https://www.reddit.com/r/Buddhism/comments/1je2ecq/heavily_addicted_to_drugs_cant_get_out/
created by thewhipofacane on 18/03/2025 at 11:06 UTC*
20 upvotes, 19 top-level comments (showing 19)
I've been addicted to doing drugs (stimulant) for more than 2 years - I live in a country where drug is very easy to get. I'm almost 29, and always been a firm believer in Buddhism. I do not know what kind of Karma I have caused yet I cannot seems to keep myself away from abusing stimulants. I just absolutely love the thrills and pleasure of crossdressing and look completely like the different gender (I can look like a girl) under the influence of drugs - when i am sober i am not like this. I know very well (do I?) that this is the path of suffering yet I still keep doing it and at most I can go without is one month. My health and finance has deteriorated greatly and even then I still think everything is fine (I'm still a university student). I kept having the confidence that everything is fine even though I have been in a Christian detox clinic for a month in January. I try to practice Vipassana with questioning the nature of addiction and it is the only thing that SEEMS to help, but as soon as my life got a bit better I return to old habits. I really don't know what to do - I guess my ignorance is just too high for this delusion has truly warped around me. Is there a certain mantras or anything that I can do to break this (I'm starting to do Intermittent Fasting in the evening maybe too much eating causes unnecessary desires) ?
Thnk you
I think the situation is worst than in my mind but I can't seems to realize it - I use massive amount and my health goes down every time.
Comment by _LettersToElyse_ at 18/03/2025 at 11:13 UTC
51 upvotes, 0 direct replies
May I gently supply this....
In so, so, so many cases, substance abuse is rooted in unprocessed trauma. It's survival and a way to cope. We do the best we can.
I would like to suggest therapy....EMDR specifically has been incredibly helpful for me. Processing that trauma (if I may be so bold to presume) is the very first step.
Meditation is going to be instrumental in reconnecting with the most authentic version of yourself and from that point, spirituality has so much room to take root.
I wish you love and light.
Comment by k6aus at 18/03/2025 at 11:18 UTC
11 upvotes, 1 direct replies
Fighting addiction is very hard. So I will give you some advice. 1) do your best to move away from all triggers that lead to access to stimulants. Cut off friends that are bad influences. Change where you shop, even work place if you need to. 2) you need to fill the time where you would do stimulants with something else - it’s really important t you fill the void. A good option would be focusing on your Buddhist practice. Get involved with a good Sanga.
Comment by PeaceTrueHappiness at 18/03/2025 at 11:35 UTC
10 upvotes, 1 direct replies
This is not a Buddhist advice, but I would advise you to find an AA Big Book sponsor that can get you through the 12 steps quickly and efficiently. Within a few days up to a week or two.
While meditation alone in theory is the most useful tool to end any addiction, as an addict, we have so much shame, guilt, anger and fear accumulated that our minds are so shattered which makes progressing in meditation hard. The 12 steps, if done according to the Big Book, is a very efficient way to address the most overwhelming things in our life. If you live in any of the Nordic countries I could help you find someone who could guide you properly.
There are some things in AA that are not in line with reality, so try and not get hung up on those things. Don’t get attached to the philosophy, the meetings or anything else. It might be useful to be clean and live a good life, but nothing that compares to that which meditation practice is able to provide.
Once you’ve addresses the coarse things through the Big Book I would recommend doing a meditation retreat. In the meantime it would be useful to start practicing meditation. You can find basic instructions in the tradition I follow below, if you are interested:
https://m.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL603BD0B03E12F5A1
Comment by JaeCrowe at 18/03/2025 at 12:34 UTC
6 upvotes, 0 direct replies
I was addicted to heroin. I am now a decade clean. You need to figure out where this addiction is coming from. We all have parts of our lives we need to process. It sounds like you need to take control of those parts and fully face them
Comment by Captainbuttram at 18/03/2025 at 15:18 UTC
5 upvotes, 0 direct replies
Check out of there’s a dharma recovery group near you. Also they do zoom
Comment by Mysticalove at 18/03/2025 at 12:44 UTC
5 upvotes, 0 direct replies
I hear psychedelics (magic mushrooms) in a safe nature-setting has not only helped people heal but also helped them cure depression (according to research).
Comment by Ok_Watercress_4596 at 18/03/2025 at 13:44 UTC
3 upvotes, 1 direct replies
I have a similar background of wanting to CD and smoke meth and I kind of did.
You already know the problem it seems. The problem is that you want pleasure and thrill, because it's not pleasurable and thrilling as it is. You are in pain and you are acting out of pain.
https://youtu.be/qtyfhvGb5gw?si=9dkYXBiDXwp3ykb4[1][2]
https://youtu.be/fpNcbMzlb0c?si=vy%5C_2wjnSx6Y2KKP0[3][4]
1: https://youtu.be/qtyfhvGb5gw?si=9dkYXBiDXwp3ykb4
2: https://youtu.be/qtyfhvGb5gw?si=9dkYXBiDXwp3ykb4
3: https://youtu.be/fpNcbMzlb0c?si=vy%5C_2wjnSx6Y2KKP0
4: https://youtu.be/fpNcbMzlb0c?si=vy_2wjnSx6Y2KKP0
Just listening to this channel hours a day fixed it for me, all you have to do is listen and try to hear what he's saying. Very simple
I am clean for almost a year now, so give it a try even if you still do drugs, watch the videos. Read some suttas
Less than a year ago I was full on addict doing every drug possible and smoking, now I don't and don't even imagine a relapse it's not going to happen. <-- that's proof you can do it as well
Comment by Bidad1970 at 18/03/2025 at 14:36 UTC
2 upvotes, 0 direct replies
Go to detox and Rehab.
Comment by notyoungnotold99 at 18/03/2025 at 15:21 UTC
2 upvotes, 0 direct replies
The best drug session is the one that finally teaches you to stop taking drugs. That said you may find that wisdom without one last trip. Good luck.
Comment by Ok_Meaning544 at 18/03/2025 at 16:00 UTC
2 upvotes, 0 direct replies
As someone who has used many drugs in the past as is now mostly a sober practicing bhuddist, I will say this. Your use of drugs is offering you an escape. An escape from your life, things that may scare you, things that worry you, things you don't like about yourself. Until you can identify what it is you are escaping and come to terms with it, it will be hard to quit without help. And even if you do, if you do not deal with these issues it will likely come back.
Sounds like you want to live life as a woman but you have not accepted yourself, nor have the people around you accepted it. Your christian environment is likely telling you everything you are doing is a sin. So you will not admit the truth to yourself. And you use drugs as a guise/excuse to do what you want in the moment without repurcusions and then blame it on the drug.
Nothing wrong with wanting to dress and live life as a woman. Since there have been humans there have been people like this in every culture.
Comment by oplast at 18/03/2025 at 12:05 UTC
1 upvotes, 0 direct replies
Your struggle sounds incredibly tough, and it’s clear you’re caught in a cycle that��s hard to break. Addiction can twist your perception, making it feel like everything’s fine even when it’s not. Vipassana helping a bit is a good sign; it’s something to lean into. Keep questioning the addiction like you’re doing, maybe pair it with consistent meditation to build clarity. Intermittent fasting might help with discipline, but it won’t tackle the root craving. Mantras could work for focus, something simple like "I am enough" or a Buddhist one like "Om Mani Padme Hum" might ground you. You’ve already done a detox clinic, so you know you can take steps. Try finding a local support group or counselor who gets addiction; it’s easier with people who’ve been there. Your health and finances are waving red flags, so small, steady moves might pull you out before it gets worse.
Comment by Juiceshop at 18/03/2025 at 12:57 UTC
1 upvotes, 0 direct replies
1. The Trauma Therapy Response is great.
2. Find a Real Therapy
3. Open Awareness Meditation where you watch without judgement your surroundings as well as upcoming thoughts and emotions and let them go improves your -> general awareness
That makes you directly feel when you lose your balance and strengthens impulse control
4. Wisdom. You know what is wrong but in the moment when you want to do the drug and really do it you do 2 things.
(1)You overestimate the positive outcomes of your Action. In Sum total they make you worse. You must remember that and develop willpower and maybe sustain some pain to get through this and liberate you. (2) you push away your insight and that is the opposite of wisdom. You have to hold in to the insight into the negative outcomes if you want to liberate yourself from reproducing new bad body-mind formations (karma).
5. Trust/Faith
When you find evidence in science, reports of others and your own experience that you can overcome this with just doing what you know is right, then your faith grows. And faith destroys doubts. Without doubts you go forward in life.
It is in your hand.
Go THROUGH the suffering to come out somewhere else.
You are a great person. Do not cloud your own mind wilfully.
Comment by medalxx12 at 18/03/2025 at 13:47 UTC
1 upvotes, 0 direct replies
All i can share is my experience , and i wasn’t learning about buddhism at the time , however i was addicted to hard substances as well , and sober 7 years now due to joining a 12 step group and actually following through with sponsorship/ step work. Its worth looking into
Comment by Suitable-Guitar4347 at 18/03/2025 at 15:21 UTC
1 upvotes, 0 direct replies
I’m a recovering addict who engages in a soto-zen practice. EMDR has been such a huge part of my recovery and has brought me into my body in a way that has made my meditation practice possible.
I also (most importantly for my recovery) do the program of Alcoholics Anonymous, and I know there are a few chapters of AA meetings that are centered around Buddhist teachings- ultimately AA is ambiguous enough about a “higher power” that you can adapt to any religious beliefs easily (that was their intention). I can’t emphasize enough how much AA changed my life, and I have found it’s message to work very synergistically with a Buddhist teachings.
I have had the Kevin Griffith book “one breath at a time: Buddhism and the 12 steps” recommended to me continuously - although I haven’t read it personally.
You are not alone in this- there is help. If you want to chat on the phone/ or talk about this more privately feel free to DM me.
Comment by Pizza_YumYum at 18/03/2025 at 15:31 UTC
1 upvotes, 0 direct replies
I guess you are a fan of stimulants like coke, speed, meth or ecstasy. Whatever. Please keep one thing in mind: The effect of the substance you take is always temporary. Sometimes an hour. Sometimes 6. But it’s not stable. You need to do it permanently to stay on this level. It’s not natural.
Buddhism is also about finding your true nature. You know what i wanna say. Your true nature self doesn’t need a substance to feel well. It’s always stable and it’s always there.
Comment by Cave-Bunny at 18/03/2025 at 16:31 UTC
1 upvotes, 0 direct replies
You could try GLP-1 pharmaceuticals, they’ve been shown to help people with food addiction, it could maybe help with other addictions
Comment by successful_logon at 18/03/2025 at 16:44 UTC
1 upvotes, 0 direct replies
You probably need help beyond what Buddhism can offer. If you want to stop using check out resources that address your issue. This has nothing to do with karma and everything to do with being afflicted with a disease.
Comment by Play2enlight at 18/03/2025 at 18:19 UTC
1 upvotes, 0 direct replies
Hang in there buddy! Addiction is difficult but possible to overcome. Check out these modern recovery crotches: iboga, oxytocin and GLP-1s. I believe on some level iboga works as paying back karmic debts, when the timing is appropriate the candidate for it emerges, the experience is pretty tough but you will get a 4-6 months relief from addictive behavior during which you have a much higher chances of building new neuropathways/habbits. GLP-1s will give your willpower some extra boost. Good luck.
Comment by moeru_gumi at 18/03/2025 at 15:42 UTC
1 upvotes, 1 direct replies
There is nothing wrong with being a woman. Perhaps your mind is reaching toward that when you’re high because you are afraid to calmly approach that idea when youre sober, because of your culture and fear.