I don't understand addictions.

[Colt45]

wrong. addiction is a genetic disorder.

Some people are more predisposed to addictive behaviour (eg. being on the internet all day, gambling, overeating, marijuana, etc).

Everyone is susceptible to chemical dependence [nicotine, opiates, etc]; But chemical addictions can be even harder to kick for the people mentioned above, due to the double mental/physical addiction.

 

[ShadowOfMyself]

Then you just don't have an addictive personality. You'll find that people who are addicted to one thing likely have addictions to other things. I truly believe the ability to become addicted to something is genetic, or at least the tendency is there.

Probably the best reply here

Im in the same boat as the OP, never been addicted to something, and Im not even curious about drugs or smoking, from a logical point of view its retarded to even start doing it

But putting "physical addictions" aside, and using the WoW example for one, although I love gaming and I love the internet etc, its not something I couldnt live without by a long shot... Most people think Im addicted because of the time I spend online, but most of the times its simply the fact I either wanna have fun, or I just dont have anything better to do with my time

In reality, Im the kind of person who isnt bound by anything, and if I had the chance Id go live to some deserted island without problems (as long as I had some form of entertainment and basic human needs) and leave everything behind

Either way, I think its ridiculous how easily people fall into addictions, and in that sense I agree completely that its a willpower issue and nothing more... Here Im talking about common stuff like coffee... It blows my mind how some people have to drink a cup of coffee every single time after a meal or after a certain period of time

I understand you could compare it to eating in general, since all of us start to feel incredibly hungry if we dont eat for a while, it probably feels the same way to any addict and their vice, but the difference here is obvious, eating is something we NEED to survive, so it cant really be called an addiction

 

[Inspector Jihad]

% and proof are two different things. You can't have 100% proof, let alone more than 100% proof.

whatevs, i have 100% proof that OP is an idiot!

 

[moshquerade]

wrong. addiction is a genetic disorder.

cop out. just because you have a tendency towards addiction doesn't mean you have to be doomed to it.

people tell me that all the time... "my gums bleed, they always have. it runs in the family."
bullshit. stop being a lazy ass and clean your teeth.

you can determine your destiny in most instances.

 

[meltdown75]

you gotta fight

for your right

to paaaarrrtayyyyyyy

 

[moshquerade]

you gotta fight

for your right

to paaaarrrtayyyyyyy

 

[Schadenfreude]

Forget all these "hard drugs" - try smoking a cigarette for 1 week and get back to us.

 

[surfsatwerk]

wrong. addiction is a genetic disorder.

Um genetics can predispose you to addictive behavior, but no it is not a genetic disorder.

 

[rise]

People usually switch from coke to heroin once their life starts to deteriorate since it's cheaper.

Physical withdrawal is a bitch (and can kill you).

withdrawal is a bitch but you won't die from opiate or coke withdrawal.

 

[SlowSpyder]

withdrawal is a bitch but you won't die from opiate or coke withdrawal.

Some withdrawls can kill. Alcohol, benzo, really things having to do with GABA seem to be the more dangerous ones, that I know of anyway.

 

[F1N3ST]

Probably the best reply here

Im in the same boat as the OP, never been addicted to something, and Im not even curious about drugs or smoking, from a logical point of view its retarded to even start doing it

But putting "physical addictions" aside, and using the WoW example for one, although I love gaming and I love the internet etc, its not something I couldnt live without by a long shot... Most people think Im addicted because of the time I spend online, but most of the times its simply the fact I either wanna have fun, or I just dont have anything better to do with my time

In reality, Im the kind of person who isnt bound by anything, and if I had the chance Id go live to some deserted island without problems (as long as I had some form of entertainment and basic human needs) and leave everything behind

Either way, I think its ridiculous how easily people fall into addictions, and in that sense I agree completely that its a willpower issue and nothing more... Here Im talking about common stuff like coffee... It blows my mind how some people have to drink a cup of coffee every single time after a meal or after a certain period of time

I understand you could compare it to eating in general, since all of us start to feel incredibly hungry if we dont eat for a while, it probably feels the same way to any addict and their vice, but the difference here is obvious, eating is something we NEED to survive, so it cant really be called an addiction

:thumbsup:

 

[surfsatwerk]

:thumbsup:

Agreeing with another person who doesn't know anything about addiction isn't too terribly impressive.

 

[syrillus]

Must be nice to be a naive 21-y-o again...

 

[JohnCU]

i'm an alcoholic. addiction is a fucking whore

 

[KeithTalent]

Yeah, some people are just not predisposed to addiction. I remember ex-girlfriend trying to become addicted to cigarettes various times, but never being able to do it. She would would buy packs and smoke every day for months, but it never got to a point where she needed them and would just stop whenever it suited her.

I'm the same way, though I've never tried to become addicted to something. Closest I ever came was Street Fighter 2 in High School. I'm sure I was very close to being addicted to that game.

KT

 

[F1N3ST]

Yeah, some people are just not predisposed to addiction. I remember ex-girlfriend trying to become addicted to cigarettes various times, but never being able to do it. She would would buy packs and smoke every day for months, but it never got to a point where she needed them and would just stop whenever it suited her.

I'm the same way, though I've never tried to become addicted to something. Closes I ever came was Street Fighter 2 in High School. I'm sure I was very close to being addicted to that game.

KT

:thumbsup: to both of you!

 

[ShawnD1]

I've never been addicted to something. I don't understand how someone could become addicted to anything. It doesn't make sense to me. I can quit doing anything whenever I want, maybe I just have willpower, morals, or integrity, idk.

I know where you're coming from. I don't want to call people names, but I swear smokers are lying when they say they try to quit. I smoke lots when I'm with friends on weekends, but I never smoke on weekdays. How can I go 5 whole days without any cravings at all while other people totally shit their pants if they can't smoke every 5 minutes?

My dad had similar smoking habits. He would smoke his pipe every day, but it didn't bother him if he couldn't smoke. There were a few summers where he forgot to bring his pipe to the lake, so he just wouldn't smoke for 3 straight weeks. No twitching, no spazzing out, nothing.

The alcohol one blows my mind. How many people drink alcohol? Like 99% of the population? How many alcoholics do I know? Zero. If millions of us don't experience alcohol addiction or alcohol withdrawal, then maybe alcohol isn't the problem.

 

[wheresmybacon]

The alcohol one blows my mind. How many people drink alcohol? Like 99% of the population? How many alcoholics do I know? Zero. If millions of us don't experience alcohol addiction or alcohol withdrawal, then maybe alcohol isn't the problem.

What are you trying to say here?

 

[Lummex]

I didn't read through the whole thread, and I'm sure someone else has said this in the thread already, but I find it strange that you haven't learned about this yet. People become addicted to things because whatever they are addicted to creates a reaction in the brain that is enjoyable. Your brain/body needs it more and more to feel normal. Addictions are very real, as when an addict attempts to quit they have withdrawals, which are not just feelings of wanting the substance/whatever else you are addicted to. They often manifest themselves physically (you shake, become violently ill, etc...). I almost want to call this thread shens, I thought everyone learned about this...

Anyway, there are a few lucky people who do not get addicted to some things as easily. For example, I have smoked cigarrettes before, numerous times. Yet, I don't feel a real craving for them ever. I realize that it was stupid for me to even try, and I'm extremely lucky that I never got addicted to them. You may be a lucky person who doesn't get addicted to some things, either. But it doesn't mean you can't get addicted to other things (same goes for me).

 

[WHAMPOM]

I've never been addicted to something. I don't understand how someone could become addicted to anything. It doesn't make sense to me. I can quit doing anything whenever I want, maybe I just have willpower, morals, or integrity, idk.

Just hold your breath for five minutes and you will.

 

[ShawnD1]

What are you trying to say here?

I'm saying that alcoholics are outliers. It's not fair to say alcohol is addictive because 1 in a million people depend on it while the rest of us can go on a 3 day bender and have absolutely no withdrawal at the end of it. When people claim alcohol is addictive, they're basing this conclusion on an extremely small minority of people.

 

[nageov3t]

I'm saying that alcoholics are outliers. It's not fair to say alcohol is addictive because 1 in a million people depend on it while the rest of us can go on a 3 day bender and have absolutely no withdrawal at the end of it. When people claim alcohol is addictive, they're basing this conclusion on an extremely small minority of people.

I think it's a matter of psychologically addictive versus chemically addictive.

imo, if the OP wants to truly say that he can't understand addictions and is immune to them, he should spend a few months doing meth or crack on a regular basis.

 

[wheresmybacon]

I'm saying that alcoholics are outliers. It's not fair to say alcohol is addictive because 1 in a million people depend on it while the rest of us can go on a 3 day bender and have absolutely no withdrawal at the end of it. When people claim alcohol is addictive, they're basing this conclusion on an extremely small minority of people.

Your ignorance is shocking. I thought that's what you meant I just couldn't belive you were actually saying it. OP's alternate account, perhaps?

 

[rudeguy]

Your ignorance is shocking. I thought that's what you meant I just couldn't belive you were actually saying it. OP's alternate account, perhaps?

Just because this forum is full of MENSA members, doesn't mean there aren't idiots here.

 

[surfsatwerk]

I'm saying that alcoholics are outliers. It's not fair to say alcohol is addictive because 1 in a million people depend on it while the rest of us can go on a 3 day bender and have absolutely no withdrawal at the end of it. When people claim alcohol is addictive, they're basing this conclusion on an extremely small minority of people.

A 3 day bender... are you claiming that something like a 3 day bender is what addicts people to alcohol? You don't experience symptoms of withdrawal let alone addictive cravings from 3 days of use. Addiction to alcohol or any drug is a complex combination of mental and physical reactions that develop over month or years depending on the individual.

If you and the OP are interested in understanding addiction quit playing thought games in your empty heads and go to a 12 step recovery meeting like AA or NA.