Why, why, why......

[bcfly7x7]

So here is my question, but if we know how bad the w/d is after the first time, why go back again? Is this a choice, lack of willpower, not strong enough to fight the cravings, not a ton of support, ect. Point being, we all know how bad the DOC we were/are using fucked/s up our life in all aspects, not to mention that if we go back we know inevitably we will either be detoxing or dead at some point, and for what? So we can live like shit, homeless, helpless, hopeless, soulless.... Why is the memory of our hell out weighted by a blank void, what are we running back to, or from? Is/was our life better with DOCs or is it just our mind telling us it is? If we can answer these questions, I think we would be in a better place. If we are honest with ourselves, find the clarity, and use it. Remember our mind is the last to heal when detoxing, it's a battle, but a winnable one.

So then the question begs, is addiction more physical or mental? Yes I know that mental lasts longer, but what causes our addiction? If addiction is a disease, shouldn't it have the same properties? Example; cancer is a disease, while the location might be different, the properties are basically the same. Take a second, think about it before answering, the flu, ALS, hell, even RA. Now I'm not saying addiction isn't a disease, I'm far from qualified to make that statement, but under the "traditional" diseases they all share a similar property. In my opinion drug addiction doesn't fit these. Here's why I say that, a person like myself who was physically addicted to medication, when to detox and clean now, only did this one time, and I have no such cravings to use again. While another might be on the same medication and have cravings that are unparalleled. Why? If we started and stopped at the same time and used the same amount, why will the reaction be different? I can already hear you saying that person might have a disease for addiction, well if this is the case, why does said subject not get addicted to alcohol or for that matter everything, full OCD?

Now is it possible to have an addictive personality, sure. This is not a disease however. Just a state of mind. So if we pinpoint the reason for addiction in each individual, can we define it better on a case by case basis?

What are your thoughts? This isn't an attack on any one individual or an attack at all, just questions. Is the label of addiction as a disease making it easier for the addict to say, "hey I have a disease, I can't help it", or can we.......

Bob

 

[njirem]

Drug addiction, in my opinion, is an outcome of when your life is ill, pharmacologic-psychiatric-invironmental-social-physical are a variety of causes to trigger drug abuse and dependency.

Drug addiction in itself is not a disease, it is a symptom, the disease is spreaded over many grounds and they all need to be taken care of before one can break free of addiction.

There is not one cause for addiction, but there is one cure, stop doing it.

Yes, addicts are sick, but it is the only disease you choose, nomather how hard life gets, and how difficult it may seem, its up to you.

 

[Erikmen]

You really know a lot about drug addiction. And your posts are very complete.
They are all somehow connected but also individualized. They have the knowledge in the subject. And that´s quite positive.
If I´m not mistaken, you are going to work in this area, right?
At the meantime your posts have been really helping many of us.
Good to have you around.

 

[Erikmen]

bcfly, I believe the choice you make when you decide to go against what you have learnt to be harmful is often done unconsciously.
You don´t take full conscious responsibility for your decisions.
There is a common sense these days which defines addiction as a sickness of your body and mind.
So when you are sick, and not under vigilance, you may often make wrong choices mostly regretted afterwards.

 

[bcfly7x7]

bcfly, I believe the choice you make when you decide to go against what you have learnt to be harmful is often done unconsciously.
You don´t take full conscious responsibility for your decisions.
There is a common sense these days which defines addiction as a sickness of your body and mind.
So when you are sick, and not under vigilance, you may often make wrong choices mostly regretted afterwards.

Erikmen,

Agreed on a lack of conscious thought but only to a certain point. I.e, if someone relapses 1 or 2 months in, I can see that as a probable assertion. However what about the person 6 months to 1 year clean relapse? At that point, conscious thought should be firmly in place.

I also agree about an addict being sick, but being sick and being stricken with disease are two different things. Also the sickness does affect us completely and in almost every aspect. This is why a strong support system (family and close friends) are vital to help with that vigilance. We hold ourselves to a higher standard to those we are close to in our life, rather than a group meeting to rest our sobriety on there shoulders if we are ready to slip. It easier to shrug that off, than to crush a loved on over and over.

Also, im not sure if your first reply was directed at me or nijrem, but either way thank you.

Bob