The surprising truth about heroin and addiction

[Chipper]

I just read this interesting article on controlled opiate users ...

http://www.reason.com/news/show/28809.html

[Duckfeet]

Yeah, I just read it too--I think I might have read it a few years ago, if it's the one that maybe Nick or somebody linked to once...and it's general thrust was positive, but I as usual, they kind of avoid the whole issue I struggle with: why is it anybody's business what I put in my body...and then when so called "professionals" start getting quoted, and questionable statistical "facts" are thrown it...like the Vietnam Vets who don't use it anymore...I've never seen a good study which followed up on admitted heroin addicts who had been addicted in Vietnam.

But, all in all, I guess it was a positive view, or at least a "liberal" one, but missed the boat, IMHO...

[digby]

Interesting article Chipper and closer to the truth than most all of the stuff I have seen written dealing with addiction. Although the picture that he painted might be just a bit rosier than actual reality, I certainly don't think it misses the boat at all. For most users of narcotics, the sinister addiction and self destruction picture has indeed been blown way out of proportion.

[aDoS]

pretty nice read, thanks for directing us to this article

[OrangeLude]

first time seeing/reading this article...yes a liberal look at life.

Looked at myself in similar way - used to be into needle habit and wore a suit & tie. big freaking deal - buying my valium & other comfort meds from the streets outside the Port Authority while shooting H in the bathroom of my office upstairs...

just never liked alcohol the way I loved drugs.

[aDoS]

just never liked alcohol the way I loved drugs.

alcohol has always felt sort of trashy to me for some reason, it always gives me really bad panic attacks the day after use too. Not much physical hangover though.

[odd]

I like reading articles like this so I can point some of my friends who don't believe that I maintain a habit without completely falling out. Quick background on me. I have been using since 2000 and since that time, have always kept a stead job (IT, 6 figure salary) I have never stolen, sold my shit or done anything shady to support my habit. I am never late to work, never been sick (flu sick) and have kept employment in my field after I started using daily.

It pisses me off to no end that people don't believe that you can be a functional productive member of society if you use dope. Sure some people fall off but others don't. Hell take this site for example. We all here have computers and obviously pay bills and rent. Plus we love to get high :p Hell I have a worse time with keeping booze at check than I do with dope.

I hope at some point our society will be able to de-program from the anti-drug messages we have been fed for so many years. Probably won't happen in my life time but it will come.

Sorry for the rant all. Good find on the article, enjoyed reading it.

[Deadfiend]

Damm, I just made thread, sorry about that I didn't even see this post, could one of the MOD get rid of it for me thanks.....:)

[OverDriven]

I like reading articles like this so I can point some of my friends who don't believe that I maintain a habit without completely falling out. Quick background on me. I have been using since 2000 and since that time, have always kept a stead job (IT, 6 figure salary) I have never stolen, sold my shit or done anything shady to support my habit. I am never late to work, never been sick (flu sick) and have kept employment in my field after I started using daily.

It pisses me off to no end that people don't believe that you can be a functional productive member of society if you use dope. Sure some people fall off but others don't. Hell take this site for example. We all here have computers and obviously pay bills and rent. Plus we love to get high :p Hell I have a worse time with keeping booze at check than I do with dope.

I hope at some point our society will be able to de-program from the anti-drug messages we have been fed for so many years. Probably won't happen in my life time but it will come.

Sorry for the rant all. Good find on the article, enjoyed reading it.

Basically the same story here. I run a successful business and have never had problems holding down a job. I make good money and live in a nice area of the city.

That said, I have also known many junkies. I have never known one in my life that had the same story as mine. At the best they have some place to live. At the worst, some of them have contracted aids and are homeless. I truly hope people don't read this article and feel encouraged to try opiates because not everyone fucks up their life with it. I feel very fortunate that I have been able to handle my addiction without having any repercussions in my life, but that does not seem to be the norm...not by a long shot. Also realize that if you get busted scoring dope just once, that 6 figure salary is going to be gone forever. Dope addiction puts you on a tight rope. Some have a better sense of balance than others, but one ripple on the rope and we could fall off just like the rest.