Why do recovering addicts?

Question

Why is it that we as a society need to feel bad for recovering alcoholics and drug addicts? They did these things to themselves. Alcoholism is not a disease. You are not born with it. You get it by not having control over your body, abusing a legal substance, and then whinning. Why don't people who have enought control to never be a slave to a substance get any recognition. Hi my name is "real name here" and I am in control of my vices.

I am sorry, I didn't know it was a DSisease , thank you Lucky. And if you have the gene, then shouldn't you be smart enough to stay away from these things? Whatever happened to people taking responsibilty for themselves. Maybe society has a role in that...

Answer 1

Hmm....you got a point....they should start a club just for people like us....but....I'm addicted to other stuff....Hi my name is Ricey, and I'm addicted to Yahoo Answers!!! Can someone Help Me!!!!

Answer 2

The American Medical association Pronounced Alcoholism A Diseases. The report for new diseases was filed as normal for that year but it was concluded by all the researchers that it wasn't a disease, that was added against the advice of everyone involved for political reasons. I can say that having several of my friends and family addicted to something and I have been called an alcoholic many times, which may be true, I do agree with you. I don't really feel that bad for someone who made the quite voluntary and conscious choice to do drugs, drink, smoke, whatever and continue to do it regardless of everything else. Most addicts just need to get some self control, though some have gone too far and need medical, psychiatric, or other professional help. I recognize that it sucks, but I also see that it was their choice and they have to live with those choices. Call me an asshole if you want, it won't be the first time and I'll agree with you there. I will never agree that alcoholism is a disease though, there is no way in hell that is true. It has nothing in common with any disease, and exhibits almost no qualities that define diseases, which all diseases must exhibit in order to be considered one.

Answer 3

**Dryly*** Congratulations on not ever running into ANY substance that interacted with your body chemistry in such a way as to cause physiological or psychological changes that triggered addiction.

I'm glad to hear that you undoubtedly do NOT use caffeine or nicotine, both addictive substances (see the current Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of the American Psychiatric Association).

We honestly do not know WHY some people can stay social users forever, and why others lose control---regardless of the drug in question. We also don't know why some people seem to be able to kick on the first or second go, and why others relapse and relapse---and then, suddenly, miraculously, "catch on" and stay clean/sober for years.

One thing's certain and two things are sure: it's NOT just a matter of "willpower".

Sincerely hope that you, or no one that you love, ever enters the living hell of substance addiction. I've never ran into anyone who INTENDED to become an alcoholic or an addict, and with 2 psych degrees and a nursing degree, have stumbled over a couple or three users in my time....

Hope this gives you a different perspective to think over....

Answer 4

Well obviously you are perfect and have absolutely no compassion for other people. If you actually did have a heart you would see these people are suffering. If they could control it then why would they need help? Because they can't do it on their own. Everyone suffers from some type of addiction, it's to make up for the loneliness or depression you feel in your life. It's an escape for most people. Some people gamble, others shop compulsively, some drink, others take drugs, others eat, others starve themselves, others cut them selves, others have sex with a lot of different people and other just end up killing themselves because they can't deal with it. Life is very difficult for a lot of people. They aren't whining about it, they keep it private. They don't want people to know they are not in control and not happy. So get your facts straight and start accepting that your fellow human beings have problems and need some compassion from others!

Answer 5

Actually, we don't -- we feel good for them, not sorry for them. We are glad they are getting their problem under control and we try to support them in that. We don't tempt them to fall back into addictive behaviors again.

Some cases of alcoholism and drug dependancy are emotional or psychological in origin, wherin the addict is using the drugs to hide from themselves or their feelings. And as you say some are just an unwillingness to control ones own actions -- hardly surprising as today's society does more than ever before to not hold anyone responsible for their actions until they really screw up and even then encourages blaming everyone else.

However you should know that there is a medical condition that underlies many cases of addiction, caused by the brain's inability to produce normal levels of the chemicals which support a feeling of well-being (seratonin chief amongst them). Most drugs including alcohol induce a false feeling of well-being by mimicing the effects of these chemicals in the brain. When this happens, the brain's self-regulatory systems notice a higher than normal level of these chemicals, and begin to shut down natural production of them. Long-term this can destroy the body's ability to produce them even in what started out as a normal, healthy brain -- just like a muscle, if you don't use it then it will atrophy to the point of no longer functioning.

For some people, only a small level of use of a drug can push their ability to produce these important chemicals so far below the point at which they feel normal and happy that they must continue to take the drug just to maintain. Unfortunately, this leads to a vicious cycle of deteriorating chemical imbalance, as they are unaware of what they are doing to themselves so they keep making it worse because it FEELS better. They don't start out being addicts, but over time (in some people and with some drugs a very little time at that) they must have more and more to feel good, and this leads to a cycle they cannot get themselves out of.

So if you have such a well-functioning biological system that it can tolerate the use of alcohol and/or drugs, then get down on your knees and thank God for giving you such a functional body. Then get back up, quit abusing that body, and start having more compassion on those who weren't so lucky (try being more supportive of them). Remember, at least the recovering addict has SEEN how much damage he was doing and decided to DO something about it and get help. He is getting his vices back under control, as you say -- isn't that what you want of him?

A better question might be why, after all the decades of medical, legal, scientific, and social proof of the danger that drugs and alcohol pose to people, do we keep pushing them and trying to make them more accessible? Is our regard for our fellow human so low that we would rather they suffer and die so we can get high? The more we promote and glamorize drinking and drugs, the more addicts we are going to have, and (hopefully) the more recovering addicts we are going to need to be there for. It's a no-brainer.

And no, I'm not an alcoholic or drug addict, recovering or otherwise. I've used alcohol and drugs in the past, I don't now. I don't plan to in the future. I am glad I stopped when I did, before I became addicted -- it wasn't easy even then. But I prefer to not have the dangerous vices at all, rather than delude myself into thinking I am "in control" of them. Roy Whatsisname thought he was "in control" of that tiger, too...

Answer 6

Hey man. Until you have been there, Don't be so quick to judge! Iam a recovering alcaholic, And it is a disease passed from one generation to the next. My Father died an alcaholic. You'd think I would have learned a lesson from that. But I started drinking alcahol with my buddies when I was too young to understand the consequences. I was a drunk for 20 years before I got help. Alcaholics never recover completely from their addiction. You just have to take it one day at a time ,Without drinking. As for whining, I'm not a whiner and I didn't ask for my alcaholism. And I am not asking you for pity. You just need to try to understand something you apparently don't understand!!!

Answer 7

There is no great virtue in not succumbing to something that is not a temptation for you. It's easy to resist an influence you are not exposed to. Smoking was never a temptation for me but I've watched friends and family members go through hell trying to quit. And no I'm not the most intelligent or most disciplined member of the family.
I think instead of judging other people you should be thanking God or whatever lucky stars you believe in that you have been spared this particular band of suffering.

Answer 8

There is evidence that genetic factors play a role in both dependence and abuse. Other theories involve the use of substances as a means to cover up or get relief from other problems (e.g., psychosis, relationship issues, stress), which makes the dependence or abuse more of a symptom than a disorder in itself.

Answer 9

Unfortunately, that is all some people have, some peoples' lives are so complicated that when they get high there is relief, though I can say my only addiction is food. Yummy. I lost my best friend to heroin years ago, that hurt, have some family members on the stuff, life is rough. No jobs. So that is all some people have. But yeah, you are right, you are not born with it, but sometimes you grow into it. Glad you are in control of your vices.
Peace.

Answer 10

It's because you haven't accomplished anything. Pulling yourself out of the gutter literally and figuratively after hitting rock bottom as an alcoholic is an accomplishment. No recovering alcoholic wants a pat on the back. They just want to get on with their lives, hopefully without running into ignorant people who belittle what they went through.

Answer 11

hi fellow addict. My guy and that i've got been sparkling now for 2 years and a pair of months and that i nevertheless have occasional targets. If drugs have been as lots of your existence as they have been ours, restoration would be a lifelong conflict. dangle in there, you 2 gets by using this, in basic terms be basic with one yet another approximately your targets and cravings and help each and each others sobriety. Alot of your worry of him utilising back resolves around your individual uncertainty. solid luck and stay sparkling.