Addiction in America

[Not Afraid]

Originally Posted by €uroMeinke

That said I find addiction baffling as it is one of those things that's hard to define. I can match drink for drink with an alcoholic and yet the effect is quite different for me, so it's not a measure of how much.

It's easy to point to people and speculate about them being an addict (whether or not they agree), but what really is the marker?

No, it's not a measure of how much or when. A person can switch from normal drinker to alcoholic quickly or slowly; at a young age or at an old age; by having one daily drink, lots of daily drinks or just the occasional binge. It's not about how much a person drinks but what happens when a person drinks. It's very much a PHYSICAL illness that effects the mind as well as the body.

There usually is no marker - although some people show signs of the disease from the start. In others, it takes time to manifest itself. Just like cancer starts as a small cell mutation, alcoholism may start with few warning signs. However, by feeding the disease, it continues to grow.

The baffling part about addiction is the mental trickery that goes on. That trickery is precisely why the concept of AA seems to work. The alcoholic has no power over the disease so, by giving the power over the disease away to a "higher power" the disease can be fought.

[Morrigoon]

This has been, I must say, a fascinatingly deep discussion.

On the other hand, I agree that if ALL our conversations were this deep, things would become rather tiresome. I think I appreciated depth in moderation.

[MouseWife]

Originally Posted by Tom

Besides, even if AA only represents a path to sobriety for those who have already chosen to get there, that makes it much more than a fraud, and I am grateful for it in any case.

I am grateful for it being there to help the people that I care about.

I agree with NA's comment about not having to explain/prove yourself here. I think the person whom I know attends meetings feels the same way. You just can't get it.

I have been to only one meeting, it didn't feel like a church event.

I do know people who went to meetings because the court ordered it. Or rather, perhaps, it ordered them to do something. They never intended to become sober or deal with their problems. They are now dead.

Someone said to me 'I don't get AA, I mean, a bunch of people dying for a drink sitting around talking about drinking'. But I don't think it was talking about drinking but rather their experiences and how low they went and how they don't want to go there again.

Our family has very strong addictive genes. Some say {and this is going to get flamed but here goes} that the Indian blood has something to do with it. {I always thought it was the way of lifestyle but what do I know?}

Also, I know there is a lot of depression in the genes. One counselor suggesteded the addicitons were people self medicating?

I personally have been able to stop whatever I'm doing when I've chosen to. I had a drug of choice and when I chose to stop, I did. When I set my mind to lose weight, I did. People couldn't believe I didn't have a problem stopping the drug use and everyone talked behind my back that I must be on drugs or have had surgery!

Final word, from me, {I hope} whatever works to keep you sober and sane, do it. Life is too short to be wasted. And, so many people have left this earth way too early because of it.

Temple of the Dog did a song, 'Say Hello To Heaven' and I dedicate to the people whom I've lost.

I don't want to lose anymore.

[alphabassettgrrl]

Genetics does seem to play a role in some of this stuff. My father-in-law is an alcoholic who won't admit it; my hubby I think tends toward addiction but keeps himself held back from that brink, and due to his experience with his dad, consistantly is nervous about my drinking.

[innerSpaceman]

Hmmmm, and my mom's a pill-addict. Been in and out of recovery x number of times.



Genetically, that would mean I'm prone to it. As it turns out, though, it's just another indication I'm eerily addiction-immune.

[MouseWife]

alphabassettgrrl~my hubby, too.

iSm~in my family, out of nine of us, it is hit or miss. But, my parents were non-drinkers and clean.

{so much for my final word... this really too deep for just one post, I guess...}

[Not Afraid]

Originally Posted by innerSpaceman

Hmmmm, and my mom's a pill-addict. Been in and out of recovery x number of times.



Genetically, that would mean I'm prone to it. As it turns out, though, it's just another indication I'm eerily addiction-immune.

You're still young.

[Prudence]

I have never tried an illegal drug. I've never smoked a cigarette. I've never been seriously drunk. (slightly buzzed, but no more).

And that's intentional. I know that if I tried something and it gave me an amazing experience or made me feel great - or even just made me stop feeling miserable for a moment - I'd stop at nothing to do whatever that was as often as I possibly could.

[innerSpaceman]

One of the many great things about LSD - from a practical perspective - is that, besides being non-addictive, it was pretty much abuse-resistant.

It does indeed provide a "wonderful experience" and makes you "feel great" ... but it is non-effective if repeatedly ingested. I've found, in fact, that it takes a break of about a week before LSD will again have its full effect on a partaking person.

(Of course, this simply meant that I would only take acid once per week ... and that's a habit, but it was not possible to become abuse.)

[Prudence]

With LSD -- when my mind wanders, it tends to go very unpleasant places. I'm concerned that would inspire the infamous "bad trip."