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Addiction to Drugs/no longer using heroin but still get taste and smell of it

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Expert: Caroline West - 4/28/2009


Question
hi,
not used heroin in nearly a year. used to smoke and iv. whats happening is i get a sudden taste of heroin in my mouth, like i'm smoking it, after a few seconds it goes away. its been driving me mad because i'm not using, it can happen anywhere, i dont sit with anyone that uses, not used in my house, not been anywhere near it! but keep getting a taste or smell of it.
any answers?


Answer
Hi MM, huge apologies for the reply delay, sometimes it gets a little tuff even for me!

What you are experiencing is what I get but for Crack and its exactly the same. I can be walking down the street,sitting around someones house etc..and I will,just like you,out of the blue have a sudden whiff of it and taste but it too only lasts a couple of seconds but enough to kind of catapult you back to being still on it. I've been off Crack almost 4 years and it still happens to me. The only explanation I can think of is that because taking drugs was over such a long period of time in our lives that there is still a memory of it recorded in our brains. Its like at times,which we all have had,where we will get a moment of a particular smell that reminds us of something that happened years ago or someone-like a whiff of lavender which your Nan may have used and you get almost like a flashback where for that moment all the feelings,come flooding back and your back there. Its a phenomenon and I don't know who would fully understand it but it puzzles me too.

The main thing is that you are off Heroin like me off the Crack and because of the powerful nature of these substances they have left a mark on us. Again its the pull of the drugs after all they are pretty intense and took chunks out of our lives. So maybe its no wonder you,me and others will have these moments. Don't worry too much about it,theres no need.

I don't have all the answers but I hope some of the above has helped a bit. Your doing great,keep on the right road and I wish you all the success in remaining clean. If you want to ask anything else then feel free to write in again. Take care, Caroline

Addiction to Drugs

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Caroline West

Expertise

My expertise in this area is in illicit/street drugs as well as some over the counter and prescription drugs/meds. I can answer questions about most illicit drugs and prescription drugs. I can offer advice on Opiate maintenance drugs like Methadone, Subutex and Suboxone,and the process of going through a Detox and/or Rehab. I understand the problems Drug use can cause regarding convictions and debt problems. There is a difference between recreational drug use and drug addiction and can answer questions on both. Relationship advice if you or your partner is using and can offer help there too. Drug addiction is no joke and it can shatter the lives of the family as well as the user so I can also offer help and advice to friends and family. Drug dependency creates a great deal of issues both mentally and physically and left untreated can lead to poor Mental Health, Psychological and Physical harm and worse. Life can become unmanageable in many ways including work and schooling alongside breakdowns in relationships,risk of convictions and a reduction in personal care. I can offer advice and support in all these areas having been in them and now out of them.

Experience

I have had multiple drug addictions in the past that have included Cannabis,Heroin,Crack,Benzo's,Codeine and over the counter tablets as well as prescription medicines and taken near enough everything. It caused a great deal of problems in my family and I also had suffered breakdowns,Hospitalizations,suicide attempts,convictions the lot. I had been in a 7 year drug using relationship which was tough. I've come out the other end now and haven't used illicit drugs for 5 years. I really do understand what it is like for the user and those around them.

Organizations
I am in 4 other categories here at All Experts: Abusive Relationships; Borderline Personality Disorder or BPD and Dialectical Behaviour Therapy or DBT which can simultaneously help those with BPD and with Drug/Alcohol Problems; and Teenage Problems. I also belong to Care2.com which helps various causes all over the world.

Education/Credentials
I have schooling up to A-Level standard,College Diplomas and what I offer here is valuable 'life experience'.

Past/Present Clients
I have done this voluntary job here at All Experts for about 3 years now.

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