuse cold turkey around 2 years ago. Life seemed to get better after a while but now it’s just as bad as when I was wasted 24h/day. Maybe even worse. That’s what I’m wondering about.
A few days ago they published a study that showed some forms of self harm are actually therapeutic. Could the same be said about alcohol/drug self harm? I’m not talking about just 1 glass of white wine with dinner, but I mean maybe 1 hardcore blackout alcohol or drug binge every couple weeks or so. The idea is that self destruction in controlled doses might help ease the weight of depression.
Has anyone else gone through these extremes? Addict, sober, or some middle ground? Because one things for sure, sobriety isn’t going to save me.
4 comments
Hi, I’m really glad you’ve stopped using drugs or alcohol, that you’re become free. Please continue to he free from them!
I have an addiction to the internet, I know it doesn’t compare, but I could use this computer program named “Cold Turkey”, it’s really effective and strict. Sorry about my ramblings.
I’ve read that people that become free of alcohol or drugs basically have to live very carefully, keeping themselves busy, as I think you see the temptation is strong, so please do resist and do keep your hands busy. Basically you freed yourself from something that was killing you, please keep safe and sober and clean <3
Thanks sbilko, addictions of all sorts are pretty much the same… a way of coping with a bigger problem by causing a smaller one I guess. Thanks for the encouragement to stay sober. I know that’s the best route, but lately my mind is trying to find excuses to relapse. The latest is “life still sucks so why not go for a temporary high?” I know it’ll lead right back to full addiction, but like you said it’s a constant temptation even years later.
I like what you said about keeping busy. For the last few weeks I’ve done nothing and that’s probably why these thoughts are coming back. I’ll try to find something to do
Link what you were reading about so I can get a better view/opinion on what you were reading about.
Here’s the article that got me thinking about all this…
https://theprint.in/health/why-do-teenagers-fighting-emotional-distress-engage-in-self-harm-this-study-answers/946344/
University of Washington study. It focuses mainly on why teens self-harm and how to treat them. But an interesting takeaway is that it links self harm & substance abuse as similar coping strategies.
“…studying young adult substance use. Our research suggests that this reduction in emotional distress following acts of self-harm and suicidal thoughts likely maintains these types of thoughts and behaviors.”
Something else that’s really interesting is how it mentions “suicidal thoughts” in the same category. In other words, thinking about suicide is a coping strategy, just like alcohol, drugs & self harm.
That’s what led me to the idea that self-destructive acts can be “therapeutic” (my word, not theirs. But we’re all thinking it).