Posted by TamaraJ on July 4, 2005, at 20:44:37
In reply to Am I an addict? I need to know. I think I am., posted by Susan47 on July 4, 2005, at 20:19:33
For me, an addiction was not being able to, and not wanting to, go a day without. And, thinking about, more like obsessing, and making plans for what I was going to have that night about an hour or more before I left work was another clue for me that I had a bit of a problem. I thought, no I knew, long before I accepted it that I had a problem, even told myself many times but wasn't ready to give it up. I wasn't on an AD when I was drinking and smoking drugs.
You're not a bloody disgrace, and I am sure you haven't disgraced everyone who knows you, particularly if, as you say, you put up a front so others don't know. And, hating yourself isn't going to help or make it better or change it - that just makes you feel worse and makes you want to use more, at least it did in my case.
Life doesn't have to suck without booze and drugs. It can be quite good, and fulfilling and rewarding. It was an adjustment, but it wasn't bad at all.
I have heard some people say that if you think you have a problem and you are asking the question, it is likely that you have a problem. But, it is something that the person has to come to terms with on their own, when they are ready to accept it and change it.
Just my views, based on my own experience FWIW.
Tamara
poster:TamaraJ
thread:523500
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/subs/20050602/msgs/523516.html