And I'm not making light of substance abuse problems. Devastating for millions. Just not for me, thank goodness.

 

Which brings up a good question. How is it that some can use (and sometimes even frequently) without it ever being a problem, while others are riddled with addiction issues?

Which brings up a good question. How is it that some can use (and sometimes even frequently) without it ever being a problem, while others are riddled with addiction issues?

 

Really good question, probably with a lot of complex answers. I'm

thinking there are some folks that are genetically predisposed to addictions.

Which brings up a good question. How is it that some can use (and sometimes even frequently) without it ever being a problem, while others are riddled with addiction issues?

 

A mystery for sure.

 

I can bum a cigarette from someone (used to be a 1-2 pack-a-day smoker), smoke it, get a brief nicotine buzz, and not think about it again. I've had friends ask how that is possible, and I just shrug my shoulders. I don't have a clue.

 

My sister's brief life was wracked with severe mental health and substance abuse issues. We were 27 months apart in age. Same parents, same schools, same house. She had two abortions prior to age 21, was hospitalized in private and public mental health institutions, swallowed anything she could get her hands on (including acetone), burned herself with cigarettes, seduced at least one of her psychiatrists - the list is comprehensive. By any reasonable standard, I am "normal" in comparison.

 

The human brain is a complex and mysterious thing.

A mystery for sure.

 

I can bum a cigarette from someone (used to be a 1-2 pack-a-day smoker), smoke it, get a brief nicotine buzz, and not think about it again. I've had friends ask how that is possible, and I just shrug my shoulders. I don't have a clue.

 

My sister's brief life was wracked with severe mental health and substance abuse issues. We were 27 months apart in age. Same parents, same schools, same house. She had two abortions prior to age 21, was hospitalized in private and public mental health institutions, swallowed anything she could get her hands on (including acetone), burned herself with cigarettes, seduced at least one of her psychiatrists - the list is comprehensive. By any reasonable standard, I am "normal" in comparison.

 

The human brain is a complex and mysterious thing.

 

Indeed, papa. Indeed. Makes up only about three percent of the body's weight and yet uses 20% of the body's energy.

Which brings up a good question. How is it that some can use (and sometimes even frequently) without it ever being a problem, while others are riddled with addiction issues?

 

I've always thought the term "addictive personality" was some sort of faux-psychology term people made up to justify their behaviors. But, I now think some people simply are more prone to addiction than others. I don't know what all goes into that - whether its genetic or developed or both - but I think it's true. It's my experience the big three drugs in caffeine, nicotine, and alcohol hit people completely differently in terms of dependence.

 

Edit: I was also thinking that what I said applies to things beyond drugs that lead to compulsory/dependent behaviors, like gambling.

Edited November 29, 201510 yr by Habib

Never been addicted to anything but cigarettes. I quit in May and have managed it well. Tonight I dropped the lovely lady and her mom at the Aronoff. So to kill a little time I went to the casino for a couple of hours. I wanted a cigarette so badly I thought I was going to break. I am not sure what I would have done if someone would have offered me one. I managed but that trigger of the casino is not one I expected to be that strong. I have gotten through the others without many problems.

 

Addiction is real and not easy at all to overcome. If you have never been addicted to something it is really difficult to understand. If you have been addicted, you understand with clarity.

 

The lovely lady and I discuss this often. She has been understanding of the issues I have had with quitting, but can't relate.

 

She asked me how it feels. I tell her it is hard to describe. She is a runner and competes in everything from 5K's to half marathons. She runs 5-6 times a week. I told her it probably best equates to her having to stop running forever and stop it cold turkey tomorrow. She said she couldn't do that. I said there you go.

The only time I had a problem with alcohol was 4 consecutive trips to Daytona Beach for Spring Break. :lol2:

 

Tried the Wacky Tabacky once on Spring Break, didn't do a thing for me. For all I know I could have been smoking dried lawn clippings :lol:

I thought that was how you got your name :lol2:

A mystery for sure.

 

I can bum a cigarette from someone (used to be a 1-2 pack-a-day smoker), smoke it, get a brief nicotine buzz, and not think about it again. I've had friends ask how that is possible, and I just shrug my shoulders. I don't have a clue.

 

My sister's brief life was wracked with severe mental health and substance abuse issues. We were 27 months apart in age. Same parents, same schools, same house. She had two abortions prior to age 21, was hospitalized in private and public mental health institutions, swallowed anything she could get her hands on (including acetone), burned herself with cigarettes, seduced at least one of her psychiatrists - the list is comprehensive. By any reasonable standard, I am "normal" in comparison.

 

The human brain is a complex and mysterious thing.

 

Good grief that's awful... for her of course, and for you to have had to witness it.

 

I've seen other families with similar discrepancies among siblings that seems to lack any definable logic. The sharp difference is puzzling.

 

Unfortunately you lost your sister, but I've known a woman for years who sounds a whole like her with her addictions, and it's a complete wonder to me how she is still alive.

 

She for years has appeared emaciated, is thin as can be, has lost all of her teeth, and has rashes up her neck and face from what I'm guessing to be from using Meth, and has survived a stroke, and all the while continues to use.

 

It's also puzzling how some can endure such a constant beat down on their bodies for years and still somehow manage to be alive. "Alive" however in this woman's case is hard way to describe her as she's been anything but for years.

"I like whiskey. I always did, and that is why I never drink it." -Robert E. Lee

 

That was me, I liked bourbon so much that I HAD to quit drinking it years ago. I could tell that I was developing a problem and when it was bad enough that I realized it...I decided to pretty much quit. Luckily I realized it before it was too late for me.

"I like whiskey. I always did, and that is why I never drink it." -Robert E. Lee

 

That was me, I liked bourbon so much that I HAD to quit drinking it years ago. I could tell that I was developing a problem and when it was bad enough that I realized it...I decided to pretty much quit. Luckily I realized it before it was too late for me.

 

That's great that you recognized the problem and pulled the bull by the horns and had the strength to give it up.

 

I'm sure that I speak for everyone that we're sure glad that you're still here to talk about it. :thumb:

The summer after sixth grade, I started drinking and smoking weed and this led to a lot of other drugs. Long story short as I got older, I did more and more drugs and by the time I had reach my high school(not counting baseball season during my Soph and Jr year because I played)I was either high or drunk.(Mostly high never was a huge drinker) During my senior year I continued this even when trying to go out for the baseball team(I was the last guy cut). Well with two weeks of school left I was leaving my room and on the way out I looked in the mirror(Something I seldom do even to this day/I hate the way my face looks)as I looked in it, I heard that voice in my head saying dude you won't live to see 20 at this rate) I went to school sold my drugs(I dealt a lot back then)and quit cold turkey.

 

I was 17 and have not did drugs since.

I do have a drink now and then, but do not allow myself to drink until I puke,like I did back in the day.

"I like whiskey. I always did, and that is why I never drink it." -Robert E. Lee

 

That was me, I liked bourbon so much that I HAD to quit drinking it years ago. I could tell that I was developing a problem and when it was bad enough that I realized it...I decided to pretty much quit. Luckily I realized it before it was too late for me.

 

"I like to keep a bottle of stimulant handy in case I see a snake. Which I also keep handy."

 

- W.C. Fields

I've never tried any drug or even a cigarette. I have smoked cigars when first became cool a few years ago. Haven't had one in about 10 years. I do drink way too much. I've had parents that smoked and watched them try to kick the habit. I'd say it would be hard for me to give up the drinking so I can understand the addiction thing. With the education out there now, I'm shocked how many young kids smoke. Older folks never really new how bad it was for you, same with herion and the harder drugs. Why would one even want to try them to begin with?

"I like whiskey. I always did, and that is why I never drink it." -Robert E. Lee

 

That was me, I liked bourbon so much that I HAD to quit drinking it years ago. I could tell that I was developing a problem and when it was bad enough that I realized it...I decided to pretty much quit. Luckily I realized it before it was too late for me.

That is me. I could drink crown royal for breakfast. And there are times I'd love to do just that. But I refrain and have for 22 years. But I understand the struggle with that desire. Never tried anything beyond alcohol. I think I knew too much biologically speaking to torture my organs any more than the processed foods we deal with. My grandfather was an alcoholic. It was painful watching the end of his life. Maybe those circumstances were perfectly timed in my life to keep me off that path, or at least I'd like to think so.

Never had a problem/addiction, but can say there were times in my early 20's while in the military that I would binge drink every so often and get absolutely stupidly drunk. Didn't HAVE to go drink, didn't crave it, but would just knowingly drink too much and just feel absolutely horrible later that night/next day. Haven't done that in YEARS and will go weeks/months at a time now without an alcoholic beverage.

 

Never done any drugs. Have had a few people call me "Mr. goody two shoes" (and not in a kidding/joking way) when having this similar conversation and I relay that I have never done drugs, not experimented with weed, nothing. Why they felt the need to call me that I don't know...maybe they felt the need to try and belittle me for something they wished they could say? Don't know, but it's always puzzled me. My feeling is there is so much that life offers that you can get naturally "high" on, why go the artificial route? I also knew kids in school that messed with drugs and I absolutely did NOT want to be like they were.

 

I also believe that some people have a naturally "addictive" personality and when/if they ever get to drugs, it won't be good for them. There is a young man who works in the building with me that is an acquaintance that is fighting this at this very moment. You could always tell he had that "addictive" personality but drugs wasn't part of his world until some recent injuries had him on pain meds. Couple with that a break up with a long time girlfriend. Now he is literally "messed up" and about half out of his mind and putting his employment in jeopardy if he doesn't get help. Unfortunately he's the only one who doesn't know the shape he's in and what's going on. It's very sad.