example: a drug addict alcoholic who discovers god and turns a teetotaler gay bashing abortion hating new born Christian.
Is replacing addictions the rule or the exception?
There’s generally a reason why people turn to excessive drug use in the first place, which is usually unhappiness paired with a feeling of worthlessness, of not being needed.
When you’re then addicted, it can be difficult to build up self-worth, because you may not be able to function in society at all, but also because of the stigma on drug addiction. And once you go on withdrawal, unhappiness will settle in.
This makes it so difficult to get away from an addiction in the first place, and can also mean that people quickly fall for a different addiction.
But of course, it’s not a law of nature that addicts will always be addicts. With sufficient support to eliminate those root causes, and to keep them accountable, it is possible to get away from an addiction.
it’s not true. i was a heavy smoker and quit and didn’t replace it. it was tough. the temptation for a smoke took like 5 to 10 years to disappear.
i never drank much alcohol, but decided to quit that too, after i realized i hadn’t had a drink in several months and wanted to see where it’s going.
i know several others who quit one thing or another and didn’t replace it. replacing can be a coping mechanism though. if you replace with something that’s more easy to quit, it’s a good way out.
The concept of addiction as a brain disease has been challenged in recent times. Its better to think of it as a learning disorder that can be corrected over time. AA and NA have also shaped public opinion on alcoholics and addicts with ideas that are not based on science.
The concept of addiction as a brain disease has been challenged in recent times
Because we didn’t know shit when it was described like that in layman’s terms when it was described…
Nobody studying it thought it was a literal disease you could catch.
AA and NA have also shaped public opinion on alcoholics and addicts with ideas that are not based on science.
One of AA’s founders had LSD as a huge factor in his recovery and initial program. When he died (or just left) the other guy took all the LSD out and replaced it with Jesus.
LSD breaks your brains pattern recognition, thats what happens when you “trip” things don’t look like they should and you look at things with a new perspective. That’s why the original program worked with addiction and people got to stop going to meeting eventually
https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/lsd-helps-to-treat-alcoholism/
This tho…
Its better to think of it as a learning disorder that can be corrected over time.
Is just fundamentally wrong on a lot of levels, and also offensive but I’m pretty sure you didn’t mean it to be intentionally.
Nobody studying it thought it was a literal disease you could catch.
Yes they do. A person’s genetics can predisposition them towards alcoholism. That means you can get it, or at least the predisposition for it from your parents upon birth.
https://www.niaaa.nih.gov/alcohols-effects-health/alcohol-use-disorder/genetics-alcohol-use-disorder
What makes that a brain disease?
Do you know what any of these words mean?
Not really true, it’s part of religious shame propaganda in 12 step programs to make you more susceptible to conversion.
Might be effective in the short term, but has many other negative psychological effects.
Secular rehab programs are equally or more effective, and require no such shame or disempowerment.