Do we addicts have a disease? For real? How do we know that?

[clean_in_ks]

Whether it's opiates, cocaine, alcohol, methamphetamines, nicotine, gambling, food, or any other possible addiction whether behavioral or substance originated...this video CONVINCED me addiction is a brain disease.  I have already been doing extensive research to better understand myself , other addicts in my life and addiction in general, but this video???  It's the bomb diggity, guys!  I mean it......it made me laugh, cry, understand things I have ALWAYS questioned.

How do we KNOW it's a disease?  Are we a dependent abuser/user or truly an addict?  Why do we have cravings?
What makes the cravings intensify and drive us crazy (like for me the past few weeks?)  Really?  For Real?
Why do our personalities and interests change?  Why do we do things we would never find ourselves EVER doing if it wasn't for the addiction? Behaviors and things considered "morally wrong"?....are we bad people?

I have two addicts in my family that I love with all my heart and soul.  I helped them both A LOT when I was newly clean....almost too much...risking my own recovery by wearing myself out.  But you know what, they both CONVINCED me they wanted their children back....and they were gonna stay clean when they got out of jail/prison THIS time.  One is back in jail being held by the feds....the other is MIA and out using again and making no contact with our family or his children.  I was really trippin about this....and I'M A DRUG ADDICT MYSELF, guys!!  But I allowed myself to develop "an attitude" and it's been creating TONS of stress.  I love them SO MUCH....and after I watched this video, I balled my eyes out.....and I told my husband..."Honey, I can't believe it....I understand them NOW"  You see, they are both methamphetamine addicts, one has been since she was 12 yr old and she's 38 now!
I thought I understood A LOT before......but now, guys?  You just gotta find an hr in your life to watch this.  

It is a long video, yes.  About 1:12:38 running time.  But I promise, it will be the best hour you could spend if you have an interest in addiction.  There is an introductory speaker at the beginning because the keynote speaker is at a seminar of some kind.  I was GLUED to it.  I learned SO MUCH.  This information has just been published in the last 3 to 5 yrs so some treatment centers and outpatient facilities are most likely using it.  But what about all of us that don't know about it?  Every single person, addict, non-addict, wife, husband, parent, that loves an addict or IS an addict HAS to watch this.  I've seen clips of this guy's videos before...but not THIS ONE!!!

I feel transformed after watching it....like an enlightenment.  Blessed me BIG TIME.  Don't let the title throw you.....it's about addiction being provable as a disease.....it starts off a tad slow....but watch it ALL.....please.  I'm sending the link to every person I know.  Some, maybe most, may not carve out the hr of time to watch it.....but at least I passed it on.  Right?  Can't control others....only me, myself and I.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Hz6-2NwRzE

It makes me appreciate every struggling, suffering, addict ALL THE MORE.

God bless you all, each and everyone of you~
Connie

[VICourageous]

Yes, Yes this is my point of view. I know he trying to help the addict with knowledge and support instead of sending them away. He also speaks of the past when they used to put one in the corner of a room until they sobered up. He is trying to make a point, as so many Dr now are getting it too. It needs to be addressed as a disease and we need help not thrown in the asylum house or in the corner of a room.
And this is why I am going to go with some in NA to the schools. I sure do pray that some day they might just make it a hour class for the kids to know more then we did. I just remember a egg being fried in a pan and saying this is your brain..Well maybe if they would of scrambled it, it might have got to me more..Ahhh You know, should of..could of.. would we have listen? Who knows but back when I was way younger I do not think so. It was all about the party back then, and the environment thing. Everyone is having fun so I think I will join in..Ya! right! Well I sure am paying the price now. BUT it is so worth it..RIGHT???

[weaver71]

That's the central point I saw ABN. He even broke it down as if he was making his four arguments to a jury. I had not seen that approach. It didn't change my life, but it may change the next generation of addicts lives.

[weaver71]

Predisposition does play a role, but the rat experiments Vicki talked about above, show it addiction can be acquired by low predisposition Rats, it takes more exposure, but the brain the end chemical emballance is the same. Perhaps a disease classification will help those first introduced to drugs by a respected doctor will be seen as accidents rather than people with bad character. The big question each day, sometimes minute is, "Now What?" The answer keeps changing, but as long as I don't use and am happy about, it is the right answer, for now. I vauge for MedHelp therapy. Keep coming back, it works if you work it.

[ActingBrandNew]

This is a very good discussion...so much information. I thought about the video some more and I do think the overall point....or goal I should say, that Dr. McCauley is trying to ultimately achieve is for addicts to get treatment rather than get sent to prison where there is no rehabilitation. He basically said at the end that his goal is to go to district attorneys and treat those that have been arrested over drugs as "patients" with rights rather than criminals.

I do support this thinking as being from California where prison is "Big Business" addicts should be offered better rehabilitation rather than sending people to prison where they get no help.

[VICourageous]

Yes I have lots and lots of information and videos on this. They are doing a lot more studying about it then in the past. I have some paper work that also says that people who are born with less Dopamine can become addicted a lot easier. That is when they say Genes play a factor but so does environment..Plus many, many other issues. When I did get clean back in Sept I was over analyzing my past on why or what might have made me use. Was each one or a certain drug for a different emotion. This is why I stopped doing this and decided to move on.
I seen that video a long time ago with the Rat. They say that reptiles only have the Mid brain-Pleasure (survival) part of the brain. That is why they say that survival like eating, sex or water does not matter any more that it becomes a one track mind to seek the substance for pleasure. As you know that the rat was getting shocked each time he push that button for the cocaine and he did not care about the female in heat or even if he had a gourmet meal.They where just trying to make a point that sometimes it gets so out of control in our life that nothing else matter but the pleasure we will when we get our drug of choice. They a also say people with serious metal issues can get hooked a lot faster and harder. I did put some of this info in my Journal way back when. I have so much more.
Bless us ALL and lets continue toward our Recovery..The first Step was the Biggest Step of it All..

[michael1953296]

I have a ebook by a doctor sorry can't remember his name now but it's titled The addictive brain he goes and show that addicts brain chemistry is very different than a non addict. Now I am speaking about the brain chemistry/the way you are wired from birth not having any drugs in your system.. That's why you see a lot of people when they first take opiates they stop cuz they don't like the feeling at all and then you have others that after their first opiate they are in love..
Michael