Anti-addictive agents

[Overcoming]

Hello, (and my first post)!

I wonder if anyone is able to help me. I am suffering from addiction and am deperately seeking any anti-addictive compounds out there, which may be helpful to myself.

To be clear, I suffer from an extremely bad case of porn and sex addiction. I am going to be a separate thread about that in the sober living section of the forum. By that, I mean that I suffer from cravings for porn and sex (anonymous sex, with prostitutes etc). I tried to do the "nofap" thing about 4 years ago and would not be able to maintain abstinence. When I did relapse, often I would suddenly start a completely new activity or behaviour that would come in "out of the blue". It was like somebody had injected this thought into my mind. It was loaded up with euphoria and compulsivity.

This whole thing was not great, but wasn't exactly ruining my life either. Not until two years ago, when after nearly 3 months clean, I ended up with a transexual prostitute. I cannot put into words the devastation and damage that this has done to my life on literally every single level. That will be in my other thread.

The WHOLE of last year, nearly every day, I had extremely bad cravings and obsessional thoughts concerning seeing these particular prostitutes.

I ended up taking about 0.5g total alkaloid Ibogaine that I bought off the internet in October. It did cut my cravings a bit, but around this time, I developed depersonalisation-derealisation disorder. The same neurotransmitters and receptors that ibogaine works on, are the same one's implicated in the neurobiology of dp-dr.

So that rules out taking ibogaine. I wanted to do a micro-dose regimen of ibogaine HCL, but again, that's out.

So what is out there? I have seen 18-MC and 18-MAC, but these are not licensed yet. Does anybody know of where to ask to get this stuff synthesised? I tried contacting a few labs but nothing yet (hope I am not against the forum rules here).

Potentially, bupropion and naltrexone?

I am waiting to see the doctor but its taking ages and I want to know anyway. If anybody can help me, that would be sweet. thanks.

 

[serotonin2A]

There isn't any pharmacological agent that has been conclusively shown to treat behavioral addictions. There have been some case reports of naltrexone being effective for sex addiction, but as far as I am aware no one has ever run a proper trial that would conclusively show that it is effective.

I think it is also questionable whether treatments for pharmacological addictions can be applied to compulsive sexual activity. With pharmacological addictions or behavioral addictions like gambling, the goal is to stop an entire catagory of activity (drug use or gambling, respectively). However, sexual behavior is natural and I am assuming that you are not trying to completely abstain from sex, but rather alter who you are having sex with and how often you have the urge to have sex. Unfortunately, unless you want to completely suppress your sex drive, then there is not going to be a miracle pill that reprograms how your brain is wired with regard to sex.

It also isn't clear to me that your problems are really an addiction -- it sounds like you have issues with compulsive behavior. Although addiction is often associated with compulsive behavior, I think it is a mistake to label your problem as an addiction and think that the tools used to treat pharmacological addictions will be appropriate or effective treatments for your problems. According to your logic, there should not be a medical distinction between drug addiction and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), but that clearly isn't the case. It is true that ibogaine seems to be able to reduce compulsive drug use in some individuals, but that doesn't mean that ibogaine is helpful because it works by suppressing compulsive behavior -- the ability of ibogaine to reduce compulsive substance use is more of a side-effect of its effects on the reward system and relief of withdrawal-induced dysphoria.

It is true that ibogaine and especially 18-MC are being investigated as potential treatments for overeating. But here again, the rationale behind that approach is to alter the function of the reward system to reduce an entire class of behavior (eating).

As an aside, please do not try to have 18-MC synthesized. I am guessing you won't be able to, because synthesis of 18-MC is very expensive. It is currently undergoing clinical trials, and if you did manage to try it and you had an adverse reaction, that could potentially delay or even stop development of 18-MC as a medication.

 

[asecin]

anti addictive agents = shit that makes you puke and deter you from re-using DUH!

 

[bobby1978]

Oh wow, it kind of surprised me when you mentioned buproprion. It massively boosted my sex drive when I took it a few years ago, I had to throw the stuff away when rape started seeming like a halfway sensible fantasy (to not say option outright.)

So I'm going to say, no, not buproprion. I still don't know what the answer is, as I struggle with porn/sex addiction myself, but it's not that, I'm fairly sure.

 

[d1nach]

Nofap is an opinion. It is normal to seek sexual release either through porn or people. I wojld suggest you seek ways of releasing your sexual urges without the risks of hiv rather than trying to supress one ofmthe most deeply engrained biological urges based on a nommedical belief system based on ancedotal claims.

 

[d1nach]

* to clarify im not saying no fap is wrong. Just that it appears it isnt working and unlike masterbation and porn based on hypothetical damage to dopamine continually supressing sexual urges and ending up with a prostritute objectively increases your risk of mortality from things like hiv.

 

[asecin]

Oh wow, it kind of surprised me when you mentioned buproprion. It massively boosted my sex drive when I took it a few years ago, I had to throw the stuff away when rape started seeming like a halfway sensible fantasy (to not say option outright.)

So I'm going to say, no, not buproprion. I still don't know what the answer is, as I struggle with porn/sex addiction myself, but it's not that, I'm fairly sure.

i am to ask, did it work similar to cocaine?? also, whats the vasoconstriction factor of using it, in comparison to amphetamines and cocaine

 

[bobby1978]

I don't really know enough to give you a satisfactory answer on either. I know they are both NDRI's, at least to some degree. But if you are asking if they feel the same, I'd say no, but I haven't used a lot of coke in my life. As to the vasoconstriction thing, not sure either. I know they are counter-indicated for people with severe hypertension, but I was in relatively good shape in those days. If I had to guess, I'd say not as bad as coke and speed.

But my whole post here is an educated guess, really.

 

[Overcoming]

However, sexual behavior is natural and I am assuming that you are not trying to completely abstain from sex, but rather alter who you are having sex with and how often you have the urge to have sex.

Correct.

t also isn't clear to me that your problems are really an addiction -- it sounds like you have issues with compulsive behavior.

But how would you categorise the cravings, escalating pattern and crazy rush I get from it. Actually, this is a very big point that I would like to ask you. 4 years ago, when I started to quit, my problems were predominantly with porn and masturbation. 2 years from that point and I am doing a host of new behaviours that I have never done before - and one day, ended up with a transexual prostitute. It was literally impossible to stop me form going - like having an invisible magnetic force inside my head. Before this happened, I was slowly doing more extreme things or weird things (for me, anyway). How would you describe the increasing pattern of compulsive behaviours?

think that the tools used to treat pharmacological addictions will be appropriate or effective treatments for your problems. According to your logic, there should not be a medical distinction between drug addiction and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), but that clearly isn't the case.

What do you think would be effective?

Somewhat correct on your second observation but I don't know enough about it.

It is true that ibogaine seems to be able to reduce compulsive drug use in some individuals, but that doesn't mean that ibogaine is helpful because it works by suppressing compulsive behavior -- the ability of ibogaine to reduce compulsive substance use is more of a side-effect of its effects on the reward system and relief of withdrawal-induced dysphoria.

That's the effect I am looking for. By the same logic, I currently believe (waiting for somebody who is more knowledgeable to confirm or deny) that my cravin gs and escalation are to do with some serious shit going down in the reward pathway. Hence the use of ibogaine or 18-MC/18-MAC....more on that below..

It is true that ibogaine and especially 18-MC are being investigated as potential treatments for overeating. But here again, the rationale behind that approach is to alter the function of the reward system to reduce an entire class of behavior (eating).

I guess I would be looking for the same thing, but replace the word eating with "sex". Not only were my cravings far too strong to be able to do normal things and concentrate, but I've ended up doing things that have destroyed my life. Had that not happened quite the way it did, this thread would probably still me made, but the man typing it may not feel so awful.

As an aside, please do not try to have 18-MC synthesized. I am guessing you won't be able to, because synthesis of 18-MC is very expensive. It is currently undergoing clinical trials, and if you did manage to try it and you had an adverse reaction, that could potentially delay or even stop development of 18-MC as a medication.

Unlikely though, unless I die. I doubt FDA are trawling bluelight to see if one guy reacts badly to a novel RC. I still want to search for it, but I acknowledge your point.

Oh wow, it kind of surprised me when you mentioned buproprion

Ah. I mentioned it because it has the alpha3beta4 nicotonic receptor antagonism that 18-MC and ibogaine derivatives have. That mechanism is thought to underlie the anti-addictive aspects of its pharmacological profile.

* to clarify im not saying no fap is wrong. Just that it appears it isnt working and unlike masterbation and porn based on hypothetical damage to dopamine continually supressing sexual urges and ending up with a prostritute objectively increases your risk of mortality from things like hiv.

I see your point - with a therapist, I need to work on better ways to release my sexual energy.


thanks for the replies everybody.

 

[d1nach]

Have you considered maybe trying to set a reasonable amount of time you can spend watching porn then sticking to it. That way your not constantly trying to push sexual desire down until you cant then find yourself engaging in dangerous sexual activities. Like food also increases dopamine and activates the pleasure centers too. However, it is the binging and supression binging and supression of eating disorders that makes it harmful. Or maybe if you drink alcohol consuming 2-3 drinks a few nights of the week isnt going to be too bad. Its only when your sitting watching porno and porno maxing out credit cards to brazzers or drinking case of beer every night it becomes bad.

 

[d1nach]

Or i know your interested in vasoconstrictors. Too much vasoconstriction causes cell death and eventuallly kills you. However, no vasoconstriction would also kill you. Its not about some people have high blood pleasure and its killing them therefore i should aim to cutt out all things that influence blood pressure. Its that people with high blood pressure have it out of balance and you should strive for a healthy balanced bloodpressure.

 

[Hodor]

Dissociatives like ketamine have shown some promise in the treatment of addiction (or atleast the underlying depression that tends to amplify addictive behavior), but the problem is that unless you do it properly (i.e. have someone hook you up to an IV drip to administer a sub-anaesthetic dose), going out and scoring a gram of K is probably just going to get you addicted to that instead.

I also noticed that ETH-LAD (or psychedelics in general) helped me become more aware of my semi-compulsive eating behaviors... but I'm not sure if they would be an option for people with compulsive sexual issues, since the come-up always tends to increase my libido, and watching any sort of non-vanilla porn actually makes me kink-shame myself ("Why am I into this? This makes no sense. I wonder if the actresses are aware of how weird and abstract this scene is? How the hell did we agree this was a (sexual) "thing"?"). So yeah... probably not an option for you either

 

[Overcoming]

Interesting idea man. I stopped taking all drugs years ago and wouldn't risk it.

But man, even if I wanted to now (and it's different than doing it for recreational fun), I literally cannot. I've developed chronic depersonalisation-derealisation disorder, which has been officially diagnosed. It's total and complete hell. I am literally on a 24/7 acid trip..no need for ETH-LAD!

There is hardly any research done on it but some suggests that NMDA antagonism makes it much worse. The NMDA system is theorised to be a part of the neurobiology but nobody really knows.

I am definitely going to make a thread in the mental health section but its literally driving me mad and suicidal. But I don't want to die man, I just want to get out of this evil place I'm in.

My DP/DR may even have been triggered by Ibogaine. Ibogaine also is a kappa agonist.....also bloody thought to be something that is in chronic dp/dr disorder, because naltrexone has helped in a few studies on dissociation.

I need less dissociation not more.

 

[d1nach]

Im very confused in my nonmedical random 21 year opinion the more you talk the less it seems to me like you have a sex addiction. If anything it sounds like you have crippling depression and a feeling that it is out of your control. And some people say when they stop watching porn they feel happier and less depressed so your willing to give anything ago. And, like when i was inpatiemt when i saw girlsnwho where depressed theyd control their eating because they said they could control eating.

If your suffering fromdepression to the point of suicidal thoughts as someone who attempted suicide after trying everything including cutting out porn that you see a doctor for possible boological interventions. After being on effexor and lithium i havent had a suicidal thought in years. Some says i still feel down bit i do not ever go into that unbearabke suicidal low. It tool a while to find the right meds but once they get you on the right ones and you get talk therapy the difference is night and day .

 

[tantric]

The treatment of heroin addicts with dextromethorphan: a double-blind comparison of dextromethorphan with chlorpromazine
Abstract: According to the hypothesis that the development of physical dependence on and tolerance to opiates depends on the inhibition by opiates of L-asparaginase and L-glutaminase activities in the brain, and the blockade by opiates of the aspartatergic/glutamatergic receptors especially NMDA, four female and fourty-four male heroin addicts were included in a double-blind clinical trial. Four mg chlorpromazine (CPZ) was administered every hour and 10 mg diazepam (DIA) every 6 hours to a group consisting of two female and nineteen male inpatients. The remaining subjects received 15 mg non-opioid antitussive dextromethorphan (DM) instead of CPZ. The withdrawn addicts were controlled twice a day and yawning, lacrimation, rhinorrhoea, perspiration, goose flesh, muscle tremor, dilated pupils, anorexia, joint and muscle aches, restlessness, insomnia, emesis, diarrhea, craving and rejection of smoking as abstinence syndrome signs were observed and rated on a scale of 1, 2 and 3 points according to their intensity. All signs, except perspiration and emesis, were significantly less intense in the group given DM + DIA than CPZ + DIA. The other plus points included the immediate stop of craving and the early onset of smoking in DM + DIA group. The results are considered to be supporting evidence for the hypothesis emphasizing the blockade of NMDA receptors by opiates in opiate addiction. Furthermore, the decrease caused by non-opioid NMDA antagonists in the responsiveness of NMDA receptors appears very promising for the treatment of opiate addicts.


The combination of tizanidine markedly improves the treatment with dextromethorphan of heroin addicted outpatients.
Abstract: According to the hypothesis implying that the main mechanism underlying opiate addiction is the blockade by opiates of NMDA receptor functions and subsequent upregulation and supersensitivity of the receptors, noncompetitive NMDA receptor blocker dextromethorphan (DM) has been successfully used in the heroin addict treatment. As the stimulation of NMDA receptors modulates the release of neurotransmitters and hormones such as NE, D, ACh, GH, LH, LSH, ACTH etc., all of which have been found responsible for the manifestation of abstinence syndrome signs including craving and neuronal death by excessive stimulation of NMDA receptors, the incomplete blockade of the NMDA receptors minimizes the intensity of the abstinence syndrome and provides the downregulation of the receptors. In the present study, tizanidine (TIZ), which inhibits the release of endogenous excitatory aminoacids by the agonistic activity on alpha 2-adrenoreceptors, was combined with DM to obtain further benefits. Forty-four male and three female heroin addicts were the subjects of the study. Their daily mean heroin intake was about 2.28 g street heroin. The main duration of heroin use was approximately 3.4 years. Two to three hours after abrupt withdrawal, the outpatients were given 15 mg DM every hour, 25 or 50 mg chlorpromazine (CPZ) + 4 mg TIZ every six hours and 10 mg diazepam + 10 mg hyoscine N-butyl Br + 250 mg dipyrone every six hours three hours following CPZ. The addicts were controlled twice a day. Yawning, rhinorrhea, perspiration, piloerection, restlessness, insomnia, emesis, diarrhea, craving, rejection of smoking and pupils were observed and/or questioned. Two of the 47 outpatients took heroin on the first days.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Oral administration of dextromethorphan prevents the development of morphine tolerance and dependence in rats
Abstract: Combined oral administration of morphine sulfate (MS) and the over-the-counter antitussive drug and N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor antagonist dextromethorphan (DM) prevented the development of tolerance to the antinociceptive effects of MS (15, 24, or 32 mg/kg) in rats. This combined oral treatment regimen also attenuated signs of naloxone-precipitated physical dependence on morphine in the same rats. A wide range of ratios of MS to DM (2:1, 1:1, and 1:2) were effective for preventing the development of morphine tolerance and dependence. In addition, we provide evidence that under certain circumstances DM increases the acute antinociceptive effects of MS. All of these results indicate that oral treatment that combines DM with opiate analgesics may be a powerful approach for simultaneously preventing opiate tolerance and dependence and enhancing analgesia in humans.

Continuous co-administration of dextromethorphan or MK-801 with morphine: attenuation of morphine dependence and naloxone-reversible attenuation of morphine tolerance
Abstract: N-Methyl- d-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonists have been repeatedly shown to attenuate the development of opiate tolerance and dependence in rodents. In the present experiments, continuous subcutaneous infusion of either MK-801 (0.01 mg/kg/h but not 0.005 mg/kg/h) or DM (0.133, 0.67 and 1.33 mg/kg/h) reliably prolonged the antinociceptive effect of continuous subcutaneous infusion of morphine sulfate (2.0 mg/kg/h), indicating attenuation of the development of morphine tolerance. Furthermore, this prolonged antinociception was completely reversible by naloxone (10 mg/kg, i.p.). Doses of MK-801 and DM that were equipotent in attenuating morphine tolerance (0.01 mg/kg/h and 1.33 mg/kg/h, respectively) revealed different profiles of effects, however, on locomotor activity and naloxone-precipitated abstinence/withdrawal symptoms. With regard to locomotor activity, rats having received continuous (48 h) subcutaneous infusion of morphine sulfate and MK-801, but not rats having received morphine sulfate and DM, displayed a reliable and striking increase in locomotor activity as compared with rats having received morphine alone. With regard to naloxone-precipitated withdrawal symptoms, continuous (48 h) subcutaneous co-infusion of either MK-801 (0.01 mg/kg/h) or DM (1.33 mg/kg/h) with morphine attenuated naloxone-precipitated hyperalgesia as compared with rats infused with morphine alone. MK-801 (0.01 mg/kg/h) was more effective than DM (0.133, 0.67, or 1.33 mg/kg/h), however, in reducing other naloxone-precipitated withdrawal symptoms (teeth chattering, jumping and wet dog shakes). The effects of MK-801 on all withdrawal symptoms were confounded, however, by the appearance of flaccidity following naloxone administration to rats having received MK-801 and morphine. These results extend previous observations by showing that the prolonged antinociception observed following co-administration of morphine and an NMDA antagonist is completely naloxone-reversible, supporting the notion that this antinociception reflects prolongation of an opioid receptor-mediated effect. The different profiles of side effects associated with MK-801 and DM, however, suggest that (1) attenuation of naloxone-precipitated withdrawal symptoms by MK-801 may be an artifact of toxicity, and (2) DM may prove clinically useful for the prevention of morphine tolerance, given its lack of observable side effects when administered concurrently with morphine to rodents.

Dextromethorphan attenuates and reverses analgesic tolerance to morphine
Abstract: Tolerance to the antinociceptive (analgesic) effect of morphine, a mu-opioid agonist, was developed in male CD-1 mice as assessed by a shift to the right of the analgesic (tail-flick) dose-response curves and an increase in the ED50 values. Administration of dextromethorphan at 30 mg/kg s.c., but not saline, 30 min prior to an escalating 3 times per day (t.i.d.) morphine dosing schedule prevented a 5-fold increase in the morphine ED50 value observed on treatment day 4. Concurrent administration of dextromethorphan at 12 mg/kg/24 h by s.c. infusion prevented the 6-fold increase in the morphine ED50 value that was observed in control mice that received morphine at 30 mg/kg/24 h by s.c. infusion. Implantation of two 25 mg morphine pellets resulted in a 10-fold increase in the morphine ED50 value on treatment day 4. Administration of dextromethorphan at 30 mg/kg s.c. t.i.d., but not saline, resulted in a reversal of morphine tolerance with the almost complete return of the morphine ED50 value to the control (opioid naive) value. These results demonstrate that dextromethorphan, an NMDA receptor antagonist can modulate morphine (mu-receptor)-mediated tolerance.

 

[tantric]

this is really part of my pet theory, but i'd like to hash it out a bit with some folks more knowledgeable in the fields.


I believe that the key to understand and beating addiction is to understand its purpose. Humans and all other mammals, AFAIK, can become addicted to drugs or behaviors. At some point, this capacity was a pro-survival trait. I've read some journal articles about this, how dopamine is the reward for succeeding, etc, so we get programmed to succeed, but I think they're missing it. I believe the primary addiction is to food. Do you know you can get a dopamine rush looking at a hamburger? The pleasure you feel eating that kind of stuff has nothing to do with its taste. Research confirms that it is high fat/high protein foods that do this. What is the original? Milk. Honestly, when your stomach is empty, you feel sick and not at all like eating. Foodcraving is totally different - when you eat even though you're full. Babies need all that milk, and in other mammals, they need to take it away from their siblings, even if they don't need it. Same with junk food - people don't stop eating when they are full, they eat for kicks. And because of that, they survive tough times in the future.

Everyone HATES this theory, because it points to most people being food addicts. Well? If you switch your diet to rice and fruit juice, which you can live on for weeks or months without harm, will you feel shitty and bad and cranky until you eat a cupcake? Yes, most people are like that. Junk dope, junk food, junk stuff - no coincidence.

Because addiction is really addiction to dopamine, however you get it, from gambling to meth, it's easy to transfer your means. Quitting junk and still smoking doesn't help you. Cigs have some affect on dopamine, but not enough, so you never get free of it. That's why I *loathe* AA/NA. The whole "I live with this the rest of my life" is crap. Quit smoking and eat right and the cravings go away. You can even use drugs medicinally and not binge, but support is advised.

 

[tantric]

sociobiology of addiction

this is really part of my pet theory, but i'd like to hash it out a bit with some folks more knowledgeable in the fields.


I believe that the key to understand and beating addiction is to understand its purpose. Humans and all other mammals, AFAIK, can become addicted to drugs or behaviors. At some point, this capacity was a pro-survival trait. I've read some journal articles about this, how dopamine is the reward for succeeding, etc, so we get programmed to succeed, but I think they're missing it. I believe the primary addiction is to food. Do you know you can get a dopamine rush looking at a hamburger? The pleasure you feel eating that kind of stuff has nothing to do with its taste. Research confirms that it is high fat/high protein foods that do this. What is the original? Milk. Honestly, when your stomach is empty, you feel sick and not at all like eating. Foodcraving is totally different - when you eat even though you're full. Babies need all that milk, and in other mammals, they need to take it away from their siblings, even if they don't need it. Same with junk food - people don't stop eating when they are full, they eat for kicks. And because of that, they survive tough times in the future.

Everyone HATES this theory, because it points to most people being food addicts. Well? If you switch your diet to rice and fruit juice, which you can live on for weeks or months without harm, will you feel shitty and bad and cranky until you eat a cupcake? Yes, most people are like that. Junk dope, junk food, junk stuff - no coincidence.

Because addiction is really addiction to dopamine, however you get it, from gambling to meth, it's easy to transfer your means. Quitting junk and still smoking doesn't help you. Cigs have some affect on dopamine, but not enough, so you never get free of it. That's why I *loathe* AA/NA. The whole "I live with this the rest of my life" is crap. Quit smoking and eat right and the cravings go away. You can even use drugs medicinally and not binge, but support is advised.

 

[serotonin2A]

sociobiology of addiction

this is really part of my pet theory, but i'd like to hash it out a bit with some folks more knowledgeable in the fields.


I believe that the key to understand and beating addiction is to understand its purpose. Humans and all other mammals, AFAIK, can become addicted to drugs or behaviors. At some point, this capacity was a pro-survival trait. I've read some journal articles about this, how dopamine is the reward for succeeding, etc, so we get programmed to succeed, but I think they're missing it. I believe the primary addiction is to food. Do you know you can get a dopamine rush looking at a hamburger? The pleasure you feel eating that kind of stuff has nothing to do with its taste. Research confirms that it is high fat/high protein foods that do this. What is the original? Milk. Honestly, when your stomach is empty, you feel sick and not at all like eating. Foodcraving is totally different - when you eat even though you're full. Babies need all that milk, and in other mammals, they need to take it away from their siblings, even if they don't need it. Same with junk food - people don't stop eating when they are full, they eat for kicks. And because of that, they survive tough times in the future.

Everyone HATES this theory, because it points to most people being food addicts. Well? If you switch your diet to rice and fruit juice, which you can live on for weeks or months without harm, will you feel shitty and bad and cranky until you eat a cupcake? Yes, most people are like that. Junk dope, junk food, junk stuff - no coincidence.

Because addiction is really addiction to dopamine, however you get it, from gambling to meth, it's easy to transfer your means. Quitting junk and still smoking doesn't help you. Cigs have some affect on dopamine, but not enough, so you never get free of it. That's why I *loathe* AA/NA. The whole "I live with this the rest of my life" is crap. Quit smoking and eat right and the cravings go away. You can even use drugs medicinally and not binge, but support is advised.

You are mixing up addiction and dependence. People are certainly dependent on food for survival, and that includes eating a varied diet. But for most people, if you take away their favorite food, they will quickly go on with their lives and they won't compulsively crave the food or stop functioning. Plus, although some people may eat more of their favorite food then they would like, they won't eat so much of it in one sitting that their abdomen bursts open and they die. In comparison, it is not an exaggeration to say that drug addicted humans and animals will use drugs in amounts and use patterns that can prove fatal.

Additionally, the fact that people overeat isn't necessarily evidence of addiction, same as the fact that someone might go to a bar on a Friday night thinking they will have 1 beer but actually have 3 -- an alcohol use pattern that isn't inherently evidence of alcoholism. Overeating is certainly a self-control issue, but it isn't necessarily evidence of addiction. One of the hallmarks of addiction is loss of control of drug intake despite extremely negative consequences. People who overeat may get fat or have elevated cholesterol, but that usually doesn't rise to the level of harm and loss of control that is often associated with addiction. Having a definition of addiction that is so broad that it encompasses normal behaviors like eating makes the concept of addiction meaningless.

 

[Overcoming]

Really? You have just said it yourself. If the durg use or alcohol is out of control, somebody craves it, literally can't stop despite negative consequences then that is addiction. Why can't that be transfered to behaviours? They still cause a dopamine buzz. You should sit in on a few 12-step meetings in sex addiction to see what I mean. In my case, I could not STOP. Literally. I KNEW going to a transexual would be the worst thing in a world (guess why), but I went. When I tried to not go, I would shake and sweat.

Anyway, if anybody has any more ideas on how to help me, I would be extremely grateful.

Tantric, I have DP/DR. I cannot take DXM or any dissociatives. I am already extremely dissociated.

Depression theory - interesting. Let's see what the doctor says. I really hope so. I am on Pregabalin right now for anxiety but I wouldn't want to be on this long-term. It is linked to cognitive deficits anecdotally and in research.

 

[serotonin2A]

Really? You have just said it yourself. If the durg use or alcohol is out of control, somebody craves it, literally can't stop despite negative consequences then that is addiction. Why can't that be transfered to behaviours? They still cause a dopamine buzz. You should sit in on a few 12-step meetings in sex addiction to see what I mean. In my case, I could not STOP. Literally. I KNEW going to a transexual would be the worst thing in a world (guess why), but I went. When I tried to not go, I would shake and sweat.
.

Because how you are defining sex addiction means that most young adult males could also be classified as having a sex addiction. If the consequences were that you ended up in and out of jail because you just couldn't stop going to transexual prostitutes, that you moved into a brothel so that you could spend all day and night having sex with the prostitutes, and you were constantly being beat up by those men, then your behavior would potentially rise to the severity of where most psychiatrists consider it to be an addiction.

Most young males think about sex constantly and crave it, and find it impossible to abstain from sexual behavior. Most teenage males masturbate and could not abstain if they wanted to. Many people at one time or another have sex with partners that they do not like. Sexual desire in humans has a huge range of targets, and you certainly may not be happy with having sex with transexual prostitutes, but it is not necessarily abberant behavior.

So the reason that I don't think you have an addiction is because none of the behaviors you listed are abnormal. The fact that your preferred sex partners are transexual prostitutes may cause you distress, but is not inherently abberant. Plenty of men visit transexual prostitutes and are perfectly happy about doing so. Human society often has arbitrary rules for sexual behavior and you may feel guilty or shame for violating such rules, but that is also common. You may also have a very high sex drive, which makes you think about sex compulsively, but that is also very common in young adult males. I'm not trying to minimize your distress, but only trying to point out they how you are feeling and acting is not that unusual.