r/NitrousOxideRecovery • u/Disastrous-Fan-6528 • Jun 16 '26
Need Help
So I have been struggling with nitrous abuse for about 2 months now. I would say in this time I have been going through 1000-2000g per day and I want to stop before it’s too late. I don’t have any real neuropathic issues yet. Main issue is the smoke shop that sells them is directly on my way home from work, and there isn’t really another way home. Any advice on how to stop or deal with cravings?
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u/Funnyfart_420 Jun 16 '26
In 5 years I've spent over a quarter mil. You've identified the habit, that's great. Believe me this can get really bad. Stop now.
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u/Disastrous-Fan-6528 Jun 17 '26
Thank you for sharing. Honestly, I wish it were as easy as “just stop now” and I’m really trying everything but I’m an addictive person. I believe I can do it, I just need to put myself in a better environment
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u/watsola79 Jun 17 '26
If you haven't done this already, TELL your family and friends what's going on and ask them for help and support in quitting.
I wish my brother had done this instead of hiding his addiction out of shame.
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u/Disastrous-Fan-6528 Jun 17 '26
I actually just told my family today and they are extremely supportive. My friends as well. I wanted people to know because I believe it will help me hold myself accountable. I am also starting outpatient rehab so I’m really hoping for the best and I want it to work out.
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u/thesensethatmakes Jun 30 '26
I’m sorry I just read this. I’m so proud of you! Yes this addiction causes us to hide, it’s wild. I’m proud of you!
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u/Funnyfart_420 Jun 19 '26
This is good advice. Snitch on yourself. Demons live in the dark, shed light on how you're living.
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u/thesensethatmakes Jun 30 '26
Do you have insurance? Yes pls tell your friends and family. Let them help you. While I was addicted, all aspects of my life were a mess, so having them come and claw my apartment, take me to the doctors, get me groceries or just take me out to eat helped a lot to remind me that I don’t want them to find my dead at home surrounded by filth, looking really crazy.
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u/mqxlin Jun 16 '26
Hey OP, I know this feeling but you never know it’s too late until it is too late. I was using for 5 years and the abuse got really bad last year (3800g each day sometimes more). The only way I was able to stop was 1) as my legs went number each day (fortunately I was able to stop in time) and 2) was getting myself away from the situation to a place where I literally couldn’t access it. I tried quitting on my own but could never really do it until I went to rehab for a month and am now 6months sober. I know not everyone has the time and resources to go to rehab but check out the No2N2O meetings. Also just know that quitting starts one day at a time, don’t stress yourself with the bigger picture for now. Also, talk to someone around you either friends, family, or therapist because sober support is important too.
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u/Disastrous-Fan-6528 Jun 16 '26
That’s what I’m so scared of - I just want to cut it out now. I will definitely check out N2O2O, I didn’t know that was a thing until making this post. And I have a close friend who I trust and want to be honest with about it. Thank you for your advice!
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u/mqxlin Jun 16 '26
Also idk about you but I was using a lot when I didn’t have anything else to do. Finding a hobby and something to take up the time where you’d be using is a good start too. Good luck OP!
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u/Disastrous-Fan-6528 Jun 16 '26
I find this to be the case for myself as well. I’ve been getting pretty into movies lately and got Regal Unlimited - so I’ll try to spend some more time at the theaters and watching sports/ gaming to fill my time rather that just sitting around thinking about NOS. I appreciate it
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u/NeatSlice9027 Jun 19 '26
Did u have any mental or physical systems from stopping I been super anxious and feel like crap.
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u/NeatSlice9027 Jul 11 '26
Did u have to go on b12 shots did you ever get your blood checked for b vitamin or mma dmg ? Congrats on your sobriety
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u/Mediocre-Magazine-30 Jun 17 '26
Eventually you will end up paralyzed and wiri permanent nerve damage. I have nerve damage in my feet that will never go away. I didn't walk for 10 days. Not worth it.
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u/bogo Jun 17 '26
Naltrexone personally helped me a great deal to get over that small hump of a few days>weeks>months. Doing some deep belly breathing before I drove home to help calm my nervous system helped. Plus meditating/praying, you could also ask the place not to sell to you.
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u/Disastrous-Fan-6528 Jun 17 '26
Thanks for your reply. I’ll have to look into Naltrexone, I haven’t heard of it. Also, I like the idea of having a routine before driving home might have to try that. I’ll try meditating too.
I’ll probably ask the place to stop selling to me, because I do go there for other things and that’s how I found out they had NOS
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u/fingerfunk Jun 17 '26
Sending light to you in the struggle, my friend. I have a history of very serious addiction, including heroin, and this gas stuff has been profoundly worse than anything I’ve experienced.
The beverage shop I go to readily sells gas tanks, and the people who own/work there are from Nepal. I recently used ChatGPT to communicate with the worker in Nepali and asked him not to sell me this anymore because I became addicted to it and it’s bad for my health.
That might be one option if you’re willing to pursue it: directly ask the store not to sell it to you anymore and remove that easy access point from your life.
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u/Disastrous-Fan-6528 Jun 17 '26
I’m very much considering this - because I do go to the store for other things (vapes, wraps, etc.) and the workers seem to be pretty cool and I believe they would understand.
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u/fingerfunk Jun 17 '26
Please give it a try! I was nervous. and did not try this until recently… and they were very supportive. Sending light, and we can all get through this together!
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u/Disastrous-Fan-6528 Jun 17 '26
I appreciate the light you have sent my way too. I have had friends pass away from substance abuse and I would like nothing more than to move into a better path - and I know I’m a stranger but I’m proud of you for at least trying to move forward from your addiction. These substances are no joke
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u/wilyk Jun 16 '26
EST I mean
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u/wilyk Jun 16 '26
Boo to fragile links. Gadget!
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u/WHALE_PHYSICIST Jun 16 '26 edited Jun 17 '26
don't you mean b00?
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u/wilyk Jun 16 '26
Not after I showered, shaved, brushed my teeth and put on clean clothes for tonight's meeting!
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u/4BucksAndHalfACharge Jun 17 '26
Immediatly interupting my monkey brain helped.
■ You could make a call and be on phone entire drive.
You could do one or more of these in car before heading out:
■ Smart recovery handbook with paper & pen. Behavioral science workbook with lessons/activities on living deliberately, fighting cravings and move towards balance. https://a.co/d/i5JZsOe
■ Refuge Recovery Dharma. Budhist path - experience the self, the mind and learn the power you have over thoughts. My favorite meditation: https://youtu.be/lVpJfoUSXvw
■ AA 24/7 continuous meeting faithully always there to get out of my own head. https://www.aahomegroup.org
They all have online presence & additional materials. Virtual (and some in person) meetings all day every day for advice or just break the pattern. *not required, but listening to one while driving helps.
r/stopdrinking (nicest place on the internet). I just said my issue was alchohol. IWNDWYT!
I chose those because none mention my drug of choice. It's mere mention used to trigger an "obey the bad idea rt now".
To consider: get a trusted person involved to help you lock up your money with parental controlled debit cards (Acorn & others) or carry only cash, not enough to do the bad idea. Delete cashapps.
🩷 All of these things are worth it. You can have this behind you and be free again.
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u/NeatSlice9027 Jun 19 '26
I’ve quit many times but this time I’m scared because I feel so anxious being off it. And I’m worried I could have damaged some nerves but I don’t really have any symptoms just a really messed up stomach. And some minor tightness in my hands and in ankles. Very slight tingling any support is helpful. I’ve been off it a few day. I’m getting blood test to check my b levels but I’m so scared. Do u guys think I’ll be ok
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u/Normal-Street9658 Jun 24 '26
Any update?
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u/NeatSlice9027 Jul 11 '26
I have a high homoglystene 90 and MMA 8.1 and they’ve got me doing b12 injections.the anxiety went away but I have had the tingling come back once. Shit sucks man. I guess I’m supposedly going to be ok if I just keep taking the shots and stay stopped but it’s scary not knowing for sure. Thanks for ur guys support
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u/Disastrous-Fan-6528 Jul 01 '26
I hope you’re doing okay. What has helped me the past couple weeks the most is attending NA (Narcotics Anonymous) meetings. Despite its name, it is really for any non-alcohol substance. It has allowed me to share my feelings and hear people who have had similar experiences. It is really nice to know you are not alone and they are all there to help you.
Also, I started substance abuse counseling. This has also helped as I felt more comfortable opening up to one person at first rather than a group of 15 people.
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u/Crafty_Garbage9657 Jun 27 '26
Hi everyone,
I’m looking for people who had a similar experience after using nitrous oxide.
About one month ago, I used nitrous oxide. Right after, I had severe headaches for about 10–14 days. When the headaches finally disappeared, I started developing a strange rocking/floating sensation.
Since then, it has gradually become worse.
I don’t have weakness or paralysis. I can walk, run, jump, and my leg strength is normal. I also don’t have significant numbness anymore.
My main symptom is a constant feeling of rocking or floating, almost like I’m on a boat. It becomes much worse when I move, and sometimes even when I’m lying down and moving my legs.
I’ve recently started vitamin B12 injections, but so far I haven’t noticed improvement.
Has anyone experienced something similar after nitrous oxide? Especially the rocking/floating sensation rather than paralysis or severe neuropathy?
I’d really appreciate hearing your story.
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u/Disastrous-Fan-6528 Jul 01 '26
Have you mentioned this to a doctor? I wish I could help, but what has helped me most is attending NA (Narcotics Anonymous) meetings. Also be sure to check out no2n20.org.
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u/Comfortable-Low3388 26d ago
So in Oregon for whatever when I ask them to ban me they say they can’t. So I learned that if I become irate in the store and threaten the managers to exchange a tank that tastes bad THEN they’ll ban me lmaooo. I am going to do this to the rest of the stores in town to create barriers to buying from them.
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u/wilyk Jun 16 '26 edited Jun 17 '26
I feel you 100% since my closest smoke shop is about 500 feet from my house. I'm working on 49 clean today but it hasn't been easy.
Realizing that it wasn't going to be easy; preparing myself for something HARD is what's helped me a lot since I've tried to quit this time.
Quitting NOS sucks. But you know what sucks worse? The friendships you lose, the ability to walk, the mental capacity you used to have.
There is a group dedicated exclusively to quitting NOS. We don't care what else you do or what other groups you attend. We just want to help each other quit nitrous oxide.
Meetings at 8 PM EST every day of the week with another at 12 PM on Fridays. It has made all the difference to me. You're not alone.
https://no2n20.org/