Recovering addicts and AAS

[Cityofgrit]

Hey guys and ladies. I have over 8 years in recovery. I was an everything addict that particularly specialized in meth. In the end I was injecting and weighed a whopping 108 lbs. at 5'7". I started using when I was 14. Back then it was just a little weed, some alcohol, and some acid/mushrooms. It progressed from there. I started this thread because I am curious how everyone views AAS usage in relation to their previous addictions. I look at AAS completely different from my other drug use. This lifestyle centers around being as healthy as possible and trying to make yourself your physical best. Certainly with my previous history that was not even remotely the case. What is everyone's thoughts on this?

 

[QueenBee]

Congratulations on the 8 years.

 

[Cityofgrit]

Congratulations on the 8 years.

Thanks @Kim! I've seen a lot of people post about their past addictions and I find it interesting that so many AAS users seem to be in recovery.

 

[T&H]

I too have 8 years, was on everything under the sun but pills are my weakness.

I didn't start AAS until 3 years ago, graduated from prohormones. Honestly, I don't find it anything like drug addiction at all. It's not the same to me, I sometimes dread my weekly test shots. But this isn't something I want to do the rest of my life.

I'll be quitting soon, been saying that for months but delaying it. Hopefully the final pct won't be like withdrawals.

 

[Cityofgrit]

I too have 8 years, was on everything under the sun but pills are my weakness.

I didn't start AAS until 3 years ago, graduated from prohormones. Honestly, I don't find it anything like drug addiction at all. It's not the same to me, I sometimes dread my weekly test shots. But this isn't something I want to do the rest of my life.

I'll be quitting soon, been saying that for months but delaying it. Hopefully the final pct won't be like withdrawals.

Congratulations brother!! Always love to see a fellow addict in recovery! I agree, I feel different about AAS. The whole idea of harm reduction...can you imagine that from your local pill or smack dealer? Lol I know that wasn't the case with the bath tub meth I was using..and I didn't even care. The whole mindset about AAS is different, the community is different.

 

[Cookieman]

I too am in recovery. I've been clean and sober for 5 and a half years. I view aas use completely different from alcohol and illicit drugs. AAS don't alter my reality. My recovery is extremely important to me. I guess it really comes down to personal choice in a situation like this. As I'm sure you know, to thine own self be true

 

[Cityofgrit]

I too am in recovery. I've been clean and sober for 5 and a half years. I view aas use completely different from alcohol and illicit drugs. AAS don't alter my reality. My recovery is extremely important to me. I guess it really comes down to personal choice in a situation like this. As I'm sure you know, to thine own self be true

Amen to that. Every one of the coins I have says that. It really is a personal choice. When I first made it, the choice to use AAS, I admit, I was a little conflicted. Looking back though I feel like I am comfortable with the decision I made.

 

[Perrin Aybara]

A little over seven years off heroin here. I did a lot of pills and a little meth, too. The whole lifestyle of training and heathy eating is an addiction of sorts, but I consider it a much more healthy addiction than shooting heroin every day. I trained natty for years before getting on gear and the gear just seemed like the natural progression to keep making progress. Nothing like doing street drugs in my opinion.

 

[T&H]

A little over seven years off heroin here. I did a lot of pills and a little meth, too. The whole lifestyle of training and heathy eating is an addiction of sorts, but I consider it a much more healthy addiction than shooting heroin every day. I trained natty for years before getting on gear and the gear just seemed like the natural progression to keep making progress. Nothing like doing street drugs in my opinion.

I agree with the exercising and healthy being an addiction of sorts. I see that in myself, a little too much tbh. I personally believe everyone may possibly have an addiction, everyone. It's just some people's are more acceptable to society and some don't go to massive extremes. I like what a pastor friend said he read, that the human heart is a perpetual idol factory.

 

[Cityofgrit]

A little over seven years off heroin here. I did a lot of pills and a little meth, too. The whole lifestyle of training and heathy eating is an addiction of sorts, but I consider it a much more healthy addiction than shooting heroin every day. I trained natty for years before getting on gear and the gear just seemed like the natural progression to keep making progress. Nothing like doing street drugs in my opinion.

It's like we took our addiction and focused it in a positive way. I like that frame of mind.

 

[BigBaldBeardGuy]

10 1/2 years sober. I’m an alcoholic and when I could get my hands on them, pills. Luckily the pills weren’t readily available. But alcohol flows freely and is socially acceptable.

Getting back to my athletic roots is what helped me get clean. AAS is a natural progression to that. This is all about building up and progressing though. Alcohol was all about tearing myself down and wallowing in self-pity.

So for me, AAS use is the total opposite of drugs and alcohol so I view it entirely differently. It’s a positive in my life. My wife views my AAS use the same way and it’s no doubt one of the things that helps us stay happy together after 20 years of marriage.

 

[Perrin Aybara]

I agree with the exercising and healthy being an addiction of sorts. I see that in myself, a little too much tbh. I personally believe everyone may possibly have an addiction, everyone. It's just some people's are more acceptable to society and some don't go to massive extremes. I like what a pastor friend said he read, that the human heart is a perpetual idol factory.

It's like we took our addiction and focused it in a positive way. I like that frame of mind.

I think of addiction like a void that needs to constantly be filled. People fill that void with many different things like work, drugs, food, sex, or any number of other things. As @Tiredandhot said some are more acceptable than others. Better to fill it with something positive that improves your life rather something that makes it worse.

One positive thing about people with an addictive personality is when we turn it towards something positive we can be extremely driven. In our case this lifestyle.

 

[Cityofgrit]

10 1/2 years sober. I’m an alcoholic and when I could get my hands on them, pills. Luckily the pills weren’t readily available. But alcohol flows freely and is socially acceptable.

Getting back to my athletic roots is what helped me get clean. AAS is a natural progression to that. This is all about building up and progressing though. Alcohol was all about tearing myself down and wallowing in self-pity.

So for me, AAS use is the total opposite of drugs and alcohol so I view it entirely differently. It’s a positive in my life. My wife views my AAS use the same way and it’s no doubt one of the things that helps us stay happy together after 20 years of marriage.

BBBG, good to see you here! A practically pure alcoholic! A rarity these days. I got sober through AA. I like the natural progression idea, it makes sense. I always viewed my recovery as trying to get as far away from the person I used to be as possible..physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually.

 

[BigBaldBeardGuy]

BBBG, good to see you here! A practically pure alcoholic! A rarity these days. I got sober through AA. I like the natural progression idea, it makes sense. I always viewed my recovery as trying to get as far away from the person I used to be as possible..physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually.

It was “only” alcohol but it consumed me. Early in the morning straight thru to the nighttime. I was functioning though (or at least do I thought) which is why I didn’t think it was a problem to be puking at 5:00 am and then chugging vodka to start the day. The shit we all use to do, right? Yet the addictive mind rationalizes that crap.

Your view of recovery is spot on and you’re exactly right.

That previous lifestyle is so far from reality now. It doesn’t look appealing, it no longer sounds appealing, and I couldn’t ever go back because my interests have now changed completely. Different friends, healthier, better life, everything is for the positive now.

 

[Cityofgrit]

It was “only” alcohol but it consumed me. Early in the morning straight thru to the nighttime. I was functioning though (or at least do I thought) which is why I didn’t think it was a problem to be puking at 5:00 am and then chugging vodka to start the day. The shit we all use to do, right? Yet the addictive mind rationalizes that crap.

Your view of recovery is spot on and you’re exactly right.

That previous lifestyle is so far from reality now. It doesn’t look appealing, it no longer sounds appealing, and I couldn’t ever go back because my interests have now changed completely. Different friends, healthier, better life, everything is for the positive now.

Alcohol..if my memory serves me correctly, is the only drug which can kill you in withdrawal and yet it's totally socially acceptable. You're right, life is so much better today. Better than I ever imagined it could be.

 

[JP1979]

12 years booze free this month!

 

[Cityofgrit]

12 years booze free this month!

Congratulations brother!!

 

[Cityofgrit]

I want this thread to be a place where recovering addicts and alcoholics living this lifestyle can come and talk about anything that's challenging them or that they are struggling with. I believe that we can all understand each other better than the average person can and that we all have a unique perspective. We can relate to one another. I know I can definitely use something like this. And I love hearing from people who have fought the good fight.

 

[T&H]

I want this thread to be a place where recovering addicts and alcoholics living this lifestyle can come and talk about anything that's challenging them or that they are struggling with. I believe that we can all understand each other better than the average person can and that we all have a unique perspective. We can relate to one another. I know I can definitely use something like this. And I love hearing from people who have fought the good fight.

Awesome. I will say this...

I don't know how anyone with a pain pill history can take kratom. It's used by many but I know the minute I try it, it's over. I have a brother now hooked on it, he's going to lose his family over it.

 

[JP1979]

Congratulations brother!!

Thanks man.... Congrats to everyone in this thread