I switched to a healthy addiction and went back to running everyday although, now that I am older, the runs have turned into walks, but yes people do switch addictions quite often, and that has alot to do with the interaction of chemicals in the brain, which might not be reversible. You can find alot of information about that on you tube. This is one of my favorites:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Z6w5IxZX2U&t=2960s.

Thankyou for coming here today....You are welcomed back anytime!

God Bless

If you're asking if I need an "effect" produced by something (alcohol, chocolate, exercise, music, etc.) then yes I do switch addictions.

Often I am powerless over how negative I feel, and how negative my ego can allow my belief system to become. That amount of negativity and reliance on myself makes my mind think it needs some "ease and comfort" and I can find it in alcohol, chocolate, exercise, music, etc. However, it is a false and temporary sense of comfort compared to surrendering to a higher power (God).

I will always be dependent on the ease and comfort addictions bring me, no matter if I am switching them or combining them, if I am not dependent on and do not build a relationship with a loving and caring higher power, that affords me sanity.

The nature of instability that addictions ingrain inside my mind, make them seem less practical going forward after I admit I am powerless over them, and that only building a relationship with God, lost due to their nature, will rid them from my life.

I will always be prone to addiction when I try to run my life as if there is no God and it is only me who is in control. The world and life is too challenging to navigate alone at times, even though 90% of the time those challenges are overcome by myself alone.

You did wise to recognize that pocket of recovery that was shaming you as not something you wanted to be part of, there are going to be many of those in AA and recovery, because it is a liberated version of thought generally when you break down the means and principles teaching in AA, and sometimes people cannot help but be people, and often if the wrong people get together they can do no better than just be a group of non-helpful people. It doesn't mean they can't teach others how not to act though, so they did you a favor acting that way, and in recovery, many people are going to show you how not to act, and this is a good think if you can remain humble about it all.

Good luck on your research, let me know if you need a subject to interview anytime.

Thanks for the kind words and honesty you both have stated. I am very grateful to have a strong faith in God and truly realize that is why I am sober. Sadly, after many encounters and meetings, I do see how people can say one thing but act completely different. I try to learn from this and keep doing the next right thing. I was a little sad after experiencing the chat room, yet relieved that I don't have to live that way. I never would have thought years ago that alcoholism was so multi-faceted. I never new the importance of being honest and truthful and how it could be a matter of life and death. Two women I knew switched cars to prevent one of them repossessed. Both are drinking again. Those in the chat room who are body shaming and talking about smoking weed are not funny, nor cool. If only they could surrender and experience the beauty of a sober life....You guys are awesome and I am touched by your words. Thanks for re-energizing me today. I am working on my degree in social work and this was a great reminder that there are some true successes. I look forward to staying in touch.

That’s great that you are going to be a social worker with understanding how quickly an addiction can tear down a life.
I take my sobriety seriously also. And life less so. It’s a good balance for me.
I am surprised when I hear statements like the ‘I’m sick or identifying as an alcoholic after years of sobriety. To me that’s like pulling along my past in a cart when I left my old ways by the roadside a while ago. I understand the vigilance and truth of recognizing what the problem was but I don’t keep my past behavior as my ongoing story.
Healing for me is the chance for a fresh start. Like you said, making the next right choice.
Like Nico sung: ‘please don’t remind me of my failures, I have not forgotten them’
I’m glad you are honest about the research. Unfortunately it bursts a little bubble I have that this site is like AA with confidentiality. Of course it’s the internet where privacy is non existent. Does effect me however as I am reluctant to comment about switching addictions. Since it’s personal lol. I will say that I did the chocolate/sugar thing for the first year and nipped that in the bud. Exercise was the helping hand there.
I hope you learn and teach others about addiction. Knowledge is power.

I always enjoy reading your posts! As far as the sugar thing, I have been sober for over five years and have no intention of ridding my chocolate. My dad has almost 40 years of sobriety and he is a candy junkie too. I balance it by exercising every day. I know it is all mental, but damn if I don't love the taste of chocolate! I am no longer ashamed of my past. And I am actually proud to say that I am a recovering alcoholic. Do I tell everyone I know and shout it from the rooftops? Of course not. But there is such a sense of pride and peace in knowing the beauty in such a simplistic way. I really am so grateful for the clarity I now have. Whatever happens with my education, I just want people to know that, they too, can change their life for the better.

I am on Day 3 of being sober and finding I just want to cook, cook, cook. I have noticed I am waking up in the middle of the night eating chocolate, I figure that is a lot safer than alcohol so happy to indulge in the sugar. Connection is the opposite of addiction, so agree that if we all keep connecting, we can all support each other through these battles !!!