Addictions

[da_illest101]

So I'm able to handle my SA with no problem 95% of time i'm quite happy about it. But there are some addictions that i develop over the years because of my Sa that I have a hard time removing from my life. This is more a rant then anything else, sometimes you just need to blow off some steam

The first one is a computer addiction. I would say I spend most of my life in front of a computer since I got one 11 years ago. I don't mind being on it but sometimes I'm browsing for no reason on the same sites over and over again waiting for new topics being available. I develop issues to my right hand because of that and i'm still not stopping.

The other one is pornographic addiction. I'm not gonna go in details on that one for obvious reasons. All I can say it was the only way I knew how to cope with loneliness. Now it left me with a feeling of pure emptyness, a bad back, left chest and cramp to my legs.

I went on countless sites, read countless technics, tricks and what not but nothing seems to work long term and I always go back to my addictions stronger then ever.

Sorry for the rant, I just wanted to share this cause it's been bothering me for a couple years

If you would like to share some addiction issues thay you have please feel free

 

[Paahi]

I spend most of my time on the internet.
I find it very difficult to be away from my computer more than a day.
It's an escape.

 

[Deus_Ex_Lemur]

It's all related to an avoidance addiction.

 

[T T T]

I guess addictions help us distract ourselves from what is really troubling us. I know I certainly have one or two.

 

[Nanita]

I don´t know if this is really an addiction I had, but to deal with loneliness and depressed mood, I used to do spend a lot of time dating and having casual sex. And doing various drugs.
I guess it worked for a couple of years, to entertain me, and take my mind off my issues.

 

[mikebird]

Cooking really nice food and eating it.

Pushing myself so far physically, and can't stop until i collapse, exhausted

Anything chemical, which i spent about 20 years enjoying, i really can't see any addiction in that, at all, in me, or others. It's an utter myth. Currently i know a lot of people who love their rocks & brown.

I thought any coke would be the ultimate answer to SA, but i hate it. These things are not social.

 

[EscapeArtist]

Admitting addictions is a great first step. Addictions are so difficult to work through, I'd rather call them dependencies as addictions seems to imply that the addictive factor is not replacing any underlying need. I have a computer addictions also, like you since I was young, about 8? 9? Remember neopets? Well, introduction to my computer addiction. I was on that damn game all day, and made some really good friends even back then. Ever since, I have found it easier to make friends online and chosen this world over what I have as a real world. I do that too, go to site and just keep refreshing it until there is 1 new topic. For me, it is the replacement of community. A sense of close community is so important! We were meant to be in tribes.

I have a food dependency, aka emotional eating. Although I have really cracked down on that a LOT if you look at how it used to be!! I grew up with it basically, coming home and pigged the heck out (like I'm talking 3 boxes of crackers, 2 sandwhiches, 1/2 bag of chocolate chips... full out binge with my sisters, and then 1 hour it was dinner time! 3 plates of food...) ever since around 8-9 also. Now at least I've transferred all the overeating to raw fruits and vegetables. Years of effort in that one and it's still an issue

For a yearish I was hooked on drugs, marijuana (well it was extreme for a 15 year old at the time..), oxycontin, vicodin, tramadol, codeine. Thank god there is not a lot of access to these things otherwise I don't know if I would have stopped. Ick

I can transfer addictions really easily. If I don't have the computer for instance, I'll start overeating like I used to, or I'll venture to anything numbing. For me, until I learn how to not become dependent on things and face what I'm hiding from, the computer addiction is a good thing lol

 

[pebblesdundee]

It's as if I wrote this thread lol. I feel exactly the same, I wont talk about the porn, but I'm constantly trying to get away from the computer, it's really affecting the rest of my life, if I try to go outside for the day do get away, I end up hurrying back to check my email or something like that.

It isn't a healthy life in the slightest

 

[userremoved]

I have a dependency on sleeping pills.

 

[Prestonator]

Don't you think though, the lifestyle we all have now very much revolves around computers? So to develop an addiction to one may be easier than you think, especially if you are very introverted.

Addictions as long as you are able to accept you have one, and what to change, I think are resolvable. About 2 years ago I lost a family member to an alcohol addiction. But the problem was, she was so dependant on the substance that she didn't know how to live her life without the drink; she was so far gone that she didn't know how she could get help. It was too late. Very sad.

But to develop an addiction to something you generally will have suffered something, gone through a tragedy or a loss or something. And they start when you like the reward or benefit that come with them. There are many reasons why addictions start, and I'm no expert, but I think the main thing to remember is that as long as you have accepted that you have one and that you really want to turn your life around, it is possible to change your addiction habits.

 

[Srijita52]

Yeah,I've computer addiction too & I just can't help it.I've other addictions as well.Its really making my life hell!

 

[Phoenixx]

The first one is a computer addiction. I would say I spend most of my life in front of a computer since I got one 11 years ago. I don't mind being on it but sometimes I'm browsing for no reason on the same sites over and over again waiting for new topics being available. I develop issues to my right hand because of that and i'm still not stopping.

^ This for me too. I've been addicted to the computer for quite a few years now. I tend to browse the same sites over and over. I've been trying to pull myself away, and it's kind of been working, but it's hard. I also have issues with my right arm, and atm it aches terrible because I was on too much yesterday. Carpal tunnel sucks. >.<

 

[Lowlight]

For me growing up I was really gung-ho about computers and the Internet. I thought that these technologies were the greatest human accomplishment to date. I started to take computer classes in school and it was fun for awhile. Then my opinion started to change. Computers became an unhealthy escape from the rest of my life. So now I'm older and have seen that as I was spending all this time on the computer the other parts of my life have died and are now decaying. I hate the computer and Internet with a passion, but I'm still here on this confounded piece of technology because I'm addicted to it.

For the rest of the world who can use technology in moderation, the Internet and computers are a great thing. For me though, I have developed and Ted Kaczynski level of hatred for the stuff.

 

[MrTimid&Shy]

yep, its hard for me to stay away from the internet for too long. I would have to say the majority of my time is spent online. but its not necessarily a bad thing, ive learned so much lol. google is GOD.

 

[RoomBound]

The other one is pornographic addiction. I'm not gonna go in details on that one for obvious reasons. All I can say it was the only way I knew how to cope with loneliness. Now it left me with a feeling of pure emptyness, a bad back, left chest and cramp to my legs.

Any chance you'd be willing to provide stick figure drawings or animation that shows the positions you assumed to get those injuries?

 

[da_illest101]

Any chance you'd be willing to provide stick figure drawings or animation that shows the positions you assumed to get those injuries?

well i don't think it's the position that is wrong but the lack of movement. Staying still for a few hours almost everyday is bad for your back, add also the pressure from the stroking it will hurt your back. it also does a number on my knees and feet. When I stop for a few days I can see that my back doesn't hurt and my knees are better

 

[da_illest101]

after doing some research online, I discover that what I have is actually quite serious and i'm gonna go see a doctor tommorow morning.

Ulnar Nerve Injury - Symptoms, Causes, Treatments - Better Medicine
Chiropractors: Left knee/leg/toe pain, decompression therapy, nerve problem

all back pain related :: . well that's it for me no more you know what online

 

[da_illest101]

im a full blown alcoholic thanks to SA. that movie leaving las vegas is probaly gonna be me if i ever come across enough $. i even researched a place in vegas to stay near a liquor store when life got really crappy few months ago.

Ever consider trying AA, they might help you

 

[Prestonator]

the way i see is we all die, non mistakable right? why not do it doing what we love, rock climbing, sailing, drinking? I have this SA that traps me when im sober, when i drink, Im free. if in the long/short run it kills me, im ok with that. its not like im trying to kill myself, im trying to have fun while otherwise id rather not be here.

But do you not think that overcoming SA would be better than being alcohol dependant? In my opinion, it would definitely be healthier.

If in the long/short run it kills me, im ok with that. its not like im trying to kill myself

Do you not think that life is much more valuable than wasting it away because maybe you feel there is no way out from your social anxieties?

Personally, if I was in your position, I would get help with my drinking and also or maybe afterwards get counselling for my SA. But then again I do not know your full reasons for doing so, so I can not say for definite that it is what I would do.

I just think that life should be treasured.

 

[da_illest101]

the way i see is we all die, non mistakable right? why not do it doing what we love, rock climbing, sailing, drinking? I have this SA that traps me when im sober, when i drink, Im free. if in the long/short run it kills me, im ok with that. its not like im trying to kill myself, im trying to have fun while otherwise id rather not be here.

what about being free without the alcohol. that can always happen