robert
borges

Understanding an Addict's Addiction

PSYCHOLOGICAL ADDICTION....There is another form of addiction, one that can be provoked by all psychoactive drugs and is far more threatening: psychological addiction. It is a process whereby the drug progressively takes over the consumer's way of life. Generally it comes with an illusion of power and of control of situations, and a negation of addiction. The consumer is not aware of what is happening inside and rejects all warnings from friends and family. The moment comes when the drug is the only reason for living and being for this person. Family, school, work, friends, everything ceases to count. At this point, recovery is extremely difficult since withdrawing the drug from the person is equal to taking away the reason to live. It is the total void, unbearable for any human being.

CAN ANYONE RELATE TO THIS, I CAN

Sfj

Re: Understanding an Addict's Addiction

Yes, I can relate.

I think that is fairly common among people like us, hard core speedfreaks, drug addicts, and chemically dependent.

Where did you get that ?

Can you cite your source ?

Thanks

sober
momintx

Re: Understanding an Addict's Addiction

i would have to agree that is pretty right on the money. dont know where you got that blurb but i would think most of us can relate i know i can thanx for sharing that with us.

rober
tborges

Re: Understanding an Addict's Addiction

Here it is SFJ...

http://home.dbio.uevora.pt/~oliveira/Dope/CMLUk.htm

le
grumps

Re: Understanding an Addict's Addiction

Makes sense to me.

I used to honestly think:

"Asking me to quit drugs is asking me to quit being me."
"People reject my drug use and as such they reject me as a person."

What a delusional way of thinking!

It was more like:

"People want me to quit drugs because they like it better when I am being myself".

amlynne

Re: Understanding an Addict's Addiction

"The consumer is not aware of what is happening inside and rejects all warnings from friends and family."

Boy, can I relate to that!!!!!!.................Everyone, including our using friends told us,.....warned us what was happening.
There was a small part of me that watched it take us down, but was too small to fight it.
I had to lose EVERYTHING to get to where I am today.................Looking back on it though I would have to say it was a good trade.
I am happier now than I ever have been in my life..........
I wouldn't ever wanna go through that again, and know that I don't have to.........Thank GOD
With attitude of gratitude,

Sfj

Re: Understanding an Addict's Addiction

I can really relate to this is a major way:

" I had to lose EVERYTHING to get to where I am today.................Looking back on it though I would have to say it was a good trade.
I am happier now than I ever have been in my life..........
I wouldn't ever wanna go through that again, and know that I don't have to.........Thank GOD "

I can't believe how big of a jerk I was. I mean like very mean, arrogant, and cruel. I would use people and play hideous mind games. The problem was in the fact that I thought I was being cool. I thought I was really somebody when I'd take unfair advantage of others. I was really sick. It took meth addiction, and I mean serious selling-out to the crank demons to finally knock me off my high horse. Totally kicked my A$$ and made me cry and wallow in humiliation. When I finally surrendered to the principles of recovery, got a good sponsor and worked the steps in a very thorough manner, it was then that humiliation started to turn into humility.

It took years and I've still got a long way to go, but like you, I have huge amounts of gratitude now, because I am passionately embracing the principles of recovery.

Would I say that, "I'm thankful I went through those years of addiction ? "

I don't think there is an answer to that question.

The irony though, is that it took addiction in order to go through recovery. And I'm very thankful for recovery, and the ability to look at my faults, short-comings and character defects and then work on correcting them and living in the solution.

thanks

debs
4321

Re: Understanding an Addict's Addiction

robertborges wrote:

PSYCHOLOGICAL ADDICTION....

The moment comes when the drug is the only reason for living and being for this person. Family, school, work, friends, everything ceases to count. .

CAN ANYONE RELATE TO THIS,I CAN
God, Can I evver relate to this. I can remember when I live for drugs and the drugs lived in me.

Such a sad thing to remember. But, on the other hand, as Sfj says. I had to go through what i did, to get to the point where i am at now. I live in Peace and serenity through the 12 steps and my Higher power. And through experience of it all, I can relate and share my ESH with others in hopes that I might plant a seed for the still suffering addict. That is all I can do. And with that i will pass...............................

robert
borges

Re: Understanding an Addict's Addiction

I do agree with the saying," what doesn't kill us makes us stronger".If we didn't make mistakes how can we learn.

Sure I wish I had realized or seen into the future after getting high the first time.But That didn't happen..And we can

talk till we are blue in the face to someone starting out.But like us we had to learn for ourselves..I am a lucky person

to be here today to start recovery and take the mistakes that were made and turn them into something possitive

for me and others...

forget
suzette

Re: Understanding an Addict's Addiction

"Asking me to quit drugs is asking me to quit being me."
"People reject my drug use and as such they reject me as a person."

we're twins grumps.

.....yeah, I can relate, robert, totally.

le
grumps

Re: Understanding an Addict's Addiction

Good point Mr. Borges...

The best thing about recovery for me is that I learned that it's okay to make a mistake.

Once I forgave myself for making the biggest effing mistake of my life - it became easier to allow myself to be human - I am not perfect (and I honestly thought I WAS back in the day!) and making mistakes does not ruin my life as long as I try to make them right as soon as possible.

I no longer thing I am a horrible person if I make one little false step. The delusions of perfection and the impossible standards I tried to achieve (with or without drugs) are no longer my "standard" anymore.

I can just be human and be okay with it.

If I had to sacrifice my 20's to figure it out, then it was WELL WORTH THE PAIN.

Jrs
Hubby1

Re: Understanding an Addict's Addiction

Robert~ It is me JustRonda, I have hijacked Jrshubby as I have not gotten registered again. I just wanted to tell you that I have been watching you also, and you rock! I hope you are as proud of you as I and everybody here at KCI are, you are such an inspiration. I have enjoyed watching your story unfold and getting to know you. You have been an amazing success to watch unfold, did I tell how proud of you I am You are also a wonderful writer and a joy to read, keep up the good work and posting! You are awesome dude

robert
borges

Re: Understanding an Addict's Addiction

This day has been productive and now it's almost time for an NA meeting at 7pm.I love the recovery process and plan to
stay on the right path like I did today and am still doing.

Thank you for that sweet and positive reply JR.

This last may I found what works for me in these boards along with the rest of my program..And the burnt into memory
of my hell I was in.Along with the stories of addicts and loved ones outside of my area of this world that suffer help keep
one foot in front of the other daily..Write on....

WantTo
Under
stand

Re: Understanding an Addict's Addiction

Hi everyone...
I have read a lot of posts... and it seems like most who feel like they have really recovered have mentioned the NA programs and the 12 steps. I am wanting to help my husband, but he is active military and it can not be known that he has/had this problem. He was clean for 15 months and I thought we had it beat...but he slipped up a week ago and it almost tore me apart! I want to help him and don't really know how. I know the second half of the NA is "anonomous", but I wonder how that would work. Do any of you who have gone to NA think that it is possible to work through these 12 steps without going to the meetings... or is that part of it? I'm sorry if I sound a little uneducated on the subject.... i guess it's b/c I am. Thanks guys!

Sfj

Re: Understanding an Addict's Addiction

There are a number of good options.

1. Meetings are indeed anonymous. There are no membership lists, roll-call or anything of that sort. One does not have to disclose name or any other personal information. No one is even required to talk, at all. Most meetings are "Open." That means that a person does not have to be an addict to attend. I've been in many meetings where wives, mothers, fathers and other loved ones have attended. Many times non-addicts just like to visit with a friend or give support. So there is no way anything sensitive will be compromised.

2. AA meetings are almost exactly the same as NA meetings, It is legal and in some circles almost acceptable to be an alcoholic. AA is a good option. Another is CMA (Crystal Meth Anonymous)

3. There are many On-line meetings. Do a simple google search for 12 step meetings on line.

4. Keep exploring and looking and you'll find good answers that work.

lilly2008

Re: Understanding an Addict's Addiction

What a perfect way to put it. I remember feeling that I would rather be dead than not be high. Reality of what we are doing to our lives comes down on us so hard, and all we know what to do is try our hardest to never feel it again... So we must stay high.
I left my son and my whole family for meth. I was the devil, and I felt that I deserved to be in hell.
When I think of how horrible and out of control my life was, it makes you wonder how we can forget it all if we take one last dive into meth.
I am so glad to be back on board here. I forget some times that I am not alone

WantTo
Under
stand

Re: Understanding an Addict's Addiction

Thank you so much for your suggestions! I have spent hours researching and reading.. I have much more to do...but thank you for pointing me in the right direction!