Not sure if I'm an addict or not

[Cornbrosia]

I'm a recovering alcoholic who used drugs as well. I've done Morphine, Vicodin, Cocaine, Adderal, Ritalin, Marijuana, Opium, LSD, Mushrooms, Xanax and other benzodiazapines. I had my most serious problems with the adderal marijauna and xanax but i eventually stopped liking the marijauna and adderal and lost access to the xanax. But it didn't bother me that much. But i find whenever i did have access to it i couldnt stop taking it. I would just like some of your opinions on what constitutes drug addiction. Lately theres been this little voice in my head that says you can do drugs, you dont have a problem. But I think if I did start doing drugs again it would be a slippery slope right back to my old behavior patterns

[Matt345]

Generally if you have to ask that's always a sign.

[RocketsintheSky]

Matt is right... it sounds like you might be. If you can't control your drug use. And not everyone has a certain drug of choice either, I wouldn't say I necessarily do, the main one I have a problem with ritalin/dexedrine are free for me, and that's why it is the main one abused. I would say I am addicted to altering my mind, more then a specific drug. Have you ever tried to stop, or used when you knew you shouldn't or didn't really even want too? Usually when you are an addict, whether to alcohol or other drugs (alcohol is a drug as well), any addictive substance will generally be a problem for you. They say to abstain from all mind altering chemicals, which makes sense. But yah, I definitely would say that if you are already addicted to alcohol, and have to wonder/ask about his, you just may be. Cross addiction is common too, when an addict gives up one substance and starts using another one, a lot of time the addiction is just transferred to the new substance. I know for myself I had to come to the realization that my brain functions differently then other ppl, as an addict. I just can't successfully manage any mind altering substance.

[jane_668]

When we get sober or clean, we'd try to subsitute our DOC looking for the same good old high with another susbstance . However, we cannot do that because whether we are alcoholics or addicts in recovery, the truth is that once we start using other substances then we'll eventually find an excuse to go back to our DOC or subsitute addictions. I am mainly an opiate addict but I abstain from alcohol though I'm not alcoholic because the moment I drink I'd end up doing drugs. I would be extremely careful because what you are doing is dangerous. You may end up with multiple addictions. I would check my motives with a sober alcoholic. Are you willing to risk your sobriety?

[tsmba]

I always recall this simple statement: people who are not alcoholics or addicts do not spend time wondering if they are.

[emmer]

You almost certainly are an addict. Get help!

[emmer]

http://www.na.org/admin/include/spaw.../IP/EN3122.pdf

[windysan]

That's not something I can tell from here. Maybe you is, maybe you ain't.

[Mark75]

I am a recovered alcoholic who used drugs... I don't think I'd be recoverd for long if I used drugs... I don't identify as an addict, but some else with my history might... I don't think about it as I am not picking up again. I would slide right back into the bottle...

Mark

[emmer]

..well ya know ............. lets face it, alcohol is a drug. It's just a liquid drug......that's all.

You are a recovering alcoholic and you think you can do drugs, safely? The chances of that are so remote, it aint funny.

2 November's ago, I thought I could drink responsibly because I hate booze. I tried it and I abused it almost instantly.

I am no better at controling that liquid drug, than I am at controling a solid drug and they're are millions more like me.

[skroomadoom]

Yeah I suppose I'm kind of in the opposite situation as you. I'm an addict but I know I need to abstain from alcohol too because I know if I drink I will probably use and even if I don't do that I will end up abusing alcohol looking to get the same feeling I used to get from drugs.

[Cornbrosia]

Thanks for the advice guys. Your right. It would be completely hypocritical for me to use drugs, meanwhile championing the cause of alcohol abstinence. And if im thinking about it this much i must be an addict

[tsmba]

The core issue has to do with the nature of the disease of addiction. Using (or other addictive behaviors) are but symptoms of that underlying disease process. Thus, our tendency is to simply replace whatever behavior we stop with another. Many addicts who stop their DOC end up picking up another thinking that, since it had never been a problem, they can handle it. This may work for a time (which adds to the sense of control) but the ends are the same. Even after stopping all substance abuse, many addicts get into gambling, excess spending, etc.

If we aren't vigilant, our cunning, baffling, and powerful disease will find a ***** in our armor.

[windysan]

I've found that just by changing my crappy behaviors I've cured meself. No gods, no diseases, no higher powers......nothing but a behavior change. I "keep it simple stupid" as they say in those 12 step meetings.

[DecBaby]

Originally Posted by emmer

..well ya know ............. lets face it, alcohol is a drug. It's just a liquid drug......that's all.

You are a recovering alcoholic and you think you can do drugs, safely? The chances of that are so remote, it aint funny.

2 November's ago, I thought I could drink responsibly because I hate booze. I tried it and I abused it almost instantly.

I am no better at controling that liquid drug, than I am at controling a solid drug and they're are millions more like me.

I don't think of myself as an alcoholic but I certainly cannot drink responsibly. I don't like alcohol but the second I feel that buzz I need more. Safe to say it's better if I don't have even one.

So yeah, I don't think you can really use one and not the other.

[bval]

Originally Posted by jane_668

When we get sober or clean, we'd try to subsitute our DOC looking for the same good old high with another susbstance . However, we cannot do that because whether we are alcoholics or addicts in recovery, the truth is that once we start using other substances then we'll eventually find an excuse to go back to our DOC or subsitute addictions. I am mainly an opiate addict but I abstain from alcohol though I'm not alcoholic because the moment I drink I'd end up doing drugs. I would be extremely careful because what you are doing is dangerous. You may end up with multiple addictions. I would check my motives with a sober alcoholic. Are you willing to risk your sobriety?

Hi Janey

Nice to see you

[jane_668]

Hello BV,

Thanks. You are a very caring guy.

[Vintersemestre]

That's not something people can determine for you on the internet. Go see a psychologist and explain what's going on, he could probably help you out more.

[tsmba]

Its not a simple diagnosis. A doctor will ask about many aspects of your life, and how your use has affected it. There is no quick and dirty test that can be given and spit out confirmation. In the end, what is most important is reaching the point where we ourselves recognize our own addiction, and our powerlessness in dealing it. Until we reach that point, we continue to chase that magic situation or action that allows us to use without consequences. It is one of the great paradoxes in the program: that by accepting our disease and admitting defeat, we are freed.

[jane_668]

In AA they say there's a simple test to check if you are an addict or not. Try not drinking for a year and see what happens (in this case subsitute alcohol for drugs). I couldnot not think about drugs and I obsessed about find ways and means to use. I would promise myself that I wont use drugs only to use again with few days. Also, I didnot use drugs for fun but to alter my mood and feel better about myself. That's why I called myself an addict. I didnot need a doctor to diagnose me. I needed a doctor to help me find a way out. I abstained from alcohol because every time I was drink I would end up using. I wont risk my recovery today and no need to ask a doctor. So the important question again is are you willing to take the risk of going back to drinking? How important is your sobriety to you?

[Vintersemestre]

Personally, I find it's a pretty simple equation. If you objectively look at your situation and notice drug use is effecting your life negatively, then you're probably an "addict" or someone who revels in masochism (beyond sexual play, I mean), either of which do not have positive outcomes.

[jaitch]

Thanks for the posts in this thread that are helping me at this time

[emmer]

One's life being effected in a neg manner from drugs is a biggy.