Alternatives to SH?
24N/A. I tried cutting when I was 13, thought I'd see what it was like, put it down pretty easily, didn't think much of it any further. Just over a year ago I decided to try again, and it's since lead me down a pretty steep slope: multiple hospital visits, stitches and antibiotics, you know the drill. I can't help but aim for fat wounds at this point, but even what I'm currently doing isn't quite enough; it feels like there's a very real prospect I may cause permanent damage sometime in the near future.
I'm aware of the regular techniques, hold an ice cube, red pen, etc etc, but I find they're just no substitute - they're nowhere near the same. I guess I could switch to yellow pen, but even so, point stands.
I don't mean to glorify anything here, this follows a pattern very similar to addiction. It's caused problems with friends and family, it's hindered interaction with actual healthcare professionals, but I feel now's the time to ask: how do you keep yourself from cutting when all you want to see is deep, exposed flesh?