Addictions

Remove all ads!

You're only 16, what have you got to be addicted to? You're not legal for the good addictions yet .

 

There is a difference in having urges and having uncontrollable urges. The first will go as normal hormonal activity, of which the lack of would be of more concern. I think most men have had some situations in their life when the contents of their pants have done the thinking rather than their brain. However the second one is quite a lot more than that and can very well result in criminal sexual behaviour or some serious sexual overactivity. Overactivity here meaning that the subject is willing to hump pretty much everything with two legs.

Hmph. I'd take licking toads/frogs over sexual addictions any time!

 

Well, smoking, drinking and sex are all good qualifiers for me currently

You'd be surprised how many people my age have an addiction of some sort.

 

Americans are both obessed and fascinated by the notions of "sexual addictions." The slightest sexual scandal will consume news headlines for weeks on end, and Americans will watch. It's an odd kind of voyeurism. Then the person caught in the act must, of course, be "addicted" to sex. Sexual behavior is just about a cottage industry, with all the self-help and media types "informing" the public on what their sexual attitudes and behaviors should be. Yet, the American media is filled with "suggestions" of sex, and the pleasurable pursuit of sex, along with its other associated pursuits: Sex sells, and big time. Yet, how a person behaves sexually is still heavily regulated on almost all levels.

All this is merely an observation, and I'm not arguing for or against anything. It's really the same with drugs. There are drugs that are certainly dangerous and thusly, they and their uses are regulated. Nevertheless, the Comprehesive Drug Act, allows for the control of substances without the approval of Congress. That means that it is really beyond the control of the population, but is largely a political tool. The way to power is through pleasure, and what is determined to be a pleasurable "vice" is a pathway to even greater power.

What I would say to you, LKD, is that neither sex or drugs are really the problems, but are symptoms of something else: they are merely the expressions of something deeper that is leading to self-destructive behavior.

 

Chandos does bring up an interesting point about addiction. Sometimes addiction is the problem, but sometimes addiction is just a symptom of a greater problem. If it's the latter, tackling the Addiction merely leaves the addicted person vulnerable to the next--which may be worse than the original...

 

I am SP's biggest caffeine junkie. Enough said.

 

This is a key point. I self medicated with marijuana for years. I have PTSD stemming from multiple sources (child abuse, severe burns, a car accident, and my brothers murder). If I had simply stopped self medicating, I probably something worse would certainly have happened. Most likely violence of some kind. My rage was barely in check.
In 2004, I finally sought help, 3.5 years after my brother was killed. My world was falling apart. With therapy, medication and EMDR, I was able to put down pot and have been clean for 3 years, 9 months and 10 days.

Your friends son would probably be well served by seeing a therapist that deals with addiction. Having someone guide him down the path to sobriety will make success more likely.

 

That's a harsh story, Jack, thanks for sharing it. I'm not the brightest, though, so could you tell me what EMDR is?

 

It is a therapy used to treat PTSD.

There is a brief description of it here: http://www.ncptsd.va.gov/ncmain/ncd...tforptsd.html?opm=1&rr=rr32&srt=d&echorr=true

More information is available here:
http://www.emdr.com/

 

I think it was very brave of you to share that, Jack - kudos.

 

Yes, Jack. You've been through a great deal. My kudos to you as well.

 

These latest points are very valid. I have worked in a psychiatric ward for several years and seen all kinds of addictions. Most of if not all attempts of self medication of mental problems. There is generally a reason people turn to drugs, not many happy content people allow themselves to sink too deep into an addiction. The addiction is most of the time one symptom of a greater underlying problem. The person is not feeling well and he uses drugs to try and feel better as it is the only thing that seems to work if only in the short term. Therapy and the like is probably your best solution for your relative LKD.

 

Thank you all for your kind words.

 

****, Jack! I thought I had it rough when I realised I realised I've only got 2 fags left!

Rough stuff mate, good to see you're through it

 

To be honest I am trying very hard to generate some compassion in my soul for my erstwhile stepson. His actions cause my wife pain and I don't like that one bit. I keep reminding myself that we all make mistakes and that Christ teaches we should forgive those who sin.

The other part of my frustration is the powerlessness that both I and my wife feel. Common sense says that he needs therapy and possibly medical isolation to get himself clean, but we have no way to force him into it. When it comes to his propensity for grabbing women, he just rolls his eyes and says "it's no big ******* deal, it's being blown all out of proportion!" in that arrogant tone only young men can get truly down pat.

 

keep strong jack, always remember that the only easy day was yesterday but tomorrow wont be any worse.

hey disciple, i might have you beat on the caffeine.
at present i have bawls & jolt cola to drink, caffeinated sunflower seeds, warp green t mints & black black gum to munch on.
caffeinated lip balm, shower shock caffeinated soap & bodywash & energy gel that you rub on your skin for an instant buzz!
comes from too much to do(& spending time online instead of doing work!) and never enough hours. if you want to get any of these products www.thinkgeek.com is a life saver

 

The truly sad part is that you seem very proud of your addiction.

 

It is normal to feel conflicted. You can (and as a fellow Christian, I urge you to) forgive him and try to empathize. That is very healthy and constructive.

The important thing to remember is that while you forgive and empathize, you don't excuse the unacceptable behavior that results from his addiction. This is the path to codependency and enabling. This will probably be harder for your wife than it is for you.

I have a cousin who has spent 80% of the time since he was 15 (he just turned 39) in prison for drug related crimes and crimes related to his addictions (theft, burglary, etc). My aunt and uncle spent untold amounts of money on treatment centers, rehabs, tough love camps, lawyers, etc. Never made a bit of difference. He is an unrepentant addict. He stole and hocked his mothers engagement ring. He stole and hocked his fathers tools. He stole my brothers car stereo.

Until he is ready (and I pray that some day he will be) to quit, he won't. And anyone who thinks they are helping him by giving him money or excusing his behavior, will only get burned by him.

 

rallymama, except for 1 vacation back in 99, i haven't had more than 3 - 3&a half hrs sleep a night in 2 decades. I'm one of those people that drinks a large cup of coffee 15 mins before i go to sleep, yet i still manage to shot masters in glock shooting events. Who knows. it might be time to schedule another vacation.