Untangling a web of addictions
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Untangling a web of addictions
Okay so I am Day 41 on my worst addiction- alcohol. But I think I mentioned it had spawned some evil children a few years back in a previous post?
I tackled alcohol first , as the kind of keystone addiction and worst & most life-damaging. And it naturally led to me stopping/slowing some of the others. Because I really only did them mostly while drinking.
So while I wasn’t officially starting day 1s or whatever on the others, I still feel like I kind of relapsed on one of the other ones last night. Gaming addiction. I am so embarrassed to even write that. Because it is something 14 year olds have , not adults.
But mobile phone apps have opened up a whole new world of compulsive behaviours for addictive folk. It’s like gambling on speed , in terms of the way they have honed these things to light up your brain. But without any possibility of winning any money back. I know, right? Wtf? Yes, you pay to play. A lot, if you are like me and get addicted to being “the best”/the strongest/a leader/ego trip/buying friends /respect when you don’t have any - whatever it is.
So at midnight last night , when I couldn’t sleep anyway, I caved , and went back into the game to help my team. Initially I just watched, encouraged , gave directions/orders. But of course I started playing . While I did manage to play and stay sober for about 3-4 hours . I did not manage to play “free-to-play”. I spent. I went back because many of my team of around 80 people literally begged me to come back “one last time” for a specific event that happens once a month. They all changed their names to versions of my game name (which was sweet) , messaged me a lot and some of them actually called me on the communications app we use. I previously gave away my game accounts to others about 2-3 weeks ago. But said I would try to help them make a “smooth transition”. Hence I have not deleted any of these apps, yet. Nor had I started Counting days on that addiction. I still feel bad for letting them all down. It’s not their fault I can’t play sensibly. I also will miss friends there, hence it’s hard to shut down comms with them completely.
so I guess I have a very strong/loud AV in the gaming addiction. One that is sometimes going to have other people’s voices, even. I know I need to make a plan for this one, too. I know I need to stop. Not the least because it could easily tip my sobriety from alcohol. (I did catch myself getting up to get a beer at one point, only to remember.)
I thought it would be too harsh and too hard and too likely to lead to a sense of complete failure , if I tackled everything at once. I thought I couldn’t strip absolutely all my addictions at once. Cold turkey. But maybe trying to shoot them down one at a time is misguided?
Does anyone else have experience to share with tackling multiple addictions which may be just a liddle bit wrapped up in each other - either all at once or one at a time? Thoughts?
I tackled alcohol first , as the kind of keystone addiction and worst & most life-damaging. And it naturally led to me stopping/slowing some of the others. Because I really only did them mostly while drinking.
So while I wasn’t officially starting day 1s or whatever on the others, I still feel like I kind of relapsed on one of the other ones last night. Gaming addiction. I am so embarrassed to even write that. Because it is something 14 year olds have , not adults.
But mobile phone apps have opened up a whole new world of compulsive behaviours for addictive folk. It’s like gambling on speed , in terms of the way they have honed these things to light up your brain. But without any possibility of winning any money back. I know, right? Wtf? Yes, you pay to play. A lot, if you are like me and get addicted to being “the best”/the strongest/a leader/ego trip/buying friends /respect when you don’t have any - whatever it is.
So at midnight last night , when I couldn’t sleep anyway, I caved , and went back into the game to help my team. Initially I just watched, encouraged , gave directions/orders. But of course I started playing . While I did manage to play and stay sober for about 3-4 hours . I did not manage to play “free-to-play”. I spent. I went back because many of my team of around 80 people literally begged me to come back “one last time” for a specific event that happens once a month. They all changed their names to versions of my game name (which was sweet) , messaged me a lot and some of them actually called me on the communications app we use. I previously gave away my game accounts to others about 2-3 weeks ago. But said I would try to help them make a “smooth transition”. Hence I have not deleted any of these apps, yet. Nor had I started Counting days on that addiction. I still feel bad for letting them all down. It’s not their fault I can’t play sensibly. I also will miss friends there, hence it’s hard to shut down comms with them completely.
so I guess I have a very strong/loud AV in the gaming addiction. One that is sometimes going to have other people’s voices, even. I know I need to make a plan for this one, too. I know I need to stop. Not the least because it could easily tip my sobriety from alcohol. (I did catch myself getting up to get a beer at one point, only to remember.)
I thought it would be too harsh and too hard and too likely to lead to a sense of complete failure , if I tackled everything at once. I thought I couldn’t strip absolutely all my addictions at once. Cold turkey. But maybe trying to shoot them down one at a time is misguided?
Does anyone else have experience to share with tackling multiple addictions which may be just a liddle bit wrapped up in each other - either all at once or one at a time? Thoughts?
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I had co-occuring addictions - weed cigs and booze. I had to quit all three to stay in recovery. Other people attack their additions one at a time
I've never had a gaming addiction - but it it fills you with regret and remorse - and especially if it tempts you back towards booze - it sounds like a good activity to stop.
You might have to stop hanging out with those buddies, at least for a while?
D
I've never had a gaming addiction - but it it fills you with regret and remorse - and especially if it tempts you back towards booze - it sounds like a good activity to stop.
You might have to stop hanging out with those buddies, at least for a while?
D
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Originally Posted by Dee74 
I had co-occuring addictions - weed cigs and booze. I had to quit all three to stay in recovery. Other people attack their additions one at a time
I've never had a gaming addiction - but it it fills you with regret and remorse - and especially if it tempts you back towards booze - it sounds like a good activity to stop.
You might have to stop hanging out with those buddies, at least for a while?
D
I've never had a gaming addiction - but it it fills you with regret and remorse - and especially if it tempts you back towards booze - it sounds like a good activity to stop.
You might have to stop hanging out with those buddies, at least for a while?
D
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I never had multiple addictions.
I did smoke and drink. I considered smoking the less of all evils to be honest as even though I know the dangers and how reliant I was on it mentally it wasn’t damaging mentally as alcohol was to me. I had a normal life when I smoked. When I drank I became a physcotic mess. I stopped drinking just over a year ago and stopped smoking a couple of months ago when I felt stable and ready to deal with any anxiety over it.
I think if one drags you into another though it is a different problem all together. But at the same time all connected. I hope that makes sense how I have written it.
have you accessed any professional help to deal with a possible root cause as to why gaming takes you to drinking? Or why you are an impulsive gamer? Really hard to tell if you would need to tackle one at a time or both together and most likely depends on the reasons why and what the pattern is.
it is a good sign that you acknowledge it here as you know it is happening is huge.
I hope you work it out, and sorry I can’t offer more advice.
I did smoke and drink. I considered smoking the less of all evils to be honest as even though I know the dangers and how reliant I was on it mentally it wasn’t damaging mentally as alcohol was to me. I had a normal life when I smoked. When I drank I became a physcotic mess. I stopped drinking just over a year ago and stopped smoking a couple of months ago when I felt stable and ready to deal with any anxiety over it.
I think if one drags you into another though it is a different problem all together. But at the same time all connected. I hope that makes sense how I have written it.
have you accessed any professional help to deal with a possible root cause as to why gaming takes you to drinking? Or why you are an impulsive gamer? Really hard to tell if you would need to tackle one at a time or both together and most likely depends on the reasons why and what the pattern is.
it is a good sign that you acknowledge it here as you know it is happening is huge.
I hope you work it out, and sorry I can’t offer more advice.
I believe in miracles :)
Join Date: Nov 2020
Location: Europe
Posts: 160
I never had multiples addictions except the booze and gathering information/learning/stats. The first one is the one I am tackling now (with my doctor, multiple therapies, meds, and programmes). The latter one isn't harmful to my health if I don't go overboard and just resulted in a lot of knowledge, certificates, and degrees.
My ex-husband was (and probably still is) addicted to weed, cigs, and gaming, he is 43 now... Also gambling a little bit. At one point, I was the only one ready to work on my issues and I couldn't handle living with him anymore. So now I am divorced and 100% happier. Asking for help is a huge step, I think it will boost your progress. And congrats on 42 days!
My ex-husband was (and probably still is) addicted to weed, cigs, and gaming, he is 43 now... Also gambling a little bit. At one point, I was the only one ready to work on my issues and I couldn't handle living with him anymore. So now I am divorced and 100% happier. Asking for help is a huge step, I think it will boost your progress. And congrats on 42 days!
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I get that entirely... see my other posts about my current return from a journey of going from "occasionally I'll have a little weed" to a daily smoker and a constant haze of interference in my life.
Since setting that down, I've been here on SR daily. I've used Facebook more. I've leaned on my digital crutches. Gaming is similar...... my son is a total gaming addict.
Frankly, I wonder if we aren't ALL addicts in some way or another... juggling our way through life trying to work out a balance with our addictions based on our particular wiring...
But then, I step back, I look at the evidence of my own life and I realize it doesn't matter even if we ARE all addicts..... what matters is whether the directions I'm funneling my addiction into are meaningful, present, useful, rewarding, fulfilling or draining......
For me, SR is an 'addiction' that is helpful. It's helpful to me personally because it doesn't just leave me empty. It offers me strength, it offers me the opportunity to do what I most feel called to do; serve. Being here may 'waste' my time.... but I believe it also leaves some small mark. A footprint of impact that may touch another's life in a way that helps THEM find their pathway to fulfillment and spirit and presence and cherishing this precious life. Facebook seldom does that. It's more of a rat-trap.... tap the bar, get the cocaine-laced water.... isolation in the guise of connection. So I try to moderate when, why and HOW I use Facebook. Which rings familiar doesn't it? Moderation?
Sorry for the ramble......
I'm glad you're sober. That is progress. I'm glad you're asking yourself the questions that lead you to examine whether gaming is also in a category you need to be cautious with. That shows a willingness to be honest, an awareness, a searching moral inventory of sorts.... that speaks of sobriety, not simply 'not drinking'. Keep at it.
Since setting that down, I've been here on SR daily. I've used Facebook more. I've leaned on my digital crutches. Gaming is similar...... my son is a total gaming addict.
Frankly, I wonder if we aren't ALL addicts in some way or another... juggling our way through life trying to work out a balance with our addictions based on our particular wiring...
But then, I step back, I look at the evidence of my own life and I realize it doesn't matter even if we ARE all addicts..... what matters is whether the directions I'm funneling my addiction into are meaningful, present, useful, rewarding, fulfilling or draining......
For me, SR is an 'addiction' that is helpful. It's helpful to me personally because it doesn't just leave me empty. It offers me strength, it offers me the opportunity to do what I most feel called to do; serve. Being here may 'waste' my time.... but I believe it also leaves some small mark. A footprint of impact that may touch another's life in a way that helps THEM find their pathway to fulfillment and spirit and presence and cherishing this precious life. Facebook seldom does that. It's more of a rat-trap.... tap the bar, get the cocaine-laced water.... isolation in the guise of connection. So I try to moderate when, why and HOW I use Facebook. Which rings familiar doesn't it? Moderation?
Sorry for the ramble......
I'm glad you're sober. That is progress. I'm glad you're asking yourself the questions that lead you to examine whether gaming is also in a category you need to be cautious with. That shows a willingness to be honest, an awareness, a searching moral inventory of sorts.... that speaks of sobriety, not simply 'not drinking'. Keep at it.
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Originally Posted by Buttery
I never had multiple addictions.
I did smoke and drink. I considered smoking the less of all evils to be honest as even though I know the dangers and how reliant I was on it mentally it wasn’t damaging mentally as alcohol was to me. I had a normal life when I smoked. When I drank I became a physcotic mess. I stopped drinking just over a year ago and stopped smoking a couple of months ago when I felt stable and ready to deal with any anxiety over it.
I think if one drags you into another though it is a different problem all together. But at the same time all connected. I hope that makes sense how I have written it.
have you accessed any professional help to deal with a possible root cause as to why gaming takes you to drinking? Or why you are an impulsive gamer? Really hard to tell if you would need to tackle one at a time or both together and most likely depends on the reasons why and what the pattern is.
it is a good sign that you acknowledge it here as you know it is happening is huge.
I hope you work it out, and sorry I can’t offer more advice.
I did smoke and drink. I considered smoking the less of all evils to be honest as even though I know the dangers and how reliant I was on it mentally it wasn’t damaging mentally as alcohol was to me. I had a normal life when I smoked. When I drank I became a physcotic mess. I stopped drinking just over a year ago and stopped smoking a couple of months ago when I felt stable and ready to deal with any anxiety over it.
I think if one drags you into another though it is a different problem all together. But at the same time all connected. I hope that makes sense how I have written it.
have you accessed any professional help to deal with a possible root cause as to why gaming takes you to drinking? Or why you are an impulsive gamer? Really hard to tell if you would need to tackle one at a time or both together and most likely depends on the reasons why and what the pattern is.
it is a good sign that you acknowledge it here as you know it is happening is huge.
I hope you work it out, and sorry I can’t offer more advice.
I am currently seeing a D&A counsellor. But we have mostly been talking about alcohol as a coping mechanism that is no longer serving the purpose it may have originally served. I guess I wouldn’t hurt for me to focus more on the co-addictions and not just the alcohol alone.
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Originally Posted by FreeOwl
I get that entirely... see my other posts about my current return from a journey of going from "occasionally I'll have a little weed" to a daily smoker and a constant haze of interference in my life.
Since setting that down, I've been here on SR daily. I've used Facebook more. I've leaned on my digital crutches. Gaming is similar...... my son is a total gaming addict.
Frankly, I wonder if we aren't ALL addicts in some way or another... juggling our way through life trying to work out a balance with our addictions based on our particular wiring...
But then, I step back, I look at the evidence of my own life and I realize it doesn't matter even if we ARE all addicts..... what matters is whether the directions I'm funneling my addiction into are meaningful, present, useful, rewarding, fulfilling or draining......
For me, SR is an 'addiction' that is helpful. It's helpful to me personally because it doesn't just leave me empty. It offers me strength, it offers me the opportunity to do what I most feel called to do; serve. Being here may 'waste' my time.... but I believe it also leaves some small mark. A footprint of impact that may touch another's life in a way that helps THEM find their pathway to fulfillment and spirit and presence and cherishing this precious life. Facebook seldom does that. It's more of a rat-trap.... tap the bar, get the cocaine-laced water.... isolation in the guise of connection. So I try to moderate when, why and HOW I use Facebook. Which rings familiar doesn't it? Moderation?
Sorry for the ramble......
I'm glad you're sober. That is progress. I'm glad you're asking yourself the questions that lead you to examine whether gaming is also in a category you need to be cautious with. That shows a willingness to be honest, an awareness, a searching moral inventory of sorts.... that speaks of sobriety, not simply 'not drinking'. Keep at it.
Since setting that down, I've been here on SR daily. I've used Facebook more. I've leaned on my digital crutches. Gaming is similar...... my son is a total gaming addict.
Frankly, I wonder if we aren't ALL addicts in some way or another... juggling our way through life trying to work out a balance with our addictions based on our particular wiring...
But then, I step back, I look at the evidence of my own life and I realize it doesn't matter even if we ARE all addicts..... what matters is whether the directions I'm funneling my addiction into are meaningful, present, useful, rewarding, fulfilling or draining......
For me, SR is an 'addiction' that is helpful. It's helpful to me personally because it doesn't just leave me empty. It offers me strength, it offers me the opportunity to do what I most feel called to do; serve. Being here may 'waste' my time.... but I believe it also leaves some small mark. A footprint of impact that may touch another's life in a way that helps THEM find their pathway to fulfillment and spirit and presence and cherishing this precious life. Facebook seldom does that. It's more of a rat-trap.... tap the bar, get the cocaine-laced water.... isolation in the guise of connection. So I try to moderate when, why and HOW I use Facebook. Which rings familiar doesn't it? Moderation?
Sorry for the ramble......
I'm glad you're sober. That is progress. I'm glad you're asking yourself the questions that lead you to examine whether gaming is also in a category you need to be cautious with. That shows a willingness to be honest, an awareness, a searching moral inventory of sorts.... that speaks of sobriety, not simply 'not drinking'. Keep at it.
laugh 😆 )
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Originally Posted by Velvetee
I never had multiples addictions except the booze and gathering information/learning/stats. The first one is the one I am tackling now (with my doctor, multiple therapies, meds, and programmes). The latter one isn't harmful to my health if I don't go overboard and just resulted in a lot of knowledge, certificates, and degrees.
My ex-husband was (and probably still is) addicted to weed, cigs, and gaming, he is 43 now... Also gambling a little bit. At one point, I was the only one ready to work on my issues and I couldn't handle living with him anymore. So now I am divorced and 100% happier. Asking for help is a huge step, I think it will boost your progress. And congrats on 42 days!
My ex-husband was (and probably still is) addicted to weed, cigs, and gaming, he is 43 now... Also gambling a little bit. At one point, I was the only one ready to work on my issues and I couldn't handle living with him anymore. So now I am divorced and 100% happier. Asking for help is a huge step, I think it will boost your progress. And congrats on 42 days!
Forgive me for saying it, but your ex-husband sounds like a train wreck. Oh wait, ...no he sounds exactly like a male version of me. 😂 Cause I can basically match him for addictions - Cigs, gaming, gambling, alcohol. But hey I am one down , three to go , and in communion with my madness.
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Originally Posted by Tanky
Thankyou Velvetee. And very glad to hear you have taken on your issues and are 100% happier after divorce.
Forgive me for saying it, but your ex-husband sounds like a train wreck. Oh wait, ...no he sounds exactly like a male version of me. 😂 Cause I can basically match him for addictions - Cigs, gaming, gambling, alcohol. But hey I am one down , three to go , and in communion with my madness.
Forgive me for saying it, but your ex-husband sounds like a train wreck. Oh wait, ...no he sounds exactly like a male version of me. 😂 Cause I can basically match him for addictions - Cigs, gaming, gambling, alcohol. But hey I am one down , three to go , and in communion with my madness.
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I never got into gaming but I had plenty of trouble with other behavioral addictions. Since I previously worked in a casino and saw how that ruins lives, I have always been cautious around games and gambling. I know there are a lot of people who make "connections" on games, though.
When I quit alcohol it was nearly my last addiction. The previous big one was eating and food and I had dealt with that by becoming a member of a different forum where I was in a social group that was private/invitation only and was basically a snarky, smart, funny, meme-filled, drunk fest online. It was seductive. The people in the group became friends of sorts over the years and the group even met up for social events, team obstacle courses and races, vacations, etc. Lots of drinking happened both live and while chatting online 24/7.
When I decided to quit drinking I really had to let go of that obsessive use of the internet and that group of people. Luckily for me they decided to change formats and post on another app so I feel like the Universe/God was protecting me there. I just didn't go with them.
I also stopped using facebook.
I figured forums helped with food, maybe I would seek out a forum for alcoholism. The rest is history.
Tanky, I think you are a very good writer and have good insights. I hope you transfer some of your addictive tendencies to this site. It's a good place to spend too many hours. Ask me how I know.
When I quit alcohol it was nearly my last addiction. The previous big one was eating and food and I had dealt with that by becoming a member of a different forum where I was in a social group that was private/invitation only and was basically a snarky, smart, funny, meme-filled, drunk fest online. It was seductive. The people in the group became friends of sorts over the years and the group even met up for social events, team obstacle courses and races, vacations, etc. Lots of drinking happened both live and while chatting online 24/7.
When I decided to quit drinking I really had to let go of that obsessive use of the internet and that group of people. Luckily for me they decided to change formats and post on another app so I feel like the Universe/God was protecting me there. I just didn't go with them.
I also stopped using facebook.
I figured forums helped with food, maybe I would seek out a forum for alcoholism. The rest is history.
Tanky, I think you are a very good writer and have good insights. I hope you transfer some of your addictive tendencies to this site. It's a good place to spend too many hours. Ask me how I know.
I believe in miracles :)
Join Date: Nov 2020
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Originally Posted by Tanky
Thankyou Velvetee. And very glad to hear you have taken on your issues and are 100% happier after divorce.
Forgive me for saying it, but your ex-husband sounds like a train wreck. Oh wait, ...no he sounds exactly like a male version of me. 😂 Cause I can basically match him for addictions - Cigs, gaming, gambling, alcohol. But hey I am one down , three to go , and in communion with my madness.
Forgive me for saying it, but your ex-husband sounds like a train wreck. Oh wait, ...no he sounds exactly like a male version of me. 😂 Cause I can basically match him for addictions - Cigs, gaming, gambling, alcohol. But hey I am one down , three to go , and in communion with my madness.
No seriously, I hope you'll find a way to deal with this. Hugs.
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Join Date: Apr 2020
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I have multiple addiction. I was addicted to alcohol, cocaine, methamphetamine. I'm a been clean from all for 8 years. Today I have 213 days clean from prescription opiates that was prescribed to me which I began to abuse. I'm also addicted to exercise through out my addiction I worked out through it all. When I quit all other stuff 8 years ago all I would do was workout and go to work and at home play video games. I thought I was doing well I wasn't taking anything illegal for the last 8 years I would attend events where drinking was involved and not even be any cravings. I too awhile but the pills eventually started to cause problems an my mental health and physical health aswell when began to rely on them to function. Though the covid19 has caused alot of obstacles it also has put me in a place where I needed to change. One day at a time. Maybe some other activities to replace your online gambling problem, reading, exercise, painting alot to choose from. Hope this helps in a way.
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Originally Posted by biminiblue
I never got into gaming but I had plenty of trouble with other behavioral addictions. Since I previously worked in a casino and saw how that ruins lives, I have always been cautious around games and gambling. I know there are a lot of people who make "connections" on games, though.
When I quit alcohol it was nearly my last addiction. The previous big one was eating and food and I had dealt with that by becoming a member of a different forum where I was in a social group that was private/invitation only and was basically a snarky, smart, funny, meme-filled, drunk fest online. It was seductive. The people in the group became friends of sorts over the years and the group even met up for social events, team obstacle courses and races, vacations, etc. Lots of drinking happened both live and while chatting online 24/7.
When I decided to quit drinking I really had to let go of that obsessive use of the internet and that group of people. Luckily for me they decided to change formats and post on another app so I feel like the Universe/God was protecting me there. I just didn't go with them.
I also stopped using facebook.
I figured forums helped with food, maybe I would seek out a forum for alcoholism. The rest is history.
Tanky, I think you are a very good writer and have good insights. I hope you transfer some of your addictive tendencies to this site. It's a good place to spend too many hours. Ask me how I know.
When I quit alcohol it was nearly my last addiction. The previous big one was eating and food and I had dealt with that by becoming a member of a different forum where I was in a social group that was private/invitation only and was basically a snarky, smart, funny, meme-filled, drunk fest online. It was seductive. The people in the group became friends of sorts over the years and the group even met up for social events, team obstacle courses and races, vacations, etc. Lots of drinking happened both live and while chatting online 24/7.
When I decided to quit drinking I really had to let go of that obsessive use of the internet and that group of people. Luckily for me they decided to change formats and post on another app so I feel like the Universe/God was protecting me there. I just didn't go with them.
I also stopped using facebook.
I figured forums helped with food, maybe I would seek out a forum for alcoholism. The rest is history.
Tanky, I think you are a very good writer and have good insights. I hope you transfer some of your addictive tendencies to this site. It's a good place to spend too many hours. Ask me how I know.
I just got through a blowtorch stressful 12 hour day - without even suffering significant alcohol craving. ( And with a frighteningly clear head that probably meant the decisions I made were a million times better. )
I mean , when I finally stopped working tonight, I vaguely acknowledged that normally this level of stress would have ended with a lot a lot of drinking - but that was about as far as it went, really. Just cycled through my umpteenth variety of these weird kombucha soft drinks I keep testing - because I have discovered I want something kind of bitter to drink - not sweet. (Hot tip: most of them are pretty vile.)
And after anxiety settled, I did plunge into the familiar emptiness that would normally lead to me seeking solace with my game / gaming buddies, too. Because exhibit A - no IRL friends/family to call to debrief about all that with, AV helpfully chimes in. Because in weeks when my kids are not here , and I bounce about between the four walls by myself - do I even exist? Does it matter if I don’t? yap yap yap goes the brain. But instead of drinking , instead of gaming or gambling , I have just been reading along here . Kinda groovy.
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I got heavy into online gaming over a decade ago. World of Warcraft. I had moved in with my girlfriend at the time so i couldn't drink as much as I would have liked so I turned my attention to this game which itself was like a drug. Certainly fired of dopamine in my brain when playing.
I joined a guild with 40 other players. I found myself playing for hours on end and got to know some people pretty well since we spent so much time online together for like 2 years. I even started speaking on the phone with a woman. My girlfriend at the time didn't mind me playing too much because she saw how my drinking had really decreased. She didn't realize that a 24 year old young woman in San Diego was sending me pictures of her in lingerie.
That game was just me transferring alcohol addiction to something else.
I joined a guild with 40 other players. I found myself playing for hours on end and got to know some people pretty well since we spent so much time online together for like 2 years. I even started speaking on the phone with a woman. My girlfriend at the time didn't mind me playing too much because she saw how my drinking had really decreased. She didn't realize that a 24 year old young woman in San Diego was sending me pictures of her in lingerie.
That game was just me transferring alcohol addiction to something else.
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Web of addiction…yeah, that about sums it up. For me, there’s an underlying issue with anxiety that stems from early childhood.
When I was a toddler and up to the age of about 14, I used to rock in a chair every chance I got. I would sit on the couch and just rock back and forth until I was pretty much asleep. I loved doing it and it didn’t cause any harm to me. But it was freaking my mother out a little and one day my favorite Aunt caught me when I was 14. I was so hurt I can still remember it vividly to this day (I’m 46). The embarrassment was horrible.
So I stopped rocking and picked up smoking and drinking instead. Sadly, they were my keys to life for a very long time. I added in weed after I finished university and have smoked pretty much every day since with the exception of my pregnancy. I’m actually grateful for weed because I’d be dead by alcohol by now (but yes, weed is an addiction too).
I’m peeling back the layers one at a time. I quit smoking 2.5 years ago (switched to Nicorette). I picked that first because my teeth were horrible and breathing was becoming difficult. Thankfully, I haven’t had any kind of lung infection since I quit. But still, Nicorette is not good and it costs a fortune.
In 2020, I quit drinking and focused only on that (still that way). I’ll have a year sober is January (amazed is not even the word).
In 2021, I’m giving up the Nicorette. Gonna need a big plan for that!
And then I’m looking at the weed. I did see a psychiatrist and today I’m considered a medical cannabis patient (I don’t take any other medications). CBD in particular has a huge positive affect on my anxiety levels. However, I really want a stretch of time away from it because it’s been so long. What will I be like without it? That may happen in 2021 or 2022.
One good thing is I’m mature enough now to not replace my previous addictions with other bad habits. Instead, I’ve become very creative and I’m always immersed in some type of project.
Gaming seems to have the adrenaline factor. Maybe you could try something physical like parachuting or ziplining?
Sorry for the novel!
When I was a toddler and up to the age of about 14, I used to rock in a chair every chance I got. I would sit on the couch and just rock back and forth until I was pretty much asleep. I loved doing it and it didn’t cause any harm to me. But it was freaking my mother out a little and one day my favorite Aunt caught me when I was 14. I was so hurt I can still remember it vividly to this day (I’m 46). The embarrassment was horrible.
So I stopped rocking and picked up smoking and drinking instead. Sadly, they were my keys to life for a very long time. I added in weed after I finished university and have smoked pretty much every day since with the exception of my pregnancy. I’m actually grateful for weed because I’d be dead by alcohol by now (but yes, weed is an addiction too).
I’m peeling back the layers one at a time. I quit smoking 2.5 years ago (switched to Nicorette). I picked that first because my teeth were horrible and breathing was becoming difficult. Thankfully, I haven’t had any kind of lung infection since I quit. But still, Nicorette is not good and it costs a fortune.
In 2020, I quit drinking and focused only on that (still that way). I’ll have a year sober is January (amazed is not even the word).
In 2021, I’m giving up the Nicorette. Gonna need a big plan for that!
And then I’m looking at the weed. I did see a psychiatrist and today I’m considered a medical cannabis patient (I don’t take any other medications). CBD in particular has a huge positive affect on my anxiety levels. However, I really want a stretch of time away from it because it’s been so long. What will I be like without it? That may happen in 2021 or 2022.
One good thing is I’m mature enough now to not replace my previous addictions with other bad habits. Instead, I’ve become very creative and I’m always immersed in some type of project.
Gaming seems to have the adrenaline factor. Maybe you could try something physical like parachuting or ziplining?
Sorry for the novel!
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Kombucha has a small amount of naturally fermented alcohol. About .5%. Some of them have up to about 3.5%, so be aware on the labels what you're buying and drinking.
I didn't even have any bubbly drinks when I quit drinking alcohol because I felt like they started that moremoremore feeling. Water and herbal teas were all I drank. I even cut back to one cup of half decaff coffee per day because the caffeine was causing me to be jittery and have intrusive thoughts.
I didn't even have any bubbly drinks when I quit drinking alcohol because I felt like they started that moremoremore feeling. Water and herbal teas were all I drank. I even cut back to one cup of half decaff coffee per day because the caffeine was causing me to be jittery and have intrusive thoughts.
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