Expert: Caroline West - 5/21/2009

Question
Hi, I'm currently 18 years old. I've used heroin off and on since I was 13, first for two years almost every day, then I quit for three and recently (Jan-Mar 09) used again. Its been two months since I quit and I've been having dreams about using heroin. The thing is, I actually feel high when I use it in the dream and then I wake up and I'm not high and I get angry and spend all day craving. Its this a normal occurrence? Do you have any tactics for dealing with it?

Answer
Hi Sarah luv,(sorry for the lateness getting back to you)

I will tell you that it has been around 2 years maybe more I don't remember when I quit Heroin and you know what-I still get dreams about it! In my dreams in the beginning I never got high and I got frustrated but the last couple of months I have had a few dreams when I did get high and actually felt it in my dream and like I said I'm 2 years or so down the line.

It is perfectly normal. What it is,is the realization of how flipping strong the pull of the drug is and your body and mind remembers how good it felt when you got stoned (we both know that H is nice so we don't need to pretend its not) Its like your body fighting with itself. Your body still craves it and part of you feels a little incomplete without it because you have had a taste of it. (there is a whole science behind it and its quite complex-its not as black and white as some people think it is-theres a whole heap of brain chemicals,physiological shifts in the body etc..going on so its not that simple).

The main thing is for you to realize all this, and keep telling yourself 'no' every time you get a craving. It is powerful and its trying to reel you back in.I fully understand the cravings and don't be too hard on yourself because its early days again and the cravings will get less once more like it did the first time you quit so hang on to that. Also remember that each time you successfully quit,the stronger you get. It took me the best part of 2 years prior to quitting,once I made my mind up I wanted to stop,to get off it. I had lots of lapses until I stopped it so bare that in mind.

Relapses,lapses can happen regardless of how long you have been off it and the trick is to not get complacent,be aware of the power of the drug and be vigilant-keep an eye on yourself if that makes sense.

Your doing great-keep going-keep saying no-don't give into the cravings and it will get easier. I quit smoking cigarettes about 8 months ago and I still get cravings,less as times gone by, so its the same and what I do is weigh up the pros and the cons on a regular basis-this is the vigilant bit and not take it for granted. Its the same with every substance.I do the same when it comes to Crack and Heroin-weighing up the pros and the cons of staying stopped.

I hope I have helped. If you want to talk about it with me anymore then feel free to write in again. You are doing good. Take care, Caroline.