FreeOwl

Clearly, I am addicted to coffee. I've tried to moderate, tried to quit and as I suck down my third large one of the day.... I note that thus far I am a failure.

Physical addiction. The addiction of the habit. All intermingled. It's not as damaging or detrimental as alcohol, but it's not good for my body in an overall general way as I'm sure it's contributing to increased levels of stress and anxiety.

The Internet. Facebook. A handful of social-oriented websites. Including SR.

I'll bet I lose hours some days.... technology in general. My phone. Technology has become an addiction. I've noticed my very mind-function capabilities becoming effected. Scattered. Not as able to focus. Maybe contributing to the disarray in my life (I am powerless over facebook, The Internet and my phone and my life has become unmanageable?).

As I ran yesterday - I contemplated ways in which my tendency toward addiction might just get moved around in life, versus ever 'cured'. Perhaps it's really a matter of doing my best every day to focus those addictive energies on the most healthy and beneficial addictions I can.

Fitness. Parenting. Connecting with people. Being a positive example to others...

Well I'm rambling but there you have it. Just a quick check in as I've not been on in several days. Creeping up on the 4 month mark out here in soberland and these are some of the thoughts a-whirring for me. Happy Easter.

CaptainPolaris

Me too free... My husband thought when I quit drinking Id stop staying up until 3am when i had to rise at 6am but when i stopped, i was on the internet just as long. I was pregnant and started taking care of myself and getting good sleep. After the baby was born sick and died I went right back to my old habits. My poor husband doesnt get it... He tells me that I have an addictive personality period... But I have one area that im free from... I HaTE gambling. I will never have a gambling issue.. I don't even get it! My uncle lost everything to gambling and had to move across the country. He lost his family, his home, in extreme debt, work...

biminiblue

I feel you, man.

I've known about my addictive tendencies since age six. I would steal money to go buy candy, then sit in a secret place and eat it all till I got sick. Stole cigarettes from my mother's purse starting around age 12. Did that until I found alcohol at age 13. Stole that from wherever I could, too.

Now I'm fighting the sugar thing for the third time. I also have problems with being on this site several hours a day, but it is very educational and I think I'll be able to quit spending so much time here.


Wait. What did I just say? Hahahahahahaha. I'll be able to quit.


Or not.

FreeOwl

wow... I did that with the candy thing too!!

Never really reflected on that as 'addiction' until now....

****.

Ok, for today's treatment - I'm gonna head out for a run.

Channeling the addict in positive, healthy directions....

Because ADDICTION can be a gift, if we use it properly.

Aellyce

I hear ya on this. I still feel too tempted into obsessive tendencies, although I find that with giving up alcohol all this has become far less severe and I actually strive to establish more moderation and balance in my life in many ways. Before I often thought I really enjoyed some of my obsessions, eg. what one might call information addiction. Technology as well, and I work in a field that involves a large amount of focus on new, state-of-the-art technologies and developments and everyone around me seems to be a bit obsessed with these.

I also can't seem to give up coffee, but have never tried seriously. I've been able to moderate it though, stick with ~2 cups in the mornings. Sometimes...

The internet... oh my! That's my biggest, currently, after cutting the alcohol out. Has been since it has become available, so that's many years now. Goes with my information addiction well. I've never been very interested in large scale social media (eg. Facebook, never even had an account) that involve unfocused socializing, but can get really hooked on websites like SR, where I have specific personal interest. The internet also plays to my introverted tendencies.

But you know what - I don't worry much about these things as long as they are not overly disruptive and unhealthy. I agree that physical activities are some of the best ways to balance these excessive tendencies. Some people get obsessed with that as well but I don't have that tendency, never feel like overdoing it, so exercise is a real good balancing act for me. Socializing in the 3D world as well.

It's just sometimes so hard to not get stuck. I'm truly fascinated with the attitude of some of the people here on SR, who claim to have achieved a balanced life in long term recovery. I hope to get there!

The way it's been for me during these ~3 months sober is that in general I'm really into the idea of establishing balance, and have success for a few days - then find myself obsessing about something again. I try to be gentle with myself and not worry when it's just a particular day or two and I don't get stuck.

sugarbear1

Awareness is the first step to change.

We have free will to change many of our new addictions!

Go technology free for a day, or start with certain hours of no technology! I've done it, so I know it's possible.

Reduce that caffeine and add a glass of water or juice.....

Always a new solution!

Aellyce

Yes Sugarbear, thanks for the input. I want to work on establishing much more of a daily routine, when I set certain time windows for different things. My life has always lacked healthy routine, it's more that I tend to do what I want my way whenever I want - this is definitely a false sense of independence.

So one of my next goals in sobriety is to designate specific times for my activities and interests and try to prioritize much better.

curliQ

Mine is quilting right now. Blew through 2 big quilt tops this week.

LadyBlue0527

Here's one thing I've learned about addiction over the last 11 months. Addiction, no matter the drug of choice, or action of choice has really nothing to do with the item that you use be it tangible or intangible. It's all about the brain and it's reaction to it. Whether it's alcohol, drugs, food, porn, gambling, caffeine, or whatever it is the sum total is the stimulation that the brain gets when using. It feeds the pleasure centers. That's what keeps the addict coming back. This is why I say that in most instances when someone relapses they find that the idea of performing the act itself was actually more pleasurable than doing it. It ends up not being worth it (if you're actively in recovery).

I know that you don't get the addiction of gambling, I don't either. I can walk through a casino and not care if I sit at a slot machine or not. However, I can remember the first time I went I had two of those cups filled with quarters when I had started out with 50 cents. My friend asked me to let her go cash some of it in and I said no, I was fine. Before I knew it both cups were empty. I have gone to casinos and been fine since then but I felt the fever just for a little bit.

I would guess that what addiction we end up with probably has to also do with the brain itself. I have a sister in law that's severely depressed if she can't spend money. I couldn't care less.

Addiction is puzzling.