CJ Posted January 17, 2008 Share Posted January 17, 2008 I was talking to a friend of mine recently about addictions. He is a recovering alcoholic (as he says, you are never a cured alcoholic) and now counsels others on drink and drug abuse. I was asking why it was that some people become addicted and others not. In his opinion, it is down to a gene that gives people an addictive personality and that gene can be found in people from all walks of life and social status. What do you think? Why do some people become addicts and others not? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DamanC Posted January 17, 2008 Share Posted January 17, 2008 Personally I think adictions come from having a regular quantity of something, your body gets used it it, and bobs your uncle. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jamesmark Posted January 17, 2008 Share Posted January 17, 2008 An addictive personality causes it. People that find it hard to say no. I have had quite a bit of stuff that can be classed as addictive but luckily I do not have an addictive personality so I can take it or leave it. It is not all about getting enough of something. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CJ Posted January 17, 2008 Author Share Posted January 17, 2008 Personally I think adictions come from having a regular quantity of something, your body gets used it it, and bobs your uncle. But if that was the case, lots of my mates would be alcoholics as their intake used to be huge and regular. It seems more random than that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JustGav Posted January 17, 2008 Share Posted January 17, 2008 An addictive personality causes it. People that find it hard to say no. Indeed, it is the way the brain is wired. Some people are more intelligent, some people are more hands on. Addictive personality is just another quirk for the brain, sadly there is plenty of options to satisfy that addiction. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blackie Posted January 17, 2008 Share Posted January 17, 2008 An addictive personality causes it. People that find it hard to say no. its all in the addicts minds or, to put it another way, its the way there brains are wired up. some people can do cocaine every weekend for a year and then just decide to stop and stop, others wont be able to Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DamanC Posted January 17, 2008 Share Posted January 17, 2008 But if that was the case, lots of my mates would be alcoholics as their intake used to be huge and regular. It seems more random than that. Most cirtianly agree. The base of it imo stems from my previous comment. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carl_S Posted January 17, 2008 Share Posted January 17, 2008 I think there is two things here. 1) Chemical dependency 2) Psycological Dependency. Never heard about the gene theory regarding it, so I reserve judgment on that Both 1) and 2) can combine of course in various measures. in 2) you get things like, habits, personality, emotional issues in 1) you get things like nictotine and heroin which cause a chemical dependancy in the body, and the resulting withdrawal symtoms. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Wilson Posted January 17, 2008 Share Posted January 17, 2008 I don't know, but I love them Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CJ Posted January 17, 2008 Author Share Posted January 17, 2008 I think there is two things here. 1) Chemical dependency 2) Psycological Dependency. Never heard about the gene theory regarding it, so I reserve judgment on that Both 1) and 2) can combine of course in various measures. in 2) you get things like, habits, personality, emotional issues in 1) you get things like nictotine and heroin which cause a chemical dependancy in the body, and the resulting withdrawal symtoms. So, what makes some people become addicts and others not? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JustGav Posted January 17, 2008 Share Posted January 17, 2008 So, what makes some people become addicts and others not? Brain chemistry I believe, which is down to both genetic make-up and environment. The same thing that makes some people phsycopathic and normal, they have a different make up where there sense of 'wrong and right' doesn't function the same. Not comparing addicts to phsycopaths just using an example. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carl0s Posted January 17, 2008 Share Posted January 17, 2008 I don't know, but I love them You get a lot of work from horsepower addicts eh Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Conrad Posted January 17, 2008 Share Posted January 17, 2008 It must be something like genetics, I'm sure I read somewhere that you're more likely to be an alcoholic if your parents were. Over the years I've done pretty much most things you'd associate with addiction but never became addicted. Friends I grew up with leading the exact same lifestyle can't say the same. After a hard break up with my ex I went out every night for two years straight re-living my youth. My parents sat me down at least 3 times with their concerns over my drinking and lifestyle, they were conviced I'd be an alcoholic. I just needed a new girlfriend and knew it! They realise that now. I know I don't have an addictive personality, I can take or leave pretty much every vice there is. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sheefa Posted January 17, 2008 Share Posted January 17, 2008 One of my best mates brothers friends, Andy, has Autism and is ADDICTED to running. He doesn't work or study, is about 19-20 years old and runs 3-4 times a day. Would you class this as addiction or a disease? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Posted January 17, 2008 Share Posted January 17, 2008 Isn't what you're talking about called Will Power? Some people have it, others don't. Some want to give up...some don't really want so don't put in the effort and then regret it once their bodies become dependent. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blackie Posted January 17, 2008 Share Posted January 17, 2008 Isn't what you're talking about called Will Power? . possibly BUT i have just stopped doing certain things at the drop of a hat that people would call addictive but i havent got any willpower, from stopping smoking to staying off of this site Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Posted January 17, 2008 Share Posted January 17, 2008 possibly BUT i have just stopped doing certain things at the drop of a hat that people would call addictive but i havent got any willpower, from stopping smoking to staying off of this site You must have will power then. You decide you're not going to do something - and you don't. What makes you say you don't have will power? I bet it goes back to you don't really want to give up fags and this site. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlotte Posted January 17, 2008 Share Posted January 17, 2008 You must have will power then. You decide you're not going to do something - and you don't. What makes you say you don't have will power? I bet it goes back to you don't really want to give up fags and this site. Yep, exactly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blackie Posted January 17, 2008 Share Posted January 17, 2008 You must have will power then. You decide you're not going to do something - and you don't. What makes you say you don't have will power? smoking mainly, i cant seem to stop and thats mainly willpower. or even silly little things like telling myself i wont go on this site tonight and spend some time with the misses and then i end up coming on anyway ADDED: i really would like to give up smoking as my breathings messed right up sometimes and i'm only 30 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jamesmark Posted January 17, 2008 Share Posted January 17, 2008 I for one do not believe in will power, no such thing imho. You either do something or you don't, you either give something up or you don't. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Posted January 17, 2008 Share Posted January 17, 2008 smoking mainly, i cant seem to stop and thats mainly willpower. or even silly little things like telling myself i wont go on this site tonight and spend some time with the misses and then i end up coming on anyway ADDED: i really would like to give up smoking as my breathings messed right up sometimes and i'm only 30 That's also your bodies physical addiction though which is much harder to overcome. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blackie Posted January 17, 2008 Share Posted January 17, 2008 I for one do not believe in will power, no such thing imho. You either do something or you don't, you either give something up or you don't. thats got to be a form of willpower hasent it? strong willed? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Posted January 17, 2008 Share Posted January 17, 2008 You either do something or you don't, you either give something up or you don't. Exactly. You clearly have a strong mind with few grey areas. Others aren't so blessed. I'd say you're strong willed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blackie Posted January 17, 2008 Share Posted January 17, 2008 I'd say you're strong willed. i said that too Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jamesmark Posted January 17, 2008 Share Posted January 17, 2008 thats got to be a form of willpower hasent it? strong willed? Not really more of a choice. All this crap about I can't give up the cigs load of bull. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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