I couldn't agree more. The myth that addiction always needs some sort of intervention or treatment is quite false, yet it is constantly perpetuated by the media, doctors, and groups like AA/NA. There is a huge interest (and sometimes profits) on behalf of these groups to perpetuate this myth, of course, to the detriment of the people who suffer from addiction. I'm glad to see that the conclusions based on data differ from the uninformed propaganda that typically dominates this topic.
Most People with Addiction Simply Grow Out of It
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Re: Most People with Addiction Simply Grow Out of It
#112I smoked a lot of marijuana since I was 23 till about 26.
I experimented with cocaine, heroin, MDMA, crystal meth for about a month when I was 25.
Heroin was scarily addictive. I remember smoking from tinfoil turned black and mixing other drugs.
I stopped because I got asthma and started coughing up blood. It was opiod withdrawl is the worst but I never touched drugs again.
Anytime I think about my experience, it sends cold sweat, thinking how I could've done it. This is also good because I know the cold sweats keep me away from every repeating this. Its bad because I constantly think about the health implications of smoking heroin, crystal meth for about one month, and the rest of year smoking marijuana that smelled like febreeze.
I hope I'm okay I haven't gone to check with a doctor tho.
Re: Most People with Addiction Simply Grow Out of It
#113Many people I know that suffer from addictions have carried them through to their later life and continue to function as part of society and generally keep their habits to themselves. I do wonder if they have accounted for this in this study. I am not saying they are incorrect but it is just a thought. =D
Re: Most People with Addiction Simply Grow Out of It
#114From 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…
You sound a bit like this (fictional) psychiatrist: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Dice_Man
That looks like an interesting story, I'll check it out.
Re: Most People with Addiction Simply Grow Out of It
#115Here 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…
I was on benzos for about 7 years myself before tapering off. I eventually tapered off. I think if you taper off at a slow enough pace you should be able to do it, though not without some discomfort. However, it doesn't have to be horrific as some people say if you don't go too fast. I used cannabis to help sleep during the taper. Never switched to Valium, but it all really depends on your body chemistry. My taper was rather rapid, but it was not too bad. Insomnia and some minor panic attacks were the worst of it. I definitely recommend checking out http://www.benzobuddies.org/ for information and support.
Regardless, without going through the withdrawal process, that is one addiction you will not grow out of as stopping suddenly can be quite dangerous.
Re: Most People with Addiction Simply Grow Out of It
#116Here 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 getting an allotment and digging it? All of it, two feet down? Working it from dawn to dusk with three short breaks?
Better still, hard manual labour on shifts in a factory where slacking off stops production and is therefore not possible? Maybe in a hazardous environment where you have to be alert to avoid getting burnt or injured by machinery.
Seriously, put yourself through a few weeks in some industrial job and you will not have sleep problems after that.
Re: Most People with Addiction Simply Grow Out of It
#117That's what happened with me. I'm an ex-heroin addict, clean for two years as of August 30th, after being addicted for 7 years prior. I just had enough... Luckily, Australia has a great support network for my situation, and I can't thank Biala enough for their help. Now I'm kicking ass and taking names :)
My only disagreement is that I still think I'm recovering. I think I always will be, and I've accepted that. No rest for the wicked, I suppose. In addition, I took advantage of opiate replacement therapy, as cold-turkey was just too painful at the time (struggling with depression meant that the emotional side of withdrawals was dangerous for me). I'm finishing my taper in two months, after starting on 28mg of suboxone :)
Re: Most People with Addiction Simply Grow Out of It
#118As 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…
Your comment resonates with me quite a bit. 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 t…
Okay, I have long wanted to know this about alcoholics and alcohol relapse sufferers:
Do one-time alcoholics - functional or otherwise - who have sought treatment and then completely quit drinking for a fair number of years, ever manage to go back to moderate & responsible alcohol consumption?
or
Is it pretty much a life of teetotalism, for them, after that?
Do you know of any friends or family who have recovered and enjoy alcohol responsibly?
My experience has been that almost all such people I know, resort to drinking non-alcohol fizzy drinks, fruit juices and other replacements, but never any booze, not even non-alcoholic beer.
Re: Most People with Addiction Simply Grow Out of It
#119Re: Most People with Addiction Simply Grow Out of It
#120Earlier quoted context omitted.
Have you tried Seroquel? That stuff is insta-knockout.
I've tried Remeron (Mirtazapine) which at low doses is a sedating H1 antagonist like Seroquel. It worked for about 2 years and then like an idiot I started playing around with the dosages and it stopped working completely. Thanks for the suggestion though, much appreciated.
I really feel for you. I have experienced bouts of insomnia when I've been really stressed. I got laid off twice last year in a three month span, and even after I found a better and steadier gig, the stress persisted for a few months. Additionally, my wife was pregnant with our first child as I was starting the new job. Over the span of a few months, I would have week long stretches where I might sleep 2 or less hours a night, sometimes not at all.
I managed to work through it without using any medication, but it was only time and learning to trust that my body knew how to do the right thing (sleep), without my mind interfering, that eventually righted the ship.