Running gear and being a recovering addict?

[rambleon]

I'm a recovering addict with just over 7 years clean. Like jjas i was the real deal. Funnily enough i was into speedballs as well when i could get the dinero straight heroin when i couldn't. I find that the needlework involved in juicing is very dissimilar to mainlining. Personally i have no problem with it in so far as it doesn't trigger me. I do feel however that a solid foundation should be in place before taking the leap. I was clean and working out some 3 years before juicing. If u want to do this it should be thought out carefully in advance. Get ur sponsor or a trusted friend in on ur plans and let them help u with reality checks when u start out.

 

[life_is_good]

my sponsor is an old na nazi, been clean for 20 years type dude. my foundation is pretty wide, like i said, im 26 with 6.5 years clean, been asked to lead work shops for youth in recovery at various conventions across the country, sponsored many men, younger and older, think its about time for some fun.

 

[mr.nitro]

I have never done a rec. drug and have only had a sip of beer, and that was like 20 years ago. im as clean as they come. but i do cycle. their is a big difference. im not trying to get high or feel good, im just trying to improve my body. if their is an addiction, its only that im addicted to looking better. if I didn't care I would drop the gear in a heartbeat and never think twice about it.

 

[bblazer]

I am a certified CADC. Here's my opinion on the subject.

Running gear for an addict is a very slippery slope. Often times it involves a lot of the same behavior that was associated with active addiction (having to find and buy illegal substances, or the ritualization of getting set up to shoot for example).

There is also a psychological problem. Lets say you have a very successful cycle. There is a strong chance that your mind will begin to say that you handled a situation that was wrought with danger and you cam out the other side just fine. You might begin to ask yourself if you really are an addict. This is VERY dangerous territory.

Lets not forget that addicts do everything in extreme. If one is good, two must be better right? Carry that on to say "If 400mg test/week is good, maybe another 250 is gonna be great?!"

Finally, what scares me the most here is that the OP admits to trying to rationalize or come up with ways that running gear is OK. That is exactly the same thinking that is used when using. IT DOESN'T WORK! If you have to sit and try and figure out why something is OK or right, then that should be an immediate sign that something is really wrong.

I'll get off my soapbox now.

B-

 

[daville]

this is right up my alley. im a recovering heroin addict/ alcoholic. i been sober for 4yrs and 9mths now. i also work in the medical field and starting iv's was a tough one for me. i was exposed to IV access for 2 yrs and needles are no big deal anymore. if i was to jump right into a cycle without that exposure being sober, then i might have got freaked out doing my cycle. I am also open with my sponsor about everything. I attend meetings on a regular basis and i also sponsor people. I dont feel in any way that steroids are a mind altering substance so i dont consider it a relapse. its like caffeine and we pound coffee in meetings. stay close to meetings and always remember that drugs/alcohol are just a symptom of our problem. The "GREAT I" is the problem.

 

[jackwagner]

I am a certified CADC. Here's my opinion on the subject.

Running gear for an addict is a very slippery slope. Often times it involves a lot of the same behavior that was associated with active addiction (having to find and buy illegal substances, or the ritualization of getting set up to shoot for example).

There is also a psychological problem. Lets say you have a very successful cycle. There is a strong chance that your mind will begin to say that you handled a situation that was wrought with danger and you cam out the other side just fine. You might begin to ask yourself if you really are an addict. This is VERY dangerous territory.

Lets not forget that addicts do everything in extreme. If one is good, two must be better right? Carry that on to say "If 400mg test/week is good, maybe another 250 is gonna be great?!"

Finally, what scares me the most here is that the OP admits to trying to rationalize or come up with ways that running gear is OK. That is exactly the same thinking that is used when using. IT DOESN'T WORK! If you have to sit and try and figure out why something is OK or right, then that should be an immediate sign that something is really wrong.

I'll get off my soapbox now.

B-

very good info

 

[squatmonkey]

Alot of good advice in here. I would just like to say your not alone, I was addicted to pain meds for about 5 years and I will always be an addict. But steroids are different to me. I follow strict planned-out cycles that are not self destructive but totally improve alot of areas of my life. Its all about disciplen ( did I misspell that )

 

[mojeas95]

never used needle for dope, just ate pills a lot, snorted what ever, smoked what cant be ate or smelled. thats what i call it.

same here, and im ok!

 

[life_is_good]

thanks guys, think im gonna do it. to say i was looking for justification was a little off. i wanted to hear from people in recovery and their thoughts on how this is not considered a relapse. i have talked to a few people in recovery and i get different opinions, kinda like here. i will be in check with this and if at anytime i start to act out in old behavior, its off. my life is beautiful and only want to make it better. thanks for everything.

 

[Beachboy6294]

Good luck bro and keep us updated!! Stay Strong!!!