The addict thread (1 Viewer)

[BroKV]

My brother, I remember talking and messaging with you when things weren't going so well. I'm so glad you're clean for another day with 6+ years behind you

I remember all too well!! Those conversations mean a lot and your recommendations are with me today. I do thank you for that my friend.

 

[antipop]

8 years with no alcohol....i am probably more shocked than you

 

[BroKV]

8 years with no alcohol....i am probably more shocked than you

Nice!!! Quite an accomplishment

 

[B4YOU]

9 years. It’s day 2 of a 9 day vacation. I’m flying to NoLa for family time. I have a solid relationship with them today. I will spend time kayaking, niece’s birthday party, connecting with college buds, and reading. I’ll see Korn and Staind with the GF when I get back to DC. I have a job where my biggest complaint is dumb telework policies. I’ve got solid people in my life. I’m so grateful.

 

[Saint_Ward]

I was going to post this in the Content Creator thread, but since this song and the discussion on this song is so rooted in addiction, I just wanted to put it here. The first few minutes are more just about the band, recording, etc. But later, when he describes the cord structure, and meaning of the song, it hits.

The part that gets me is the discussion on the intro vocals of the song slipping into a major chord to try to sound hopeful to get out of the cycle, but doesn't...

 

[BroKV]

12/30 I passed 7 years clean. Unfortunately my whole house has been quarantined with Covid so it was spent laid up on the couch. Much better than the gutter for sure!!

 

[Dago]

12/30 I passed 7 years clean. Unfortunately my whole house has been quarantined with Covid so it was spent laid up on the couch. Much better than the gutter for sure!!

Awesome accomplishment! Congratulations

 

[Dago]

So is there a difference between addiction and physical dependency?

I have been taking a lot of oxycodone since 2017 for a spine injury and it's been in the past 6-8 months that I have started feeling bad if I go without for too long regardless of my pain level

 

[BroKV]

So is there a difference between addiction and physical dependency?

I have been taking a lot of oxycodone since 2017 for a spine injury and it's been in the past 6-8 months that I have started feeling bad if I go without for too long regardless of my pain level

NA has a pamphlet entitled “In Times of Illness” which discusses medication prescribed and how addicts should handle them.

In Times of Illness

Physical dependency is natural with opiates even when taken as prescribed. You can still withdraw when you stop taking them.

 

[saintmdterps]

So is there a difference between addiction and physical dependency?

I have been taking a lot of oxycodone since 2017 for a spine injury and it's been in the past 6-8 months that I have started feeling bad if I go without for too long regardless of my pain level

Many things in our life can create a psychological dependency or addiction; food, sex, gambling, NSAIDS, etc. Physical dependency is created by certain drugs where if you quit, you'll experience physical withdrawal.

Many drugs designed by big pharma create this physical dependency, Blood pressure meds, SSRI's, Opioids, and so on. These are intended to create addiction, and hence further profits for corporate America. I will take no drug that requires a doctor's supervision to stop. If a medication doesn't agree with me I want to be able to stop taking it right then, and not have to titrate off it.

Currently the only medication I take is occasional Ibuprofen for aches and pains, or illness.

 

[Zack Lee]

So is there a difference between addiction and physical dependency?

I have been taking a lot of oxycodone since 2017 for a spine injury and it's been in the past 6-8 months that I have started feeling bad if I go without for too long regardless of my pain level

yes, it depends on context. I don't know if doctors would classify them differently but the AA definition of addict means there has to be a physical craving and a mental obsession. It is the mental obsession that does us in. You can be physically dependent on something that you don't even necessarily like and certainly don't obsess over.

I would even go so far as to say that obsessing over "not drinking" or "not using" (I can't drink today, I can't drink today) is still unhealthy obsession. It keeps you focused on the thing you are trying to move away from. In the Big Book, they don't even mention drinking again after they explain what the definition of an alcoholic is. There forward it just talks about doing the right thing.

 

[antipop]

9 years without booze today

still a jerk though

 

[Bayouboy]

Can you simply cut back on booze or do you have to go completely without it? I will use the Lenten season to scale back my indulgence.

 

[antipop]

Can you simply cut back on booze or do you have to go completely without it? I will use the Lenten season to scale back my indulgence.

i spent many years 'cutting back'

it never actually happened though

 

[Zack Lee]

Can you simply cut back on booze or do you have to go completely without it? I will use the Lenten season to scale back my indulgence.

If you can scale back then by all means, do that. But if you can you may not be the alcoholic that some of us are. Problem drinker maybe. If I could have ever scaled back, I’d still be drinking today.