What defines addiction?

Im on my second margarita in an hour, and Im feeling feisty and posty for better or worse. It occurs to me as I down the beautiful golden junk and smoke a toke that I should consider my intake. What constitutes addiction in your book? What are the fine lines and spider webs we weave? Im not lookin for the DMS-IV dx; thats easy to come by. Instead it might or might not be interesting and beneficial to look at what defines it by our own standards, and how those values might change with knowledge, experiences, or maturity. On the way home from work tonight, NPR (or OPB?) focused on invetors putting $$ into the future of the marijuana industry, in particular in WA state. (However, that begs a whole 'nother post for those hungry to make it to Tilted Exhibition -- look forward to some future post re feds vs states, 0r maybe there already is one.)

For instance, I think alcohol and marijuana may be medications of choice for many people, and Im not at all sure that I dont believe they know what is/isnt best for themselves. Huh?! In otherwords, I like to trust that people, especially in this rxhappy social construct, know what works and feels best for their own selves, and that they tend to be responsible adults. However, at the same time, I feel protective of the younger crowd and what they are exposed to before they are adults. When does addition come into play?

Cheers and happiness from the residenthippiegirl, at least for now.

 

What constitutes addiction?
When you start to wonder if you are addicted.

um-hm.
--- merged: Aug 1, 2013 at 9:56 PM ---
and let me tell you, I have had two instances in the last month after which I thought those same questions to myself. I come from a long line of addicts. Wonderful, interesting, fabulous people but chemically flawed. I grew up around addiction and I always thought myself...different. But I'm not.

I have too much at stake, so I am backing off a little.
(weed is a different story.)

 

Okay... I'm a recovering addict and alcoholic. I'm working on a good response to this. It's not an easy subject. Many disagree. Stay Tuned Campers... This will be a fun time.

 

tenterhooks.

 

Addiction is any repetitive or indulgent behavior that negatively impacts your ability to have a life where you can take care of your own basic human needs (and those you are responsible for), keep a job and maintain your relationships with your family/friends. I think most people tend to have those "Whoa, what am I doing?" moments after their addictions damage their desired lifestyle. I'm not sure where you're going with this post so I'll throw out the Dr. Phil Lite version definition.

My more personal definition of addiction is anybody that gleefully engages in illicit substances. I'm a DARE kid and thus such behaviors leave me all chickenskin. Do what you gotta do--free country meme here--but keep that nasty shit to yourself.

...

Life
All things in moderation.​

...​

 

It's not a moment, though, it's a process. By the time it is interfering with your life, yes, you might be addicted. Doesn't mean you are not addicted when you are on that path, before you start fucking things up. Just as it does not mean you are not addicted once you've gone into recovery.
--- merged: Aug 2, 2013 6:34 AM ---
I could talk more specifically about things elsewhere, as well.

 

I can feel how easy it would be to be addicted. There are times where the temptation to just let go is there... My sense of propriety and, more importantly, responsibility always wins out.

I often wonder if I were tip over the edge if I'd know... the embrace of my appetites hold great appeal.

 

That's the thing. I don't think you're gonna necessarily know. Otherwise, I think we'd have a lot fewer addicts in the world. No one wants to surrender control of their life to a substance.

 

I'm not so sure about that.

 

Which part? Lol

 

This part:

"No one wants to surrender control of their life to a substance."

 

It sounds to me that you are talking about legal versus illegal substances. People are addicted to pharmaceuticals, courtesy of their friendly doctors or High Fructose Corn Syrup (HFCS) by the food manufacturers, as well as working out or sex.

 

Oh. Well that may be true in some cases, but an awful lot of people go through an awful lot of pain and effort to quit, as well. I just don't think that the transition between 'user' and 'addict' is always clearly delineated.

 

Can you please describe the clinical presentation of addiction to high fructose corn syrup?