Society & Culture Your experiences with ice...

[dave123]

Ouch, sorry to hear that. I had a prolapsed disc removed a coupla years ago. Pain free thanks to morphine.

Man, I can see how people get addicted to that shit!

I tried endone which is morphine based ....didn't agree with and didn't really target the pain

I'm on three meds

One for pain, one for the nerve and one anti siesure med to stop the nerve spasms (lol I felt like a client yesterday as my moods swung about) ....I'm normally quite opposed to meds personally for me and I don't even drink alcohol, so my head was spinning yesterday but I managed ok

It's the second time but surgery not on the table (yet) acupuncture and physio work (stability for the shoulder as the shoulder is trying to protect it)

Yeah on funding .....you develope a program ..clients attend (it's evidence based) it runs well then the govt says sorry we can't refund it ....

Anyways......hey I saw an article how the wa govt wants to make meth clients attend rehab by forcing them to go

They say it's working in nsw where clients have been told they must go ...?What's your thoughts and feelings on this?

Hey it might work while they are in rehab but they will lapse and relapse when they get out ..It then begs the question: is that a prison

Hey it might work also ...we are dealing with a radical drug in gems of effect ...and conservative nodding dog counsellors will not work with meth users

 

[Nothing]

Have a few mates who used to smoke it heavily, funnily enough I don't know anyone who's used it casually, unless you include speed which likely has meth in it

I reckon across the years I have met hundreds of people who use it casually, you're probably the same. The thing about casual users, is that you probably wouldn't even know they were using.

 

[Gough]

At least medical weed is now available in NSW, baby steps Australia.

 

[edgie]

Alright, I'm going to backtrack a bit. Describing everyone who does illicit drugs as mentally weak and a blight on society was wrong. I'm sorry if I offended anyone.
...

**** em, I agree 100%. I know enough people that have been through horrible shit and not ever touched an illicit drug OR developed an addiction to legal substances as well. I didn't have it rosey myself but sure have a better handle of things than some other people I know of who had it more comfortable.

Weak and addictive personalities come from all walks.

 

[edgie]

Yeah it is an issue ...often they get bullied by society or have issues undneathn

I recently attended LGBTIQ training and its a shortcut for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex and queer

To make service more friendly and helpful to those clients ...there's certain things that needed to be done

I have two clients who are changing sex and it's complexities are challenging. But oddly I embrace the challenge of these clients...call me crazy but I love getting the really tough clients as they teach you stuff now lecturer at uni can

I had two students finish their degrees by doing a placement with us. After one road trip and three home vists the student was in shock.....she had no idea what it's like ....she is ok now and wants to continue but man it's a eye opener.

Everyone is different ....but we must treat everyone the same ...respect ...listen and help and don't judge

What the **** even? Are you giving a bloke whose dominant male figure in his life growing up was a homosexual man who had to live through everything that involves in an isolated country town a lesson about how to have appropriate attitudes toward LGBTI and how to tip toe around?

 

[CLUBMEDhurst]

**** em, I agree 100%. I know enough people that have been through horrible shit and not ever touched an illicit drug OR developed an addiction to legal substances as well. I didn't have it rosey myself but sure have a better handle of things than some other people I know of who had it more comfortable.

Weak and addictive personalities come from all walks.

No such thing as either. P'raps you could tell us a li'l about narcissistic and antisocial personalties. I'm sure you're familiar with them, eh

 

[Gigantic]

Could this be a function of cost and accessibility?

I think both play a big part, but I think your typical casual recreational drug user is smart enough to realise that they are not invincible and that most drugs do have side effects and whatnot, and maybe they only know that due to the negative stigma of drug use. They do the research or inquire about recommended dosages or take it in a somewhat controlled environment. Well at least that's my opinion and observations from being around other casual recreational drug users.

 

[Morganashlee]

I have debated whether I should share my experience but I think it is worthwhile.

I'm the opposite of what you would think of the stereotypical addict. I have always worked, always been social and never been in any trouble with the law. But I have a problem with addiction. I am an addict.

Over the past year I was a very casual user who had full control of the situation. Right up until the point in which I didn't. I had used with my friends very rarely and never had an issue. When my drug use started to increase, I justified it. I was maintaining a full time job, a relationship and all of my friendships - how could I possibly have a problem? I convinced myself it was helping me with work, shift work takes it toll and being unable to sleep before a morning shift left me lethargic and nauseous. A bit of a pick me up and I was awake and alive, able to keep going rather than sleeping for an hour and feeling sick. As others have stated, the high wasn't the issue but the come down was a bitch, so maintaining the high was key to staying on top of things at work and in life. All of this at the detriment of my ability to sleep.

My wake up call came on Sunday, March 20 2016.

According to my colleagues who reported the issue I had been sleeping at my desk. When I realised I was struggling to stay awake I tried to cover it by talking and laughing too loudly, to show I was actually awake. I was coming down and in a bad way. A few hours later in came the drug tester and naturally, I failed. This lead to me being stood down pending an investigation. At the time, I wasn't too worried as a bit of time off to get my shit together would do me good. I thought they would give me a stern warning, test me again in a week or so and send me back to work. How wrong I was.

I spent the next three months off work (mostly unpaid), completely ostracised by the people I had spent 8 years working with. Nobody called to see how I was, or why I hadn't been at work. I had been shunned by those who I spent more time with than my own friends and family. I think that is what hurt the most. Due to the shame I felt at getting myself into such a mess I kept quiet about my situation and didn't tell any of my family. I spent 3 months pretending to go to work as usual, just to avoid the humiliation that would come from disappointing my mother. It wasn't too hard considering I live alone but to throw a spanner in the works, my brother moved in for 8 weeks which meant far too many nights spent relying on my boyfriend to have me at his house just to keep up the appearance that I was going to work.

Reality set in after a month that losing my job was a real possibility. After 8 years in the same role, I had become disillusioned and lost all motivation but as the saying goes, "You don't know what you've got til it's gone". I was broke, depressed and ashamed. Every bit of structure had been removed from my life and I was free to do whatever I pleased. Had I not been so embarrassed by the person I had become and the choices I had made, this may have been the point in which my life spiralled out of control. But I stopped. With the help and support of my boyfriend and my best friend I set out to get my life back on track. I genuinely believe that these two people saved my life as without them I could not and would not have been able to make it through.

I became determined to keep my job, to get back to work and start to rebuild the relationships that my drug use had negatively affected. I wanted to earn back the trust and respect of those I had let down. I began seeing a psychologist who specialises in addictions which is handy as drug use has not been my only vice. My regular visits with him gave my employer the confidence that I could return to work. I still see him fortnightly and find the time with him to be incredibly helpful. We go through techniques relating to mindfulness and I have taken a lot from what he has taught me.

On Monday, 27 June I made my return to work. I passed the initial test and each one subsequent to that. I have had weak moments but overall have been strong when those feelings have surfaced. I can't see myself ever going back but I am aware of the triggers and the weakness I have, so know what to look out for and how to cope when I feel like I want to give in.

My experience may not be as full on as others but it changed my life. I don't blame my childhood or my experiences in life for what I did. Simply put, I made bad choices. I may have been weak to have tried it, I may have been weak to have caused my own downfall but to get to where I am now is no act of weakness.

 

[CLUBMEDhurst]

I have debated whether I should share my experience but I think it is worthwhile.

I'm the opposite of what you would think of the stereotypical addict. I have always worked, always been social and never been in any trouble with the law. But I have a problem with addiction. I am an addict.

Over the past year I was a very casual user who had full control of the situation. Right up until the point in which I didn't. I had used with my friends very rarely and never had an issue. When my drug use started to increase, I justified it. I was maintaining a full time job, a relationship and all of my friendships - how could I possibly have a problem? I convinced myself it was helping me with work, shift work takes it toll and being unable to sleep before a morning shift left me lethargic and nauseous. A bit of a pick me up and I was awake and alive, able to keep going rather than sleeping for an hour and feeling sick. As others have stated, the high wasn't the issue but the come down was a bitch, so maintaining the high was key to staying on top of things at work and in life. All of this at the detriment of my ability to sleep.

My wake up call came on Sunday, March 20 2016.

According to my colleagues who reported the issue I had been sleeping at my desk. When I realised I was struggling to stay awake I tried to cover it by talking and laughing too loudly, to show I was actually awake. I was coming down and in a bad way. A few hours later in came the drug tester and naturally, I failed. This lead to me being stood down pending an investigation. At the time, I wasn't too worried as a bit of time off to get my shit together would do me good. I thought they would give me a stern warning, test me again in a week or so and send me back to work. How wrong I was.

I spent the next three months off work (mostly unpaid), completely ostracised by the people I had spent 8 years working with. Nobody called to see how I was, or why I hadn't been at work. I had been shunned by those who I spent more time with than my own friends and family. I think that is what hurt the most. Due to the shame I felt at getting myself into such a mess I kept quiet about my situation and didn't tell any of my family. I spent 3 months pretending to go to work as usual, just to avoid the humiliation that would come from disappointing my mother. It wasn't too hard considering I live alone but to throw a spanner in the works, my brother moved in for 8 weeks which meant far too many nights spent relying on my boyfriend to have me at his house just to keep up the appearance that I was going to work.

Reality set in after a month that losing my job was a real possibility. After 8 years in the same role, I had become disillusioned and lost all motivation but as the saying goes, "You don't know what you've got til it's gone". I was broke, depressed and ashamed. Every bit of structure had been removed from my life and I was free to do whatever I pleased. Had I not been so embarrassed by the person I had become and the choices I had made, this may have been the point in which my life spiralled out of control. But I stopped. With the help and support of my boyfriend and my best friend I set out to get my life back on track. I genuinely believe that these two people saved my life as without them I could not and would not have been able to make it through.

I became determined to keep my job, to get back to work and start to rebuild the relationships that my drug use had negatively affected. I wanted to earn back the trust and respect of those I had let down. I began seeing a psychologist who specialises in addictions which is handy as drug use has not been my only vice. My regular visits with him gave my employer the confidence that I could return to work. I still see him fortnightly and find the time with him to be incredibly helpful. We go through techniques relating to mindfulness and I have taken a lot from what he has taught me.

On Monday, 27 June I made my return to work. I passed the initial test and each one subsequent to that. I have had weak moments but overall have been strong when those feelings have surfaced. I can't see myself ever going back but I am aware of the triggers and the weakness I have, so know what to look out for and how to cope when I feel like I want to give in.

My experience may not be as full on as others but it changed my life. I don't blame my childhood or my experiences in life for what I did. Simply put, I made bad choices. I may have been weak to have tried it, I may have been weak to have caused my own downfall but to get to where I am now is no act of weakness.

Powerful stuff sister. As I was reading, and reaching the part where you were off work, I'll admit i was thinking, "oh no". Great to see you used that time constructively, as that coulda led to a worsening spiral. Congrats to you

 

[Morganashlee]

Powerful stuff sister. As I was reading, and reaching the part where you were off work, I'll admit i was thinking, "oh no". Great to see you used that time constructively, as that coulda led to a worsening spiral. Congrats to you

I kept thinking during that time off that this was not a good thing for someone with a drug problem. I want to work with my employer to try and change the way they handle these situations. I'd say the success rate of people returning to work would be very minimal under the current process.

 

[CLUBMEDhurst]

I kept thinking during that time off that this was not a good thing for someone with a drug problem. I want to work with my employer to try and change the way they handle these situations. I'd say the success rate of people returning to work would be very minimal under the current process.

Certainly appears to be culture of punishment as opposed to support

 

[Morganashlee]

Certainly appears to be culture of punishment as opposed to support

I think it's something that really needs to be addressed, perhaps when I have re-established myself and the dust has settled then I will see what we can do to improve it.

 

[CLUBMEDhurst]

I think it's something that really needs to be addressed, perhaps when I have re-established myself and the dust has settled then I will see what we can do to improve it.

Particularly if they do use drug tests, they should at least have a duty of care to provide or refer to specialist support. Do you have an EAP programme?

Good luck in instigating some change

 

[Bomberboyokay]

Particularly if they do use drug tests

Found that peculiar for an office job.

 

[Morganashlee]

Particularly if they do use drug tests, they should at least have a duty of care to provide or refer to specialist support. Do you have an EAP programme?

Good luck in instigating some change

There is an EAP available and they did provide those details to me throughout the process. I probably should have sought that assistance but at the time was hesitant to discuss my situation with anyone, really. I regret that now

 

[Morganashlee]

Found that peculiar for an office job.

My role is deemed safety sensitive so drug and alcohol testing can occur at any time.

 

[hufus]

Thanks Morgs. Sounds like you're on the right track. Also you really do need to come round for a cuppa soon. And good work NL.

 

[Morganashlee]

Thanks Morgs. Sounds like you're on the right track. Also you really do need to come round for a cuppa soon. And good work NL.

He's a beautiful man and I'm lucky to have him. We have to catch up again soon x

 

[NorthernLights]

And good work NL.

It was all her.

I very rarely get serious on here but the way Morgs has carried herself through the whole ordeal has been incredible. It took an amazing amount of mental strength to overcome the things she has, which she's too modest to admit. She should be very proud.

 

[dave123]

What the **** even? Are you giving a bloke whose dominant male figure in his life growing up was a homosexual man who had to live through everything that involves in an isolated country town a lesson about how to have appropriate attitudes toward LGBTI and how to tip toe around?

Not sure what your saying ...the training was around language and terminology. Even simple things for most like is client or female ...we've changed some things. Our forms now list other and unsure as options ...it's giving respect and recognition to those that are different

No it's not tip toeing about

We also learn about the surgery options and hormone treatments they go through ...it helps gain a clearer picture of their life and the challenges it presents. Drug use and mental health issues are high amongst this group of clients so it's good to be aware and be giving the right information to the client group

People aren't robots and there are compliexies that are unique to differmet cultural groups and you need to know what the latest best practices are for each group.

 

[Morganashlee]

It was all her.

I very rarely get serious on here but the way Morgs has carried herself through the whole ordeal has been incredible. It took an amazing amount of mental strength to overcome the things she has, which she's too modest to admit. She should be very proud.

 

[dave123]

I lived on residence at uni for just two years and I've witnessed countless incidents where people have got themselves into trouble whilst drinking. I've helped carry girls back from bars because they'd drank until they were unconscious, I've seen people drink until they've spewed blood, I've had to scoop vomit out of a friends mouth when he spewed in his sleep and I've witnessed so many people get hospitalised due to injuries they've acquired when drinking. At the end of the day though the drug wasn't the problem here, the people using irresponsibly and not knowing their limits was the issue.

You can't form opinions on these things just off the horror stories of others. In my experience recreational drug users treat their substance of choice with much more respect than the average drinker does and thus are more likely to use responsibly. If a person uses safely and responsibly whilst not bothering anyone else then I don't see what right anyone has to judge them. For example last night I had a joint and then just got settled on the couch with a good book for a couple of hours before bed, what's so harmful or irresponsible about that?

No one is saying you have no right to personally not like drugs but looking down on those who choose to do so when you've got no experience or understanding of the behaviour you're judging others for (besides when you do the exact same thing "legally") is just a really dick move.

And that's one of the reasons why I argue we need de-criminalise drugs because the majority of drug use by people is done in non harmful way.

You're right ...users will often ask questions about safe use yet I've never met anyone who says hey I'll use my alcohol more safely

Really god point ...if alcohol had been Invented last week it wouldn't be legal ......it's generally the most damaging substance in terms of deaths, violence and accidents

The afl (hey it's big footy) is so darn hypocritical in its stance with alcohol and gambling

Yet they jump up n down over a player doing one line of Coke ........

 

[Gigantic]

And that's one of the reasons why I argue we need de-criminalise drugs because the majority of drug use by people is done in non harmful way.

You're right ...users will often ask questions about safe use yet I've never met anyone who says hey I'll use my alcohol more safely

Really god point ...if alcohol had been Invented last week it wouldn't be legal ......it's generally the most damaging substance in terms of deaths, violence and accidents

The afl (hey it's big footy) is so darn hypocritical in its stance with alcohol and gambling

Yet they jump up n down over a player doing one line of Coke ........

It's ridiculous the amount of double standards surrounding drugs... like the UK administering trials for heroin assisted treatment similar to what Switzerland have been doing for years, yet they still have blanket prohibitions when it comes to illegal drugs with the whole classification system that puts drugs like cannabis as a class B drug under the Misuse of Drugs Act and is therefore deemed a criminal offence if possessed.

And now onto alcohol... Imagine how this scenario would be perceived: A girl goes into a club, goes to the bar and orders a bit of heroin and shoots it up right there. A girl doing 3 shots of vodka in row and then smashing a whole can of red bull down afterwards instead would attract cheers from around her at the bar. Not saying I want girls to go into clubs to shoot up heroin or anything but a bit more sense could be applied when looking at drugs.

 

[dave123]

It's ridiculous the amount of double standards surrounding drugs... like the UK administering trials for heroin assisted treatment similar to what Switzerland have been doing for years, yet they still have blanket prohibitions when it comes to illegal drugs with the whole classification system that puts drugs like cannabis as a class B drug under the Misuse of Drugs Act and is therefore deemed a criminal offence if possessed.

And now onto alcohol... Imagine how this scenario would be perceived: A girl goes into a club, goes to the bar and orders a bit of heroin and shoots it up right there. A girl doing 3 shots of vodka in row and then smashing a whole can of red bull down afterwards instead would attract cheers from around her at the bar. Not saying I want girls to go into clubs to shoot up heroin or anything but a bit more sense could be applied when looking at drugs.

Yup

However in wa we are soon to be trialling alcohol intervention sessions ....if your drunk in a public place and get given a move on notice or maybe commit a minor offence you maybe asked to attend a one off education session with us ...you either attend or you get charged with the offence you were originally committing ...95% of people turn up for these sessions.

If your offence involves violence it won't be offered ...you might be asked to attend an anti violence session by another agency ..targeted services for specific issues.

These early intervention strategies identify problematic behaviour by people

We find many of these people then self refer for further counselling once they've met us

These strategies are an exciting way forward ....less criminal charges, more education ...however if you repeat your behaviour again your not given another go...you will be sent to court

It's working so far for cannabis meth ecstasy and now alcohol. We don't need the criminalise people for this type of behaviours ...education is the way forward, early intervention. Not wait till people have problematic or chronic drug use or alcohol problems

 

[Carl Hooper]

I used to smoke it basically every weekend wit my friends from the ages of 20-22 or 23... We would smoke it from Thursday afternoon to Sunday and go into work absolutely butchered. We got it real real cheap and we didn't stop until it was gone and we would bicker over it all the time. Lost friendships, relationships, so much money but we all had teeth and good jobs lol.


ruddy messed with my mental, not sure if I'll ever be the same again. I had depression and anxiety before I smoked it and I think it made it worse..

But now I've cut those circle of friends off (they still smoke every weekend- from Thursday to Sunday and are all losing their minds) and I'm with a good gf and in a new state and city! Life is good, ice is bad.

Damn... My mates still the same, one has got complete psychosis.

Another one talks to himself as well, but he at least has a job - for now. Smh

I broke up wit my gf but I'm glad I wasn't weak and went back to those friends and smoked again.