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The "high" you get from a substance or behavior(gambling)are endorfins manufactured by your own brain. The time distortion, slurred speech, or sudden ability to dance are side effects. To a person with the "gene", the endorfins are released at an abnormal level and are the addictive agent. An addict, therefore, can be addicted to just about anything; Alcohol, pot, gambling, porn, or twitter.
To experience the fabulous high of non addiction, a person with the "gene" must be substance (or behavior) free. Just cutting back or going for a month or so will keep you sober, but will deny you the "high" of being straight.
Once a person with the "gene" is comfortable in abstinance, they are free to experience the release of endorfins without the destructive and embarrasing(dancing) side effects.
Another thing is that an addict will never be convinced by another person to quit. That must come from within. Most addicts are partnered with a co-dependant, who acomplishes the seemingly contridictory funtion of enabling the addiction, while at the same time, controlling the addict.
punatoons
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greg it would help your case if you could spell the main word in your argument correctly,,endorphins, anyway, i have smoked for almost 40 years...quit for 30 , 60 day durations for various reasons,,, the only thing i seemed to notice was I dreamed more, and I missed my fav. herb at the end of a long day, sometimes, not even every day,,,,certainly there are many people who have no ability to moderate activities in their life, for physical or psycological reasons, and perhaps that is who you see mostly in your endeavors....I am now, because it is truly stronger, as others have mentioned a "one hit wonder"..then go about my mundane chores , even exercise, with a smile and refreshed perspective
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What is the point of this thread? Is there an addiction to being right? or a compulsion with trying to change someone's opinion? I know that there are plenty of folks in Puna who smoke, but besides that, what does this have to do with Puna?
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Greg, are you advocating the keeping of marijuana illegal on grounds that to some people, it may be addictive but not as addictive as cigarettes (or booze)? If not, what's the point?
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Thanks for the clarification hare. Other than the spelling, do you find any misconceptions to my personal experiences?
Centipede, I have never, in any thread, stated a support of marijuana prohibition. I'm for legalization.
This thread was started because the thread about "home defense" was about to become highjacked to a marijuana pro/con thread. Beachboy asked me to name someone who was addicted to marijuana, and this thread is my response.
It has also been an opportunity to talk about an important subject that a great many people have misconceptions about, and are uncomfortable discussing. It's relevence to Puna needs no explaining. If you read my posts you'll see I've never attempted to change anyone's habits or lifestyle. I've merely tried to point out that change can happen, if it's wanted.
My dealing with addiction has changed the trajectory of my life and if it helped just one person I'd be more than satisfied. If dealing with addictions were easy, there wouldn't be any tobacco users left. I personally don't know anyone who smokes (ciggies) that wouldn't like to quit. Why can't they?
Finally; If addiction doesn't affect you or your family, you should probably skip this thread. Or not [8D]
punatoons
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the hare, it's spelled "psychological"
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Greg, thanks for the further clarification. I'm a substance abuser. I was addicted to cigarettes (2+ packs per day) for close to 30 years and after noticing changes in my health, I finally realized that if I didn't stop, I was going to die. Being the stubborn character that I am, I went cold turkey without any gum, patches, or whatever. It was horrible beyond description, and I began to overeat to compensate for the craving. Between that, and what I'm assuming was a biological change in my body due to the removal of nicotine, I gained 60 pounds within 2 years of quitting. That was 14 years ago and I've been unable to shake the weight because of my addiction to overeating, and having just turned 62, I know that if I don't do something about it, my heart will kill me rather than my lungs. Food is now my drug addiction; which I substituted for nicotine. I know it, and being the person I am, I'm going to have to lose this weight on my own without group sessions, pills, etc. What's amusing is that when you look at the numbers, you will see that it was easier for me to quit nicotine than it is to cut back on my calorie intake. Go figure.
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Great catch Paul
quote:
Originally posted by PaulW
the hare, it's spelled "psychological"
Aloha au i Hawai`i,
devany
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Watts awl the fuss? Eye ewes spell check.
punatoons
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