Posted on 12/11/2004 5:37:20 AM PST by RobFromGa
I don't think it's that simple...I do think there are genetic predispositions....but I do not discount the social tendencies so easily.
Prayers for you. When you're ready you'll know. But please don't wait too long!
after many failed attempts including cold turkey and hypnosis, Zyban (Welbutrin) worked for me.
I smoked my last cigarette the day before going to the "March for Justice" in October '98. Being in a van full of non-smoking Freepers for most of the day made the start easier.
Been there, done that. Beer was my drink of choice....In fact for the last 8 years of my "drinking career" beer was the only alcohol I consumed.
There's plenty of "hands up" here....if you want them.
FRegards,
I quit almost 4 years ago, do you mind if I try and answer this question too?
While everyone is different, I knew I had a problem when I would wake up in the middle of the night passed out in a chair or on couch with TV blaring, all the lights on, and even candles burning. Banging into the walls on my way to bed, I wouldn't stop to take my clothes or makeup off or brush my teeth. When I would wake up in the morning, I wouldn't be hung over, (or at least I thought I wasn't) but I never remembered going to bed. This habit was repeated nightly for years and I knew it was dangerous and had to stop.
Thank you for sharing.
John
I agree, but, know one can tell you that, you have to admit it to yourself.
Everything is genetic**
There is a great amount of wisdom in the "few basic caveats" you have listed in post 126.
Thank you.
There is another inner voice, the voice of the Spirit of God who can and will help you...in fact, IMHO, He has been helping you and you are tuning yourself more and more to Him now.
It is because of the desire of your heart, as you said, that you have been able to do this and I commend and congratulate you on making that decision and then having the integrity and honor to stick with it. It is at that point, when such decisions are made and committed to as a result of the sincere desire of our heart that God can help us. I believe He has helped you.
I will copy your story and spread it around if you do not mind. I know several friends and relatives who could benefit from your experience. Yopu really should consider making it into a book and publishing it.
Congrats bro. Got my 1 yr coin 11/17. Any fellow freepers alumni of Hazelden? Mail me!
I worked there for a year (in West Palm Beach, FL) does that count? LOL I could never afford to go to treatment there.
Congratulations. Keep coming.
I went to Center City, MN. Cashed in some IRA's to attend. I look at it as an alternative investment since I will not live to age 60 if I pick up again.
I can relate to that as I am blessed with the same reaction to alcohol. I drink it for the pleasure of it and imbibe every day, be it beer or wine, and I have that same automatic cut-off switch that tells me when I've had enough. Not only do I not get drunk but I don't want to get drunk as it ruins the experience for me. Nothing worse then losing control of one's faculities and then getting up in the morning with a hangover so I avoid it.
However, I do not have the same relationship with food. For many years, I was signifcantly overweight because I stuffed myself everyday. I could never get enough food. I'd stop at the convenience store on the way home from work (knowing I'd have dinner shortly) and grab a bag of chips or a box of cookies for the ride. All the same things that alcoholics talk about, I had with food. I kept stashes of food hidden around the house. Before going to a party, I'd gobble some food before going just in case there wasn't enough food when I got there. Then when I got to the party, I'd always be concerned that the food would run out before I got my fill so I'd be grabbing as much as possible early on. At restaurants, I'd obsess about portion size and have my wife and kids order full meals so that I could take stuff off their plates just in case there wasn't enough on my plate. Then when I had my fill, I'd hurry up my wife and kids because I hated sitting in a restaurant in front of an empty plate.
So I totally understand the alcoholic thing even though I was never an alcoholic myself. There are other addictions out there too, such as gambling, smoking, drugs, sex and pornography. Even sports. I know somebody who has to be watching sports all the time and obsesses over just about every sport.
Well like Rob, I kicked my habit about 20 months ago. I've taken off over 100 pounds and still I am constantly tempted by foods that I no longer allow myself to eat. I've gone through two Thanksgiving/Christmas seasons without having a single cookie, pastry, piece of pie, etc. I'll allow myself a sugar-free treat once in a while but basically I stick to whole foods and avoid processed foods that are high in sugar, salt and artificial ingredients. This is a constant struggle that I must deal with the rest of my life, otherwise I will become very fat again.
I believe there is something about the wiring in a human's brain that makes one susceptible to addictive behavior. I don't know of a single person who does not have an obsession/addiction of some type. I'm not saying this in an effort to "make us all victims." It's just the way it is.
Yes to that, but also, there is a whole new world out there since I can drive after six PM now! Six PM is when I would have my first drink.
....I found this to be true also. I never knew how red and bloated my face was. Well, I guess I knew, but thought it was caused by getting older.
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