Cause one addiction just isn't enough
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Join Date: Dec 2008
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I'm sorry to hear about your family member, SoulLight.
I must admit that most of the addicts/alcoholics that I know are addicted to a variety of substances, but not a substance and something else like gambling.
Although I don't think it's that uncommon.
I must admit that most of the addicts/alcoholics that I know are addicted to a variety of substances, but not a substance and something else like gambling.
Although I don't think it's that uncommon.
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Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 1,252
The problem one here drinks, does recreational drugs, steroids and gambles. The drinking and gambling he doesn't work too hard to hide. I wonder if he is trying to counter any high or effects he gets with one thing with another. He also has a lifestyle addiction. He won't go budget or generic. Says he's buying clothes on sale and they are still double to triple what a sale shopper would pay for.
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Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 1,252
Originally Posted by BellaBlue 
Yes. It was primarily an online poker addiction. Now that it is illegal, I'm not sure if he is still gambling or not.
Some politicians have ignored gambling in general by saying if they came down hard on gambling a charity or non profit like a little league team could be restricted from fund raising through raffles, drawings, bingo night etc.
My guess is the state or federal government will want to tax winnings and this is how they will control it.
Here it's not just games it's sports betting. All of the sudden he has knowledge of soccer of leagues in different countries so he can gamble just about any night of the week without going online which he still does. It almost sounds like he has his own operation sometimes.
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Join Date: Nov 2014
Posts: 190
I didnt realize how much money my mum spent on her online games, but looking at the records now, and thinking back on how much time she spent vegging on the computer when she was sober from alcohol, I wouldnt be surprised if she had been addicted to that as well.
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Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: Wilmington, DE
Posts: 393
Two weeks into a residential rehab we went to visit our daughter (2 hours on Sunday afternoon). Her drug of choice was heroin.
We chatted about her experiences in the rehab as she pointed out friends in the dining hall where visitation was being held - sometimes she would tell us a drug of choice, sometimes not for her friends. I commented that none of these people seemed to be alcoholics, I thought that was strange since this was a drug AND alcohol rehab - her quick reply was "We're ALL alcoholics!"
AD had determined on her own that she was an alcoholic and was able to abandon alcohol on her own, of course the heroin use may have helped with that accomplishment........ AD said that she realized that if she took just one drink - "I go from zero to 100 instantly and cannot stop."
As her story slowly comes out we found out that she had started with alcohol, moved on to pot, on to opiate pills following some oral surgery --- r-e-a-l-l-y liked them!, stuck with snorting Oxy and Opana until the money ran out, then switched to heroin - snorting at first, then on to IV - heroin is cheap, high quality and readily available where we live.
I don't think that having more than one addictive behavior or substance of choice is uncommon at all -- almost like "X is my first choice, but I'll settle for Y, at least for a while."
Jim
We chatted about her experiences in the rehab as she pointed out friends in the dining hall where visitation was being held - sometimes she would tell us a drug of choice, sometimes not for her friends. I commented that none of these people seemed to be alcoholics, I thought that was strange since this was a drug AND alcohol rehab - her quick reply was "We're ALL alcoholics!"
AD had determined on her own that she was an alcoholic and was able to abandon alcohol on her own, of course the heroin use may have helped with that accomplishment........ AD said that she realized that if she took just one drink - "I go from zero to 100 instantly and cannot stop."
As her story slowly comes out we found out that she had started with alcohol, moved on to pot, on to opiate pills following some oral surgery --- r-e-a-l-l-y liked them!, stuck with snorting Oxy and Opana until the money ran out, then switched to heroin - snorting at first, then on to IV - heroin is cheap, high quality and readily available where we live.
I don't think that having more than one addictive behavior or substance of choice is uncommon at all -- almost like "X is my first choice, but I'll settle for Y, at least for a while."
Jim
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Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: On my life path
Posts: 32
Thank you for replying Jim I appreciate you sharing your experience.
I suppose that even for the addict having a plan A, B, C, D... is a part of their survival kit.
I hope that having your AD in a long term rehab puts her into full recovery. We haven't had any success with getting my AB to consider such. He's recently had an epiphany of sorts that he can be a "casual drinker". One step forward and ten back.
I suppose that even for the addict having a plan A, B, C, D... is a part of their survival kit.
I hope that having your AD in a long term rehab puts her into full recovery. We haven't had any success with getting my AB to consider such. He's recently had an epiphany of sorts that he can be a "casual drinker". One step forward and ten back.
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Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: On my life path
Posts: 32
I have heard that the gambling addiction is one of the most difficult to manage. I would say conquer but I truly do not believe that addictions can ever be conquered. Skillfully and mindfully managed but conquered...no. There has been so much lying to cover and hide and the manipulation to maneuver and get money... if it wasn't so sick I would be impressed by the "craft" of it but it is just so very, very sick.
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Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: Wilmington, DE
Posts: 393
SoulLight,
I think I left you with the wrong impression, the story which I related about my AD is over a year old. It took almost a year for her whole story to emerge (assuming that it has!) Perhaps I should have used RD or DD as a reference.
She is long out of rehab, will have 18 months clean this coming Wednesday, has a sponsor, has two sponsees of her own and is employed in a detox facility in Florida - works her program every day and prods others to start their own -- she is doing great!
Jim
I think I left you with the wrong impression, the story which I related about my AD is over a year old. It took almost a year for her whole story to emerge (assuming that it has!) Perhaps I should have used RD or DD as a reference.
She is long out of rehab, will have 18 months clean this coming Wednesday, has a sponsor, has two sponsees of her own and is employed in a detox facility in Florida - works her program every day and prods others to start their own -- she is doing great!
Jim
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Location: W Washington
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actually one of the most difficult addictions to overcome is centered around food.....with pretty much every other addiction you just STOP ingesting the substance, or engaging in the activity.....but one ALWAYS has to EAT and therefore face that nemesis every day.
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Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: On my life path
Posts: 32
Jim - that is encouraging to hear and you must feel cautious relief and pride that your RD is doing and living well.
I have often felt that my AB could be and do as your RD has done to live her recovery day-by-day and shine a light for others as they find their way into their own recovery.
It is frustrating to see the potential in someone and they not see it in or for themselves.
I have often felt that my AB could be and do as your RD has done to live her recovery day-by-day and shine a light for others as they find their way into their own recovery.
It is frustrating to see the potential in someone and they not see it in or for themselves.
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