I was dissapointed, but not surprised, to read some of the answers to my question on Pete Doherty. There are so many people who think of addictions as self-inflicted. My daughter found her boyfriend dead (and decaying) when she was 17, had a mental breakdown, received no help and turned to alcohol to mask the pain, within 12 months she was a chronic alcoholic,and went through years of hell (sober now for 3 years thank god) Was that self-inflicted ?
2006-10-23 08:19:13 · 24 answers · asked by Anonymous in Health ➔ Mental Health
I don't think addictions are self inflicted - I've been through one myself. It hurts even now to admit it is an addiction, and that I am an alcoholic. I am some way to healing, but I'm not quite there yet.
I never thought I'd have an alcohol problem - my mum is an alcoholic, so I was warned about the dangers and was always taught about safe drinking.
I do wonder if it is partly hereditary, why do I share the same illness as my mother? I've seen first hand the damage it can do, yet I do the same thing - drink myself stupid.
I do blame myself, I think all addicts do. But, as you well know, the first step is admitting we are powerless - I've yet to do that - I'm still trying to fight it and drink in moderation.
Maybe one day.
Or maybe I am to blame? Maybe it is my own fault? All I know, is that when I am at rock bottom, there is nothing that takes the pain away like a drink.
2006-10-23 09:26:07 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 5⤊ 1⤋
Sorry have not read your question about Pete Doherty and am very sad about what happened to your daughter I must say from your question I DO NOT think any addiction is self inflicted I know people who are addicts and believe you me some are very good and well educated people nobody just wakes up and thinks Oh today I'm going to become an alkie or a druggie sometimes things happen in peoples lives and sometimes they need a crutch for those who think it is self inflicted I would like to say to you "here but the grace of God go I" am not a religious freak either unless you have walked in someone else's shoes please do not judge it could be you or someone very close take a good look inside yourself. I am so pleased that your daughter has come through this and she is a very strong person to have come out the other side. Well done and best of luck X
2006-10-23 08:32:14 · answer #2 · answered by Bernie c 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
As an alcoholic myself I can not find it in me to blame others.
I think that some things are addictive because of their effects, others because of why people take them.
There is a differnce between being a smoker and a crack addict.
Just as there was a difference between me becoming an alcoholic over a failed relationship and your daugher becoming one for a real reason.
II can not validate why people would make fun of a genuine addiction. In can see that there is no good reason to turn to illegal drugs while there are other, better, legal options.
I can not judge Pete, or your daughter. I can judge myself and I find my own addiction to be a weakness caused by stupidity and a general desire to end a constant emotional pain a paragon of humanity could have bore. Perhaps I am hard on myself - that is for you to judge.
2006-10-23 08:52:47 · answer #3 · answered by monkeymanelvis 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I believe addiction is NOT self-inflicted, it is a disease. Yes we have the choice to take that sip (or drug) but the craving is sooooo much stronger for a person that has an addictive personality. I'm sure everyone here (uncluding you puffy!) has had a day were they just really wanted and/or felt as if they needed a drink to relax and take your mind off of things. Addicts have that feeling all of the time. It takes a lot more will power for an addict to turn away from a drink or drug than for all of these people here saying it is our choice to be an addict. I would love for them to live one day in your daughters shoes and to see if they could deal with those intense cravings. Even after recovery, that craving will always be there for an addict. How would you like live with that everyday, puffy?!
2006-10-23 08:46:59 · answer #4 · answered by Emmy G 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Addictions are not necessarily self-inflicted - yes, we have a choice and we take the first step when it comes to drinking, drugs, cigarettes or any other addiction.
There is a huge amount of research going on regarding genes and addiction, and there appears to be no single addiction gene. The research stresses that environment plays a large role in addictive behaviour, but that it is proven that some genes (if present) will pre-dispose us to become addicted. They also stress that not everyone who has these genes will go on to become an addict.
I'm sorry about your daughter, it must have been an awful time for her (and you), please take no notice of the fool who asked where you were! I'm sure you were there for her, and telling someone to STOP doing something and get a grip is the worst way of helping them.
2006-10-23 08:31:46 · answer #5 · answered by Nurse Soozy 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Nobody decides to become an addict. I agree with some of the other comments. I think that your daughter probably had a couple of drinks and the effect of that was one of blanking the pain, and when sobering up the pain returned so another drink was needed to relieve the pain and so began the cycle. I am glad that she is now in recovery and I wish her well. I myself am dealing with an addiction although it is neither drink or drugs and I certainly didn't choose this way of life. More understanding and less judging would make life a better place.
2006-10-23 08:33:17 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
Addiction is only self inflicted in the sense that the drug is consciously and deliberately used to hide or mask some other pain. But ask any addict whether they enjoy using, or if they could turn the switch off and lose that addiction whether they would and the truth comes out . it is a lonely and sad place, and no one would go there out of choice.
2006-10-23 08:24:46 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
There are help lines, mental hospitals, family etc. All of which she could have turned to before alcohol. Many people go through alot of hard times worse than that, not everyone turns to alcohol. Having said that, this question is open to all kinds of responses and no answer is the right or wrong one.
2006-10-23 08:45:41 · answer #8 · answered by Aku 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
yes all addictions are self inflicted. Addicts will always come up with excuses of why they are addicted but at the end of the day it is up to you. Your choice if you drink too much your choice if you take drugs whatever. But are all addictions bad? Who says depending on something is a bad thing?
2006-10-23 10:31:09 · answer #9 · answered by Mike A 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Addictions are hard to understand unless your the one going through it. My brother is a recovering heroin addict and they tell him at NA that addiction is a disease. I find it hard to believe a disease starts with your own decision first.
However, I do not think it is self inflicted because the person usually does not plan on becoming addicted when they first try it. Its more experimental than anything. I went to my local library and checked out some books on addiction to try and understand the pain my brother went through and is going to face his entire life.
2006-10-23 08:25:49 · answer #10 · answered by Ash 2 · 3⤊ 1⤋