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How to know if you’re addicted

psyche.co

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Re: How to know if you’re addicted

#31

Post by Cthulhu_ »

rhino369 wrote: post #21
GenZRiseUp wrote: post #12

That is a really beautifully designed website. I was addicted to pornography. The way I knew was by trying to stop for at least a week, if I could accomplish that, then it wouldn't be a problem. I couldn't make it past one day. I thought, maybe access was the issue - so I deleted my browsers, and within a day was reinstalling them just to watch porn. I was watching during classes, and I would go late to events just s…

>The way I knew was by trying to stop for at least a week, if I could accomplish that, then it wouldn't be a problem. Not being able to stop for a week shows you are an addict. But being able to stop for week doesn't really show you aren't one. Most addicts do quit for weeks or even months at a time.

Well yeah, but if you're not sure, you can try it and introspect how you feel; if you're restless or start tweaking you're likely addicted to whatever you're trying to quit, as mentioned by the parent comment.

Addicts that quit for X amount of time and relapse KNOW they're addicted. They know that they need to be conscious at all times, and that even after decades they may relapse if they're not careful. This is where organizations like AA come in, offering support, coaching, goals and positive feedback for dealing with - in that case - alcoholism.

Re: How to know if you’re addicted

#32

Post by rajin444 »

sleepingadmin wrote: post #11

Recently gave cannabis a break. Been using for years as a medical user. If flower, I would smoke Felt like I wasn't anywhere near overdoing it, but when looking at cannabis withdraw symptoms... can confirm. Certainly had a problem. Still wondering if i can even go back.

I’m similar I think. I generally smoke similar amounts daily.

I’ve taken a break a few times now and aside from some weird dreams initially and my eyes being less dry, I didn’t really notice much. I took a 2 month break not too long ago and the only benefit I found was from “doing something” - ie a mental boost from setting a goal and accomplishing it.

I’ve only ever used weed to relax when all the other stressors in my life are under control, which might have something to do with it.

Re: How to know if you’re addicted

#33

Post by Mezzie »

aurbano wrote: post #19
IAmGraydon wrote: post #17

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> Addiction can be defined as a persistent, compulsive need to use a substance, despite the negative consequences to you or others. If that describes you, you likely have an addiction.

I feel like the definition should just be "Addiction can be defined as a persistent, compulsive need to use a substance". Surely one can be addicted even if it doesn't have negative consequences right?

Yeah, this is a major omission and it is also why you see so many functional addicts who don't think they have a problem.

Also it means that who is considered an 'addict' is partially socially constructed: Some people have jobs that will randomly drug test for weed, so if they smoke daily and lose their job, they're addicts, but since my job is remote and doesn't care, I could be high as a kite most nights and not be an 'addict' since it didn't cause issues.

Re: How to know if you’re addicted

#34

Post by lelanthran »

rhino369 wrote: post #21
GenZRiseUp wrote: post #12

That is a really beautifully designed website. I was addicted to pornography. The way I knew was by trying to stop for at least a week, if I could accomplish that, then it wouldn't be a problem. I couldn't make it past one day. I thought, maybe access was the issue - so I deleted my browsers, and within a day was reinstalling them just to watch porn. I was watching during classes, and I would go late to events just s…

>The way I knew was by trying to stop for at least a week, if I could accomplish that, then it wouldn't be a problem. Not being able to stop for a week shows you are an addict. But being able to stop for week doesn't really show you aren't one. Most addicts do quit for weeks or even months at a time.

> Not being able to stop for a week shows you are an addict. But being able to stop for week doesn't really show you aren't one. Most addicts do quit for weeks or even months at a time.

Correct. "Not doing $X anymore" doesn't mean you aren't an addict. "Being able to turn on/turn off doing $X" means you aren't an addict. If you haven't had a drink in years, but having a single one means that you now cannot do without the bottle, you're still an addict.

I've always said that there's no such thing as an ex-smoker; they're smokers who haven't smoked in a long time.

Re: How to know if you’re addicted

#36

Post by sgc »

aurbano wrote: post #19
IAmGraydon wrote: post #17

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> Addiction can be defined as a persistent, compulsive need to use a substance, despite the negative consequences to you or others. If that describes you, you likely have an addiction.

I feel like the definition should just be "Addiction can be defined as a persistent, compulsive need to use a substance". Surely one can be addicted even if it doesn't have negative consequences right?

I agree, but it's still not a good definition.

People are also addicted to porn, gambling, to sports (the 'hyperfit'), or to doing nothing, etc. Activities / experiences / behaviours are addictive, which shows that it is not as simple as just a physiological response to various substances.

I have an addictive personality. I have to watch my routines since I fall into ruts very easily, just about anything I do can do it.

Re: How to know if you’re addicted

#37

Post by leetcrew »

aurbano wrote: post #19
IAmGraydon wrote: post #17

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> Addiction can be defined as a persistent, compulsive need to use a substance, despite the negative consequences to you or others. If that describes you, you likely have an addiction.

I feel like the definition should just be "Addiction can be defined as a persistent, compulsive need to use a substance". Surely one can be addicted even if it doesn't have negative consequences right?

I guess, but if there truly are zero negative consequences, it's not really a problem that needs to be solved. I have a compulsion to have one or two cups of coffee every morning. is it useful to describe myself as a coffee addict?

Re: How to know if you’re addicted

#38

Post by oigursh »

specproc wrote: post #10
sumosudo wrote: post #2

Remove the offending substance and see how long or to what extent you would go to get it back.

With alcohol, its not so much about the urge to drink when you stop, but how bad your withdrawal symptoms are. I pretty much gave up in my mid thirties when I stopped for two weeks to deal with some life admin and found myself in withdrawal. I've had a few spells off the wagon since, but now realise something is properly broken in me. Even small amounts of alcohol trigger hideous hangovers and anxiety. The only count…

Had a night out with friends recently after a year off. Didn't start to feel right until 4 days later. Not. Worth. It.

Re: How to know if you’re addicted

#39

Post by throwawayweed »

In my mid twenties, I had two addictions - pornography and Marijuana.

The first was significantly harder to kick than the later. Maybe I'm merely a weak person, but I felt I slowly succumbed to these things after years of casual use and some major relational setbacks in my life post college. I got psychological help but was not encouraged to stop doing these things, just to practice moderation. Ultimately, I was forced by circumstance to have to stop and realized I was a lot happier. I think a lot of people don't want to acknowledge that they are addicted to stuff like this and rationalize it away.

I find myself thinking we should set up better societal guard rails about these things, but avoid making them illegal. Neither of these are hard addictions to kick anyway, but they do cost you a lot of time and money.

Re: How to know if you’re addicted

#40

Post by pqs »

GenZRiseUp wrote: post #12

That is a really beautifully designed website. I was addicted to pornography. The way I knew was by trying to stop for at least a week, if I could accomplish that, then it wouldn't be a problem. I couldn't make it past one day. I thought, maybe access was the issue - so I deleted my browsers, and within a day was reinstalling them just to watch porn. I was watching during classes, and I would go late to events just s…

I should try to not randomly browse the web for one week. I'm not sure whether I'm able. Ups. It is so easy to jus type Ctrl-T and then news.ycom TAB.
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