Is self harm (cutting) like a drug?

Question

When u take drugs u get high. when u self harm u get kinda get high. U keep taking more, u keep cutting more my point is, is cutting the same well nealy the same as taking drugs.

i have been a cutter for years.

Answer 1

Yeah I guess it is like a drug, if you go so long without it you get withdrawal symptoms like, anxiety, just like if you go a long time without drugs. I would seek help though, cutting is harmful.

Answer 2

i have been a cutter for almost 8 years now, and there's only 2 things that make me high n e more: performing on stage in a band, and cutting. i've done shrooms, pot, alcohol, cigarettes, and they dont equal it. yes, it is a drug. and i also feel that drugs can be a form of self harm as well. ponder that one. lol.

what it comes down to is that drugs are a coping mechanism, and so is cutting. so yes, it's the same.

Answer 3

I used to cut myself. I never got "high" from it though. For me it was more of a pressure relief valve. The pressure of my life would become unbearable, and by cutting, I would experience a sense of relief. I was diagnosed manic depressed shortly after these episodes, and since beginning medical, and psychiatric treatment, correctly, have not had the need to cut since. It has been 6 or 7 years since I've done it. I was'nt trying to "commit suicide" either. Each person reacts to extreme pressure differently. I am not proud of what I did, neither do make any attempts to hide it. It is simply a fact of my life. I hope you are able to resolve this issue, as I was. I wish you all the best. There is hope.

Answer 4

You are absolutely right. Causing pain forces your body to react with natural painkillers. Abuse of this is very serious and the abuser will not recover without going through A LOT of pain, psychologically as well as physically.
There is nothing attractive about cutting. Men don't want women who were cutters as younger girls. Girls - don't even start. If you need attention, try your hardest at something good. Don't think that cutting yourself will get people's attention and care. We can't make you stop cutting, just beg for you to help yourself.

Answer 5

There is debate among researchers regarding the most appropriate conceptual model of non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI). Some argue that NSSI is best viewed within an addictions framework. Because craving of substances is a key concept in the addictions literature, we sought to compare the nature of craving in NSSI and substance use. Measures of NSSI, substance use, and craving were administered to a sample of adolescents (n=58) receiving psychiatric treatment. It was found that total craving scores were significantly lower for NSSI than for substances. Item-level analyses suggested that substances are craved in a variety of contexts, whereas NSSI is typically craved in the context of negative emotions. The pattern of results remained the same when analyses were limited to patients who engaged in both NSSI and substance use. Thus, findings appear to be due to differences in the nature of the behaviors themselves rather than to individual differences between those who engage in NSSI or use substances. We conclude that, while both behaviors have powerful reinforcement contingencies, NSSI appears to be almost exclusively maintained by negative reinforcement (e.g., the reduction of aversive emotions). Findings are more consistent with emotion regulation than addiction models of NSSI.

Answer 6

These are both issues that need big time help. Cutting yourself is just as bad if not worse.Please Stop, life is to short for that. Get some gloves and a punching bag and go at it.This wont hurt you or any one else involved.

Answer 7

i would say that it is very similar to taking drugs, in the sense that it is addicting because everytime you are sad or w/e you fell the need to cut just like someone on drugs would feel the need to get high.

Answer 8

You are correct, an addiction is an addiction, whether it's cutting or drug usage. It may feel good but try dealing with the things that feel SO not good that slicing your skin does, k?

Answer 9

yes it is and yes u can get addicted!dont ever do it!!worst then drugs and it will hunt u forever and u can never quit and u always think about it!and usually it cuases u to start drugs and get worst and worst and worst and then thats it u finally just cant handel it and well u usually kill ur self

Answer 10

Cutting behavior is an attempt to reduce emotional pain by distracting yourself with physical pain. So, yes, it is like a drug. I suggest you seek psychiatric help NOW in order to manage, and eliminate, your emotional pain.