Addictions: are we predisposed?

[opie's twisted balls]

I believe that some people have a predisposition to addiction but is it addiction specific?

I've had jobs over the years where it was the norm for everyone to smoke. If you were working you smoked....in the truck, in the office, in the coffee room, during the safety meetings. I'm sure the average person (myself included) went through two packs during each 12 hour shift. I'd do this for four months then when I rotated back back to the corporate offices just stopped smoking. No cravings, no (extra) irritability, no weight gain, etc.

On the flip side I've also gone through periods where I've drank too much (i.e. bottle of scotch a night for a few months at time) and giving that up was tough. Although I'd likely been considered an alcoholic I never did the 12 steps or other treatment just quit cold turkey when I knew I was out of control. I'd crave getting my drunk on every night and when I didn't would be a sweaty shaking basket case.

So, are there some substances I'm just biochemically drawn to or....?

Gracias dude!

[sr71blackbird]

I believe that some people have a predisposition to addiction but is it addiction specific?

I've had jobs over the years where it was the norm for everyone to smoke. If you were working you smoked....in the truck, in the office, in the coffee room, during the safety meetings. I'm sure the average person (myself included) went through two packs during each 12 hour shift. I'd do this for four months then when I rotated back back to the corporate offices just stopped smoking. No cravings, no (extra) irritability, no weight gain, etc.

On the flip side I've also gone through periods where I've drank too much (i.e. bottle of scotch a night for a few months at time) and giving that up was tough. Although I'd likely been considered an alcoholic I never did the 12 steps or other treatment just quit cold turkey when I knew I was out of control. I'd crave getting my drunk on every night and when I didn't would be a sweaty shaking basket case.

So, are there some substances I'm just biochemically drawn to or....?

Gracias dude!


Amazingly, I have a similar ability to quit cold turkey, but the cigarettes and alcohol and I was doing the bottle of scotch a night for 2 years and I just stopped when I saw how I would be driving around and noting liquor stores when I wasnt drunk. So I just finished the bottle and never bought more and the habit fell away from me. I just said to myself that I am done with it, and I did crave it for a few days, but it went away quick. I was even drinking grappa like that, strong ass shit.
Same with cigarettes. But, if I fall into the habit again, it seems like I am all in or all out, so I just swear it off. No more. So I have not done anything bad for me for years now, the only thing that I honestly have trouble with is over eating, and I think I will apply my same thoughts to that. But my major obstacle is going to be moderation, because like I said, I am either all in or all out and with food, that seems like an impossible challenge. But I will try it, maybe selectively.

[opie's twisted balls]

I just stopped when I saw how I would be driving around and noting liquor stores when I wasnt drunk
Last time I gave up the binge drinking was when was buying scotch a few cases at a time since I was sick of the condescending look I'd get from the liquor store clerk when she saw me every day. Decided I wasn't in a healthy frame to deal with someone else's scorn by bulk buying the vice.

I quit, didn't have a drink for about six months and since then have a far more moderate consumption. A cocktail in the evening once and a while, wine with dinner, beer on a hot day.....normal stuff not like I'm trying to rape my liver.


I was even drinking grappa
I'd sooner lick the floor of an NYC cab. Grappa is vile.


it seems like I am all in or all out
I'm that way with a lot of things. Even hobbies....when I took up fly fishing (no Yimmy Norden its not a sport but it is a way for me to be alone with the voices in my head) I didn't see if I'd really enjoy it first. Hell no, I went to Orvis and dropped a few grand. Fuck sakes I can be such and idiot.


So I have not done anything bad for me for years now, the only thing that I honestly have trouble with is over eating, and I think I will apply my same thoughts to that. But my major obstacle is going to be moderation, because like I said, I am either all in or all out and with food, that seems like an impossible challenge.
Its a cliche but damnit, it would be easier if some food didn't taste so good. If I let myself go with food I'd be a gigantic mess in no time. I don't mean Steve C fat I mean having to be taken to the hospital on the back of a lowboy fat. If its something I really like I just don't get full.....can just eat and eat and eat till I have a wafer thin mint and explode.

[Dr Steve]

I believe that some people have a predisposition to addiction but is it addiction specific?

I've had jobs over the years where it was the norm for everyone to smoke. If you were working you smoked....in the truck, in the office, in the coffee room, during the safety meetings. I'm sure the average person (myself included) went through two packs during each 12 hour shift. I'd do this for four months then when I rotated back back to the corporate offices just stopped smoking. No cravings, no (extra) irritability, no weight gain, etc.

On the flip side I've also gone through periods where I've drank too much (i.e. bottle of scotch a night for a few months at time) and giving that up was tough. Although I'd likely been considered an alcoholic I never did the 12 steps or other treatment just quit cold turkey when I knew I was out of control. I'd crave getting my drunk on every night and when I didn't would be a sweaty shaking basket case.

So, are there some substances I'm just biochemically drawn to or....?

Gracias dude!


This is a mystery that has yet to be answered. It is apparent that there is a genetic component to alcoholism...if you have an alcoholic parent, you're more likely to have problems with alcohol, if you're of certain asian descent you may be more likely to have problems as well. One thing we do know is that people who have a decreased number of "delta opioid receptors" (pain and pleasure receptors) are at risk for becoming alcohol dependent.

There are narcotic receptors in the brain, as well as cannabis receptors and all kinds of other receptors that accept mind-altering substances. Some people prefer OxyContin, some prefer alcohol, some don't give a shit and just use everything. It's part of the natural variation of humankind and beyond that I honestly don't have an answer.


your pal,


steve

[opie's twisted balls]

Cool! Since I'm not Asian and no addicts in my direct family I guess I can cross those two off the list.

I find this stuff fascinating that while we're mostly the same its the minuscule differences at th cellular level that seem to make or break us.

[Dr Steve]

Cool! Since I'm not Asian and no addicts in my direct family I guess I can cross those two off the list.

I find this stuff fascinating that while we're mostly the same its the minuscule differences at th cellular level that seem to make or break us.

agreed. it's amazing, actually. how can protein code for behavior?

and once you're alive, you're pretty hard to kill, really, but ONE MOLECULE OFF in your DNA can keep you from being born.

[opie's twisted balls]

and once you're alive, you're pretty hard to kill, really, but ONE MOLECULE OFF in your DNA can keep you from being born.

I'm mom's second child and in between my brother and I she had two miscarriages. Obviously distraught over this she talked to her OB who made a comment something to the effect of "If you're healthy and you have a healthy baby you can probably fall from a telephone pole while pregnant but if there's something wrong the body knows and will end the pregnancy." Granted its an over simplification of things and clearly some pregnancies make it to term that shouldn't (perez hilton comes to mind) but as a species we're kind of cool.