id: 10061 - Text: His crack addiction fuels his sex addiction.... This is the saddest thing. I hope he finds strength to get well. As I've said before addiction is not a disease of choice but of bad choices.
id: 10123 - Text: When I first did crack cocaine, I remember thinking it was better than the best sex I had ever had. I spent tens of thousands of dollars on it before I finally got into recovery. The thing people don’t tell you, is one hit can get a person addicted.
id: 10204 - Text: Outdated concept that really needs to die. Most of what we knew about addiction is wrong and a lot of that stuff is still what most people believe. A lot of people can't even define addiction, let alone explain the difference between addiction and dependence.
Addiction: A compulsion to continue to do or seek something out despite the negative consequences it has on the person's life. It is purely mental, which is why you get people with gambling, shopping, sex, and other addictions.
Cause: Trauma and/or mental illness. Dysregulation in the childhood home is a huge factor for a lot of addicts. Having family with a history of addiction puts the patient at higher risk.
Dependence: Is basically when you need something or else you become ill or have other negative response to discontinuation of whatever that is. This was once called "physical addiction" but that is outdated and leads to confusion. Some illegal substances cause withdrawal after developing dependence, others don't, Dependence is not a sign of addiction, but addiction can often come with a dependence. I personally am dependent on Effexor. Not something anyone could ever get high off of, but it is known for extreme physical symptoms if discontinued without taper.
Rock bottom isn't a thing.
"Tough love" is another thing that is hugely outdated. If someone's addiction is affecting you negatively you always have the right to cut that person off or distance yourself from them. However, we now know that tough love harms more addicts than not. The current idea to give emotional support without enabling. Especially when it comes to relapse since most addicts will already be extremely shamed by their failure instead of accepting that it is part of the process of getting better. Having people you know won't judge your failure leads to them not needing to hide it and thus get help faster. These are people who are already damaged so emotional support and understanding are what they need to help move past their issues. There are some variances to that though since people are all so different.
Unfortunately, it's very common for people to believe addiction is a moral failing instead of a symptom of trauma so a lot of people don't get the support they need.
I have previously gone the 'tough love' route because I thought that was right. It's really hard knowing I could have tried something kinder and more understanding. There's a ton of guilt there, but hopefully, by sharing accurate info I can help others avoid my mistakes.
id: 10222 - Text: Sexual Trauma. Always prevalent in stories of addiction. Sexual abuse of children is no doubt the real pandemic. Hurts me so bad 💔
id: 10228 - Text: I’m rooting for this guy ..do an update when he’s sober or maybe he won’t be so forthcoming. I’ve heard of that “sexual fantasy thing during drug use” before.
id: 10332 - Text: A trick is what picks up a prostitute and pays for a sexual act they call them Johns or tricks
id: 10342 - Text: It's a person who pays for sex with a sex worker.
id: 10343 - Text: @thematriarchy2075 thank you, the phrase 'turning tricks' in the UK can mean selling sex, but I've never heard buying sex phrased like that. I ended up thinking maybe some of these were fake (trick) interviews - as in they were making stuff up for money
id: 10379 - Text: Crazy how everyone trashes the sex workers but guy’s like this get “insightful and truthful and decent and honest it’s really really wild
id: 10382 - Text: @stalkerbabychild idk what your saying is total bs but I find it total bullshit they trash the sex workers and have nothing but nice things to say for this man that’s crazy lol