Drug addiction? More Mental than Physical?

TheGeneral+ · May 20, 2005

Please share opinions on the severity of the different animals. Whether mostly just Mental or Physical.

We can cover a broad range of drugs. Let's discuss the most talked about.

Coffee
Alcohol
Pain Meds (Vicodin)
Anxiety Meds (Valium)
Depression Meds (Prozac)
Meth, Coke (Speed)
Marijuana
Cigarettes

Whatever your thoughts on the matter are from experiences if you do not mind sharing. Really looking to understand the Mental vs Physical addictions. How long before you become addicted? This is very vague and I am seeking whatever info you can supply. Withdrawals? Are they real or Mental?

Thanks for any feedback.

wilheim · May 20, 2005

Physical addiction is very real and nothing to mess with. Pain meds or tranquilisers (especially benzodiapines) are highly addictive and should only be used under medical supervision. Alcohol while not easy to get addicted to is probably responsible for more human tradegy than all the other drugs combined.

Personally I believe so called mental addiction is only a symptom of a person well on his or her way to physical addiction to or from any given substance.

Caffein and (much more addictive) cigarettes are just plain stupid to get hooked on, the dangers of smoking are well publicised.

Bottom line if you HAVE to get high - smoke pot in the privacy of your own home and be careful where you cop.

wil.

pokerpills · May 20, 2005

I was diagnosed with adult ADD a few years back and was prescribed Adderall for the mornings and Xanax to help me sleep at night. To this day, I still cannot understand how parents can put their children on Ritalin or Adderall. I have tried crystal meth in my early 20's and Adderall has identical effects. The chemical makeup of Adderall is just one molecule away from methamphetamine. I work in the pharmaceutical industry and am just blown away by the number of parents that put their kids on this drug. I have since ceased taking Adderall and am fortunate. If I had it my way, I would ban Ritalin and Adderall because the long term effects have yet to be studied and can be devastating. I only compounded my viscious cycle by taking the Xanax at night to sleep. Xanax was another highly addictive drug. Although I do feel that Xanax can be extremely helpful in certain diagnoses, it should not be taken for more than 3 months. Many consider Xanax the hardest pharmaceutical drug to go cold turkey if taken for more than a year. Was it physical or mental to get off the drug? The first two weeks was purely physical. My body would crave it and I would get very irritable if I didnt have it. Luckily, I found inner peace through meditation which has helped along the way. After the first few months of staying clean, it became purely mental to stave off the cravings.

TheGeneral+ · May 20, 2005

How important can a a very solid exercise program be in dealing with withdrawals?

Fishhead · May 20, 2005

The General said:
How important can a a very solid exercise program be in dealing with withdrawals?

Very!

pokerpills · May 20, 2005

The General said:
How important can a a very solid exercise program be in dealing with withdrawals?

An exercise program is so extremely helpful, I would consider it almost essential to deal with the withdrawals. If I did not exercise during that time, there was no way I could have stopped smoking.

TheGeneral+ · May 20, 2005

I am glad you were successful poker. Good job.

TheGeneral+ · May 20, 2005

When will you know that you are suffering physical withdrawals from a drug addiction?

pokerpills · May 20, 2005

The General said:
I am glad you were successful poker. Good job.

Thanks General. It was a tedious long road but my life has been much better now that I look back on it.

wilheim · May 20, 2005

Anyone who can exercise while withdrawing from any serious addiction may not really be addicted at all. Withdrawal from highly addictive drugs (like Xanax) leaves one little choice but to just suffer through them which pretty much precludes running a mile for example. The only way to minimise withdrawal with a drug like Xanax or valium is to ween off very slowly. Gradually reduce dosage slightly every two or three weeks until you are down to the bare minimum and not in danger of serious withdrawal consequences like seisures. Long time users may take 3 or 4 months to ween off serious Xanax use.

The post withdrawal mental cravings while real are just what they are supposed to be "mental", the danger of so called mental addiction is relapse into real addiction.

wil.

pokerpills · May 20, 2005

For the Xanax, the first few weeks off, I would get headaches. For the Adderall, I would get a very uneasy upset feeling in the stomach similiar to getting butterflies in your stomach but would last the whole day.

Journeyman · May 20, 2005

I think exercise is the key to a lot of things in life...physically and mentally...keeping your mind in tune with your body is an essential , especially the older you get...

there is no better feeling than feeling your very best physically....I don't think any drug can make you feel that good.

TheGeneral+ · May 20, 2005

Anyone who can exercise while withdrawing from any serious addiction may not really be addicted at all.

Very interesting opinion Wil. So a real addict could not find within himself to exercise while fighting the problem?

nimue77 · May 20, 2005

What are you addicted to General?

The General said:
How important can a a very solid exercise program be in dealing with withdrawals?

RPM · May 20, 2005

coffee is easy to quit. you get a bad headache the first day, then you are over it.

TheGeneral+ · May 20, 2005

I have been drinking alcohol (beer) for a long time now. About 15 years. I have taken Xanax/Valium for 11 years and Have been taking Vicodin for only about 5 months since a back injury. I would like to stop all cold turkey, but I am not sure I can. Thus far none of the above has caused me any real misery in my life. I am trying to figure where I stand if I decide to cease all of this at once. I do exercise and I am hoping now that a more diehard program could make it all easier on me.

Journeyman · May 20, 2005

Describe your exercise program.

TheGeneral+ · May 20, 2005

Currently, I stretch well, do some 25 lb dumbbell curls, and ride a stationary bike for 30-40 mins atleast 5 days a week. I also have a treadmill but that aggravates the back injury. I am thinking that during the time I try and get clean, I go for 2 a day workouts. I feel bad if I do not get some good cardio work in often.

wilheim · May 20, 2005

General be very careful when you stop taking medications like Xanax. If Stop Taking: Do not stop without consulting your physician and never abruptly if have been taking for over three weeks. Seizures may be a side effect of sudden discontinuation of the medication. Your doctor may recommend a gradual reduction in your dose. As far as the exercise goes natrually it is great if you manage it while trying to "kick" certain medications but it won't be easy.

11 years on xanax/valium is an eternity and without a doubt requires a weening regimen to get off them. DO NOT GO COLD TURKEY.

wil.

RobFunk · May 20, 2005

Addictions are 100% mental. Anyone having trouble with addictions, is EPA and DHA deficient. They would need to get more of this supplement, then the brain can function properly then every thing else becomes easy.

Excercise is over rated. It will help your cardiovascular and sex drive though.