Addictions

[zionchild]

I'm trying to really understand addictions. I mean, on one level it's really easy to say that we're completely against this group of behaviors and objects that were taught to us as "Bad Things", but that's not a very insightful point of view to have. There are all sorts of addictions out there -- addictions to substances like cigarettes and more

Comments

[telsh7]

I'd imagine Ryan's gonna weigh in on this, and Mel might, too. I'll start by saying that the medical community defines addiction as a disease. A.A. says it's a defect of character- a flaw. All addictions incorporate a bit of obsessive-compulsiveness, and generally interfere with healthy functioning. Every "addiction" that I know of results in tolerance- needing more of it to obtain the same result, until eventually you need an awful lot of it just to feel normal. There is generally a ritual involved (THIS slot machine is due for a jackpot- even though it's totally random- or the heroin addict that prepares the drug a certain way every time and blames his latest O.D. on a change he made in the ritual). The addiction is a kind of insanity that takes hold very much like a demon. Someone who smokes for 20 years and then just gives it up probably wasn't truly addicted. Many addicts believe that without their "fix" they will literally die, like it is actively keeping them alive even though, in reality, it's probably killing them.

[zionchild]

Yeah, I still don't see the big difference. You're talking about degree of addiction, but not every addict is addicted to the point that all they can think of is their next fix. Some addictions are very mild. So what's the difference between a mild addiction like cigarettes or eating, and something that's almost identical save definition, such as morning rituals or the need for your partner?

[noctros]

Gee, Brian....how'd you know I was gonna comment

[zionchild]

But the ACA, APA, and ACSW do recognize gambling as an addiction, complete with withdrawl symptoms. I had a couple addiction sessions with a compulsive gambler in my practicum last semester.

[noctros]

I had a client who had a gambling addiction once, too. Big time. But she also had a lot of other stuff going on, too, like being bipolar, for one. When an addiction is co-occurring with another mental illness (PARTICULARLY bipolar disorder), how can one be certain that the addictive behavior isn't simply another symptom of the larger disorder?

[telsh7]

Moot point. The problem is that she has problems.

I might recommend treating her as an single entity, rather than a collection of separate entities. She is a living representation of systems theory- every aspect of her is affecting all other aspects of her. Ya can't separate her bipolar from her addiction.

[telsh7]

Hmm. Okay, it sounds like you want to really wade in the waters. That's fine. And please know that I welcome differing opinions to my posts. I don't claim to be the authority, but if anything I say helps, feel free to go with it

[australiafemale]

If you're totally devoted to constantly removing the influence of things on you, though, doesn't that make you addicted to non-addiction?

Mmm interesting point. I suppose so. But the question is, are we addicted to removing the addiction or removing the addiction to remove the negative consequences of having said addiction?? Theoretically we could just reduce the negative side effects to a manageable level.

I think we decide what addictions are tolerable or not based on the negative consequences of having that addiction and our own personal and social/public ideas of health, vitality and what is right and wrong. After all the need to use substance D is being driven by our body just as much as the need to go to the bathroom when you wake up in the morning.

Most of us don't challenge or even realise our potentially addicted behaviour if it is perceived to be the norm. It is often when it is not accepted behaviour that we consider it like an absess to be removed.