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2026-02-06

Update

I have had non-zero instances of sending messages I regret, even after writing this post back in 2025-10.
I won't consider this problem fully solved unless I spend atleast 3-6 months without sending a single such message.
I am aware I have the nuclear option of just abstaining from substances for life (or atleast the next few years). I am still hoping to find some better solution than this.
I think my current relationship with substances is neither completely a free choice, nor an addiction I can't escape. Like, I would suffer significantly if I had to completely abstain from substances for next 5 years. But also, if someone paid me $200k or bigger to do so, I would find it trivially easy to abstain immediately for next 6 months, and probably also abstain for next 5 years. I have successfully abstained for atleast 6 months at will multiple times, so I am confident this is still possible.

2025-10-24

Disclaimer

Quick Note
Alcohol and nicotine are legal in India but most other drugs (weed, psychedelics, meth, cocaine etc) are not. I will not be admitting to illegal substance use online. So you will have to assume that the post below is talking about the legal options.

Problem

While using substances, I often seem to text people messages I later come to regret.
For privacy reasons (and maybe also other reasons idk), I can't really write here who these people are or what I text or why I regret or similar.

Solution

After experimenting with multiple options, here is what I currently consider a good solution given my personal constraints

Use timelock.dev or keepassXC (minor update 2026-0205) to generate a passcode.
- Make sure it is too long to remember. Set time atleast 6-12 hours depending on the substance you are consuming.
- Change the passcode of your device to this passcode. If on iphone, click the button that ensures the old passcode is not preserved for 72 hours more.
- Save the encrypted file in a protonmail account whose password you remember, and which does not use device 2FA. Gmail and ios accounts use 2FA implicitly. (Remember, all your devices are locked.)
- Forget the passcode.
Ask another person for help with logistics such as booking a cab back home.
- Don't do this entire plan if no such trusted person exists.
- Don't do this entire plan if you have responsibilities that require you staying sober. For instance any work-related engagements, or driving other people, or checking in on their safety.

Solutions I found inadequate

Applock that blocks some apps but not others. Apps that you leave unblocked can still be used for contacting people you don't want to contact.
Timelock that can be break out of, using ios recovery options. Non-sober you is still intelligent enough to break out of them.

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