My man says that he only uses crack when he is around his hometown which isn't very often...When he is at his apt. he doesn't use at all...I used to live with a crack addict and know that even tho he was a functioning addict he still used a few times a week...I don't understand how my man can go for months and months without using and then go on a short binge while in his hometown...I don't know if he is just telling me that or what...Anyone with input please help!

Yes he can be a binger. I am not saying he is telling the truth but they do exist. There are crack abusers who continue to work, maintain relationships and somehow maintain there finances.

Good luck
ONE

Speaking for myself, I have spent a couple evenings doing it and never wanted it the next day, it was just for the party. And always felt like a jerk afterwards. talk about playin with fire!

I have really no facts to back what I say up, but in my own personal observation and experience, I don't think that there is such thing as an occasional drug abuser. It might take years, but one day, the drug user will cross over that line and become chronic.

I'm sure most people have someone who begs to differ and knows someone who appears to be "handling" it ok, I did for years and years held a job, etc and one day bam I lost everything and had to fight to get it all back. That's why it's such a progressive disease. Most people as long as they can still "control" their drug use will do so, thinking it's ok, that they are "different", not like "them" and one day, noone knows when, that best friend will turn on them, and drugs will become a living hell.
Unfortunately most addicts won't seek help until that happens and "IF" they are lucky and REALLY want recovery, then starts the huge process back to the land of the living.

I really hope somehow, some way you will be able to reach your loved one, before it's too late.
This is just my opinion, and truely have to stand by my no and say there is no such thing as a recreational drug abuser.

You are in my thoughts and thanks for posting such a good question.

I can tell you that my bosse's husband used it for five years from Friday when he got off of work till Monday when he went back to work, along with snorting cocaine and drinking alcohol. After five years to her knowledge, he has done niether, however, he now is into the Pain pills. So, it appears he went from one addiction to another. He works in construction and never misses work, nor does he ever want for money.

I do agree with Sunnie. I think sometimes people can party on the weekend with it and perhaps control it to the weekend for awhile anyway, but sooner or later, it will get caught up to them, or change into another addiction.

Yes it can be done. When i was in my experimental days i would binge, then go months at a time with nothing at all. It's up to me when and if i have it, i never craved for it.

Thanks everyone for their info...After dealing with my ex who did it frequently this is totally different...I don't know how to deal with it...He claims he doesn't need help...He works really hard, too hard sometimes, and I think he does that to not think about doing crack...I am not sure I want to deal with another addict...I went thru hell with my ex but my fiance does not steal from me, isn't abusive, and is very loving...I want to try and make it work!

The first and last time I ever did that junk, It was around 5 years ago, and my ex boyfriend got us some. We did it for 2 weeks strait, and then I broke up with him,cause I couldn't stand him. and I never touched it again after that. Not because of the money, and not because it wasn't any good. I did not crave it. I just don't prefer drugs personally. I hate the way they make me feel while on it and afterwards. If I want a buzz, I will go get some booze, but that has pretty much stopped too. I have been so messed up, so many times, that I love the feeling of being rested, and normal. Peace :)

Yes.. ther is such a thing as an occasional crack user.
There is no such thing as a crack addict being an occasional user, however.

Crack addiction is one of the ugliest. I have tried it a few times way back when, and i saw its potential hardcore addiction. My exhusband was the one who couldnt put it down... yeah he goes without ... even for years at a time but a run is a run is a run.
I would not be willing to find occasional use of such a horrid drug as acceptable .. but that's me.

I know...I am always gonna wonder if this is time for him to binge...I have been with him 2 yrs...8 months while in prison...And he has binged 3 times that I know of...Whewwwwwww alot to think about...Thanks for your replies!

Terrysgurl,

Go to www.crackreality.com (http://www.crackreality.com), read the Thoughts & Observations, and the Two Questions. Read all the posts in Discussion Forum 1 & 2. Lots of excellent info. My ex/bf/inmate is a Crack Addict. Yes, they can go for months at a time, then go out on a binge from hell. Remember, it is progressive.

I agree with 1dayatatime, some are bingers. But unless he can stop completely he will probably cross the line eventually and end up doing it more often. There are people that go a year or two or more just being a binger but unless they stop stop things will eventually get worse. Bingers are usually less worried about doing the drug because their whole life hasnt fallen apart because of drugs, but it will if they continue. His hometown is probably a big trigger for him. Something you should keep an eye out for is if he ever uses anywhere away from his 'hometown'. It will probably mean he is crossing that line. You ought to challenge him and ask him if he can ever go there without doing it. He will probably say yes but see if he can actually do it. It might be a reality check for him if he cant.

Yes, when I was coming out of my drug-induced teens, I went from daily partier to once evey several months.
That is one thing about cocaine is you can do it one night, go to bed, then wake up and go to work and be normal for a months until you get the urge again.

I think it has to do a lot with the individual: why they are doing anything in the first place. You read about genetic tendancies, chemical imbalances, mental health issues(self-medicating), and addictive personalities.

No one can say one way or another what is going on with an individual. Maybe your boyfriend has need to fit in in his hometown and feels like he has to do to fit in with the crowd.

Jason is a heroin addict and I know he is trying to kill so much pain, regret and self-loathing, but no one can help him but himself. It was the hardest thing I had to do but I had to throw him out. I can't have that in my house with my kids and if he wasn't going to help himself, I knew there was nothing else I could do.

It would be easier for me to list the stuff I haven't tried. But, I don't seem to have an addictive personality or anything that leads me to want to numb myself. I used to drink like a fish but quit when I was trying to get pregnant because I won't do that to my kids, and it has been 18 yrs. I won't allow alcohol in my house because I never wanted them raised like that. I tried meth once, about 20 years ago(it was crank then) and I'll never do that again. And I live in the middle of the meth capital of the US. I did acid a few times and the last time I did it, I ate some bad clams:) NEVER AGAIN!!!!! That was the worse 12 hours of my life! I've tried crack but it wasn't worth my money. Same with coke(did a lot of that, but not mine).

I find myself analyzing the financial aspects. Now I can buy pot and that will last me a month or two. I am recreational only. One in the morning with a pot of coffee and I am zooming around here. I like shrooms too. I like the natural stuff.

But since my finances generally suck most of the time, it is very rare that I do anything. My rent and bills and food and kids come first always.

I could always just walk away. I know a couple of crack addicts and their lives are horrible and I would never do that to my kids. They are my life.

Yes, definitely. My husband went on a 1-2 day binge once every 2-3 months for over two years. Once he found out he was going back to prison last spring (not directly related to drugs) he went off the deep though and life became a living hell. Then he used whenever he could (daily for the most part) and spent *unbelievable* amounts of money. But, I can tell you for a fact that he was able to limit his use to once every 2-3 months for over two years. I never even knew what crack was before that, but I learned fast.

I think for many people it is uncontrollable from the start though. There are exceptions of course and people who put work, family and living life before the drug *at least for a while*. Be careful though because once you see the frequency increase you'd better prepare for the worst. And I do mean worst.

Pretty much, yes, people can be occasional crack users. I teach a drug abuse class and one of my students had a sister that smoked crack only on the weekends. I've heard from other people that are occasional users. It's unusual but it does happen. Most people are chasing the ghost of their first high and smoke every chance they get.

Thanks everyone...That site crack reality was awesome!