Well it hepled me :artofwar ... cheerz,
Along with each and every opinion on this topic , the importance could barely be understated ... The fact[sic] is that it's always going to differ from individual to individual and what not ... Why? do some get so addicted whilst others can moderate their usage??? ... only open discussion such as this can possibly shed a little light on this issue ... as so often we are damned if we do and damned if we aren't doing ...
Can I have a go at directly answering the OP's Questions? ... (Forgot your name again mate , sorry about that :D)
Why not ...
1*Is the only way to really understand, to become addicted myself?
2*What did being addicted feel like to you? In retrospect (or presently) do you think you could have stopped if you tried hard enough, or is willpower not a factor?
3*What, from your experience, would be required to stop?
4*What do you think causes somebody to become addicted to a drug?
5*Why is it that some people are able to use recreational drugs in moderation, whereas other people spiral out of control?
1*- I must disagree that you need to actually EXPERIENCE addiction such as we speak of here ... to at least understand/learn/know about it! (don't try it at home btw
) ... might not be able to FEEL it , but i don't see why it couldn't be Understood ... Having read often on the subject ... (I still promote reading the 1st page especially (and the rest) of this topic) ... I was blown away by the honesty and descriptions put forth ... It was a pleasant suprise for me as too often there are derogatory suggestions made for such a discussion ... I guess I'll have to "man up!" and accept it though heheh
... All circumstances are different ... almost infinite factors are involved so there is no solid equation for anything.
Best we can do is to try and understand ourselves and the planet/life around us. I suppose.
2* Will-Power is definatly a factor if you ask me ... because of the way the question was phrased I will answer that I think , if ... big IF! ... one was aware of becoming addicted in the first place then yes the option is there to just ,basically , steer clear ... there are different levels of addiction (as far as I know) ... as the years go by , some people won't think of it as an addiction ... It's when It starts destroying you and your surroundings that it becomes a problem ... and then the addictions realize to you as a key factor for said problems (i.e. Is addiction an issue only if It is causing problems?) ...
Tough questions.
3* Hmmm , What would be required to stop? ... bit of a general question ...
SO many factors involved I'd prefer not even to give an example.
I could only say that : It's the decisions of the affected individual to choose what path they want/need to take ... support thereonin from all avenues existant may make the journey easier (no matter how hectic) ... Friends and Family , Social services and whatever outreach available can and will help if it is available for those who seek it.
4* Cause? ... Action=Reaction ... hah , I could have answered this whole reply as , "too many factors to ever acheive a relevant answer" ... but that would be defeatist wouldn't it ... not mention a bit dull
heheheh
O.k. ... almost forgot , personal opinions count ... no "facts" needed but the truth as one may know it ...
I think addiction is part of escapism ... hmmm , not thought much about it , but i think that's right and can't wait to learn more about it.
Trauma , Pain , Loss , Lost , Relief ... probably many more ... etc
(Not to be confused ofc with the experimental drug taker whom also seeks Enlightenment , Discovery , Intellect , Wisdom and Peace etc ...)
Reminds me a little of the debate about causality drug-wize vs. mental health.
Touchy subject , wish I could elaborate but the suns coming up ...
5* Your guess is as good as anyones I reckon.
I think It's less to do with genes and predisposition than it is to do with circumstance. Let alone peoples ability to cope with said circumstances .. if that makes sense ... so many factors involved ... but maybe less factors could be considered if there is such honest and decent discussion raised on the subject as we see here.
I guess that's where all us peoples come into play ... but internet access is poor down under the bridge and such
Write a new text-book I say ... one for every person on the planet
Cheerz and I am almost confident I didn't totally wreck this excellent thread ...
Umbo. ... |_.
P.s. Oh my , why is am I up so late/early? ... almost 7am and I barely batted an eyelid , let alone do all the other things I thunk of doing all these hours ...
(I'm just as addicted to the Internet now as I ever was anything
as i alluded to last post ... sorry to repeat that sentiment but It may be obscure)
Take care and enjoy