The addiction clause

[adagirl]

The addiction clause

hablur;155219 wrote: agagirl,

Do those CD's really work or are they more of a comfort thing? Just curious.

I honestly don't know because I started the Naltrexone and other supps/vitamins two weeks before and was doing really well without the CDs. But, I feel like its still worth it to do the CDs because eventually I will want to try going off of the Naltrexone and I'm hoping the hypno will help me to mod without Naltrexone. My doctor thinks that's a good plan. She went to a hypnotherapist for grinding her teeth and it worked for her (doesn't grind her teeth anymore). Even without knowing if the CDs are helping, I do find them worthwhile to do because they are really relaxing.

I also can't help feeling that ALL of the stuff I do must have a synergistic effect. Maybe no single thing would work on its own, but between them all, I feel like its not just working, but its enjoyable.

[sujul]

The addiction clause

Me too, Uli! I'm totally addicted to reading...to the point where I have cancelled appointments so that I could keep reading, have spent whole days reading when I should have been doing something else, etc...

And I'm a snob about my excesssive reading--it has to be interesting and/or informative--and well-written! I recently read Tolstoy's Anna Karenina (for the second time) as a break from some really heavy theological stuff I've been wading through.....

Unfortunately, even a "good" addiction can have a negative impact on your life-addiction is by definition problematic. Plus, where's the support for addicted readers!

At least my reading is no longer accompanied by bottles of wine!

[ScoobyDoo]

The addiction clause

Hey Hab! I haven't seen you around lately but I've been thinking of you and hope all's well in Hab's Palace.

I find that it's not hard to develop an addiction to exercise... for me, I find that it's just a matter of getting on the roll with it eg running on set days (finding a running partner eg nighbour works really well for comraderie and commitment!).

Some days it's hard to push myself out the door when I've had a big hiatus from training, but it's just something I know I have to do and within about 4-6 weeks, I'm hooked again and the endorphines are pumping. Then I set an attainable goal for say a 5k race and that gives further incentive to train harder/smarter.

But the first step is just a bit of force and consistency over those first weeks, before the real addiction and desire kicks in.

Scoobs

[hablur]

The addiction clause

Well Scoob thats the whole topic of this conversation isnt it... you sometimes have to push yourself out the door to train and you have taken a hiatus. Thats the difference between and addiction and a habit. With an addiction you dont need anyones help, you jump at the chance to take your poisen.

That's kinda why I started this thread to get folks thinking about thier habits and addiction. I realized that really a lot of us are probably doing well with the cravings, especially those taking kudzu and topa, but if we havent changed our "daily" routine or habit up, we are probably being hit by the same daily triggers, making this battle that much tougher.

And I think you are right Scoob, set an attainable goal and stick to a consistant routine and just plane use brute force to get your self there to extablish yourself.

[ScoobyDoo]

The addiction clause

Hab, yes, it definitely becomes an addiction (well it does for me) and definitely much more than just a routine.

My point is that in order to form the addiction, as with any addiction, you've got to start doing it consistently. In this case, this is a health(ier) addiction than others as per your topic.

I take hiatus when I'm injured or force myself to take a break between seasons, which is a healthy thing to do when you're doing ultra distance which has been the case for me.

Scoobs

[psychmommy]

The addiction clause

Hablur. . . I have grown to really like your posts. I have tried to replace addiction with hobbies, but the addiction is always stronger. I would say the closest thing I have found to an addiction (echoing Uda) is reading. However, if I couldn't read for several days for some reason, it would not constantly be on my mind the way taking an absence from alcohol is. I think you got it Hablur when you spoke about pushing yourself out the door to work out. There's no pushing necessary with alcohol, but often is necessary for establishing other habits.

On a side note, I started scrapbooking about 3 years ago as an attempt to replace one habit with another. As a result, I have become a very prolific, and (if I do say so myself), talented scrapbooker. . . when drinking. Unfortunately, my sober projects are not quite as good. How ridiculous is that?

Great, thought-provoking thread! Thanks!

[nancy]

The addiction clause

connection and addiction

It seems to me that the items you listed in your post, like gardening, swimming, etc, give an endorphin rush but they don't give a sense of connection. They don't satisfy an emotional need.

Alcohol provides a false, temporary sense of connection and fullness. I know this from experience but I have also read it in a lot of books about addiction! the problem becomes more of an emotional issue rather than a physical high.

And this website? no wonder it is addictive, it provides a sense of connection, though I think a more authentic sense of connection, even though we never see each other.

[amethyst]

The addiction clause

Nancy, so agree with the connectedness.
hablur my dh is addicted to exercise. He spends 18-30 hours per week exercising(in addition to 40-60 hours working), and competitions are all weekends long at least once a month. If he doesn't get his daily dose, he is SOOOO horrible to be with. He has defined his life and his hours by his body fat percentage, and how many hours per day he exercises. I and my kids know we run a way far second to his exercise habit. At least the kids know I am still there for them, even if I do have a few too many a couple of times per week. They rarely if ever see it, and it never effects their abilty to do something the next day. ( I am very high functioning) That being said, I am in NOOO way minimizing my over consumption of alcohol. I am just saying that there can be addictions to those things that are normally perceived as good. Does his addiction impact our family life. Abolutely. Does it steal time from our family. Absolutely. Does it take time from our relationship. Sure. Does it make him feel better, even if for a moment. You bet. Is it healthy. No way!! But neither is the way I destress from his over exercise/ less family time. Reality? Who knows?

[Cinders]

The addiction clause

I am married to a person who does not drink or smoke. (He does love to eat, though, but has never become obese like me.)

I think we can overthink the alcohol addiction thing. I truly do believe it is a chemical dependency in the brain BUT I also believe that there are some people's chemistries that are susceptible to the dependency. The reason I feel this is purely anecdotal. My husband does not like being drunk. He does not enjoy being drugged by prescrption medications. Period. I think his brain is different than ours.

He will drink a beer and enjoy the beer, but he will not drink more than one or two and in our life together, when he has gotten drunk due to circumstances that caused him to drink more than he normally does, he DID NOT ENJOY THE EXPERIENCE.

There are major differences in our chemistries. Our bodies and brains react differently to central nerverous depressants than his does. I enjoy the feeling and go for more and more. He does not.

He, however, does enjoy working in the yard, growing things, so do I. We both love walking, mountains, water, sailing, working on computers. None of these in any way compare to the experience of alcohol or drugs that I enjoy.

My two cents, which are not worth much.

However, my husband thinks that this website and the research that is ongoing will one day cure drug and alcohol addiction for all of us. Hopefully without the side effects. He has many family members who are alcoholics and so do I (me being one) and God love him, he doesn't judge us. He wants us to live better lives without the pain of this addiction. He doesn't think he is better than us at all. He has his own demons to fight and knows exactly the kinds of issues we are going through.

Cindi

[nancy]

The addiction clause

amethyst's post

I think Amethyst raises a good point.

Seems like Hablur is talking about healthy use of exercise. And it can be very healthy, giving a natural high.

But exercise and also work can be an addiction in a very negative sense. I just read a book by a Buddhist nun who talked about how uncomfortable we are with space-- we find it hard to tolerate the slightest bit of discomfort. Exercising constantly or working yourself to death leaves no space in life. Actually, drinking doesn't either.

Amethyst is right in saying this can be really bad for family life, with a partner who is obsessed with an activity. I don't think I would want to be married to a workaoholic, as it probably would be very lonely. The trick is finding out how to live with ourselves and not rushing to fill up the gaps or the unhappy holes.

oh no, I feel sad now!:upset:

Hablur, maybe you should try meditation. I am reading about it but have not implemented a daily practice yet.

[ScoobyDoo]

The addiction clause

Nancy, you're so right. I have never thought of it like that before!

Don't feel sad... I don't think there is such a thing as perfect, and if we were all the same, life would be really dull. I believe that everyone on this forum is doing their best in life. *hug*

I also vouch for meditation. Definitely worth a shot Hab. I'm burning some CD's for my sister soon so I'll do a second st and post them to the UK for you if you like.

Scoobs

[adagirl]

The addiction clause

db2fromala;155401 wrote: I think we can overthink the alcohol addiction thing. I truly do believe it is a chemical dependency in the brain BUT I also believe that there are some people's chemistries that are susceptible to the dependency. The reason I feel this is purely anecdotal. My husband does not like being drunk. He does not enjoy being drugged by prescrption medications. Period. I think his brain is different than ours.

I TOTALLY agree with this. I never thought I had a chemical dependency to alcohol. I really thought it was more of a bad habit. I took the Naltrexone and supps/vitamins thinking that it would still take a lot of mental work to make me a normal/moderate drinker. But, the meds/supps/vitamins all kinda worked more like a 'magic pill' (although it is really pillS because there are so many supps/vitamins). I'm not saying that my brain chemistry is the ONLY issue. I still have things to work through. But, it amazes me how much of it really was/is my brain chemistry.

[stillcrawling]

The addiction clause

This is a tough one for me -- I had 57 days alcohol free and I had a very stressful family situation -- my sister chose to leave her husband & basically arrived in my town. Hi have had about a bottle of wine a day since she has arrived... I need to get back on track and I am struggling... so, I am still crawling... I am mad at myself & disgusted with my sister as I get frantic phone calls from her...

[Determinator]

The addiction clause

I LIKE to do things that are good for me, and really do miss them but those truly addictive things like alcohol are just so easy. they are easy to do and give instant results. I think it's the most efficient way for the brain to accomplish a change of mentalily...like a mini mental vacation. of course for some of us that "hyper memory disorder" I read about heree some months ago kicks in and....voila....here we are.
Alcohol is simply too easy for us. Imagine if you just reached over and touched your bicycle and magically you got that endorphine rush and feeling of accomplishment...maybe then we'd be addicted to that.

[Determinator]

The addiction clause

stillcrawling....boy that sounds familiar, I just did a similar thing so we'll see you on the AB's board? at any rate take care and know we are loving on you