Posted by AuntieMel on July 5, 2005, at 9:49:25
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
Maybe you are an addict, maybe you aren't. You need to be the final one to answer that question.
But if you come to the conclusion that you are? CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!! - You've just made the biggest step towards recovery - it's downhill from there.
I think the key word for determining addiction is "can't" - if you "can't" go a day without, if you "can't" start once you've started, etc, etc.
It's different "symptoms" with different people. For instance, I never really thought about it at work, but didn't get three steps inside the door without popping a top or pouring a drink.
I had a love affair with booze - it consoled me when I was down, it celebrated with me when I was up, it made me brave when I was scared. The thought of life without it scared me to death.
It was painful to say goodbye.
Are you a disgrace? If you are, then so am I and so is PC and so is Tamara and so are millions of other people. Only the uneducated will make a judgement call like that.
Here are the "official" (United States) guidelines for abuse and dependence:
http://www.behavenet.com/capsules/disorders/subabuse.htm
http://www.behavenet.com/capsules/disorders/subdep.htm
poster:AuntieMel
thread:523500
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/subs/20050602/msgs/523670.html