The Word "Addict". How Do You Define It? Or Hear It?

[Asparagus_Prince]

There's something that's always bothered me about the word even though I use it.

So I am curious what others think and I have several questions. Answer any or all of them...

-What do you think is a good way to define the word "addict"?
-Do you think your definition is different from the way most people define it?
-Is your definition consistent with how you hear the word? Honestly, even if you know it might be wrong, does your mind go to a presumptuous/wrong place when you hear the word?
-Is there a line that's crossed in order to "earn" the title of addict? Can someone not be an addict right now, but be an addict a week from now?

 

[nznity]

Addict means someone who doesn't communicate literally.

 

[Pickledlemons]

To me an addict is just somebody thats dependent on something... I know some people think of it more as 'somebody who doesn't have control over their use.' which I find extremely messy and hard to quantify.

To me if somebody uses a drug routinely and suffers withdrawal when they stop, then they are addicted.

 

[December Flower]

To me an addict is just somebody thats dependent on something... I know some people think of it more as 'somebody who doesn't have control over their use.' which I find extremely messy and hard to quantify.

To me if somebody uses a drug routinely and suffers withdrawal when they stop, then they are addicted.

What you are describing is dependance.
Words are not just these things you can use however you want and interpret the meaning either which way. Or I might just flarble the flip on the boglesnatch.

Addiction, in a purely medical way, not open to interpretation, is a disorder on 3 levels: biological, psychological & social. It describes a compulsion for rewarding stimuli, even when it's dangerous. It doesn't have to do with drugs, it has to do with rewarding stimuli. One can be addicted to sports, sex, w/e

 

[Imaginarium]

Hi,

I haven't answered all of your questions but see below for my input on how I interpret your questions and overall ideas.

1. What do you think is a good way to define the word "addict"?

In my opinion, using the word 'addict' (i.e. calling someone an 'addict') is stigmatizing, discriminatory, perpetuates harmful stereotypes, and creates barriers to health and social services. Using the word “addict” has been empirically demonstrated to increase stigma. An alternative and preferred approach are to use person-first language, such as person who uses drugs problematically or a person with x disorder. Using person-first language promotes respect for the worth and dignity of all persons. Person-first language literally puts the words referring to the person before words describing their behaviors.

2. Other considerations

Noting that there is a difference between 'addiction' and 'dependence', as @December Flower mentions above.

Addiction is often considered as 'a chronic, relapsing disorder characterized by compulsive drug seeking and use despite adverse consequences'. Fortunately, the DSM-5 committee has revised the diagnostic term for addiction in the manual as substance use disorder, and its severity is dependent on meeting a select number of 11 criteria.

Dependence is different from addiction, but the two are often conflated. Physical dependence is an ordinary biological consequence of taking certain medications for weeks or years— while addiction is continued drug use that persists in the face of negative consequences. Conflating the two can, for example, place stigma on medication treatment for addiction with agonists like buprenorphine and methadone.

3. Take home message

Language and how we use it matters.

 

[Pickledlemons]

What you are describing is dependance.
Words are not just these things you can use however you want and interpret the meaning either which way. Or I might just flarble the flip on the boglesnatch.

Addiction, in a purely medical way, not open to interpretation, is a disorder on 3 levels: biological, psychological & social. It describes a compulsion for rewarding stimuli, even when it's dangerous. It doesn't have to do with drugs, it has to do with rewarding stimuli. One can be addicted to sports, sex, w/e

Did you read the OP?

It was asking what does it mean to you and how does that differ from what it means to other people. I'm aware what I'm describing is dependence which is why I said exactly that in the first sentence. I assumed the context was drugs since this is a drug forum.

 

[deficiT]

What you are describing is dependance.
Words are not just these things you can use however you want and interpret the meaning either which way. Or I might just flarble the flip on the boglesnatch.

Addiction, in a purely medical way, not open to interpretation, is a disorder on 3 levels: biological, psychological & social. It describes a compulsion for rewarding stimuli, even when it's dangerous. It doesn't have to do with drugs, it has to do with rewarding stimuli. One can be addicted to sports, sex, w/e

I mean, the OP is asking how you as an individual define addiction.

 

[December Flower]

I mean, the OP is asking how you as an individual define addiction.

But there's no room for interpretation. I could as well ask about everyone's individual definition of ice cream, but I think we're going to meet a similar result,
only that with addiction most people have next to 0 knowledge, and everyone knows ice cream. Maybe that's the "fun" part, but I'm the wrong guy to understand "fun".

Did you read the OP?

It was asking what does it mean to you and how does that differ from what it means to other people. I'm aware what I'm describing is dependence which is why I said exactly that in the first sentence. I assumed the context was drugs since this is a drug forum.

Yeah I've reached the point where I'm just confused. There is no room for interpretation.
But whatever, call a shovel a rocket launcher and we'll see. It won't launch rockets, that's for sure, but you do have the option to pretend.

To paraphrase that: I don't think you will get anywhere with that premise. What addiction means has already been defined over and over, and I'm not sure how people's "opinions" matter in that situation. Is the shovel a rocket launcher, just because multiple people think it's a rocket launcher?

 

[deficiT]

But there's no room for interpretation. I could as well ask about everyone's individual definition of ice cream, but I think we're going to meet a similar result,
only that with addiction most people have next to 0 knowledge, and everyone knows ice cream. Maybe that's the "fun" part, but I'm the wrong guy to understand "fun".

Yeah I've reached the point where I'm just confused. There is no room for interpretation.
But whatever, call a shovel a rocket launcher and we'll see. It won't launch rockets, that's for sure.

Sure there's room for interpretation. A shovel might not be a rocket launcher, but you'll find it's perfectly capable of launching rocks.

 

[December Flower]

Sure there's room for interpretation. A shovel might not be a rocket launcher, but you'll find it's perfectly capable of launching rocks.

But then you have a Rock Launcher, that's not correct.
And you may make fun of this if you want, but you know I'm correct. Where is the fucking wiggle room with Addiction, that someone can say "I think it's some kind of cheese"..?

Nobody did, yet, but apparently that's the fun game or something.
Please put "game" in front of these threads, so idiots like me don't start thinking anyone wants actual info, and we're not just playing opinions.

 

[Nurse Ratched]

For me the word pretty much defines any person who compulsively repeats any behavior regardless of the consequences. Drugs, alcohol, the internet, gambling, sex, food. porn. Any behavior that we can't stop doing repeatedly, and causes us great harm, would be an addiction.

Some people's addictions aren't too damaging. I know people that are addicted to online shopping. The sites where you bid on items ( junky chinese shit ) and get things for a few dollars. If you can afford to do that, without neglecting your household obligations, it's all good i guess.

I know people that are addicted to buying scratch off lottery tickets but they cannot afford it. So yeah, that's not good if you are buying tickets and not properly feeding your pets.

I know others that play video games all day and don't work so that's not good. Others do it in their spare time ( and work ) so that's cool.

If we can do something and not neglect anything else I guess it wouldn't be an addiction. It's when we hurt ourselves, and others, with our behaviors that we are " addicted"

Right now I only have one addiction. And that's to kratom. But I can afford it, don't neglect my pets or my home, don't steal for it, don't act the ass on it and I don't suffer any consequences.

So, am I really addicted or just like taking kratom?

 

[December Flower]

For me the word pretty much defines any person who compulsively repeats any behavior regardless of the consequences. Drugs, alcohol, the internet, gambling, sex, food. porn. Any behavior that we can't stop doing repeatedly, and causes us great harm, would be an addiction.

Some people's addictions aren't too damaging. I know people that are addicted to online shopping. The sites where you bid on items ( junky chinese shit ) and get things for a few dollars. If you can afford to do that, without neglecting your household obligations, it's all good i guess.

I know people that are addicted to buying scratch off lottery tickets but they cannot afford it. So yeah, that's not good if you are buying tickets and not properly feeding your pets.

I know others that play video games all day and don't work so that's not good. Others do it in their spare time ( and work ) so that's cool.

If we can do something and not neglect anything else I guess it wouldn't be an addiction. It's when we hurt ourselves, and others, with our behaviors that we are " addicted"

Right now I only have one addiction. And that's to kratom. But I can afford it, don't neglect my pets or my home, don't steal for it, don't act the ass on it and I don't suffer any consequences.

So, am I really addicted or just like taking kratom?

Kratom causes loss of appetite long-term, do you suffer from that?
That can be dangerous

 

[deficiT]

But then you have a Rock Launcher, that's not correct.
And you may make fun of this if you want, but you know I'm correct. Where is the fucking wiggle room with Addiction, that someone can say "I think it's some kind of cheese"..?

Nobody did, yet, but apparently that's the fun game or something.
Please put "game" in front of these threads, so idiots like me don't start thinking anyone wants actual info, and we're not just playing opinions.

The cool thing about words is that they can mean different things to different people at different times, and everyone has their own personal understanding of different concepts beyond the dry recitation of the Webster's dictionary.

 

[Nurse Ratched]

Kratom causes loss of appetite long-term, do you suffer from that?
That can be dangerous

Just the opposite. I eat like a horse and gained weight when I got clean and only take kratom. I actually have no side effects from it. I even have normal BM's. Good appetite. It does increase my thirst though.

 

[December Flower]

The cool thing about words is that they can mean different things to different people at different times, and everyone has their own personal understanding of different concepts beyond the dry recitation of the Webster's dictionary.

Ah, but that is under the coat of context.

Sure, if someone 0815 called me an "addict", that would be an insult to me.
If someone who themself is into drugs one way or another called me or themself an "addict", that would be appropriate.
If a doctor would calle me an "addict", that would as well be appropriate.

Sure, under the coat of context there are many different interpretations, but I was thinking simply the word by itself. That is strictly defined.

 

[December Flower]

Just the opposite. I eat like a horse and gained weight when I got clean and only take kratom. I actually have no side effects from it. I even have normal BM's. Good appetite. It does increase my thirst though.

You been taking Kratom for long now? That is an unusual reaction if long-term.
In short-term this does happen, iirc

 

[Nurse Ratched]

You been taking Kratom for long now? That is an unusual reaction if long-term.
In short-term this does happen, iirc

Daily for 3 years almost. Around 15 to 20 grams per day. Knock wood no side effects ( other than thirst ) yet.

 

[December Flower]

Daily for 3 years almost. Around 15 to 20 grams per day. Knock wood no side effects ( other than thirst ) yet.

I mean as per definition it's most certainly an addiction because you're doing it daily for the stimuli you receive from it, but hell, people drink coffee every morning for 40 years and function, Kratom isn't even as harmful as that.

Im most certainly addicted to marihuana, because it helps my head sort things easier. Due to my Aspies I'm having a hard time going outside, or to the supermarket, because of all the lights and beeping and noise and people everywhere, and being stoned helps a lot - haven't had a real sensory overload for years. I need it to a certain degree to function, but I can go days without it even, as long as there's still THC&CBD in my fat cells still I'm most definitely addicted to the stimuli it gives me

Addiction doesn't need to be a problem. It can also be something that helps you along the way. As long as we watch our own behaviour and don't let it become more and more, so there are shitloads of substances this doesn't work with at all.

 

[Nurse Ratched]

I mean as per definition it's most certainly an addiction because you're doing it daily for the stimuli you receive from it, but hell, people drink coffee every morning for 40 years and function, Kratom isn't even as harmful as that.

Im most certainly addicted to marihuana, because it helps my head sort things easier. Due to my Aspies I'm having a hard time going outside, or to the supermarket, because of all the lights and beeping and noise and people everywhere, and being stoned helps a lot - haven't had a real sensory overload for years. I need it to a certain degree to function, but I can go days without it even, as long as there's still THC&CBD in my fat cells still I'm most definitely addicted to the stimuli it gives me

Addiction doesn't need to be a problem. It can also be something that helps you along the way. As long as we watch our own behaviour and don't let it become more and more, so there are shitloads of substances this doesn't work with at all.

Amen, brother.

Happy Holidays.

 

[Imaginarium]

Right now I only have one addiction. And that's to kratom. But I can afford it, don't neglect my pets or my home, don't steal for it, don't act the ass on it and I don't suffer any consequences.

So, am I really addicted or just like taking kratom?

Hi @Pumpkin2021,

Interesting question, thanks for raising it. You identify as having an addiction but then also question if you are? In this online-forum context, It would be up to you to decide if your use is making your life unmanageable. It's a really difficult question to answer without more details. It would depend on how you define being 'addicted' or having an 'addiction' or what type of model you prescribe to.

Personally, I wouldn't ever ask for a diagnosis from an online forum, but as a thought experiment, I'll give some input.

In the offline world, if you would want to be diagnosed then you would need to consult a trained clinician. If they used the Classification of Diseases (ICD)-9 and ICD-10, then it might be difficult as they don't differentiate between 'dependence' and 'addiction' or 'just liking'. If the clinician were to use the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-5th edition (DSM-5), then you wouldn't find out if you're 'addicted' but rather how severe your substance use disorder is because a clinician would diagnose the severity or how much of a problem it is based on how many of the 11 symptoms are identified.

Many possibilities, but I do hope you are able to cope in the meantime.