The reason you or I do addictive things is clearly for some kind of reward-and that reward has become screwed up. We need to re-learn how to live and reward ourselves. I have found that I get much pleasure, from, for instance, reading. After a day of activity I reward myself with this. I also have come to a greater understanding of how life has so many small rewards each moment. I never noticed before when I was in my sickness. With new coping skills and a hellava lotta committment to quit no matter what, an addiction can be overcome by any of us.

Here are some great resources to check out:

http://www.addictionsandrecovery.org/index.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Disease_theory_of_alcoholism

http://aa.org

http://www.drirene.com/codepend1.htm

Alcoholism, or any addiction or compulsive behaviour, is generally thought to be a primary and progressive disease. You can take a look at the study that was done on identical twins at the Wikipedia link. It shows a 60% genetic and 40% environmental causation. It also provides links to all sides of the argument.

When it comes to any addiction, I'm a firm believer that behaviour modification does not work, ie, you can't learn to drink safely once you've crossed that line into alcoholism. It is my experience, and I've seen it over and over again, that abstinence and a commitment to living a more spiritual life is the only way to recover from alcoholism...and other addictions. When I say spiritual, I don't mean religious. It means living with integrity and humility, and having an honest desire to help others.

I hope that doesn't frighten you. It's actually more fun and rewarding than it sounds. lol

Have you gone to AA at all? I was really suspicious of it at first, but now it feels like home to me. I no longer am alone in this, and life is good.

By the way. Quitting is the easy part. You just don't drink. Staying sober is considerably harder. That's where AA (and other 12 step programs), and treatment facilities come in handy. They do owrk. I've been sober over 14 years now.

Good luck to you. Hope this helps a bit. *hugs*

read the book "desire" by susan cheever. she writes about addiction of all kind. in fact--she's in aa--said the 13th step might have come from bill w's actions. seems he had a major thing for the ladies. even bought a house in ireland to move to after lois died. he died first and he died of another addiction-nicotine. he also asked for some good whisky from the nurses (denied)--it's all in the archives of his former house. makes me love aa that much more. he was just another suffering alcoholic.

Yeah, Billy was a saucy lad. lol Dr. Bob had his own life struggles, too. They were just suffering alcoholics, like the rest of us, who had a spiritual awakening. I do think the Big Book had some divine intervention. It's hard to imagine that two fellows, so young in sobriety, could have envisioned such an inspired piece of work.

I'll have to check out that book. I haven't read it yet. Thanks for the heads up.

OK, there is some scientific proof that addictions (sex, drugs, alcohol, OCD, etc.) are genetically predisposed. By this is means you carry a gene which you may do something which will turn the "gene switch on". There ARE addictive personalities. Depending upon your history, upbringing, and genetics, this will determine your addiction.

I COULD be an alcoholic, however, I know this predisposition runs in both sides of my family and I avoid alcohol. I don't need that monkey on my back.

Is there hope? ABSOLUTELY! I suggest you locate a CELEBRATE RECOVERY program in your area, attend the meetings faithfully, and work the 12 step program. I'm just completed the 12th step and my "addiction" was avoidance/logic. Sounds strange? LOL I know, who could be "addicted" to avoidance/logic? It's real. I'm doing better. And no, until I signed up to be a leader and was required to do the 12 Steps, I didn't even realize that was my "addiction" of choice.

Welcome to D/S. I often wondered why I was alcoholic. How come other people could drink and I couldn't. I found it necessary to prove those other people wrong. Time after time I found myself drinking out of control and waking up in parks or even jail. When I first got sober with the help of Alcoholics Anonymous. My first sponsor pointed out to me that why I was alcoholic wasnt so important as "I just was one" People have been searching as why this or why that and when push come to shove. You just are. We have these rooms at D/S for people who have questions about their sobriety.We can offer all the support you need but the first thing you need to come to grip with is that alcohol and drugs are a problem and you need help. . There is life after drugs and alcohol. Keep coming back.
Greg

When I went through treatment, one of the ideas that stuck was how we use to deal with pain - psychological / physical. You are right on track with your question. It is a un healthy way to cope with pain. It's unhealthy, because it temporarily masks the pain or problem you are trying to deal with, while leading to other more serious health complications.

Aren't you a certified addictions counselor?

Never mind. Ancient post.

I was cross addicted to coke, crack and booze. Now my new coping mechanism is to eat as little as possible. I have lost a lot of weight, but I know its not healthy. I do as a way to control my life, much like booze and drugs

I think it's all a matter of escaping something we're feeling that we don't like to feel (fear, anger, anxiety, sadness). Beyond alcohol or drugs there's food, porn, coffee, cigarettes and some people even use "healthy" things in an addictive manner -- going to the gym to get a "perfect" body as an example. The challenge is to break the cycle.

Nope!
Personally I believe I was born with the predisposition for addiction. Add environmental factors and boom..... Eating disorder, obsessive compulsive in some ways, and then booze.
I don't worry about the "why's" anymore just the recovery.

Like KK and others have alluded to it likely has to do with, in part, the brain neuro-chemistry and particularly the dopamine pathway.
The meaning of this information to recovery however is limited. You cannot become "unalcoholic" or "un-addictive"
Knowing why you're diabetic doesn't treat the problem. Why is fun intellectually to discuss these things never let yourself get caught chasing why.

Yeah, its all connected. We like a lot of things that when done without restraint are really harmful, to us and others. We belong to a phylum of hompsapiens called "nitwitfuckups" and we can only achieve metamprphis into an improved member of the species by changing our selfish and reckless activities.
IMO,anyway.

I was thinking the same thing Tara until, like you, I noticed this was almost 3 yrs old.