Originally Posted by coldfusion
"Should quitting alcohol be so different from quitting smoking?" My answer answer is yes, they are very different chemicals, possibly affecting different parts of the brain. Alcoholism seems to impair that part of the brain which is most highly evolved in humans--that part of the brain which controls our social functioning. Thus, a social setting is the most effective cure. That's why we need to keep going to meetings.
Interesting. What about other drugs? Should treatment for addictions to depressants be different from that of stimulants, or hallucinogens? What about process addictions? sex...gambling...are compulsions the same as addictions? Can they be overcome the same way? Can I just quit gambling the same way I quit smoking cigarettes and dropping acid, but should attend meetings to stay quit from benzos, sex, and alcohol? Is the cycle of addiction different per DOC?