Non intellectual thinking addict

[Timebuster]

Do any one know why non intellectual thinking addicts find and grasp recovery and also tend to stay on recovery for longer periods of time then intellectual thinking addicts.


Ivan

[1963comet]

Might be that the intellectual thinking addicts think to much. Just a thought.

[Timebuster]

Good thought… 1963comet… Can you break down for me…Give more insight…You to serenityqueen. Break it down for me. I need to understand why.


Ivan

[suki44883]

Perhaps because "intellectual thinkers" refuse to believe that alcoholism is a disease and try to use rational thinking for an irrational problem. In other words, they let their egos get in the way of the real solution. IMHO

[Timebuster]

So suki44883 are you saying that non intellectual thinkers have less of a ego and more of an open mind when it comes to recovery?


Ivan

[suki44883]

Could be...I don't know. Perhaps non-intellectual thinkers ARE more open to help and more willing to accept that there are just some things they cannot do like others. Drinking being one of those things.

[ex D-Boy]

I didn't know non intellectual addicts grasp recovery better than intellectual addicts......?? where did this idea come about?? lol

[Timebuster]

So being so self centered ( ego ) its my way or no way… one can rationalize they have the answer to there recovery… where the deflated ego ( self centered ) person that doesn’t have the answers is more willing to take suggestions … and maybe more willing accept there way is not working?

Ivan

[ex D-Boy]

What does ego have to do with being intellectual??? i know plenty of non intellectuals with HUUUUGGEEE egos. I think you are mixing up being concieted and having an ego with ones intellectual capacity. Just because somebody is intelligent does not mean they have a big ego.

~~Scotty

[suki44883]

Maybe so, scotty...I may have used the wrong word, but my opinion is still the same.

[Timebuster]

Scotty…there you go again…getting defensive…taking a simple question …and making it a Scotty thread.

Talking about character defects….


As I was saying can anyone give me some more input on the threads topic please.

Ivan

[ex D-Boy]

what do you mean?? i just asked a simple question because i wasn't aware that non intellectuals grasp recovery better than intellectuals did. Then I simply gave an example in my own personal life how I know many non intellectuals with huge egos and that ego and intellectual capacity are not interchangeable.

How this is me getting defensive or making a "scotty" thread I do not know. Isnt that the whole point of a discussion to begin with Ivan?? To haer different viewpoints on a certain subject?? whats the point of even making a topic if all you want to hear about is people who agree with you and say the same thing you do?

~~Scotty

[kj3880]

I always like to think of myself as intellectual, maybe I'm not, I don't know. I do have a high IQ, but I never did finish college, do read a lot of stuff though. So anyway, the first time I called the NA hotline in my area, my first reach-out for help type thing, the first thing the guy said (after I finished crying and explaining, and finally took a breath) was "Baby, you gotta get out of you head. You thinkin' too much, it's not that complicated." One of NA's slogans is "It's a simple solution for complicated people" or something like that. Yeah, we as smart people overthink, over-rationalize, and tend to want to control things when we need to let go and let God (and ask for help). I do think that my big ol' mind often gets in the way of my recovery. Does that help at all?
love from,
KJ

[Timebuster]

Scotty…thank you for that pull up. If know one told you that they love you today…I love you.

Kj3880...has noting to do with being smart or highly educated…Can a intellectual thinking addict become a non intellectual thinking addict…and so how?...can I have a balance between both.


Ivan

[kj3880]

I think you kind of just have to follow blindly in faith when it comes to recovery. Anytime I put myself in charge of making up a recovery program, I end up failing.
kj

[ex D-Boy]

yiiiiikes, sounds like somebody is a little threatened by conflicting viewpoints. Sounds like its Your way or the Highway on this thread eh ivan?? its ok I wont discuss this topic anymore with you as it seems clear that you do not want a discussion, but rather your own viewpoints just recycled back to you from another. Be safe and stay sober my friend i wish you nothing but the best!

~~~Scotty

[Sugah]

By intellectual and non-intellectual, I think what you're talking about those who like to think things through and understand (intellectually) why something works instead of going with their gut feelings - and hence, a whole lot more faith. My husband was one of those "intellectual" types, and try as he might, he could not shoot holes in a 12 step program and the need for a level of spirituality for it to work. He did have a one-time relapse, six months into sobriety, but he'll tell you he couldn't have cared less about sobriety at that point. From then on, however, he found the willingness to do what it took to stay sober - still intellectualizing it to an extent - and he stayed sober. I was much the same way.

I've sponsored both types. Sometimes, I find it more difficult to work with those who are more reliant on gut instinct than reason, as they hold fast to prejudice and resentment rather than being willing to let go. On the other hand, I've about pulled my hair out with highly educated, highly intelligent adult four-year-olds who must know the why of everything before proceeding. I've also worked with both kinds who have latched on to sobriety and have done whatever it took.

Intellectualism and spiritualism are not exclusive. Some of the most spiritual people I know are also some of the deepest thinkers. I think it's more a case of open-mindedness or closed-mindedness that that's an issue.

Peace & Love,
Sugah

[ccgirl2]

Psst. You want to hear a secret? I'm totally not intellectual. When I go to meetings, half the time I have no idea what the hell people are talking about, LOL. I still love going though. My kind of people. I mostly trudge ahead with my life, one foot at a time, one day at a time. It gets me by.


Tomorrow will actually be 11 months AND my birthday. Isn't that awesome?

[Sugah]

Happy Double Birthday, cc!! Yes, it's awesome!!

Peace & Love,
Sugah

[windysan]

i guess i'm a non intellectual

[ccgirl2]

Ya think?

[Lily]

Pride?

[Emimily]

when i read this, i was thinking about how the word "intellectual" sounds so pretentious. anyway.

um, i don't really get how AA works at all, and i'm pretty happy about that. i know that it works because it worked for me. i believe in the big guy, or whatever's out there rockin and rollin. i try to help others, i try to clean house. i still mess up all the time (last night!), but i'm human. so i guess i don't intellectualize being sober. some days it's just about not drinking any liquor. that's enough for those days.

why are you asking, by the way? do you consider yourself the intellectual, or the non-intellectual?

[chiynita]

I am guessing the term "itellectual" may be used in a different manner than meaning Iteligent. But more of a super raitonalizer.
I have been told I think too much latelt in what recovery is or should be.
My take on this is that when you do think too much you may start to second guess everything. Not sure what to believe or what really works. Trying to make sense out of every little thing. When in reality. Some things just can not be understood.
As for "nonintellectual addicts". The old saying "Keep it simple".
Why complicate things by trying to break it down. Just dont use and find a way to make it last.
There's no guess work or scientific solution to this shyt.
Just dont pick up. At all cost. Not much more to think about.
But someone like me. And I am not really that smart. Trust me. If Iwere I wouldnt be struggling all the time. I like to rationalize the programs and have in depth thoughts as to why and how. It is a waste of time and alot of times makes me so aggravated that I just use anyway out of frustration. Trying to understand what someimes cant be.
I dont know..Thats what I think.

Hasnt got shyt to do with who has ego or who is smarter. Because in the end. We are all in the same boat.

[Timebuster]

Last week at my home group this topic came up between me and my sponsor. He said that when a addict is in denial of his or her addiction they will use there intellectual thinking and resist the reality that there lives have become so unmanageable. He call it sleep walking… the addict dose everything awake but is in denial of reality.

My sponsor said did I ever believe in some so bad that no matter what anyone said iI would not change my mind on my believes. I said yes… he ask me what was my believe… I swear that I would never use drugs especially put a needle in my arm. He said so were did your best thinking take you. I said taking drugs and shooting up.

Then a light bulb moment…My intellectual thinking got me addicted…my intellectual thinking made me believe I had every thing in control…my intellectual thinking had me in denial…my intellectual thinking had me out there for so long.

Then another light bulb moment…the day I become a non intellectual thinker was the day I surrendered to the fact that way wasn’t working…then another one hundred light bulb moments… on why I did the things I did when I was active addiction.

That’s when recovery became so easy for me.


Ivan