lifewenton

Do recovering alcoholics tend to trade one addiction for another? I'm thinking my ex has done this.

mfanch

All the time. I did this.

fluffyflea

Yes, very common.

thislonelygirl

Not just alcoholic. Addicts in general. Yes they do

dollydo

Yes, happens everyday.

CeciliaV

Agreed...very common. In talking with AH's childhood friend recently, my AH started drinking to escape when he was 13-14 years old. Switched to a bunch of other drugs, but always drank, and never was very well able to control it. Then his drug of choice (and admittedly mine) was pot. I quit and had some small troubles adjusting, but got by. He went back to alcohol.

Reed30

I ran into my xabf (narcotics) ..he still drinks here and there which surprised me..in recovery I thought it all should stop. He is going to rehab and some NA meetings.
But he did say that he smoked cigarettes for a weekend, he never smoked habitually before.
Seems Substituting one addiction for another..but now I think he may abuse alcohol. But it's not my problem, can't worry about that.

but I do think addicts do try to fill the void.