Addictions in general- Do we replace one with the other?

[J.R. Davis]

Regardless of the drug of choice; drugs, alcohol, tobacco use, over eating, gambling, and even sexual desires, can all be addictions.`I think I qualify for five out of the six... I don't use drugs. I'm not trying to be funny here, I'm just trying to point out that a lot of us have some form of addiction.

Yes, I am an alcoholic. I have been sober for a good while now, but I will always be an alcoholic. I did hit the bottom, and I did not bounce. It was a hard slam. I lost every thing I had. Somewhere in between my dear Wife hit bottom also with her drug addiction... She is in prison. At this time, we are both in recovery so to speak. I had to wake up and realize that something had to be done to rebuild our life. My Wife, has had to get herself into every program available to her to fight her addiction. She is in a substance abuse program, a program that teaches offenders to: "Think for a Change", she attends 3 church services per weeks, and also attends both NA and AA meetings.

My dear Wife through her own, got off the needle some years ago. She then got on "Crack". This was all before I met her. When we met, Neither of us knew the other had "addiction" problems.

More to follow!

[Brian Rooney]

I have to agree with you on this note. I was not addicted to drugs or alcohol, but my addiction was the fast paced life-style, and my actions eventually led me to prison. I do know though that any type of addiction can take place if you dabble enough. Congrats on your success. I just had my 4 year anniversary of freedom, and I wouldn't give it away for anything. Take care my friend.

Brian

[DaveMoff]

Sure, it can happen--one need only attend an AA meeting and count the number of smokers or the way folks snatch at the coffee pots to see that the addictive process can be alive and well in someone who has broken a socially-unacceptable addiction (or go to a casino and note the percentage of smokers!). AA itself can become an addiction of sorts, though I can't imagine it being harmful to anyone.

I've been through tobacco and alcohol, am keeping my coffee and chocolate, am currently celibate so no problems there, and I enjoy visiting a casino now but all things in moderation of course.

Whatever works for you--stick to it! And should you wind up with a "substitute addiction"....I don't know of anyone who's wound up in jail or detox over coffee, chocolate, or AA meetings. First things first, after all.

[Yoosgirl]

Absolutely agree. I have a very addictive personality, as soon as I stop one thing, I take up another. It's crazy!!

[JustJilly]

Some people seem to have more addisctive personalities than others. Its good to hear of people fighting it and coming clean.