Addiction

[Weedygarden]

I have been wanting to start this thread for a long time. I just found this post and thought it was a good starting point. I do believe that people can be addicted to alcohol, various drugs and medications, food, shopping, spending, and many more things. The information in this post that I am sharing sums up many things about addiction that many people do not understand.

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https://www.facebook.com/missy.hume...AgSdAxWAg1bfD-Yvs4-84vO4aCYrk&__tn__=<<,P-y-R

Missy Hume​

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For those of you that know, this is my daughter, Madi.
For those of you that don’t know, this is my daughter, Madi.
For those of you that know, you know.
For those of you that don’t know, she is an addict.
I have been on this journey with her since she was 14 years old. She will celebrate her 20th birthday in 37 days. Which is ironic because I was 20 when I had her. We are 6 years and 3 rehabs in. Read on.
Did you know that addiction is classified in the DSM-5? It’s a mental illness that lives in the brain stem: the same brain stem that serves a critical role in regulating certain involuntary actions of the body, including heartbeat and breathing. Pause on that. Addicts feel that they need their drug of choice (DOC) the same way they feel they need to breathe. Pause on that.
Did you know that our society treats addiction as a moral issue and pawns it off on law enforcement to “control”? The average stay in jail is 14 days or less. Where addicts are left to detox alone…outside of medical supervision.
Did you know the detox process can be violent and result in death if not monitored by medical professionals?
The addict is then released at the time their serotonin levels are at their lowest, leading to a high rate of relapse. It’s a pun to say this is criminal. It takes an average of 14-16 months of sobriety for an addict’s brain to balance serotonin levels to that of a neuro-typical brain. Did you know that? Did you know that most insurances will only pay for <30 days of treatment for an addict? Please get mad about that. I’m begging you. Because treatment is tens of thousands of dollars. And please re-read all of that with “Missy’s daughter” in lieu of “the addict” and then decide how you feel about it.
Did you know that 136 people die everyday from opioid overdose? That’s one person every 10.58 minutes. By the time you’re done reading and processing this post, someone will have died from an opioid overdose. Someone’s child. Someone’s spouse. Someone’s parent. Someone’s friend. Someone’s aunt/uncle. Let that sink in.
Did you know that the two biggest factors that “make” an addict are (1) Genetic Predisposition and (2) Childhood trauma. There’s not that “one hit” or that “one decision” that will make an addict and addict. It’s NOT a moral problem. I repeat, addiction is NOT A MORAL PROBLEM.
Did you know that the BRCA gene for breast cancer has a 5-10% genetic predisposition rate? And people undergo testing and life changing surgeries to avoid it. Addiction’s genetic predisposition is over 50%.
O V E R 5 0 %. Let that sink in. You still think addiction is a moral problem? A parenting problem? Please hear me screaming at the tops of my lungs for my daughter, Madi. Who has brown hair and hazel eyes. A personality that will light up every room and a brain as brilliant as anyone I’ve ever met.
If there’s one thing an addict would say….it’s that they’re still in there. (I know because I’ve asked.) The person that you knew and loved is still in there. They are not their disease. THEY ARE NOT THEIR DISEASE. Addiction is a disease. Much like diabetes. It has to be monitored everyday. For the rest of their lives. And it’s HARD. It takes support and unrelenting diligence.
We need to do better by addicts. We need to do better by Madi. The paradigm needs to change. Insurance benefits needs to change. Public awareness needs to change. Period.
If you’ve read this far you’re either a family member, a friend or a fan. To the family members and friends: I love you and am forever indebted to you. I know that you know that I loved her and raised her with the best security and love and opportunities we all want for our children. You have been there. You have loved. You have supported. I know who you are and I love you.
For the fans: I’ve blocked some of you but not all of you. My hope is this post humbles you and your judgement.
Comments have been turned off but this post has been made public for those who wish to share. Addiction doesn’t discriminate. I will forever advocate for each and every addict because they deserve every bit of space on this earth as we do. Every bit of love and peace and opportunity.
Feel free to share this post. Raise awareness. Make waves. Take up space. And if any of this hits home with you, reach out to me. You’re not alone. I, and a whole group of others are with you. Judgement free.
With upmost love and respect I share my story.
XO
Missy

 

[Wingnut]

Moi, I'm an unrepentant sinner... I like my alcohol, lol. I figure a man has to have at least one vice, otherwise he gets too weird, and since I'm not a tobacco smoker, meth head, Big Pharma addict, pedophile, porn buyer, etc., then ALCOHOL it is! A gal once told me that alcohol was my mistress... right before I asked her to grab another beer outta the fridge for me, lol. When I was falsely charged and had six months of my life ripped off back in San Diego, that was the longest I've stayed dry since I was 12 years old, lol. Didn't hurt me to stay off the sauce for a bit, but it didn't stop me from cracking a cold beer the minute I got out either... as some of you already know, they don't serve cold beer in jail, lol. What can I say? I'll drink till the day I die, and I don't give a damn who knows or what they think about it, lol... my life, my choice, aye? As long as I'm not driving while hammered or making a fool of myself in public, I'm good to go. My best friend Tommy quit drinking years ago, but we still talk all the time... too much history between us, with skateboarding, the surf shop, remote camping, etc. I still respect him as a good friend even if he doesn't drink anymore... no worries.

 

[dademoss]

Very true, I have dealt with 2 of the top 5: https://www.cnn.com/2019/01/02/health/most-addictive-substances-partner/index.html

The illegal ones were not in play

 

[Amish Heart]

Our oldest son is an addict, and our grandson is an addict. Not fun to deal with at all.
I really, really, really like my nicorette gum.

 

[Weedygarden]

Very true, I have dealt with 2 of the top 5: https://www.cnn.com/2019/01/02/health/most-addictive-substances-partner/index.html

The illegal ones were not in play

You know that you are not alone. I've know smokers who have tried to quit and it was so hard that they kept smoking.


I'm pasting the contents of that article here.

"In 2007, David Nutt and his colleagues asked addiction experts to do exactly that – with some interesting findings.

1. Heroin​

Opioids and overdoses: 4 things to know
Nutt et al.’s experts ranked heroin as the most addictive drug, giving it a score of 3 out of a maximum score of 3. Heroin is an opiate that causes the level of dopamine in the brain’s reward system to increase by up to 200% in experimental animals. In addition to being arguably the most addictive drug, heroin is dangerous, too, because the dose that can cause death is only five times greater than the dose required for a high.

Snorted, injected or smoked? It can affect a drug’s addictiveness

Heroin also has been rated as the second most harmful drug in terms of damage to both users and to society. The market for illegal opiates, including heroin, was estimated to be $68 billion worldwide in 2009.

2. Cocaine​

Cocaine's effects: Highs and harms
Cocaine directly interferes with the brain’s use of dopamine to convey messages from one neuron to another. In essence, cocaine prevents neurons from turning the dopamine signal off, resulting in an abnormal activation of the brain’s reward pathways. In experiments on animals, cocaine caused dopamine levels to rise more than three times the normal level. It is estimated that between 14 million and 20 million people worldwide use cocaine and that in 2009 the cocaine market was worth about $75 billion.

Blocking rewards: How the immune system could help treat cocaine addiction

Crack cocaine has been ranked by experts as being the third most damaging drug and powdered cocaine, which causes a milder high, as the fifth most damaging. About 21% of people who try cocaine will become dependent on it at sometime in their life. Cocaine is similar to other addictive stimulants, such as methamphetamine – which is becoming more of a problem as it becomes more widely available – and amphetamine.

3. Nicotine​

Nicotine in e-cigs, tobacco linked to heart disease
Nicotine is the main addictive ingredient of tobacco. When somebody smokes a cigarette, nicotine is rapidly absorbed by the lungs and delivered to the brain. Nutt et al’s expert panels rated nicotine (tobacco) as the third most addictive substance.

More than two-thirds of Americans who tried smoking reported becoming dependent during their life. In 2002 the WHO estimated there were more than 1 billion smokers and it has been estimated that tobacco will kill more than 8 million people annually by 2030. Laboratory animals have the good sense not to smoke. However, rats will press a button to receive nicotine directly into their bloodstream – and this causes dopamine levels in the brain’s reward system to rise by about 25% to 40%.

What is dopamine, and is it to blame for our addictions?

4. Barbiturates (“downers”)​

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Barbiturates – also known as blue bullets, gorillas, nembies, barbs and pink ladies – are a class of drugs that were initially used to treat anxiety and to induce sleep. They interfere with chemical signalling in the brain, the effect of which is to shut down various brain regions. At low doses, barbiturates cause euphoria, but at higher doses they can be lethal because they suppress breathing. Barbiturate dependence was common when the drugs were easily available by prescription, but this has declined dramatically as other drugs have replaced them. This highlights the role that the context plays in addiction: if an addictive drug is not widely available, it can do little harm. Nutt et al’s expert panels rated barbiturates as the fourth most addictive substance.

5. Alcohol​

Although legal in the US and UK, alcohol was scored by Nutt et al.’s experts 1.9 out of a maximum of 3. Alcohol has many effects on the brain, but in laboratory experiments on animals it increased dopamine levels in the brain’s reward system by 40% to 360% – and the more the animals drank the more dopamine levels increased.

No amount of alcohol is good for your overall health, global study says
Some 22% of people who have taken a drink will develop dependence on alcohol at some point during their life. The WHO has estimated that 2 billion people used alcohol in 2002 and more than 3 million people died in 2012 due to damage to the body caused by drinking. Alcohol has been ranked as the most damaging drug by other experts, too."

 

[Weedygarden]

Moi, I'm an unrepentant sinner... I like my alcohol, lol. I figure a man has to have at least one vice, otherwise he gets too weird, and since I'm not a tobacco smoker, meth head, Big Pharma addict, pedophile, porn buyer, etc., then ALCOHOL it is! A gal once told me that alcohol was my mistress... right before I asked her to grab another beer outta the fridge for me, lol. When I was falsely charged and had six months of my life ripped off back in San Diego, that was the longest I've stayed dry since I was 12 years old, lol. Didn't hurt me to stay off the sauce for a bit, but it didn't stop me from cracking a cold beer the minute I got out either... as some of you already know, they don't serve cold beer in jail, lol. What can I say? I'll drink till the day I die, and I don't give a damn who knows or what they think about it, lol... my life, my choice, aye? As long as I'm not driving while hammered or making a fool of myself in public, I'm good to go. My best friend Tommy quit drinking years ago, but we still talk all the time... too much history between us, with skateboarding, the surf shop, remote camping, etc. I still respect him as a good friend even if he doesn't drink anymore... no worries.

I'm not judging or labeling you. I'm going to take you for what you say about yourself.

I come from two parents whose family has several alcoholics. My dad was an alcoholic and I have a brother who drank heavily for decades. Now he gambles.

The blessing for me was that I cannot drink anything without getting sick including such a serious headache that I am so repulsed by the idea of ever drinking. At church, we have two choices for communion: wine or grape juice. I only drink the wine when there is no grape juice which only happens about once a year.

I've never been a smoker or user of drugs. I do think that I have addictive tendencies, so I have to be careful with what I do and use.

 

[Pearl]

As much as I love my beer, I haven't even thought about it in the past two days! I can drink A LOT, but I don't need it! I do know I am addicted to the SUN!! Real addiction!!

 

[Supervisor42]

Well I was going to say:
Cigs and beer are enough for me...
I like to look at the positive side: they protect me from other substances because it would interfere with the first 2.

...Then Weedy mentioned gambling.
You can do that with the first 2 with no problem.

 

[Weedygarden]

What is addiction?​

Addiction is a chronic (lifelong) condition that involves compulsive seeking and taking of a substance or performing of an activity despite negative or harmful consequences.

Addiction can significantly impact your health, relationships and overall quality of life. It’s crucial to seek help as soon as you develop signs of addiction.

Is addiction a disease?​

Yes, addiction is a disease — it’s a chronic condition. The American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) defines addiction as a chronic brain disorder. Addiction doesn’t happen from having a lack of willpower or as a result of making bad decisions. Your brain chemistry changes with addiction.

What are the types of addiction?​

There are two main groups of addiction:

• Substance addictions (substance use disorders).
• Non-substance addictions (behavioral addictions).

Substance addictions​

Healthcare providers and the medical community now call substance addiction substance use disorder. The American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) has concrete diagnostic criteria for substance use disorders.

Substances are drugs that have addiction potential. They can be prescription medications or non-medical drugs and include:

• Alcohol.
• Caffeine.
• Cannabis (marijuana).
• Hallucinogens, such as PCP and LSD.
• Hypnotics, sedatives and anxiolytics (anti-anxiety drugs), such as sleeping pills, benzodiazepines and barbiturates.
• Inhalants, such as paint thinners, aerosol sprays, gases and nitrites (poppers).
• Prescription and non-prescription opioids, such as codeine, oxycodone and heroin.
• Prescription and non-prescription stimulants, such as Adderall®, cocaine and methamphetamine.
• Tobacco/nicotine, such as smoking cigarettes and electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes or vaping).

While these substances are very different from each other, they all strongly activate the reward center of your brain and produce feelings of pleasure. Use of these substances can lead to substance use disorders (SUDs) — but not always. SUDs can be mild, moderate or severe. Addiction is the most severe form of a substance abuse disorder.

Non-substance addictions​

Behavioral addictions can occur with any activity that’s capable of stimulating your brain’s reward system. Behavioral scientists continue to study the similarities and differences between substance addictions, behavioral addictions and other compulsive behavior conditions like obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and bulimia nervosa.

The DSM-5 currently only recognizes gambling disorder as a diagnosable behavioral addiction in the subsection of “non-substance-related disorders” in the category of “substance-related and addictive disorders.”

The DSM-5 doesn’t currently include other behavioral addictions due to a lack of research on them. However, any activity or habit that becomes all-consuming and negatively impacts your daily functioning can cause significant mental, social and physical health issues, as well as financial issues in some cases.

Examples of potentially addictive activities include:

• Gambling.
• Eating.
• Exercising or dieting.
• Shopping.
• Shoplifting or other risky behaviors.
• Having sex.
• Viewing pornography.
• Video gaming (internet gaming disorder).
• Using the internet (such as on your phone or a computer).

What is the most common addiction?​

Alcohol use disorder is the most common substance addiction in the United States, followed by nicotine and marijuana. About 10% of people aged 12 or older in the U.S. have alcohol use disorder.

 

[Supervisor42]

Well, I gotta come clean...
I am also addicted to watching the stock ticker-tape on the bottom of the FBN channel most of every weekday.
Once you learn to understand it, it is as addictive as soap-operas were.
...Especially if you have 'skin in the game'.
Somebody please save me, and send me "The Hallmark Channel"!

 

[Weedygarden]

SYMPTOMS AND CAUSES​

What are the signs of addiction?​

Symptoms of addiction vary from person to person and based on the substance or activity. In general, signs include:

• Inability to stop: People may use a substance or engage in harmful addictive behavior even if they want to stop. They may have tried multiple times to reduce the substance use or behavior but can’t. They may also lie to their loved ones about it or try to hide it.
• Increased tolerance: Over time, they may need more of the substance or activity to feel the same euphoric effects as they did before.
• Intense focus on the substance or activity: People with addictions become pathologically preoccupied with the substance or activity. They may feel that the addiction has taken over their lives, as they spend more and more time craving, obtaining and thinking of the subject of the addiction.
• Lack of control: They may feel like they’ve lost complete control over their substance use or activity and often feel helpless. They may often feel guilty, depressed and/or overwhelmed by their addiction and how much it’s impacted their lives.
• Personal problems and health issues: Addiction impacts all aspects of their lives, including their physical health, mental health, personal relationships and career. They may have issues fulfilling responsibilities at work, school or home due to substance use or the activity. Again, despite knowing the detrimental effects their addictions are having on them, they can’t stop.
• Withdrawal: People with addiction may experience emotional and physical withdrawal symptoms when they stop using. Physical symptoms include shaking, sweating or vomiting. They may also become anxious or irritable.

 

[Supervisor42]

SYMPTOMS AND CAUSES

• Withdrawal: People with addiction may experience emotional and physical withdrawal symptoms when they stop using. Physical symptoms include shaking, sweating or vomiting. They may also become anxious or irritable.

What? Nobody is going to mention cellphone addiction?
I guess that is ok today. (normal)
Just take one away from a 'junkie' and watch what happens!
(see above)

 

[dademoss]

What? Nobody is going to mention cellphone addiction?
I guess that is ok today. (normal)
Just take one away from a 'junkie' and watch what happens!
(see above)

I'm safe, can't read the screen without my glasses. it doesn't fakebook, or do email, or do anything other than take pictures and phone calls should I decide to find it answer

best to send an email, one of the many tabs open on my computer will let me know

 

[sonya123]

You have a beautiful daughter Weedy, hope she recovers from her issues

Most addictive drug I have ever taken was Xanax for my panic attack and anxiety issues ( legally prescribed by doctor after other things failed). I hate the idea of anything controlling me, so just the idea that I carried around pills with me all the time just in case I needed one bothered me. I took much much less than prescribed and it still caused problems. My anxiety got worse after each flight to Europe for example because I took a lot to do it. Then I had withdrawal symptoms that increased anxiety. I tried alcohol but that increases anxiety also when you stop and you need more of it , plus you get other symptoms like upset stomach.

I am very happy to have found Medical Marijuana, it seems to have removed the anxiety and not have all these horrible side effects, plus I am not using more and more of it to work. Actually I am using less than I did when I stopped the xanax

Oh when I was younger I smoked too, that was mentally hard to quit ( not physical) and took me a few tries, but I am glad I quit . I have no desire to smoke cigarettes now

 

[Morgan101]

Inability to stop: People may use a substance or engage in harmful addictive behavior even if they want to stop. They may have tried multiple times to reduce the substance use or behavior but can’t. They may also lie to their loved ones about it or try to hide it.

This has always been the deal breaker for me. If you cannot stop or cannot live without whatever it is you are doing, then you are addicted. I was admittedly a very heavy drinker, but I could stop, and did many times. Now I don't drink much at all. The term a very close friend of mine uses is "functional alcoholic". He never missed a day of work or any important function, but he drank unbelievable amounts of alcohol. He knew when he could drink, and when he had to function.

My son is addicted to marijuana, so we live with it every day.

 

[Ozarks hillbilly]

I agree with Morgan 100% here. I like my bourbon and usually enjoy a glass or two at night. If I miss it because I am somewhere, no big deal. I don't have to run home and get a glass right away. If I think it's getting too bad, I'll quit for a month or so (also helps to reduce the tolerance that's built up).

Now dipping tobacco. Yeah, I'm addicted. If I go somewhere where I can't have it, as soon as I get back in the truck, I've put one in. I've tried quitting twice. The first time, some friends bought me a can because I was being a jerk. The second time, my wife bought me a can because I was being a jerk. I plan on trying to quit after I retire. That will be tough.

 

[winds-of-change]

I’m addicted to food. I’m overweight and am trying to lose weight so I can get knee replacement surgery. It’s a struggle every day. You can’t just quit eating cold Turkey and I’m a good cook.

When I lived in Illinois, I was close friends with the couple down the street. Her husband was a severe alcoholic. He’d be drunk by 11 AM. He’d go out with friends (drinking buddies) and not come home for a day or two. He was a farmer so he was worse in the winter when work slowed up. His wife filed for divorce and he went to rehab for 2 months in Chicago at a veterans hospital. It was a very tough road. He had seizures and was under close medical supervision. The family went to family counseling at the rehab unit. My friends husband has been sober for nearly 30 years now. He joined AA and went to meetings daily, then twice a week, etc. He became a sponsor to others. He held fish fry parties for the AA group and I was always invited because of our close relationship. No drinking but so much fun. The stories they would tell about what they did when they were drunk was crazy but most were funny in retrospect.


After all this story, I wanted to say my friend then went in to quitting smoking. He said it was much more difficult than quitting drinking. I find that very surprising.

 

[Weedygarden]

You have a beautiful daughter Weedy, hope she recovers from her issues

Most addictive drug I have ever taken was Xanax for my panic attack and anxiety issues ( legally prescribed by doctor after other things failed). I hate the idea of anything controlling me, so just the idea that I carried around pills with me all the time just in case I needed one bothered me. I took much much less than prescribed and it still caused problems. My anxiety got worse after each flight to Europe for example because I took a lot to do it. Then I had withdrawal symptoms that increased anxiety. I tried alcohol but that increases anxiety also when you stop and you need more of it , plus you get other symptoms like upset stomach.

I am very happy to have found Medical Marijuana, it seems to have removed the anxiety and not have all these horrible side effects, plus I am not using more and more of it to work. Actually I am using less than I did when I stopped the xanax

Oh when I was younger I smoked too, that was mentally hard to quit ( not physical) and took me a few tries, but I am glad I quit . I have no desire to smoke cigarettes now

This is not my daughter. This is the story that someone else wrote about and I used it as an opening point for this thread. But I do think my daughter is beautiful.

 

[Weedygarden]

After all this story, I wanted to say my friend then went in to quitting smoking. He said it was much more difficult than quitting drinking. I find that very surprising.

I have heard that smoking is the most difficult addiction to quit. I had a now deceased friend whose husband and her tried to quit smoking and she said she about lost her mind. My niece struggled and tried to quit many times. I had a neighbor who wanted to quit smoking. There is a group that supports quitting. She had a printout of all the alternatives of things to do instead of lighting up a cigarette. Brush your teeth, drink a glass of water, chew gum, floss your teeth. There are many more things to do, and it helped her, but what works for one, may not work for the next person. I met a man who told me he kept a pack of cigarettes in his shirt pocket, but kept it upside down. Before he did that, he had tried to quit and would smoke without even thinking about what he was doing. With the upside down packet of cigarettes, when he pulled it out, it reminded him that he was quitting. He kept that one pack of cigarettes for a long time.

 

[sonya123]

This is not my daughter. This is the story that someone else wrote about and I used it as an opening point for this thread. But I do think my daughter is beautiful.

Sorry I misunderstood....

 

[Wingnut]

Good point, mentioning the gambling addiction... thank goodness I never caught that bug. Not into cell phones that much, but I do like hanging out here at this website... I'm not sure whether I spend too much time here, I do have a life beyond the web, lol. Supe is right though, I've seen some fooliots who are totally addicted to their phone... can't put the thing down. Moi, I'm old school, if I went on a date with some gal and she constantly looked at her phone, that'd be the last time I saw her, lol. I like good old-fashioned conversations (gasp!), the kind where folks look each other in the eye... if I'm gonna play second fiddle to a Big Tech device, somebody is gonna get DROP-KICKED like I'm STARRIN' in the NFL, lol.

 

[rice paddy daddy]

Good information, Weedy.
When it comes to alcoholism , there’s a huge, huge amount of ignorance among the public.
There are moderate, temperate drinkers. Then there are heavy drinkers.
And then, there is the real alcoholic.
Real alcoholics metabolize alcohol differently than “regular “ drinkers. An actual physical craving is set up whenever a true alcoholic puts any liquor into their body. That’s a subject by itself.

This would be meaningless if the alcoholic never drank. But alcoholism is a two part disease, of the body and the mind.
The mind tells us it’s ok to take just one drink, forgetting the divorce court, jail, job loss, everything that comes with one of us drinking.
One or two drinks sets off the craving, and we can’t stop until we are passed out or in the back of the cop car.
I personally am a blackout drinker. I always have been, I thought that was normal.

I’ve been divorced, I’ve lost jobs, I’ve drank my self into homelessness.
But by the Grace of God, the 12 Steps and the fellowship of Alcoholics Anonymous, I have not had a drink in 6,686 days today.
One day at a time.

 

[rice paddy daddy]

Drug addicts are harder to reach than alcoholics.
In our area small towns there is no Narcotics Anonymous. When the judges sentence a drug offender to probation, most times they are told to attend AA meetings, usually two per week and get their paper signed.

With all newcomers, I try to share what was so freely given to me - freedom from the bondage of substance abuse thru the practice of the 12 Steps of AA.
Over the years, I’ve had success with a handful of men, but many were unable to “get it,”
And with drug addicts - zero. They must think differently than us drunks.

But I still try. It keeps ME sober.

 

[Pearl]

Drug addicts are harder to reach than alcoholics.
In our area small towns there is no Narcotics Anonymous. When the judges sentence a drug offender to probation, most times they are told to attend AA meetings, usually two per week and get their paper signed.

With all newcomers, I try to share what was so freely given to me - freedom from the bondage of substance abuse thru the practice of the 12 Steps of AA.
Over the years, I’ve had success with a handful of men, but many were unable to “get it,”
And with drug addicts - zero. They must think differently than us drunks.

But I still try. It keeps ME sober.

Thanks for your information! That is so true that most people don't know about alcoholism!

 

[Peanut]

Western medicine tries to separate the spiritual from the physical. As in the op, trying to reinforce this same failed concept. They use the term 'moral' in place of 'spiritual' but the meaning is the same. I reject this approach out right.

Physical and spiritual health are intertwined. One has a direct impact on the other, always. The recipe for failure begins with pretending they are separate. imho

 

[Weedygarden]

Good information, Weedy.
When it comes to alcoholism , there’s a huge, huge amount of ignorance among the public.
There are moderate, temperate drinkers. Then there are heavy drinkers.
And then, there is the real alcoholic.
Real alcoholics metabolize alcohol differently than “regular “ drinkers. An actual physical craving is set up whenever a true alcoholic puts any liquor into their body. That’s a subject by itself.

This would be meaningless if the alcoholic never drank. But alcoholism is a two part disease, of the body and the mind.
The mind tells us it’s ok to take just one drink, forgetting the divorce court, jail, job loss, everything that comes with one of us drinking.
One or two drinks sets off the craving, and we can’t stop until we are passed out or in the back of the cop car.
I personally am a blackout drinker. I always have been, I thought that was normal.

I’ve been divorced, I’ve lost jobs, I’ve drank my self into homelessness.
But by the Grace of God, the 12 Steps and the fellowship of Alcoholics Anonymous, I have not had a drink in 6,686 days today.
One day at a time.

My dad was a fall down drunk and he would drink almost daily, unless or until he was trying to quit. Towards the end of his life he had seizures. I saw him have them when I was a child. It is not pretty, nor something a child should see.
I participated in Adult Children of Alcoholics for a few years, Alonon for a few months, and once in a while, I attended AA meetings. I've never been a drinker or druggie. I'm not a party person, but rather have always been the wallflower. I know that some people light up with alcohol. Not me. I just want to go to sleep. As I said earlier, I am blessed that alcohol makes me sick.
I never try to judge the addict, but I also do not enable them. I won't take care of drunks or people who are high. I get away from them and stay away from them. It is just not my thing. If someone wants to quit, I'll tell them to go to AA.

 

[Wingnut]

Well, I may joke about getting "knocked out" by that busthead cider, but in reality, I reach a point where I realize I'm hammered, I shut everything down, and I crawl off to bed. Details are fuzzy in the morning, but that's only with the busthead cider, not with beer or even tequila, go figure. I think my body & brain handle the cider differently, perhaps due to the different fermentation process. Meh, no big deal, I don't care if somebody views me as an alcoholic, and I don't mind BEING an alcoholic, lol... sure beats being a meth head, crackhead, heroin shooter, Big Pharma addict, registered Democrat, etc. So I'll stick with this cold beer I'm enjoying right now, a "reward" for getting some home rehab work done.

I've heard all the tedious sermonizing about alcohol being a "crutch" or whatever... and I don't see it that way, I see it as a "social lubricant" and a way to blow off steam and stress, because it works GREAT in that regard. Probably why it's so popular among so many folks... those who can't handle it or don't wanna deal with it, fine, let 'em drink juice or soda or whatever, ain't gonna bother me one bit. My nephew quit drinking, and more power to him... same with my best friend Tommy. The way I see it, life is still UGLY with or without it, lol, so WHY NOT PARTY? What am I gonna do, save myself for the bright new Third World socialist future under scumbags like Clinton, Obama & Biden? Pfffffffft... PUH-LEEZ!

 

[Ozarks hillbilly]

Just read somewhere else this quote and thought it was appropriate here:

"Addiction is giving up everything for one thing. Recovery is giving up one thing for everything."

Not saying the cause of addiction, but I like this perspective.

 

[rice paddy daddy]

Just read somewhere else this quote and thought it was appropriate here:

"Addiction is giving up everything for one thing. Recovery is giving up one thing for everything."

Not saying the cause of addiction, but I like this perspective.

When a newcomer to AA asks if he has to change anything, the answer is yes. Change everything.

 

[lonewolf]

I gave up smoking nearly 30 years ago, mostly because of the cost and its much more expensive now.
I gave up alcohol 23 years ago, decided I could spend my money on better things.
did drugs in the 80s and 90s but only cannabis and not much.
in any SHTF event I want a clear head and I expect everyone near me to be the same, no alcoholics or druggies allowed.