Is drug and alcohol addiction just a bad habit? Or is it a disease?

"Weaker" isn't a term I would use. I prefer more fortitude: "courage in adversity". The ability to see past pain and negative - to see better in the future and not look in the rear view mirror.

I have been addicted, to multiple things. I love margaritas, kailua and cream, Irish coffees, and Long Island ice teas. I cannot bring beer or liquor over the threshold of my home because if it is there and I allow myself to get to feeling sorry for myself, sad, or lonely: I drink until I fall into sleep easily.

I also have a sleep disorder, insomnia since I was 10.

I have mentioned in this forum before: suicide has always been a constant alternative in my life full of challenges. But I do not bring that across my doorstep either.

It has taken me until I am 70 to finally get a stronghold over addictive substances. I love the way oxycontin makes me feel, too, but keep it around the house? Never. And I let all my health care providers know it.

"Mother Nature", "genetics" whatever you want to call it intends to create stronger and stronger biology. She does her thing and those not blessed with the brain wired for fortitude (survival) will pass along one way or another.

I don't intent to mess with Mother Nature and use the will God gave me to keep moving forward, no matter the pain life deals me.

I am not stronger than others, I am just more blessed and know it. I try to bring others along with me...during the journey by setting an example. It is all I can do...play fortitude forward.

Lines in the sand. What keeps us moving forward.

According to Mayo Clinic:

"... addiction, also called substance use disorder, is a disease that affects a person's brain and behavior and leads to an inability to control the use of a legal or illegal drug or medicine"

Read more here: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/drug-addiction/symptoms-causes/syc-20365112

There is much more acknowledgement in the world that caring for our mental health is as important as our physical health. That said, stigma around mental health and substance use disorder remains. Words like weakness, selfish, choice, etc. are not helpful and they do not help with recovery or the management of disease.

As others have mentioned in the discussion, managing a chronic condition, like addiction, is hard. Recovery takes time and constant attention, along with the support of medical professionals and the people around you. That can include the support of members of this forum, too.

For this reason, I would like to remind everyone of the Community Guidelines (https://connect.mayoclinic.org/blog/about-connect/tab/community-guidelines/) Respect for all members is the foundation of Mayo Clinic Connect. Please show respect for members even when you do not share their views. Disagreements are fine. But mutual respect is essential.

Thanks Ginny,

Terrific read. Bill W was the perfect messenger for suffering alcoholics at the perfect time. His writing is just so "readable and relatable". And this one was published in 1958, when I was 3 y/o!

I know emotional sobriety came for me much harder and much later that initial sobriety, with many painful lessons, relapses (and a few bright spots). I survived it and with the help of people who never gave up on me, life is wonderful.

Thanks again Ginny!

Joe

Irish Coffee! I remember many a night at the Buena Vista on the San Francisco wharf. They claim to have invented Irish Coffee. It's a marvelous and old restaurant/bar where you meet a lot of people. I miss those little glasses of IC....... But not that much!

The only other alcoholic drink I miss is a Bombay Sapphire martini, very dry, twist and an olive. At the end of my drinking I couldn't even taste alcohol. I still remember the smell and taste of Bombay Sapphire, and every time I walk in a restaurant with a large bar, I can pick out the pale-blue bottle instantly.

Small sacrifices for all the benefits I've gotten from sobriety - like my life! 15 plus years, and today is still the only day that matters.

Joe

Thanks Kelsey and well said. Love that "Disagreements are fine... But mutual respect is essential."

What a wonderful world we would have if everyone believed this and acted accordingly.

Joe

@heyjoe415 I am still growing up! I still battle the hole inside and trying to fill it with outside things (not booze or drugs tho...) Recognizing that part of me has helped me catch when I feel restless and irritable. I struggle, but we all do I suppose. So glad you are sober and positive. Grateful for you and all the others here and in my life.

I found out almost 30 years ago that my drinking was controlling my life , not me. Later I found out that I was GAD (general anxiety disorder) and I started taking meds to help with that. I started drinking when I was a teenager performing with 30 year old men around the Midwest in a band in the 60’s. I’m 78 this year and much happier than when I was trying to deal with my alcoholic addiction. Be happy, it’s a blast!!

@kelseyt I like "agree to disagree."

Thank you for your kind words Ginny.

Once I got sober from alcohol, I realized there were a whole lot of other things for me to get addicted to - some of them, like exercise, had upside. Others, like "romantic" relationships, had mostly downside (and with rare exception, there was nothing "romantic" about those relationships).

So with sponsors, I'll sometimes work at least some of the steps on these other issues. But like you, I rely more on self-awareness now, and try to recognize behaviors that are bad for me and the people around me and self correct. That's hard. That's also why it's good to have a sponsor.

Joe

Well said BoneHead, well said.

I'm 71, so went through the wonderful 60s a little younger than you. You are the age my brother would be if he were still alive. So you probably went through the draft lottery, or maybe you served? Either way, they were interesting and disturbing years, both at the same time.

And it took me about 30 years to get sober as well! I was about 48. And no I don't have 23 years of sobriety, right now it's almost 16 years. I took a few detours. I'm lucky I found my way back, because this life is great.

Joe