Addictions

[kmom2014]

Does anyone deal with addictions? I am addicted to shopping, sad to say it, but haven't really had any others like it. I smoked but quit when I got pregnant and then again cold turkey 3 years later. So that wasn't a HUGE deal I guess.

Anyway, addictions anyone?

 

[Turk]

Yeah got hooked on the whole online gaming community thing for a while. Doesnt seem to be anything that I can't turn into an unhealthy pursuit, these day. Now its this dam forum. Lol

 

[donkey_kebab]

Yup! Anything that results in pleasure of any kind soon becomes an addiction. Apart from drugs strangely enough. Those I've used quite scientifically as and when needed for various symptoms/effects.

But shopping, yes! Collecting, yes! In the past there's also been internet, rc toys, porn, spicy food, alcohol, sex, bread, milk (still won't drink anything else) and goats...






(I was joking about the goats)

 

[Stacey]

Once I tried to become addicted to red wine...because of course red wine helps everything. However I failed miserably. Falling fast asleep after the 2nd glass didn't help.

Therefore I'll settle for the books I've collected over the years.

 

[Judge]

Trying to go cold turkey over sugar seems a bit daunting for me....but I'm trying.

I really don't need any stimulants of any kind...

 

[Ereth]

Once I tried to become addicted to red wine...because of course red wine helps everything. However I failed miserably. Falling fast asleep after the 2nd glass didn't help.

Therefore I'll settle for the books I've collected over the years.

It's for the best. I've heard of red wine's health benefits too, but you don't need to become an addict. Your liver is grateful.

 

[donkey_kebab]

Red wine does help everything!

Until you stop drinking it... ​

 

[Stacey]

Thanks guys lol. It's ok
I mean't it in a 'tongue and cheek' kind of way.
My silly sense of humour.

Forgive me, I'm English.

 

[Judge]

Forgive me, I'm English.

That's ok. We're all in this together.

Bad metaphor? Hard to say....

 

[Stacey]

LOL! Excellent!

Imagine an Aspie party. We'd all be sat in the cabins, ignoring each other and avoiding eye contact. Which to me...sounds like a very good knees up!

 

[Judge]

LOL! Excellent!

Imagine an Aspie party. We'd all be sat in the cabins, ignoring each other and avoiding eye contact. Which to me...sounds like a very good knees up!

LOL...yes, we've discussed the possibilities. I can do the eye contact thing for a bit, just can't do it indefinitely.

But ya know...as hard as it can be meeting new people in person that is a case where I wouldn't mind.

 

[donkey_kebab]

Thanks guys lol. It's ok
I mean't it in a 'tongue and cheek' kind of way.
My silly sense of humour.

Forgive me, I'm English.

Oh no! I was messing about too! Hope you didn't think I was having a dig. (I'll get to grips with this language thing one day... Either that or learn to use smileys better )

 

[Sass]

I go through stages of shopping like a mad thing, collect vintage things (or 'crap' as my husband refers to it LOL), have a real addiction to smoking, and probably to beer if I'm honest.

 

[Stacey]

Not at all.
I'm very self deprecating. No offence taken.
I have a weird sense of humour. You should hear some of the inappropriate things I say in public. For example, when a random person says, "hi...how are you?" (expecting an ok thank you), I'll reply..."I'm having a major mental breakdown". The silence that immediately follows is priceless!

 

[Evy the Owl]

I have an addiction to self-harm actually. 4 years and counting...

 

[Maddox]

Reading, working, and recently tried whiskey to calm my nerves. No hangover.

 

[Tarragon]

Reading, working, and recently tried whiskey to calm my nerves. No hangover.

Oops. No hangover YET(!)

I used to drink in order to "fit in". Ended up with me being drunker and louder than everyone else, therefore standing out like a sore thumb. In other words, it didn't do what I wanted it to at all!!!

Slippery slope there. I'm virtually tea total now (for example, I had one bottle of beer last night for the first time in months. It was nice, almost, but I could have not bothered just as easily! I am not hooked on it at all now, and am glad!)

All I'm hooked on now is sugar, and I want to kick that out too. No need to stimulate my brain at all

 

[Maddox]

Oops. No hangover YET(!)

I used to drink in order to "fit in". Ended up with me being drunker and louder than everyone else, therefore standing out like a sore thumb. In other words, it didn't do what I wanted it to at all!!!

Slippery slope there. I'm virtually tea total now (for example, I had one bottle of beer last night for the first time in months. It was nice, almost, but I could have not bothered just as easily! I am not hooked on it at all now, and am glad!)

All I'm hooked on now is sugar, and I want to kick that out too. No need to stimulate my brain at all

I killed one bottle on two evenings without any hangover, so I doubt there will be one in the future.

And nooo ... intention to fit in ever. I enjoy my drinks alone at home.

The intention was to calm my nerves, what has worked to my satisfaction. I have prescription sedatives too but find the side effects quite unpleasant.

As for the sugar, I switched to Stevia a while ago. The first few cups of tea tasted a bit strange, but now I'm used to it.

 

[Tarragon]

I killed one bottle on two evenings without any hangover, so I doubt there will be one in the future.

And nooo ... intention to fit in ever. I enjoy my drinks alone at home.

The intention was to calm my nerves, what has worked to my satisfaction. I have prescription sedatives too but find the side effects quite unpleasant.

As for the sugar, I switched to Stevia a while ago. The first few cups of tea tasted a bit strange, but now I'm used to it.

I do not want to sound like a spokesman for alcohols anonymous.

But...,

Speaking from experience, alcohol tolerance increases very quickly. Over time it is inevitable your body will get used to alcohol and it's effects. Unless you have a will of iron, you will notice you end up drinking more and more of it to reach the same effect.

I'm not preaching, but when you say you doubt there will be one in the future I just have to let you know what could happen.

Been there, got the t shirt. I learnt to manage my anxiety through other means.

 

[King_Oni]

I have an addiction to self-harm actually. 4 years and counting...

As much as I don't want to derail the thread into something about self-harm (and clearly, I don't intend to get any graphic details about it... especially not in this thread)

Is it an addiction or is it a way to cope? Those tend to be different... albeit one can state that any addiction, even if it's shopping, is a way to cope with life. And if anything; drugs are often perceived as both; a way to cope with life albeit with severe addictive properties (to most people at least).

On the other hand, some people self-harm just because they like to, just like some people give into other masochistic tendencies... heck, one can even wonder if someone doing martial arts competitively, isn't in it a bit for the kick (no pun intended), since you can expect to get hurt there as well.

I think self-harm is a thin line when it comes to addiction or coping mechanism.