Addictions

[Scarface]

Addictions

What is an addiction?

An addiction is an obsession of an object/person/place. It can be from drinking coffee to an excess or drugs and alcohol.

Who is affected by someone with an addiction?

Everyone. Not only family, but friends finances and down to your state of mind. Addictions take over your life. It's mentally scaring not only for the user(Addict), but for everyone around them. It's a mind altering substance that can change take a turn in your life for the worst.

Story

Drugs and alcohol and addictions run in my family. They turned my family into thieves, criminals and dead beats. I had a family when I was younger, when they weren't hooked on something, but now I have practically no family left. They're either dead, old or strongly hooked on whatever they're on. It's taken it's toll on me because I really had no proper guidance except for my grandmother, she has since passed, but if it wasn't for her, I might have ended up like them if she wouldn't have shown me, that it really isn't my fault that they were mean. That they paid no attention to me. That they wanted nothing to do with me. That I was a rag doll for their aggression and after the divorce my brother and I were fought over because of child support. Just so they would have money to be able to get their next fix. They still are not well, and I don't anticipate them to get clean anytime soon. I never had the things that kids that had good parents had. Great Christmas gifts. Birthday gifts. Affection. Praise. Nothing to gain from them, but negativity and remorse.
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The lesson to learn from what I described is to not be like them. Do not take them as good examples, don't use drugs. You can be successful without drugs. You can be happy without drugs.
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Peer Pressure

In school there is a fascination for experimenting with drugs. Whether from TV, video games or other influences, they try it and some like it. Then they continue using. Though when they have friends that aren't on drugs or “Use” then they want them to try it to they can feel the way they do too.

Though in the process; it's a cycle. Either you fall into peer pressure and continue on persuading others to do it too, or you refuse and not let what your friends say dictate what you put inside or your body, consume or inhale.

Remember: Drugs will never solve your problems. They are only a mask what is going on. Only to procrastinate/delay the inevitable. Your problems are still going to be there, except, when you use drugs or other mind altering substances, you might:
1). Not remember what happened
2).You're broke
3).You are in legal (Or other types of problems, or trouble)
4). You burn bridges with people that you care about. Losing friendships, relationships, wives, husbands. All because of a drug or addiction of sort.

Though in the end... Is that really worth just feeling good for a couple of hours and risking so much to get it? Then end up with your same problems and even more if other occurrences happen. It will do so much more harm than good.

What do I do if my family or close relative or friend is addicted to drugs?

Well you have to first reassure yourself that if they are blaming you for anything, to know that it is not your fault. You have to know that what they're going through is hard and sometimes you cannot really see the pain they're going through because they're high/drunk.

The first thing you can do is you can attend Alateen meetings, which is a group of teenagers that have parents that are drug addicts and alcoholics. It's a support groups so everyone can vent and talk about their parent and know that they are not alone. The link Alateen (http://www.al-anon.alateen.org/) That will take you to the official site so you can find meetings near you.

Also, when your parents or someone else is ready to get sober they can go to meetings called Alcoholics Anonymous or Narcotics Anonymous. When they reach their “bottom” as they like to call it. What those meetings are, is a fellowship of men and woman who share their experience strength and hope with each other so they may solver their common problems and help others who suffer from an addiction.
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Important things to remember:

1.)This is not your fault if your parents or friend are addicted to drugs. They just feel into it and it just takes time like everything else to stop. There are many ways to stop, but the important thing is, is that you're supportive. As long as they're not abusing you in any way, then just be there for them. So they can sooner or later find the help they need.

2.)Don't be an enabler. When someone you know or a parent is addicted to any substance do not condone it by supporting their habit with money, or giving it to them. Or letting them use around you. As they will only continue to take advantage until the supply is gone. Then move on to something else. Like a leech.

3.)If you, yourself are addicted to drugs, please do not be scared to ask for help as you are not alone and you don't have to go through this without support. Getting help and admitting you have a problem is the first step.

4.)There is always hope, but until they get that help or they are taking the initiative, there is not much you can do. There is detox programs at hospitals. There are rehab centers to go to. They have to be willing to go the length to stop. You cannot force them.
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Hotlines:

Al-Anon/Alateen Hotline.

1-800-344-2666 (United States)
1-800-443-4525 (Canada)*



Alcohol/Drug Abuse
Hotline

1-800-662-HELP

Narcotics Anonymous*

1-818-773-9999 (United States)
0845 373 3366 (United Kingdom)

NACOA (National Association for the Children of Alcoholics: (United Kingdom):
0800 358 3456

Adfam (for families of those addiction to drugs/acohol: (United Kingdom)
020 7553 7640

[staying_alive]

Good, helpful post. However, it's very one-sided. I believe your experience has you thinking that ALL drugs form physical addictions and that no good can come of drugs.

You might want to discuss "physical" vs. "psychological" addiction. That seems to be a very misunderstood topic on the forum as we have people thinking weed and cigs are the same concept, when really cigarettes are much worse for you.

Also, you should consider yourself very lucky for the life you lived and the family you have. I am truly sorry for your life growing up, as no kid should experience that, but think about all that it's taught you. You're so ahead of all the other kids who live perfect lives and then get tossed into the world to fend for themselves. Only the kids that grow up with your kind of knowledge are the successful ones in our society.

[ShatteredWings]

Valid points, however any source will be biased (even primary sources).
If you'd like to write up your side of this with facts on psych/physical addiction and positives from [like? i can't think of any] feel free.

[Spook]

Very interesting. :D

[kai99]

Liked the post :D

[Nellerin]

Addiction means a person has no control over whether he or she uses a drug or drinks. Someone who's addicted to cocaine has grown so used to the drug that he or she has to have it. Addiction can be physical, psychological, or both.

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Not necessarily, you body/mind begins a craving for it in order to feel normal. A strong person can overcome addiction and they don't "have" to have it.

Good, helpful post. However, it's very one-sided. I believe your experience has you thinking that ALL drugs form physical addictions and that no good can come of drugs.

You might want to discuss "physical" vs. "psychological" addiction. That seems to be a very misunderstood topic on the forum as we have people thinking weed and cigs are the same concept, when really cigarettes are much worse for you.

Also, you should consider yourself very lucky for the life you lived and the family you have. I am truly sorry for your life growing up, as no kid should experience that, but think about all that it's taught you. You're so ahead of all the other kids who live perfect lives and then get tossed into the world to fend for themselves. Only the kids that grow up with your kind of knowledge are the successful ones in our society.

I agree, people group all drugs into the same category when they really are not. Weed is not addictive and never has bee, yet cigs are legal and are addictive. That is one of the main reasons people get messed up in thinking what substances are bad and which are good.

Please don't post multiple times in a row, just use the edit button instead! ~ Mike/ImCoolBeans

[ImCoolBeans]

I agree, people group all drugs into the same category when they really are not. Weed is not addictive and never has bee, yet cigs are legal and are addictive. That is one of the main reasons people get messed up in thinking what substances are bad and which are good.


Saying that weed is not addictive at all is one of the most rash statements I've seen in a while. Marijuana can be addictive and you can be pretty dependent on it. We're not talking a vicious physical addiction but a psychological addiction. You find yourself wanted the feeling and nothing else but that. I would know from experience.

Your other remark saying people don't know which substances are good and which are bad is also pretty ridiculous to be honest. There are no "good" drugs, no matter how "harmless" you may believe they are. You must not know much about how brain chemistry works and how drugs affect it if you believe that there are "good" drugs.

[MrJoel]

Addicted to alcohol

[Tina36DD]

Liked the post! THX!

I found some pills in my 17 yo brothers room. The lable said hydrocodo 10/325. it had my aunts name on it, so i think he stole it from her cos i know she wouldnt give them to him. i asked him and he said he likes the feel of them, they give him energy. I told my aunt (Moms sister) and she told my mom (so he wouldnt know it was me). She said she knew it was him who took them. She said ther was less than the 50 when he took them and only 10 when i found them. Don't know if he's addicted or not, but scares me he could take 2 many.

I know he smoked weed b4, but i don't think all the time tho.
He got in tons of trouble for it. I feel bad but i don't think he takes them anymore. My Dad was really mad. Never tried them, but i had a half a extacy once. Weird feeling and very horny...kinda creepy to me.

[Unknown-Data]

Is it weird that I've smoked cigs n weed n never got addicted, cuz throughout my family it is nearly impossible for anyone to get addicted

[Ejay]

i was addicted to alcohol for a year and went to drug treatment it hurt my family and freinds. when i got out i was clean for about 3 months, then i started heroin. it was a weakend type of thing to do in my town, everyone was using. one night i went to a party and people were smoking heroin and shooting up meth it was scary all i wanted to do was go home and cry, i thought maby if i shoot up some meth ill feel better so i took a shot it was painfull and i regret it, it started wearing off and i smoked some heroin and that i really wish i could take back and ever since then i staarted using heroin in school, at home, in treatment and with my "freinds". it was awfull i and at one point when i looked in the mirror i realized i was an addict again i got better and then moved to pills, gabapentin, oxycodone, MDMA and piparizine i wish i could stop but i cant. i really cant :( the worst part is that i dont even know why im addicted to drugs.

[Sordid Saint]

I was addicted to opiates but kicked it :)

Now I'm just addicted to cigs and "addicted" to weed

[jjsmitty]

The psychological symptoms of withdrawal are also a very important feature in drug addiction. After a very bad crash in my competitive mountain biking races I was hospitalised for about three months, and during that time was hooked up to an on demand morphine drip. I got myself into such a state of mind that it was the morphine that was making me better, whenever I was in pain I pushed the button and it all went away. I really struggled when discharged, sure I had morphine tablets and some other really strong painkillers/antidepressants but they just didn't do the trick. Eventually when the prescription ran out I was in a dire place, whenever I was in pain or stressed I wanted morphine, and that still hasnt changed.
The doctors reckon i'll be addicted to morphine for the rest of my life, its something that never goes away.
The worst thing about addiction is not the health dangers, or what you do when you're high etc, its the fact everything pales in comparison. You never truly get excited, nothing stacks up to the same highs you used to get. Heck even when I lost my virginity I wasn't as excited as I would have been on the morphine/cocktails I was on. Its makes your life feel shit afterwards.
If you've come here to weigh up the pros and cons of drugs, whilst they do damage your health and cause you to do stupid things those arent the worst things. They make your life pale in comparison, nothing is ever as exciting again. In my case I cant sleep without inducers, any pain I get I can't deal with, and I dont get the same thrills as I used to.
Hopefully someone will heed my advice
Anyone that wants any help, just wants to talk or whatever send me a message, email, smoke signals or something. I don't bite...

[joshduder]

Its best to stay away from it...DRUGS!!

[BassSwagg]

i was addicted to alcohol for a year and went to drug treatment it hurt my family and freinds. when i got out i was clean for about 3 months, then i started heroin. it was a weakend type of thing to do in my town, everyone was using. one night i went to a party and people were smoking heroin and shooting up meth it was scary all i wanted to do was go home and cry, i thought maby if i shoot up some meth ill feel better so i took a shot it was painfull and i regret it, it started wearing off and i smoked some heroin and that i really wish i could take back and ever since then i staarted using heroin in school, at home, in treatment and with my "freinds". it was awfull i and at one point when i looked in the mirror i realized i was an addict again i got better and then moved to pills, gabapentin, oxycodone, MDMA and piparizine i wish i could stop but i cant. i really cant :( the worst part is that i dont even know why im addicted to drugs.

Im so sorry youre going through that! I happen to be going through the semi same thing and I know it hurts, feel free to message me if you need to talk.

[tallteen]

i was having problems gettin hard right after my gf left me, and i tried viagra (http://generic-meds-store.com) and ever since i havent stopped.
i was wondering if there are side effects to viagra or if it could be addicted?
i consume one pill every weekend!.. i simply cant stop. mentally i cant put my self through it without popping a pill.

[momo....]

i am addict to my crush >.<

[momo....]

but tnks for that info

[Shane.B]

Was addicted to Vikes and other prescription pain meds cuz my doc forced me to start cuz of my back and I just got off them 6 months off....

[lumos]

I think I'm addicted to caffeine

[broken111]

i say that your all right because i used to be addicted to drugs because of bullying.

[Cookie Monster123456]

Addicted to cookies !

[ECSTASY]

im addicted to music! :D

[ImCoolBeans]

Addicted to cookies !

im addicted to music! :D

I'm fairly sure that people with serious substance addictions would not appreciate you making a joke out of it.

[ECSTASY]

I'm fairly sure that people with serious substance addictions would not appreciate you making a joke out of it.

oh i'm so sry. i thought this topic is for fun purpose only .

[MrMundane]

caffeine and nicotine, might get into heavier stuff but i hope not.

[Left Now]

I think anything in its own place is right but in the other places are wrong...but for drugs i think they are always wrong to use them or even have them...It is like to have a beautiful rose flower and water it by poison...Your life is like this

[Vintage Gamer Guy]

When I was younger I was bullied throughout school and eventually I tried to "hurt myself" by falling out of a tall tree. I ended up breaking my wrist whichnlead to a hydrocodone addiction. I finally got clean around a month ago. It ended costing me a great relationship and a good friend.

[Marek1]

I have no addiction but that was a good post to read

[GypsyGirl]

I was angry at my mom when I was 14 for smoking so much and ignoring me when I tried asking her to cut back and try to maybe quit. I decided to trying smoking one and then be addicted as a way to "show her"? I was sort of naive at that age... (I didn't inhale right so it was gross and haven't done it again since) I did start taking my sisters adderall though... she had a couple of bottles that she hadn't touched and didn't want. Are you supposed to be able to get addicted to it? I don't know but I take it orally and have snorted. I tried not taking it for a few days before but failed. If I try to stop for a day I start feeling sick. I don't know if that's just the crash or if it's withdrawal or maybe both.

[Lofiel]

I'm fairly sure that people with serious substance addictions would not appreciate you making a joke out of it. I believe "ECSTASY" was trying to point out because of his addiction to mdma, he's addicted to music.

The other guy was a jerk though.

[Dark Unicorn]

Helpful stuff:)

[Nightmare69]

addicted to hookah can stop if i want but i dont i love it

[RunnerRunner]

Just to cutting alcohol cigarettes and music.

[AlexOnToast]

Good info! I have an unusual but very real addiction...

[Karkat]

I'm addicted to gambling, alcohol, the internet, and arguably food. (It's possible that I have binge eating disorder, but it doesn't really present much of a problem for me. The addiction still stands.)

I also have sort of a psychological addiction to getting high/drunk/stoned

I'm not chemically dependent on anything I use, but it's hard to fight the craving. Hard to explain.

I'm debating on whether or not I'm addicted to self-harm. I don't really think I am, because like my dealings with alcohol, it's a coping mechanism and a release, but unlike my dealings with alcohol, I'm not made a slave to it really. You could argue that I am, because when I'm in pain that's one of the things I go to, and I can't stop myself from doing it, but it's not a regular thing like any of the rest are.

So in a way, I guess I am, but it's different. Besides, I haven't done any serious amount of self-harm in the past three years. I've gotten worse about it recently, though...

UPDATE:

Internet addiction is very debilitating. Cut myself off from my computer for the better portion of a week, came back on again today, and my entire day is now gone.

I've also done terrible with self-harming. I've had a major relapse and a suicide attempt since posting this.

Still alcohol free for now, thankfully.

Trying to wean myself of the need to get high by smoking tea. It seems to be helping my craving for cigarettes, and I haven't been feeling nearly as agitated about getting high.

Still no gambling.

I've been severely cutting back food intake, though I haven't had problems with binging as much lately.

[jayce_xt]

http://www.hbo.com/addiction/understanding_addiction/14_some_people_become_addicted.html
http://www.albertafamilywellness.org/brain-development-addiction/different-kinds-addiction
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/08/02/health/02abuse.html?_r=0

The main problems with addiction aren't in controlling what is addictive. They're in determining who is at risk of becoming addicted. Virtually anything can be considered "addictive" because, as it turns out, addiction is a psychological problem. It's within the person's mind. So really, a person can become addicted to anything. Not just drugs. There are sex addictions, food addictions, gambling addictions, internet addictions... basically, if it can be a coping mechanism, it can be an addiction, too.

So when people say that the object of the addiction is the problem (drugs, sex, etc), they are missing the point. Addicts don't necessarily care about the objects of addiction themselves so much as they crave the rush/relief they provide. It's why addicts don't just stick to one thing. They go for anything that can provide that feeling of release. And it just so happens that, with humans, release can be found in literally anything.

Maybe if we focus on that aspect a little more, we can come closer to fixing the problem. For the sake of everyone affected by addiction problems.

[bobbi]

Good post I don't believe I have a addiction but I frequently take sleeping pills and cough syrup even though there is nothing wrong with me my mom took away the pills but I found more in the China cabinet.

[Karkat]

http://www.hbo.com/addiction/understanding_addiction/14_some_people_become_addicted.html
http://www.albertafamilywellness.org/brain-development-addiction/different-kinds-addiction
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/08/02/health/02abuse.html?_r=0

The main problems with addiction aren't in controlling what is addictive. They're in determining who is at risk of becoming addicted. Virtually anything can be considered "addictive" because, as it turns out, addiction is a psychological problem. It's within the person's mind. So really, a person can become addicted to anything. Not just drugs. There are sex addictions, food addictions, gambling addictions, internet addictions... basically, if it can be a coping mechanism, it can be an addiction, too.

So when people say that the object of the addiction is the problem (drugs, sex, etc), they are missing the point. Addicts don't necessarily care about the objects of addiction themselves so much as they crave the rush/relief they provide. It's why addicts don't just stick to one thing. They go for anything that can provide that feeling of release. And it just so happens that, with humans, release can be found in literally anything.

Maybe if we focus on that aspect a little more, we can come closer to fixing the problem. For the sake of everyone affected by addiction problems.

I do have to agree, but would like to point out in the case of mind-altering substances, there's a chemical component as well. That's where withdrawals come from, and they're godawful. They aren't psychological in the least, just as hangovers aren't, just as 'highs' aren't.

However, you can, like you've said, become psychologically addicted to something. I'm an internet addict (and like with ADHD and OCD, I don't just say this because it's cute- I have a serious problem that's a fucking pain in the ass. No giggles here.) and there's absolutely no chemical component.

I am also an alcoholic, and there's very much a chemical component, but mostly, especially at this point (as I've been sober since September '12) it's psychological.

Just thought I'd add my two cents.

[Body odah Man]

Interesting. I'm sorry about what happeend to your family :(

[ArkaBas]

Thank you for a great post!

lumos, I think, everyone is addicted to something)

[jaismith08]

Thanks for that useful information. Addiction is the continued repetition of a behavior despite adverse consequences, or a neurological impairment leading to such behaviors. Well, I realized I'm getting addicted to internet social media. What kind of addiction is this anyway?

[cheskamint13]

Interesting! Thanks for the useful information.

[Charles Appiah]

I think I am addicted to caffeine and masterbating :-(

[tasminsmith]

Good, helpful post. However, it's very one-sided. I believe your experience has you thinking that ALL drugs form physical addictions and that no good can come of drugs.

You might want to discuss "physical" vs. "psychological" addiction. That seems to be a very misunderstood topic on the forum as we have people thinking weed and cigs are the same concept, when really cigarettes are much worse for you.

Also, you should consider yourself very lucky for the life you lived and the family you have. I am truly sorry for your life growing up, as no kid should experience that, but think about all that it's taught you. You're so ahead of all the other kids who live perfect lives and then get tossed into the world to fend for themselves. Only the kids that grow up with your kind of knowledge are the successful ones in our society.

all drugs are bad accept medicinal and that doesn't include weed for "medical reasons"

[Let Me Be a Pony]

all drugs are bad accept medicinal and that doesn't include weed for "medical reasons"

Medicinal drugs can fuck you up also.
Read the side effects of the medicinal drugs you're taking.
My liver is going to get rekt if I continue taking my epilepsy pills for a couple more years, and I do have to keep taking them. Sad story, bro. Imma enjoy this sexy ass liver while it lasts.

[Horte]

Addiction needs to be treated in a proper way regardless of what addiction you are having. I was also a drug addict for more than 3 years (mostly cocaine) and it was hard for me to get back to my life as a sober. But I had to do it for my parents because they were suffering a lot with me. I forgot everything for drugs, the efforts my parents took to brought me up, their love, their care, everything. I hate myself for being so rude to my parents. I'm always thankful to them for taking me to a drug treatment center at Toronto for rehab (http://edgewoodhealthnetwork.com/toronto/#!). I was in rehab for 6 months and returned as a sober.

[THJKIGB]

I do drink alcohol mostly only when I go to parties so I really don't think I am addicted to that. I am however addicted to coffee. I have to have that every single day to survive.

[TrillClinton]

I am a recovering drug addict and I have been for about a year. Now when I say recovering it doesnt mean that I stopped drugs and am sober now. That's completely bullshit because I haven't.

I can't tell you how many times I've said "don't worry I'll stop" "trust me this is the last time" "I'm only gonna do it this once". It took me too damn long to realize I wasn't gonna get sober for my family or my friends. If I was gonna get sober it had to be for myself.

So that's what I did last August. I spent 4 months completely sober and drug free. It was fucking horrible, I hated it. I spent the whole time completely lifeless and unmotivated. All I could think about was being high and how great it felt. Things that made me happy before felt completely boring. I felt no happiness the whole time. My friends all thought I was just suffering from a depressive episode, but I never told them I was sober.

I never told them I was sober because I didn't want to be sober. I relapsed in January. I got hella fucking drunk with my friends and I didn't regret one second of it. My therapist was always telling me that the only one that would make me sober was myself. I realized that I didn't want to be sober. Since January I have continued to use drugs. I don't get high as often as I used to, but it certainly hasn't stopped. Am I happy now? Yes, even more than when I was sober. In fact, my friends think I'm back to being normal.

If I could go back would I have not done drugs at all? Yes, hell yeah. 100 fucking percent. But, oh well, that's not going to happen. People always told me to do what makes me happy in life, and if drugs make me happy in life I'm gonna do them. Do i recommend this lifestyle to anyone? No, it's horrible. In fact I even hate glorifying it sometimes because I don't want to be the one that turns someone to drugs. But if drugs truly made me happy am I really glorifying them?

As for which drugs was I addicted to? I smoked weed daily, got drunk daily, and at one point or another I was addicted to Xanax and Opiates

[john_sartre]

I think I used to be addicted to Valium, I used to take it every single night until tolerance became a problem. Eventually I had to take three 5mg pills per night just to feel it. I didn't just stop though, I just sorta just took less and less. Now I only take Valium occasionally, when I need it.

[Mami]

I'm addicted to coffee and I think as of recent, cocaine. I tried it for the first time two weeks ago and now I think about it all the time.

[Cori]

I'm addicted to coffee and I think as of recent, cocaine. I tried it for the first time two weeks ago and now I think about it all the time.

I sooo know what youre talking about... and I dont mean the coffee ;)

[ShilaFit]

Caffeine and taurine are my pre-workout dependencies :)

[Billy1212]

Saying that weed is not addictive at all is one of the most rash statements I've seen in a while. Marijuana can be addictive and you can be pretty dependent on it. We're not talking a vicious physical addiction but a psychological addiction. You find yourself wanted the feeling and nothing else but that. I would know from experience.

Your other remark saying people don't know which substances are good and which are bad is also pretty ridiculous to be honest. There are no "good" drugs, no matter how "harmless" you may believe they are. You must not know much about how brain chemistry works and how drugs affect it if you believe that there are "good" drugs.

But you could say there are levels of bad. Say i have a kid. I will buy a kid weed before seeeing them addicted to heroine. Becaxpuse heroine is seriously bad, when weed wont just kill you.

[lliam]

https://picload.org/image/dawcwirw/ca005.jpg

[jaredcal]

never done any drugs luckily