101–110 of 166 posts
Here is one addiction I wish I could grow out of: benzos and other benzo like drugs such as Ambien (zolpidem). I've been on them for almost 9 years, and they are unbelievably hard to quit. I take them for my insomnia. I don't have to take much (10mg of Ambien for example), but without them I'll lay awake in bed for 8 hours not getting any sleep. I've done all the sleep hygiene stuff such as CBT or forced sleep depriv…
Isn't it possible that the issue is in the difficulty in classifying people as "addicts" instead of concluding that most addicts just grow out of it? The alcoholics in my family do not grow out of it. To a man (or woman) they just deteriorate over the years and it is a very sad thing to watch. It seems possible that what the author had and what my family members have are two different afflictions. >Moreover, if addic…
'[I]t is hard to argue that we “weren’t really addicted.” I don’t know many non-addicts who shoot up 40 times a day, get suspended from college for dealing and spend several months in a methadone program.'
As a sober addict I really can't comprehend the "flavor" of addiction the author describes. Most of my addict friends and acquaintances either worked at sobriety or died from using. Actually most died. If someone can just stop, most would simply say the person wasn't actually an addict.
I've seen this comment about "wasn't actually an addict" or "not really an addiction" in every discussion of this story, here and elsewhere. I'm very curious as to why people say this, because it doesn't seem to add anything to the discussion or take it in any useful direction. I'm not trolling here: I really don't get it, and it bugs me a bit because it seems to distract the discussion from things that might be usef…
From my experience and observations, most people don't grow out of being addicted, they simply shift their focus of addiction. This often goes unnoticed because there are many people who are addicted to things that the majority of society wouldn't consider an addiction. One might give up an "unhealthy" addiction for a socially acceptable one. Or their unhealthy addiction may simply shift, from one substance to anothe…
The coin flip decision making is an interesting and fun experiment. Sometimes when going out with friends we'll leave all decisions for the night up to the coin. It is freeing and irksome when a choice does not go the way you want.
From my experience and observations, most people don't grow out of being addicted, they simply shift their focus of addiction. This often goes unnoticed because there are many people who are addicted to things that the majority of society wouldn't consider an addiction. One might give up an "unhealthy" addiction for a socially acceptable one. Or their unhealthy addiction may simply shift, from one substance to anothe…
That's actually unbelievably eye-opening for me. I'm dealing with a family member who, for the last three years, has slid into alcoholism head first. We've not been able to put an identifier on when or why it started, but it started. Looking at it now, though, he has always been the kind of person who has a 'project' going at home that he is unbelievably tied up in; woodworking, singing, hunting, metalworking. Always…
From my experience and observations, most people don't grow out of being addicted, they simply shift their focus of addiction. This often goes unnoticed because there are many people who are addicted to things that the majority of society wouldn't consider an addiction. One might give up an "unhealthy" addiction for a socially acceptable one. Or their unhealthy addiction may simply shift, from one substance to anothe…
I think you're misusing the term "addiction". Addiction is destructive compulsive behavior. I don't think it's very helpful in this conversation to talk about addictions as being Buddhist-like "attachments"--that is a completely separate topic. Addiction treatment isn't necessarily about controlling compulsion, it's about controlling destructive compulsion.
Previously, if I didn't meditate regularly, I would get irritable and become less harmonious. I became addicted to meditation as a way to prevent myself from becoming moody. I have found that yoga, swimming, and other "healthy" activities have the same effect on me. Ultimately all they do is alter my mental state and I would become edgy if someone interfered with my practice.
While I realize this a logical stretch for most people, I can see the addictive quality in my need for many seemingly healthy activities in my life. I am saying this as a person whom for many years has identified most closely with Buddhism.
From my experience and observations, most people don't grow out of being addicted, they simply shift their focus of addiction. This often goes unnoticed because there are many people who are addicted to things that the majority of society wouldn't consider an addiction. One might give up an "unhealthy" addiction for a socially acceptable one. Or their unhealthy addiction may simply shift, from one substance to anothe…
http://www.amazon.com/dp/0062015893/
The thesis seems to be that the entire concept of "addiction" is misleading and inimical to efforts to reduce drug use.
Here is one addiction I wish I could grow out of: benzos and other benzo like drugs such as Ambien (zolpidem). I've been on them for almost 9 years, and they are unbelievably hard to quit. I take them for my insomnia. I don't have to take much (10mg of Ambien for example), but without them I'll lay awake in bed for 8 hours not getting any sleep. I've done all the sleep hygiene stuff such as CBT or forced sleep depriv…
Have you tried Seroquel? That stuff is insta-knockout.
Thanks for the suggestion though, much appreciated.
As someone who struggled with cocaine, heroin and prescription opioid addictions throughout my teenage years, this resonates with me quite a bit, but I'm not sure if I agree with the conclusions the author is drawing. I got clean with no help either - and yet, many years later, I still consider myself "in recovery." I view my recovery as a never-ending process; even though I haven't touched the substances themselves…
During my high school years, I suffered a bad accident. My right forearm was pretty much shattered, almost amputated. For about a week after all the surgeries, I was on Vicodin 24/7. Just from that, I was addicted. The withdrawal was miserable, and obviously came at the worst possible time.
That one week with Vicodin continues to have profound effects on my life, even now that I'm in my 30s. My fear of addiction convinced me to stay away from all drugs and even drinking. I socialized with people who didn't drink, and found activities that didn't involve partying. All of my social groups and hobbies, to this day, are the legacy of my total adult sobriety. I can't even imagine who I'd be if I didn't have that awful experience with Vicodin.