the need for something more

[jimmys devoted]

if we look at some basic models fom my old medical years, we find that theer are basic conflicting elements.
One is that there is an inherent need for soemthing to satisfy. wether that be food, alternate reality medications, brain stimulus.

Another is escape. theer is a need for the body to escape or prevent reality from being available and dealing with those things in toto.

Any thing that we take and fulfills either of these two criteria can be considerd an addiction. What seperates the severity of teh addiction i sthe impact it has on self control. self awarness and our logic for right and wrong.
we can be addicted to coffee, RPGs, sewing, food. But these often do not affect our ability to be coherent and functioning and non agressive or dangerous.
Medical intervention types such as drugs, alcohol or other items that imapre our reality ar destructive to those around us, our living conditions and so on.

in effect we all have our addictions, its how we let them control us and those around us that has the reatest impact on how that addiction is dealt with.

[ozzie]

I think this was a really good post. :) If we are able to control our drinking, eating, etc. and not let it control us, then it probably isn't an addiction. Do you think that's a correct statement?

[britjojo]

This is what I was getting at in my topic asking if addiction was inevitable.

As you say-whether or not we stay away from the dangerous addictions-drugs, alcohol, speeding in our cars, there is always something there in our lives that we cannot do without. It might just be television, or reading books. But still something takes precedence, and to me that says that we just replace one addictive behaviour with another.

[jimmys devoted]

Some may even call a banal addiction a compulsion, pastime or passion. Thrill seekers are addicted to getting an adrenalin rush.

For me my addiction is dollmaking or a project that keeps me so isolated form everything else to the point I dont cook, do housework or do what is needed.

I think in so many cases in order to deal with our addictions we often change the name to differentiate between dangerousand non dangerous behaviour.

[britjojo]

It really is just changing a name to make the activity seem less consuming. I agree to a certain extent that that is ok to do, because it does easily distinguish the more dangerous activities from the more innocent. But at the same time, people need to recognise these behaviours in themselves, for their own good.

[QuietLunatic]

I think it helps to know if you have an addictive type personality, too, especially if you're trying to give something up. I saw on Oprah yesterday that some people who had gastric bypass gave up eating in favour of drugs or alcohol or sex--they were still addicted to SOMETHING.

[britjojo]

Yes, I can see how the replacement would happen. A person cannot just give up an addiction as consuming as some are and then just have nothing. Something has to take it's place and I guess the game is finding something that is healthy and worthwhile.

[QuietLunatic]

I have clients who say they're addicted to massage therapy, but that's okay with me. Keeps me working!

[britjojo]

I am sure that there must be something unprofessional about feeding someone's addiction. That makes you an enabler lol :D

[QuietLunatic]

LOL. I suppose it does. On the other hand, it's not bad for them and it's good for paying my bills.

[jimmys devoted]

Now that too woudl be a worthwhile addiction......... keep me busy......
though it might get creepy like some horror movie.......

its curious to what we are addicted to and dont even know it........ hehehehe

coffee anyone.......

[mtajim]

One way of giving up addication is not doing things that you used to do and not walking on those roads where you walk while addicted, this really help to reduce use the drugs

[britjojo]

So for those whose addiction is something smaller, for instance dolls, what exactly is that fulfilling in that person's life?

I am curious, because I know that I have these kinds of obsessions too, and frequently can see that I do and that I need to turn my attentions elsewhere.

[QuietLunatic]

That's a good question. Aren't most addictions filling some gap in a person's perception of their personal reality? And when does collecting something cross the fine line between a hobby and an obsession/addiction?

[jimmys devoted]

when an item no matter how trivial becomes obsessive.
Like shopping. Compuslive shoppers get a " high" or sens of accomplishment or satisfaction. IN some cases it creates a euphoric sense by bragging or finding that iten on sale.
In collecting its the same thing. Searching for an elusive or rare or 'needed" item to make something complete or whole.

In me making a doll is an itch. something that tchs or compels to be made. It becomes a consuming need to do this. For me when I am driving the images that my mind creates is distracting. No different that creating a distraction.

You ask what void it fills, what void does drugs fill. An escape from reality. A change of reality. In non induced obsessions or addictions its a sense of completeness.

When I sit down and make a doll, with only teh TV for background noise its becomes a sense of purpose a sense of isolation. Nothing else matters, nothing else exists except for that item I am making. Dishes, cooking, laundry, the phone cease to exist.
when complete its a sense of accomplishment, fulfillment, and a sense of euphoria when it allcomes together, fits and resemb;les what my hands were itching to create and mhead and eyes saw.
Its a different type of altered reality.

[QuietLunatic]

On the positive side, when you're done, you have something tangible to show for your time and effort, and if you so desire, you can sell the doll, donate it to a worthy cause for auctioning off or give it to someone to brighten their life. There is a balance there.

[mtajim]

Whenever you start taking something more than its need, then its addiction, if you have self- confidence and guts to control your emotions then you will probably never fall in any kind of trap of drugs

[britjojo]

I disagree. Plenty of people who have control of their life and emotions, and confidence in themselves eventually end up with an addiction of some kind. No one knows why.

[mtajim]

perhaps they dont get that support from there family or society , the easiest way to get rid of drugus is to get social with your family , loniless tends to pull you towards addiction

[britjojo]

Again, I disagree. Yes, there may be problems underlying the use of drugs. But I do not think interaction with family will rid drug misuse just like that. I started smoking when I was very attached to my friends and family.

[attagirl]

I have to agree that the key phrase here is letting our addictions control us instead of us taking control and saying no I will not do this anymore. I will not live this way and can be a better person.

[LW75]

It may be true that many people have an addiction one thing or another, other than drugs, alcohol, or tobacco; and its not a bad idea to understand how addictions to things like (someone's example) dollmaking.

While even something like dollmaking, the computer, or shopping could ultimately destroy relationships or finances; I think its important not to blend all addictions under "addictive personality" and just kind of see them as all the same.

A doll fanatic, a computer addict, and a drug addict may share things in common; but addictions that destroy a person's brain and body deserve their own category. I know someone who has struggled for years with drugs. This person's life is far from the same kind life the doll "addict" lives.

[attagirl]

very good post that needed to be seen again. I think that people need to understand how the mind works and how lack of certain elements, or chemical imbalances from taking care of the body properly can cause people to do things they would not normally do.

[fever]

I like your ideas and it is in fact true that you should have full control over your eating and drinking and in this way you will never disgrace yourself in life