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Questions & Answers about Meth Addiction and Recovery

  • Mar
    21

    Difference between Addicts and Functional Users

    Question:
    Could you please tell me the difference between addicts and functional users? Do functional users neglect their children or other things that are important to them? Do all meth addicts suffer from open sores and do they all spend hours picking at them?

    Answer:
    Functional meth users are able to maintain their career and live their life as normal as possible. They are able to take care of themselves as well as their other obligations. Functional users are really only functional because they're able to use. If they didn't have their fix when they need it, they wouldn't be able to function. Most functional users over time if they don't stop, become full blown addicts.

    A meth addict is unable to maintain a normal life and holding down a job or managing a career is impossible. A meth addict shows physical signs of drug use also, they're high most of the time and if not high, they're tweaking. They look as though they haven't slept, eaten or taken care of themselves in days or weeks because they haven't. Meth Addicts have sores, scabs, rashes or blisters on their face and bodies from using meth and their teeth begin to rot and fall out.

    When a parent uses meth or any other drug they're neglecting their children and their parental obligations whether they're functional users or not. Remember what was said above, they're able to be functional users because they get their fix when needed. Once a person starts using meth they are never able to completely be their self. In many ways the child or children are neglected because their parent is unable to really be there. So the answer to your question regarding functional use and neglect of their children is yes.

    Meth addicts almost always develop sores or rashes and pick at them but not always to the same extent. The more chronic the use they worse they become. Chronic meth users can't help but compulsively pick and scratch because of the imaginary bugs they feel crawling on them most of the time. Many occasional meth users experience sores and rashes but they may not compulsively pick and scratch to the same degree.

2 Responses to Difference between Addicts and Functional Users

  • Alifelongbattler

    September 26th, 2013

    Sorry, but as much as your heart is in the right place with this answer, it's just not true. I hold down and excel at my role at work as a top-level programmer, while using IV meth at night occasionally, and smoking more often.

    While I'm working toward a complete stop again (had 7 years clean), I'm ensuring that I keep my priorities balanced. I eat regularly, take multiple showers, take vitamins, sleep at least every other day, and continually remind myself that work comes first.

    It's possible to be a functional addict and a professional success for years at a time.

    With that said, all it takes is one slip to slide down the mountain, so I can't afford not to quit again. I do take issue with the defeatist approach - I don't have to hit bottom again to quit, nor do I have to let go of who I've become because I relapsed. In jeopardy? Absolutely.

  • Cuquis

    August 11th, 2016

    I MYSELF HAVE BEEN USING FOR YEARS MY HUSBAND WAS EVEN A COUNSELOR AND LIKE THE LAST PERSON SAID YOUR HEART IS IN THE RIGHT PLACE I'M A SMOKER MY CHILDREN ARE VERY MUCH LOVED AND HAVE GROWN TO BE FINE YOUNG MEN. AND NO, I DON'T GET THE JIDDERS NOR PICK MY FACE.. I STOP OCCASIONALLY BECAUSE OF THE LAWS I DO NOT TRAVEL WITH IT. SO YES. ONE CAN LIVE NORMAL LIVES. EVERY PERSON IS DIFFERENT. DON'T JUDGE. THANK YOU

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