Addiction is not a disease — and we’re treating addicts incorrectly

[JLM]

I believe addiction is as much about lifestyle as it is physical.

I stopped smoking cold turkey exactly 2 weeks ago. It has been surprisingly easy. Yes the first few days were a little tough but anytime I wanted to deal with the withdrawal I just reminded myself that cigarettes were causing the withdrawal and weren't the solution.

Part of why it is has been easy for me is I really do want to quit. I think most people trying to quit still want to smoke. I don't. I've been on an exercise program for nearly 3 years and the stopping is bringing me to a whole new fitness level. I have so many reasons not to smoke I know I never will again. It's strange, I don't even think about it. Certainly not like "oh I want to have one." I don't. It seems like I haven't smoked for years.

My point here though is smoking has been much easier to break than I ever expected. Perhaps it's sold to be tougher than it really is so people will buy the addiction breaking products and services.

I agree, I quit 21/2 years ago. I had a health issue at the time that spurred me on besides the fact that I was bothered with the money I was wasting on the habit & after spending 6 days in hospital I never gave smoking another thought. I think if a person gets gung ho about something and some bad habit is a deterrent that in itself is a big help to quitting. Me- I got gung ho about wanting to remain alive for awhile.

 

[gerryh]

Lay off the guy Gerry, he has enough to contend with without the likes of you getting on his case.

Why, because he "says" he's autistic? He also "says" he's 20 and a college graduate. He "says" all kinds of things. Doesn't mean any of it is true. For all I know, "he" is a 45 yr old pedo taking a break from trolling kids boards or "he" could be a 12 yr old female trying to be "grownup". Point is, he/she/it doesn't get any special treatment from me because of who he/she/it "says" they are. I've been on the net for long enough to know that "people" aren't always who they say they are.

 

[JLM]

Why, because he "says" he's autistic? He also "says" he's 20 and a college graduate. He "says" all kinds of things. Doesn't mean any of it is true. For all I know, "he" is a 45 yr old pedo taking a break from trolling kids boards or "he" could be a 12 yr old female trying to be "grownup". Point is, he/she/it doesn't get any special treatment from me because of who he/she/it "says" they are. I've been on the net for long enough to know that "people" aren't always who they say they are.

You're possibly quite right, but I like to try to start out taking a person at face value- to me he sounds pretty unsophisticated about the ways of the world & I do detect slight communication problems, so for now I'd rather give him the benefit of the doubt. I realize after what I said about Omar lots of people think I'm crazy or stupid but I can live with that.

 

[MellencampFan]

And I can live with one idiot thinking a 20 year old can't have graduated college, and that having autism means you can't use the internet or be smart and independent.

 

[gerryh]

I realize after what I said about Omar lots of people think I'm crazy or stupid but I can live with that.

Omar isn't the reason.

 

[Walter]

I believe addiction is as much about lifestyle as it is physical.

I stopped smoking cold turkey exactly 2 weeks ago. It has been surprisingly easy. Yes the first few days were a little tough but anytime I wanted to deal with the withdrawal I just reminded myself that cigarettes were causing the withdrawal and weren't the solution.

Part of why it is has been easy for me is I really do want to quit. I think most people trying to quit still want to smoke. I don't. I've been on an exercise program for nearly 3 years and the stopping is bringing me to a whole new fitness level. I have so many reasons not to smoke I know I never will again. It's strange, I don't even think about it. Certainly not like "oh I want to have one." I don't. It seems like I haven't smoked for years.

My point here though is smoking has been much easier to break than I ever expected. Perhaps it's sold to be tougher than it really is so people will buy the addiction breaking products and services.

Good for you. I hope you're able to keep it going. I quit for the final time when my 23 year old was born. Craved a fag for a few years but not no more.

 

[gerryh]

And I can live with one idiot thinking a 20 year old can't have graduated college, and that having autism means you can't use the internet or be smart and independent.

I don't think any of those things. You go ahead though and keep showing your ignorance.








BTW, I know someone with Aspergers. He is a VERY intelligent young man. Taking honours science as a matter of fact. Having Aspergers has nothing to do with a lack of intelligence. Comments you have made is what is showing your ignorance.






note* there is a difference between ignorance, and intelligence.

 

[MellencampFan]

I don't think any of those things. You go ahead though and keep showing your ignorance.








BTW, I know someone with Aspergers. He is a VERY intelligent young man. Taking honours science as a matter of fact. Having Aspergers has nothing to do with a lack of intelligence. Comments you have made is what is showing your ignorance.





note* there is a difference between ignorance, and intelligence.

I never said it makes a lack of intelligence. I said I also have other things. One of the things used in deciphering aspergers from other forms of autism is a high IQ, it can be very high or it can be average so (average to high IQ), mine is slightly higher than average. People with classic autism tend to be low IQ among other differences. Knowing one person with aspergers or other form of autism, means you only know that one person, not any others, it's a spectrum and we are all different with a combination of different symptoms and traits, making each one unique. Now who's the ignorant one?

 

[gerryh]

I never said it makes a lack of intelligence. I said I also have other things. One of the things used in deciphering aspergers from other forms of autism is a high IQ, it can be very high or it can be average so (average to high IQ), mine is slightly higher than average. People with classic autism tend to be low IQ among other differences. Knowing one person with aspergers or other form of autism, means you only know that one person, not any others, it's a spectrum and we are all different with a combination of different symptoms and traits, making each one unique. Now who's the ignorant one?

and I have a nephew who is autistic..... don't go down the autism road a$$hole..... you won't fu cking like what I will do to you.

 

[MellencampFan]

and I have a nephew who is autistic..... don't go down the autism road a$$hole..... you won't fu cking like what I will do to you.

I have friends who are autistic, know parents of autistic children, met many people with autism of any type in therapy groups etc, I think I'm just as educated on it as you or perhaps even more. a$$hole.

 

[Machjo]

Someone's off his meds again?

 

[gerryh]

I have friends who are autistic, know parents of autistic children, met many people with autism of any type in therapy groups etc, I think I'm just as educated on it as you or perhaps even more. a$$hole.

Really, I'm serious. You want to argue with me about ****, that's fine. You want to start in on autism..... don't go there. You've been warned. I will tear you apart in every single thread you post in. I will turn you into a quivering pile of liquid shyte. That is not a threat, that is a guarantee. IF you are who you say you are, then you don't want to go there as I am one of the biggest a$$holes you will ever meet. You have had fair warning.

 

[Kreskin]

MellencampFan, try not to make eye contact with Gerry.

 

[SLM]

Really, I'm serious. You want to argue with me about ****, that's fine. You want to start in on autism..... don't go there. You've been warned. I will tear you apart in every single thread you post in. I will turn you into a quivering pile of liquid shyte. That is not a threat, that is a guarantee. IF you are who you say you are, then you don't want to go there as I am one of the biggest a$$holes you will ever meet. You have had fair warning.

Seriously dude, he's not kidding. He doesn't suffer fools, or anyone, lightly!

I like Gerry and I'm telling you this, lol. Heed the warnings.

 

[MellencampFan]

I put geryth on ignore, obviously he just likes to pick fights for no reason, or is over-emotional and thinks the people he knows describe everyone with said thing, just isn't true.

 

[JLM]

Omar isn't the reason.

That's good to hear. It seemed I was out numbered.

I put geryth on ignore, obviously he just likes to pick fights for no reason, or is over-emotional and thinks the people he knows describe everyone with said thing, just isn't true.

Not sure why he has a problem with just letting things go with the comment "I disagree".

 

[DaSleeper]

Most people have an opinion on everything....
What is not necessary or advisable is the need to broadcast it all the time......

 

[JLM]

Most people have an opinion on everything....
What is not necessary or advisable is the need to broadcast it all the time......

So why do you do it?

 

[MellencampFan]

So why do you do it?

lol.

 

[Twila]

I put geryth on ignore, obviously he just likes to pick fights for no reason, or is over-emotional and thinks the people he knows describe everyone with said thing, just isn't true.

the guys a goof. Ignoring him is for the best. Especially if you're looking to actually discuss things. If you want to name call back and forth, he's your guy.