Addiction and disease

[bubbaganoosh]

I often hear about addiction being a disease much like diabetes, Example i need to take my methadone just like a diabetic? But just like diabetics you can eat right exercise and become free of it...and medication, so why not addiction then?? If we do the right things cant that be the same?

[bubbaganoosh]

Hi spacecadette i hope you dont go because of me, i enjoy your threads, im learning to here was just qoating something a therapist told me once, and well for the wishfull thinking part too, I will take a look at Recovery without aftercare post, I guess i just hate the word permanant lol, but please your posts are informative and well sometimes us folk in WD can be a bit edgy too. But i feel we all can learn things from each other, This therapist once said to me about fears i should have been more specific but addiction and that i am a novice too cheers

[spacecadette]

Not referring to you getting pissed.  SEE "Recovery without aftercare" post.  K i'm done now i promise..:)

[spacecadette]

It's like parkinsons. It can be managed, but not reveresed.  Hence, AFTER CARE!!!!! I'm not posting anymore cuz people keep getting pissed at me.  All the best.

[bubbaganoosh]

My own thought's i feel nothing is irreversable as far as the brain goes? you mention

The new neurological pathways are permanently established, and they will not just disappear. The primary neurological disorder is only complicated by physical dependence on the substances. The physical dependence on the substances is secondary!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  Physical drug withdrawal does not change the underlying neurological addictive disorder

Permanant pathways well i think new pathways can be devloped too with training and persistance well a therapist had once told me? sure theyre are underlying disorders and substance is secondary, I figure well we spent the first 10years of our lives without addiction at least as kids so why cant you go back to that?

[spacecadette]

I appreciate the vote of confidance and have to wonder how have you been?? What happened with your sub??

[whyohwhy1234]

Very informative and well said.  I learned a lot. Thank you. :)

[worried878]

Have pondered and read about this myself...I do think we can feel normal again if we do everything right and stay off the pills...time is of the essence...i just dont think we can ever use again...not successfully without becoming dependent again...if we are carfeful and have support, i think we can use them for short term after surgery and such but with great caution...it will never be the same for us as before....not even 10 years after becoming clean....a diabetic can never eat a diet high in sugar, a blood pressure/heart patient will always have to avoid salt and be careful..an addict will always have to avoid their DOC...it is just the way it is i think

[what2donow]

Very well worded and I couldnt agree more

[spacecadette]

Addiction is a neruologically based disease.  The reason addicts have lost control is because they have suffered permanent physical neurological changes based in their brains and nervous systems. The disorder manifests in long term obsessive-compulsive behaviors outside the realm of the addicts own control. It is true enough that the use of chemicals begins with chosen behavior. But if alcoholism or addiction develops, the problem has moved outside the realm of free choice. It has developed into a long term mental and physical neurological disorder. All the emotional 'feelings' involved in drug or alcohol seeking are based in neurology. Addiction is based in physical dependency created by altered neurotransmitter balances, and driven by millions upon millions of new living, functioning active neurological pathways which have been established to sustain the condition in the addicts brain. The new neurological pathways are permanently established, and they will not just disappear. The primary neurological disorder is only complicated by physical dependence on the substances. The physical dependence on the substances is secondary!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  Physical drug withdrawal does not change the underlying neurological addictive disorder. After drug withdrawal, long term overpowering cravings are predictable. These cravings are, in reality, spontaneous nerve impulses. Even in the longer term, overwhelming cravings are outside the addicts control.  So it can be prevented, but seldom reversed.  All the best