Addiction

[Restless Oblivion]

never been addicted to anything, and as far as i've found so far, i don't have an addictive personality. in my personal opinion (please don't blast me for this - i know most everyone will disagree with me, and will think i'm a giant ass for saying this) i feel that even the "physical" addictions are "mental" at their base. if one is addicted, it's due to a lack of mental control in their lives, and likely due to the suppression of psychological issues that were in place when the addiction took hold of them. i feel that through personal introspection, and with counselling if desired/needed/warranted, anyone can "beat" anything, they just have to understand from where the "addiction" stems.

Yes thank you and Troy Spiral for pointing that out. I totally agree, I split them into two categories purely because the word on the street is that drugs such as weed are not addictive because they are not 'phisiologically' addictive.

I do slightly disagree with you Troy though when you say psychological stems from the physical and vice versa because of the brain - there is another little known area of psychology called the transpersonal level which in my opinion also plays a part and is separate to the physical body. It depends which way you understand it - but I like to think of it as a spirit dimension which is a separate entity..... but that's another thread lol

Very good responses both of you

[Rev.Reverence]

Yes thank you and Troy Spiral for pointing that out. I totally agree, I split them into two categories purely because the word on the street is that drugs such as weed are not addictive because they are not 'phisiologically' addictive.

I do slightly disagree with you Troy though when you say psychological stems from the physical and vice versa because of the brain - there is another little known area of psychology called the transpersonal level which in my opinion also plays a part and is separate to the physical body. It depends which way you understand it - but I like to think of it as a spirit dimension which is a separate entity..... but that's another thread lol

Very good responses both of you

I like that thread idea...why don't you start it Doll....whilst I finish my post here...I'll be there soon..

[Destroit]

Addiction by Skinny Puppy

desperate deranged talking in my sleep again eyes twitch

retain a sentimental something looked lorn and we burned and burned

I was a cinder body soul in my dreams breakdown amidst the mixtures

avoid addictive plea responding disillusion encrusted cruelty decribe

why nails enclose me eating so evenly there exists a lot of reasons

to support fatality abstience possessed hardly what you think it is

hearts beat positive provided there's progress ignorance does insist of

the right coffin took some food offered me can't see myself drank the

wine wished the feverish burst of terror breakdown amidst the

mixtures avoid addictive plea insist that nothing happened chilled

bloodless fatigue recharge with bitterness fanatics beckoning mistook

a look impassioned absorbed with clarity consciousness drifts away

discarded memory packaged shelf life bad display breakdown amidst

the mixtures avoid addictive plea excessive near romances comfort

is treachery so pound the nails in tight eyes screaming out of sight

against a grain like curtain unbearably alive

Fuck...Phee...why you gotta steal my answer?

[Rev.Reverence]

...O.K..

I got...er..eh...Distracted last night...couldn't make it back on..

FIRST OFF LEMME SAY; THESE ARE MY FINDINGS FROM A LIFETIME OF PAYING ATTENTION TO THE THINGS AROUND ME.

So..if it seems that I have attacked a group of people, rest assured; I have been formulating this point of view for quite some time.

..&...

..Here we go...

*takes a deep breath*

ADDICTION...is far more widespread than it is being given credit...

First a list of things (other than "drugs") I see people addicted to:

INTER-NET

VIDEO GAMES

T.V.

FOOD

BUYING THINGS / SPENDING MONEY

ATTENTION to the point of:ARGUING,LYING,BEING A BITCH IN GENERAL

SPREADING MISERY...(misery loves company)

MUSIC

BEING RIGHT (correct that is)

SEX

MAJIK

DANCING

KUNG-FU

YOGA

Now not all of these things are detrimental actions on their own...but if taken in large enough portions they can ALL lead to a 'pit fall'

.

There is a chemical reaction (or some reactions) that these things trigger...these chemicals flow through your bloodstream they do...

These chemicals cannot kill you...but your want for them, will drive you to a fitful mood, and could make you do things that do not seem logical...

Many people here in America that tout their 'purity' about cigs&alcohol&pot&more illicit things...

..only sit and eat and watch T.V.; taking breaks to go out into the world and spread their sadness & misery.

This lifestyle will kill you.

DRUG ADDICTION:

The list of DRUGS!

* Caffeine

* Nicotine in the form of tobacco, particularly cigarettes

* Alcohol

* Stimulants:

o Amphetamine and Methamphetamine

o Caffeine

o Cocaine

o Nicotine

* Sedatives and Hypnotics:

o Alcohol

o Barbiturates

o Benzodiazepines, particularly alprazolam, clonazepam, temazepam, and nimetazepam

o Methaqualone and the related quinazolinone sedative-hypnotics

* Opiate and Opioid analgesics

o Morphine and Codeine, the two naturally-occurring opiate analgesics

o Semi-synthetic opiates, such as Heroin (Diacetylmorphine), Oxycodone, and Hydromorphone

o Fully synthetic opioids, such as Fentanyl and its analogs, Meperidine/Pethidine, and Methadone

I did not want to type that....but I love complete lists.

Marijuana is not on their list...I think that they left it off because of the fact "there is no toxic level"...

I'm putting it back on the list.. ...I've seen people do really illogical/stupid things...repetitively...

(& since they blame M.J. she's on trial too.)

Near everything I've read or seen, sais and/or adds up to the that an addiction "influences" the addict to do "illogical things"...

Most addicts will tell you that the addition "MADE" them to do "stupid things"...

That is a cop-out...

They were weak enough to fall to temptation; I think they should pony up on the responsibility...

In example:

A room mate of ours once did not come home; EVER...never again seeing his freinds again was easyer than addmitting that he spent his rent money on crack...AGAIN..

PSYCHOLOGICAL BASIS FOR ADDICTIVE PERSONALLITIES:

There are no real SET basis for this; however, psychological trauma seems to play a part...most addicts I know/have known...are looking for something that they think is missing.

In example:

A recovering addict I know personally; is so addictive to the chemical release of "brain drugs" that to satiate his needs to remain sober; bought a double lot & made a garden; and has a recording studio in his basement. He rarely leaves his house; save for to work and meetings. Is he "recovering" from addiction; or "hiding from" addiction?

COMPARING ADDICTIONS:

In my highly-self-educated-opinion, since addiction is founded on a pain, (in most cases)..and since ZEN dictates that we not compare the pain of one to the pain of another...the point becomes mute..

Though you could debate all day long the "detrimental effects" of each substance in turn.

I say to each his own...as it is apparent to me that 90% of America is utterly addicted to CONVENIENCE.

So...I don't let people blame the "drug".. be it chemical or activity...THEY should blame their personal weaknesses and/or bad life/lifestyle choices.

THANK YOU TO THOSE THAT READ THIS POST.. ..

^{..THE REST OF YOU ARE WEAK...}

[Restless Oblivion]

most excellent post Rev

[Rev.Reverence]

most excellent post Rev

That means allot coming from you ma'am..as I did not "lift" a word of it.

*brushes away imaginary tear*

[Raev]

Ya know, I nearly posted a lengthy writeup on my own fight with addiction.

Both substance addiction and mental addictions.

How I ended up involved with each, what lead into them, how they effected my life and finally what pulled me through onto the never ending road of recovery.

Then I reread it and saw how personal and revealing of a tale it was, how much of *me* it laid open for dissection and ridicule. Then I thought to myself "how many of the people in this thread, would even give a shit enough to read it?"

So I just saved my lengthy writing, opted to save your time and not bore you with an inside look at the subject and opt to say - I'll answer any questions about addiction but won't post the writeup I did unless asked to.

[ManicQueen]

I am all too famiair with addiction. Family history as well as myself.

I've been in the program before, I've been hospitalized and I even went to jail because my addiction got the best of me.

GFP - I watch Intervention every week.. good show!

[Guest GodfallenPromos]

Ya know, I nearly posted a lengthy writeup on my own fight with addiction.

Both substance addiction and mental addictions.

How I ended up involved with each, what lead into them, how they effected my life and finally what pulled me through onto the never ending road of recovery.

Then I reread it and saw how personal and revealing of a tale it was, how much of *me* it laid open for dissection and ridicule. Then I thought to myself "how many of the people in this thread, would even give a shit enough to read it?"

So I just saved my lengthy writing, opted to save your time and not bore you with an inside look at the subject and opt to say - I'll answer any questions about addiction but won't post the writeup I did unless asked to.

ok..well..I won't ask you to put up anything you wish not too..but how about YOUR definition of addiction?

[Miranda]

I think addiction comes from a lot of different places but they are dark places inside of us. The seemingly soothing of that addiction by giving into it, is a self- sacrificing battle some of us deal with every day. It’s almost as If people are trying to replace one habit with another in order to compensate for something possibly they feel is gone, they never had or is now lost.

There is a healthy way to live and we know what balance is but we still do what we want to do. The chemicals mentioned that are released into your brain are factor of course. If you notice when someone gives up smoking, they usually gain weight. A reaction to a loss, so, let’s make another habit/reaction to fill the need once again.

Whether it be food, drugs, sex, attention, it's definitely being done to fill a need. If you go into that person's history I think you find in a lot of cases there were deep-rooted issues from their formative years. Maybe things they don't even remember anymore they have pushed them so far down.I think each thing a person could possibly be addicted to fills voids. You can literally be addicted to anything. I've even seen humans addicted to humans.

I know as a former hard drug addict, I think about getting high a lot. I miss escaping and I miss not having that crutch because I have to look at myself sober every day. I toy with thoughts of going back to it a lot but I know there is nothing there for me but more pain.

[Raev]

ok..well..I won't ask you to put up anything you wish not too..but how about YOUR definition of addiction?

When something begins to define you....then there is addiction. The reasons for it, are too numerous to list. It's different with each person. When it begins to define you...when your not willing to live life without it..then it's an addiction.

Addiction isn't just to drugs, that's just the most commonly talked about.

[industrial_girl_2000]

I'm with Jynxxedangel on this one: I'm addicted to LIFE too.

And just like any addictive drug, LIFE gives you highs/lows & can cost you a hell of a lot of money to partake in it if you aren't careful. Don't fight it, just like any good buzz, just go with it....!