Trading one addiction for another

[12monkeysnyc]

So, last time I was clean (around the 8 month point) i started gambling. Going to the casino and buying lottery when I couldn't go to the casino. It got bad back then. Just to paint a picture for you guys, it got to the point where I was going to the casino directly from work, say around 6, by myself, and would sit there and play until the sun came up and I had to go back to work. There was another time I was clean that I got hooked on working out, which doesnt sound so bad, but I was spending all my time at the gym and overworking myself. I became obsessed with getting bigger, just like I was obsessed with getting that "big win" when I was gambling.
But then, as soon as I start using again i drop those things, whatever it might be at the time. It feels like I just trade one addiction for another. Does this happen to anyone else?

 

[pasha]

homeless -> the dark side

 

[IbizaJoe]

Sounds very familiar to me. I've always been 'obsessed' person in any thing I happen to get even remotely interested in and tend to overdo it.
Not all of this is negative, for example, when I started playing guitar at a young age, I used to train by myself over +6 hours a day. I got very good at it in no time and was definitely obsessed about it. I was the best guitarist in my whole school in no time and probably one of the best in my town.

But when it comes to substance abuse, I tend to overdo everything. I cannot smoke a joint and enjoy the feeling: I have to grow my own harvest and make the strongest hash available and smoke it like there is no tomorrow. I cannot do line of speed and call it a day: I start to make contacts and get the strongest meth around. I cannot drop 'acid' once in a life experience and enjoy it: I have to do it multiple times in spawn of few months and binge for few days in a row. I cannot smoke one cigarette: I'm a chain smoker and smoke over pack a day if I do smoke. I cannot enjoy few beers, I drink a gallon. I cannot play internet poker, because it destroys my sleep schedule and I play throughout the night etc. the list goes on and on...

When it comes to substances and addictions, I have no moderation. I abuse everything to a point that the negative health effects make me stop. I'm 24 and I've just now started to realize this and started control my behavior. Being sober 100% is the single one thing that has kept all of my unhealthy addictions at bay for the moment. I've been this way as long as I can remember, but during my childhood my obsessions were much more innocent and less lethal for my health. I've always had a tendency "to go for the bitter end" so to speak...

 

[Maya]

Yep that's me. I am currently addicted to working out. I think that this is a very positive thing for me. I have replaced my drug addiction with working out. I did struggle for a long time but thinking of the more important things in my life and thinking of my long term goals are what's really helping me control using again. I for sure do not want to go back and be in that dark stage of my life.

 

[nygiants1313]

Gambling, sex, working out, making money, "going out," music, racing cars, other drugs, chasing girls, to name a few.

 

[Erikmen]

Started to go out again, and eating has become much more pleasurable. I think it's easy to trade drugs for food and exercises. It should be healthy too but it steals my family time.
Have been working way too much. Sometimes 12-14 hours per day. I need to feel busy and needed.

 

[12monkeysnyc]

Okay, thanks for the responses guys! So i guess its just an addict is an addict, no matter what the addiction may be. Man sometimes i cant help but wish I was a different person, a "normal" non addict. But hey, it is what it is I guess

 

[ABetterWay]

So, last time I was clean (around the 8 month point) i started gambling. Going to the casino and buying lottery when I couldn't go to the casino. It got bad back then. Just to paint a picture for you guys, it got to the point where I was going to the casino directly from work, say around 6, by myself, and would sit there and play until the sun came up and I had to go back to work. There was another time I was clean that I got hooked on working out, which doesnt sound so bad, but I was spending all my time at the gym and overworking myself. I became obsessed with getting bigger, just like I was obsessed with getting that "big win" when I was gambling.
But then, as soon as I start using again i drop those things, whatever it might be at the time. It feels like I just trade one addiction for another. Does this happen to anyone else?

Well, the brain will release chemicals when an addictive behavior is performed, therefore, the brain wishes for you to repeat the action to release more "reward" chemicals.

If you find that you are compelled to engage in behaviors that cause this chemical release, the best thing to do would be to find things that are safe and healthy to do.

You mentioned becoming "obsessed" with working out at one point. This is a good start, though obviously you don't want to over-work the body. Perhaps focus on that AND health in general, eating well, etc.

Also, is there something in your life that causes you stress on a regular basis? Whether an emotional issue, or a stressful job-related aspect, etc. Avoiding dealing with things like that can stress you out and cause you to seek a quick "solution", to release reward chemicals. Dealing with these stressors may help calm the desire.

It is pretty common for people to trade addictions, as you say. You were asking if others had experienced this. Is that your only question, or were you wanting to do something about it? I apologize if that sounded rude; I assure you there is no spirit of meanness in my words. I'm just genuinely curious.

Peace.

 

[ThePharmacist4925]

I mean I've used drugs and alcohol addictively at point.

I've played video games addictively at times.

I played Magic the Gathering addictively for a couple years.

I've engaged in healthy behaviors addictively at times.

I've watched TV addictively at times.

Shit when I was a kid I followed baseball addictively at times.

I was probably codependent with a few different girls over the years.

It's everything I do, if I want to do something, I want to do it fully and that always becomes too much.

Addictive behaviors in everything I do destroy the balance in my life and that leads to tons of problems.

 

[ABetterWay]

Hey Pharm-

Do you enjoy doing creative things? Art in any form, refurbishing furniture that's "trash", making anything - from sculptures to meals to programs?

I would suggest to you to find a creative pursuit. In fact I would say the same to the OP. It really helps. It gives you a way to express yourself, and it keeps you busy. It also takes up time and prevents boredom

"All or nothing" attitudes aren't always a bad thing

Peace.

*******

Started to go out again, and eating has become much more pleasurable. I think it's easy to trade drugs for food and exercises. It should be healthy too but it steals my family time.
Have been working way too much. Sometimes 12-14 hours per day. I need to feel busy and needed.

Hey EM-

That last sentence really stood out to me - that you need to feel busy and needed.

Have you ever done any type of volunteer work? There are SO MANY ways to do volunteer work. Most people think of something like a soup kitchen, but there are so many things you can do. Furthermore, you can volunteer to help humans and/or animals, whatever floats your boat.

I don't think I can post links yet. Just do a google search like "volunteer work (your town)" or "volunteer work dogs (your town)", etc. There are even sites devoted to listing various volunteer positions.

It keeps you busy, you are DEFINITELY needed, and as a plus, it really makes you feel good. You feel great for helping someone, and you feel great about your own self for making a difference. Hope this helps.

Peace.

 

[Erikmen]

Okay, thanks for the responses guys! So i guess its just an addict is an addict, no matter what the addiction may be. Man sometimes i cant help but wish I was a different person, a "normal" non addict. But hey, it is what it is I guess

I would deeply wanted to be a 'normal' person with no addictions whatsoever.