ClayTheScribe

So I am almost three years sober off of alcohol and pot, but have recently noticed how I have transferred my alcohol addiction to sugar (specifically refined sugar, corn syrup, etc.) which was having negative effects on my physical and mental health, and my pot addiction to Facebook. Many of you may roll your eyes at this, but I really did become addicted to both of those that were creating problems in my life. So starting today, I have deactivated my FB account and am no longer consuming anything with sugars that are not naturally occurring (like in fruit, dairy, nuts, etc). I would just warn anyone, but especially newcomers, to watch out how your addictions can transfer to other things you like you never had a problem with before. In short, be mindful of your habits, before they develop into problematic patterns.

Leemzer

Oh, I don't laugh at all. Most of us with addictive personalities can become addicted to just about anything. The comedian Richard Wright once said, "I could become addicted to turning a light switch on and off." So I totally get you.

Dee74

It was only last year I took a good hard look at my diet

I'd started with good intent but thinking 'at least it's not a beer' has its dangers too - and I'd stayed with the sugary teats for waaaay too long - things had really gotten out of hand for me and my weight.

thanks for the reminder Clay

D

ACT10Npack

ClayTheScribe, I can understand that. I'm too addicted to Facebook. Not reading the post but playing all those dumb games. I have 2 accounts so I can cheap on them. :-/

CarolD

Thanks Clay....

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IndaMiricale

No doubt great reminder. As a alkie and addict I always want more good and bad for me.

Jeni26

Really interesting. I'm learning that I am an addict, not just an alcoholic. Whatever I do, if it's enjoyable I will do it to excess.
I'm just thankful I didn't experiment with drugs, because I would be dead now.
Sugar, the Internet, cigarettes.... I do all of them and they've got worse since I quit booze. This is a good reminder to keep them all in check.

OklaBH

How funny you said that about Facebook. I would delete mine but I like to see what my sons post and who posts to them. (I will probably start a thread on this)

I was concerend about some people at AA. They are bone dry sober but dang they hit the casino. Not my inventory to take but it raised a flag.

Great thread.

Zencat

Oh yes the warning headed. Without some modicum of self-control I would be like the mindless shiv...a pastie to my ego fueled appetite for bloating my bodily mass to the ungodly stretches of the ridiculous absurd.

YVRguy

Clay

Maybe check with your Dr in terms of the sugar issue. Hypoglycaemia and diabetes affect lots of folks , alcoholic or not.

There are consequences to a lot of body systems and organs from long term alcohol use.


I get the obsession I had with alcohol will transfer to something till my work on recovery relieves that tendency to whatever degree it will. I guess I need to be mindful to turn that into positive tendencies till whatever kind of balance lays ahead.

onlythetruth

It's quite true that many of us transfer addictions. Switching from alcohol to food (or exercise) is pretty common from what I've seen. Exercise was my thing early on.

Over time, though, I've learned that I do have a bit of choice over what to do with what I call my "addictive energy". I've found that it is a quality that I can "attach" to certain activities, which has proven to be a positive thing. For example, say that I have to research a purchase, or plan a trip. I'll attach the energy to that and go all-out until it's done. My family watches in amazement and I'll just tell them that I've learned to use my addictive energy for good rather than evil!

Luling

This is interesting to me, because I was just thinking about how I use exercise to replace alcohol. I'm new to sobriety and not "addicted" to exercise at this point, but I can see how it could happen. The past couple of nights I've felt that I need to go for a run. So what happens if I sprain an ankle? What do I do if I'm somehow forced off my feet for a few weeks? I've never been able to handle limited mobility very well, and I think that being sober and unable to run would drive me insane. I suppose I'll just have to not sprain an ankle until I figure this stuff out.

crewisms

Thank you for this thread, Clay. I'm a prime example of this.

Luling -- You bring up a great point. I've had some periods of sobriety over the past two decades, the longest of which was four months. During those times I always replaced my alcohol addiction to something else. I became a golf addict a long time ago, and three weeks into one of my recoveries I tore something in my shoulder and couldn't swing the club. The trigger affect was almost immediate! I turned to the booze again.

Thanks again for the OP, Clay. It's a reminder to be mindful of these transfers and how, for me, how an interruption of a new addiction can trigger the old beast.

aeo1313

It is so easy to transfer addictions. Thanks for the warning to stay on my toes.

Luling

See, I'd probably do the same thing; I'm still a little shaky in my sobriety, and a part of me is looking for an excuse to say, "screw it."

It's just that feeling I get every evening when I normally would drink is powerful, and I need something for it. Maybe this gets better in time though.

ClayTheScribe

It's also careful not to get obsessions confused with addictions. Addicts are just those who have strong obsessive energy we take to the point that it causes us negative consequences and then we have trouble stopping. That obsessive quality can actually be very beneficial depending on where you put it, as onlythetruth put it. We addicts just tend to take it to a dark place since we're generally more unbalanced between the light and the dark. For me, I intend to transfer that obsessive energy into my creative writing and spiritual work, provided it doesn't become a problem.

YVRguy, as far as hypoglycemia goes, I really thought I had that last fall, but after several extensive labs and tests my doc said it just ain't so. He said that's fairly rare anyway at least with people my age and I'm not even close to being diabetic. I'm just a really sensitive person when it comes to what I ingest, everything from sugar to meet and "bad foods." It really affects my body and my moods. The reality is that I've probably always been like this, but haven't been as mind and bodily aware of it as I am now through my spiritual work. It's fine, this will probably help me lose weight and when I do have sugary treats, I will enjoy them so much more.

hypochondriac

Thanks for posting this Clay. I find it hard to find a happy medium. I'm terrified of turning into a sober glutton but sometimes feel guilty for just being hungry! It's always good to be mindful of these things.

KyleCO

I know what you mean. I find I quit drinking and get into sugar or tobacco or other things. Finding a way to balance things is difficult.