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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

Timelock for substance use

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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