Addiction?

[*Nick*]

Let's try to keep this one on track, and not retarded as some other ones are *cough*.

How many of you are brave enough to admit addiction/dependence to a substance?
How many of you are able to muck around with substances and never go through prolonged withdrawals or miss the feeling of being "normal"?

EDIT: please excuse my dyslexic moment with "PHYSICAL" in the poll above.

[David]

This poll doesn't make any sense. A very small number of cannabis users are ever physically dependent, while the vast majority of those who could be called dependent on the substance are psychologically dependent.

[Gemini VI.V.XCV]

I have no addictions to drugs/alcohol/etc

[charlisangel]

This poll doesn't make any sense. A very small number of cannabis users are ever physically dependent, while the vast majority of those who could be called dependent on the substance are psychologically dependent.

But it happens, Im a proof.

Summer of 2008 I was STONED all the time when I stopped for school I had trouble sleeping, Sweating Probleme, Eating disorder and I was alway pissed and eritable for about a week.

I had a Ritalin (methenphilidate) addiction to last year. I dint get much sleep so to pick me up I would snort lines...then more lines to pick me up from the down ...folowing that cycle for easily a month I couldnt stop.

Thanks God I did and learned to NEVER make an habit of any drugs.

[David]

But it happens, Im a proof.

Summer of 2008 I was STONED all the time when I stopped for school I had trouble sleeping, Sweating Probleme, Eating disorder and I was alway pissed and eritable for about a week.

Yes, but I'm not implying that it doesn't happen, merely that to list cannabis as a physical addiction is backwards when for most it is a psychological addiction.

[charlisangel]

Yes, but I'm not implying that it doesn't happen, merely that to list cannabis as a physical addiction is backwards when for most it is a psychological addiction.

True..should have been included in both.

[*Nick*]

This poll doesn't make any sense. A very small number of cannabis users are ever physically dependent, while the vast majority of those who could be called dependent on the substance are psychologically dependent.

Not in my case.

I don't crave my clonazepam doses. I don't get a euphoric buzz from them; but if I go past 24 hrs. without taking at least 1mg. I start to notice withdrawal signs: agitation, malaise, nausea, insomnia, confusion, and panic attacks.

I know of a few, VERY heavy cannabis smokers who do indeed go through withdrawal... which weirdly is somewhat similar to benzo w/d, but far less intense.

Other than alcohol and opiates, one does not have to be psychologically addicted to any of the substances mentioned to go through w/d. Barbiturates and methaqualone work similarly (albeit with more affinity for GABAa) to benzos. One week of continuous use will lead to w/d without craving the drug.

About GHB, I've heard reports of people going through withdrawal after one usage, or more commonly, one binge. The fact that GHB itself is a stimulatory neurotransmitter that remains in the system longer than it's GABAb-ergic activation, and the massive down-regulation with glutamate..... the withdrawal is considered to be the most intense, and physically dangerous.

[David]

Not in my case.

I don't crave my clonazepam doses. I don't get a euphoric buzz from them; but if I go past 24 hrs. without taking at least 1mg. I start to notice withdrawal signs: agitation, malaise, nausea, insomnia, confusion, and panic attacks.

...I know the drug haze probably makes it difficult, but I was discussing cannabis, not clonazepam.

I know of a few, VERY heavy cannabis smokers who do indeed go through withdrawal... which weirdly is somewhat similar to benzo w/d, but far less intense.

...fascinating? I was not disputing that some few heavy smokers experience withdrawal, merely stating that for the vast majority cannabis is a psychologically addictive substance - which it is. I'm not talking about your small anecdotal minority, who are obviously not representative.

[*Nick*]

...I know the drug haze probably makes it difficult, but I was discussing cannabis, not clonazepam.



...fascinating? I was not disputing that some few heavy smokers experience withdrawal, merely stating that for the vast majority cannabis is a psychologically addictive substance - which it is. I'm not talking about your small anecdotal minority, who are obviously not representative.

Are the stomach and sleep cycle problems controlled by psychological addiction?.... cannabis is a painkiller, most certainly in its own class, but comparable to opioids/opiates in many ways... which regardless of psychological addiction, when people discontinue, they go through physical withdrawals.

All I'm saying is, cannabinoid receptors are not strictly located in the brain, however are found in numerous locations in the body, especially the stomach and intestines. When the body becomes accustomed to a substance easing the "pain" (hunger), and that said substance is withdrawn from the body, one will experience nausea, agitation of the digestive system, etc.

And I disagree that cannabis is a psychologically addictive substance: people do not crave it, per se, even when withdrawing. They'll pop a benzo, diphenhydramine... anything to ease their stomach and help with insomnia. Try handing lisdexamfetamine to a coke addict.... they will NOT get the same relief.

im addicted to caffeine. And ibuprofen.

Caffeine, maybe... and I did forget to put that up there.

But you are not addicted to ibuprofen.... that is impossible, as it has no action along the CNS; and more specifically the mesolimbic pathway.

[David]

And I disagree that cannabis is a psychologically addictive substance: people do not crave it, per se, even when withdrawing. They'll pop a benzo, diphenhydramine... anything to ease their stomach and help with insomnia. Try handing lisdexamfetamine to a coke addict.... they will NOT get the same relief.

You can disagree all you want, it won't make you more correct. Stop using your anecdotal observations of your clearly drug-addled friends as an attempt to stand in for actual data. It is outright wrong to state that cannabis addiction is not psychological for most people, and utterly inexplicable that you don't even include it as a psychological addiction in the poll.

But you are not addicted to ibuprofen.... that is impossible, as it has no action along the CNS; and more specifically the mesolimbic pathway.

You're just a fountain of misconceptions tonight, aren't you? Mesolimbic activity is not strictly required for a substance to be addictive; seeing as many non-drug activities can result in psychological addiction (ranging from gambling to video games to... tanning), how can you possibly say he's not addicted to them with any certainty?

[*Nick*]

You're just a fountain of misconceptions tonight, aren't you? Mesolimbic activity is not strictly required for a substance to be addictive; seeing as many non-drug activities can result in psychological addiction (ranging from gambling to video games to... tanning), how can you possibly say he's not addicted to them with any certainty?

....... Food and sex have been linked to increased dopaminergic activity along said pathway. Adrenergic rushes may also increase dopaminergic activity.... as it certainly does with serotonin, what's to say that simulation of war cannot stimulate norepinephrine release, subsequently releasing smaller amounts of dopamine as well as serotonin.

Tanning would be a habit formation... not an addiction.
David.. I'm surprised at your lack of knowledge over addiction. And no... mine isn't from drug addled friends, mine is from my psychology class. I interviewed Dr. Ethan Kass (just google him.. he's renowned for his work with this subject) who is also my psychiatrist when I wrote a paper about addiction, and how it differs from physical dependence, and habit formation.

[charlisangel]

^^ Yea your right. How could you get addicted to ibuprofen? Seriously.

[Luke]

I'm curious as to what you would define me.

I have never ever touched drugs, when sober. As soon as I've had a few drinks, yeah sure, pass me some. And for what everyone says about drugs being so much more dangerous when you've been drinking, it's the only time I take them

Now, I'd say if I've been drinking, 3/4 times when I'm out. (this only includes out on a proper night out btw, in clubs etc) I will look for either ecstacy/mdma or cocaine. Primarily cocaine. I wouldn't dream of doing it when sober but when I'm out, I feel like I need it to improve the night. Would you say that's a form of psychological addiction, or purely habitual?

[charlisangel]

I'm curious as to what you would define me.

I have never ever touched drugs, when sober. As soon as I've had a few drinks, yeah sure, pass me some. And for what everyone says about drugs being so much more dangerous when you've been drinking, it's the only time I take them

Now, I'd say if I've been drinking, 3/4 times when I'm out. (this only includes out on a proper night out btw, in clubs etc) I will look for either ecstacy/mdma or cocaine. Primarily cocaine. I wouldn't dream of doing it when sober but when I'm out, I feel like I need it to improve the night. Would you say that's a form of psychological addiction, or purely habitual?

Kind of an habituation if you ask me. I do the same almsot the same thing. When Ive been drinking Il be wanting somehing to smoke (Cigs , Cigars) ..Mostly because Im alway around people smoking and offering me when im drinking..and now the 2 are kinda connected for me.

[*Nick*]

I'm curious as to what you would define me.

I have never ever touched drugs, when sober. As soon as I've had a few drinks, yeah sure, pass me some. And for what everyone says about drugs being so much more dangerous when you've been drinking, it's the only time I take them

Now, I'd say if I've been drinking, 3/4 times when I'm out. (this only includes out on a proper night out btw, in clubs etc) I will look for either ecstacy/mdma or cocaine. Primarily cocaine. I wouldn't dream of doing it when sober but when I'm out, I feel like I need it to improve the night. Would you say that's a form of psychological addiction, or purely habitual?

Social user. And nothing more.