Please help me find some alternative activities to drugs and booze - stuff to keep me diverted and entertained during the long nights of insomnia and loneliness I'm looking forward to over the next few months. I'm looking for both general and specific recommendations - books to read, films to watch, games to play, things to cook and activities outside the house I could get involved in. [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Aug 15, 2012 - 30 answers

Dealing with a friend who is in a bad place in her life - how can I handle this situation with grace and as few hurt feelings as possible? [more inside]
posted by sarahgrace on Aug 13, 2012 - 15 answers

A close friend recently revealed to me that she's been using heroin on occasion. She is unconcerned; I am freaking out. I need advice on how to handle this, or if I can. [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Jun 4, 2012 - 38 answers

Asking-for-a-friend filter: One of my closest friends recently began using pot. She told me that she liked it and plans to keep using it. I'm concerned because I dont want to see anything bad to happen to her. Should I be concerned? Can pot cause any serious problems, mentally or physically? Is there much of anything I can do at this point? We are still in high school too. Thanks for any advice you can give me. I really wish to help this friend. [more inside]
posted by Senza Volto on Dec 26, 2011 - 61 answers

How can I talk to my relative about his marijuana problem? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Nov 28, 2011 - 30 answers

Help me find a good US-based alcohol and/or drug treatment charity that's not affiliated with any religion. [more inside]
posted by Thin Lizzy on Nov 20, 2011 - 4 answers

A is not a heavy user, but not a once-in-a-blue-mooner either. And its not just pot. Its been going on for a long time and its starting to take its toll. I'm not sure if I can help her, or how. [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Jun 2, 2011 - 24 answers

A friend and a heroin addiction - What should we do? What is likely to happen? [more inside]
posted by Frowner on May 20, 2011 - 31 answers

My brother in law is stealing prescription pain meds. Do we confront him or just sit on the information? [more inside]
posted by murrey on Nov 26, 2010 - 47 answers

Ex-Junkies of Metafilter: Help me join your ranks. Please tell me how you learned to live without it after it got a hold of you. [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Nov 10, 2010 - 26 answers

How do I enjoy drinking less more? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Jun 15, 2010 - 28 answers

Looking for a video showing various common drugs, their appearance, how they're taken and their effects. [more inside]
posted by Lorc on May 3, 2010 - 5 answers

I recently found out that a good friend of mine has been addicted to crystal meth for three years. I need help finding some resources for him. [more inside]
posted by Kimberly on Apr 21, 2010 - 3 answers

Was there a measured increase in drug addiction due to the hippie movement? What were the drug addiction rates like in the 1950's compared to the 60's and 70's. Are there any resources that have historical data on addiction rates and the particular substances popular at the time? [more inside]
posted by TheJoven on Oct 25, 2009 - 14 answers

As an addict, have you dealt with a hidden relapse? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Aug 6, 2009 - 16 answers

How do I help a friend in recovery from narcotics make it to two clean years? [more inside]
posted by rachaelfaith on Nov 25, 2008 - 9 answers

Any positive (or at least relatively benign) experiences with short-term usage of non-prescribed dex-amphetamine as a study aid and appetite suppressant? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Aug 28, 2008 - 15 answers

Looking for songs about overdosing on drugs and drug addiction. [more inside]
posted by lunit on May 13, 2008 - 80 answers

Hello MeFites, I'm trying to determine what drug(s) a member of my family is using. [more inside]
posted by Evan Gaffney on Feb 19, 2008 - 15 answers

My niece's mom is an alcohol/drug addict. My niece has consistent contact with her mom over the phone. Did I do the right thing in letting her know about her mom's problem? If not, can I mitigate the damage I've done? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Jan 25, 2008 - 30 answers

Any recommendations for online communities for people recovering from substance abuse? While I am not anti-12 Step, I would like an alternative.
posted by chiefbroad on Nov 16, 2007 - 4 answers

I just watched an episode of Intervention where the woman was addicted to Vicodin. How does one go about ordering vicodin off of the internet without being arrested? [more inside]
posted by thebrokenmuse on May 9, 2007 - 29 answers

Friend in trouble: bipolar, taking Zoloft, smoking huge amount of marijuana which exacerbates his mania. He's acting crazy. I'm far away -- how can I help? Especially, how can I support his girlfriend, and convince him to accept treatment and quit the pot? Other advice about treatment for bipolar disorder? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Aug 28, 2006 - 12 answers

How do I go cold turkey? Several months ago I had an injury and was prescribed pain killers (synthetic opoid, medium dosage). The injury is mostly healed and although I still have some pain it's at a level I can probably live with until I'm fully healed. But now I find that I'm addicted to the pain medicine. When I stop taking it, within 24 hours I'm itching and twitching so much that I have to start taking it again. I've decided not to prolong the situation and pick a suitable time to just stop taking it. But I'm nervous about the process and the risks involved. How do I go about setting up a time and place to go through withdrawal? How long will it take, what will it be like? I want to handle it myself, with help from friends and family. I'm looking for pointers to websites, personal stories, anything that can help me prepare for going through this.
posted by anonymous on Jun 4, 2006 - 20 answers

My friend has gone from an occasional cocaine user to a regular (daily) user. As someone who has experimented with drugs, I never felt comfortable getting overly moralistic with her about her cocaine use, even though it always bothered me. But she's gotten to the point where she is snorting a few times an hour every night and almost all weekend. [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Feb 3, 2006 - 19 answers

Marijuana is said to have the potential for psychological addiction. I just started using it, and I'm hyper-paranoid about such things (even when not high!), so I'm wondering about this. Has anyone here struggled with this? How do you tell the difference between "psychological addiction", and just wanting to do something fun, because it's fun? Is psychological addiction a bunch of anti-drug scaremongering? How do you tell if you're starting to become addicted?
posted by anonymous on Apr 23, 2005 - 39 answers

I think one of my close friends has developed a serious drug addiction. They used to be an active, hard-working, happy person, but in the last couple of months they are reluctant to socialize, ended all outside commitments, are barely sleeping, have seriously neglected their hygiene, and I just found out they have stolen thousands of dollars from their work, at which they are well paid, in the last month. I thought it was 'just' depression, but the money seems to point to something worse and there is a history of casually using hard drugs. They don't seem to want help, so will it do any good if I try? Does anyone have any experience with interventions, or is that just something people do on television?
posted by anonymous on Nov 17, 2004 - 12 answers

A coworker was recently fired. After he left, under his desk was found a used syringe and a pipe (crack? meth?), both obviously used. What, if anything, can be done to help? [more inside]
posted by papercake on Jul 28, 2004 - 12 answers