Addiction

[Greg]

I'm starting this thread in response to Beachboy's contention that pot is not addictive. I felt it deserved it's own thread as not to confuse the issues of "home defense". BB asked me to name a pot addict.
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I'm an addict for one. When I smoked daily for thirty years, I was fine; Hard working and functional. Whenever I had to go without for whatever reason, I had some serious jonesing. Headache, irritability, insomnia, flu like symptoms, etc.

Although some substances are more addictive than others, the problem isn't the substance as much as the person; Addiction is believed to be genetic. Some people can smoke a joint, cigarette, or drink a beer and then not think about it for a month or so(my wife). I've been sober for thirteen years, and used pot and cigarettes to become alcohol free. I than used pot to become tobacco free. This gave me the confidence to become pakalolo free. It take a couple of months of complete abstinance to become comfortable. The first time didn't take and I thought I could have a joint once and awhile and bought a quarter oz.. Wrong! the next few days I was right back where I started and smoked that bugga fast.

Reinforced, I immedietly quit pakalolo again, but had to start over with the withdrawel symptoms. I've been completely clean and sober for about seven years and greatly enjoy the freedom and empowerment that comes with not having to score, not worrying about the helicopters, and not depending on a drug to make me feel "normal".

I've been in extensive counseling for PTSD and addictions. I have a first hand grasp of the science behind addictions as well as my personal experience with them. Anyone that tells you pot is not addictive is as naieve as a tobacco executive. It's just that some people are a lot more vulernable to any addictive substance.

I'll tell you this; If you smoke pot daily, you are an addict. I would challenge anyone who disputes this to go for a year or two drug free. It should be easy for someone not addicted.

Finally; There are many addictive substances (and behaviors). Pot is one of the least harmful there is, and in fact has many positive therepeutic properties. However, If you don't have cancer, glaucoma, or any other serious illness; If you say you are a recreational user But you smoke everyday, You're addicted.

My remaining addictions are cafeine and sugar; arguably as bad as some others, but I'll tackle those next. Peace!



punatoons

[mdd7000]

Well written and thought out post.
One of my brothers-in-law had come to the same conclusion as you several years ago.
I think he is doing much better without pot than with it.
It is addictive - although not as addictive as tobacco.

[morganlady]

It certainly is cheaper to live without:
coffee, sugar, tobacco, liquors, & tea (and illegal substances).
No piercings, hair dyes, plastic surgery or tattoos, either (I DO use dusting powder - its hard to find anymore).
I admit to addictions to potato chips, doritos & cheese crackers, though, consumed with fruit juice. Oh, and vehicles. Seven cars, 3 vans, 4 trucks, and 7 horsedrawn vehicles, and 1 bicycle. I need to cut down!

[JerryCarr]

Dependency is a concept some people can accept more readily in reference to marijuana than addiction since full-on physical withdrawal symptoms don't usually appear when one stops smoking the stuff. In any case, there are lots of people who think they cannot function without pot, when in reality they barely function with it and usually do better in the long run without it.

For those of you who think it is completely harmless, there are studies which conclusively show that it impairs capability when driving and doing other potentially dangerous tasks. It's not as bad as alcohol in this regard, IMHO, but it still produces impairment.

Having said all that, and being a convinced non-user, I think the stuff should be legal. It's no worse than alcohol, prohibition doesn't work, and there would be economic advantages to legalization.

Cheers,
Jerry

[Guest]

I can honestly say I'm "Addicted" to the internet.

I believe we are facing a whole new generation of people addicted to the internet.

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Damon Tucker's Blog
FBI Blogs

[csgray]

I have students who exhibit all the classic signs of addiction when told they cannot use their lap tops to surf the internet and play games in class. They are unable to restrain themselves and limit their laptop use to the academic task at hand and get very angry and defensive when told to put their computers away after violating the school's computer use policy. Others exhibit the same behaviors with their cell phones, hand held game players, and MP3 players. I allow use of the MP3 players when they are doing solo work, but not during whole class activities, and they constantly try to sneak one ear bud in, even though they are risking confiscation.

Carol

[DanielP]

I smoked pot daily for 25 years. I gradually just got kind of bored with it. The memory issues started getting in the way of my business interests. I just left it behind. No withdrawls, just eventually stopped using. Now I have a toke on rare occasions.

I don't think that Pakalolo is addicting, I think that it is habituating. When I quit smoking cigarettes, there was a distinct and severe withdrawl from the nicotene. That is addiction. When I quit an abusive alcohol habit there was a distinct and severe withdrawl from the alcohol.

If I were to quit coffee, I would have a distinct and severe withdrawl from the caffeine. That is addiction.

Pakalolo is certain VERY habit forming, but does not meet the criteria of being Addicted.

This may be symantics, but the differences between Addiction and Habituation are pretty clear. Sometimes the effects manifest very closely, but there is a difference.

Dan

[Guest]

quote:

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Originally posted by csgray

I have students who exhibit all the classic signs of addiction when told they cannot use their lap tops to surf the internet and play games in class. They are unable to restrain themselves and limit their laptop use to the academic task at hand and get very angry and defensive when told to put their computers away after violating the school's computer use policy. Others exhibit the same behaviors with their cell phones, hand held game players, and MP3 players. I allow use of the MP3 players when they are doing solo work, but not during whole class activities, and they constantly try to sneak one ear bud in, even though they are risking confiscation.

Carol

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I can relate.

One of the privileges that we take away is using the computer during lunches and recess.

Unfortunately... a Porn addiction may have gotten a Student at my school into a lot of trouble for internet abuse?

Two addictions?

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Damon Tucker's Blog
FBI Blogs

[Guest]

Derailicted -

A person addicted to derailing threads.

You can call me one.

My bad.

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Damon Tucker's Blog
FBI Blogs

[PaulW]

Here's a (non-scientific) test to see if you're potentially addicted/habituated to something, anything: stop using it, cold turkey, for a calendar month. If you can't do that without help, I'd say it's got more control over you than you over it.