Register | Sign In


Understanding through Discussion


EvC Forum active members: 65 (9162 total)
5 online now:
Newest Member: popoi
Post Volume: Total: 915,808 Year: 3,065/9,624 Month: 910/1,588 Week: 93/223 Day: 4/17 Hour: 1/1


Thread  Details

Email This Thread
Newer Topic | Older Topic
  
Author Topic:   Addiction By Definition
Phat
Member
Posts: 18262
From: Denver,Colorado USA
Joined: 12-30-2003
Member Rating: 1.1


Message 136 of 331 (797167)
01-13-2017 1:05 PM
Reply to: Message 132 by jar
12-19-2016 8:15 AM


Day 180
Today is day 180. I went and saw my counselor yesterday. We discussed...among other things...the idea that the flip side of entitlement is responsibility. I thought of you when he said that!
jar writes:
Praying like gambling or eating or drugs or most any THING is not the addiction. When how you perform or use the THING interferes with normal behavior, with other people, with family, with work, with your health then that behavior can be the issue or addiction.
I certainly feel as if prayer is important in that it shifts my focus off of myself and onto God. Do you feel that God can do anything for us that he has not already done?
Am I sober 180 days due to myself or did God play a part in this?

Chance as a real force is a myth. It has no basis in reality and no place in scientific inquiry. For science and philosophy to continue to advance in knowledge, chance must be demythologized once and for all. —RC Sproul
"A lie can travel half way around the world while the truth is putting on its shoes." —Mark Twain "
~"If that's not sufficient for you go soak your head."~Faith
Whoever trusts in his own mind is a fool, but he who walks in wisdom will be delivered.~Proverbs 28:26

This message is a reply to:
 Message 132 by jar, posted 12-19-2016 8:15 AM jar has not replied

Replies to this message:
 Message 137 by Tangle, posted 01-13-2017 1:53 PM Phat has seen this message but not replied
 Message 138 by RAZD, posted 01-13-2017 2:28 PM Phat has not replied
 Message 141 by NoNukes, posted 01-15-2017 6:45 PM Phat has seen this message but not replied

  
Tangle
Member
Posts: 9489
From: UK
Joined: 10-07-2011
Member Rating: 4.9


Message 137 of 331 (797172)
01-13-2017 1:53 PM
Reply to: Message 136 by Phat
01-13-2017 1:05 PM


Re: Day 180
Phat writes:
Am I sober 180 days due to myself or did God play a part in this?
Speaking of flip sides, when you were a drunk, did god play a part in it?
It's very common to bless god for deliverance but fail to blame him for being a total shit about other stuff.
Edited by Tangle, : No reason given.

Je suis Charlie. Je suis Ahmed. Je suis Juif. Je suis Parisien.
"Life, don't talk to me about life" - Marvin the Paranoid Android
"Science adjusts it's views based on what's observed.
Faith is the denial of observation so that Belief can be preserved."
- Tim Minchin, in his beat poem, Storm.

This message is a reply to:
 Message 136 by Phat, posted 01-13-2017 1:05 PM Phat has seen this message but not replied

  
RAZD
Member (Idle past 1404 days)
Posts: 20714
From: the other end of the sidewalk
Joined: 03-14-2004


(1)
Message 138 of 331 (797173)
01-13-2017 2:28 PM
Reply to: Message 136 by Phat
01-13-2017 1:05 PM


Re: Day 180
Today is day 180. ...
Yay, a 180° turn completed.
Keep up the good work.

we are limited in our ability to understand
by our ability to understand
RebelAmerican☆Zen☯Deist
... to learn ... to think ... to live ... to laugh ...
to share.


Join the effort to solve medical problems, AIDS/HIV, Cancer and more with Team EvC! (click)

This message is a reply to:
 Message 136 by Phat, posted 01-13-2017 1:05 PM Phat has not replied

  
caffeine
Member (Idle past 1024 days)
Posts: 1800
From: Prague, Czech Republic
Joined: 10-22-2008


Message 139 of 331 (797181)
01-13-2017 4:58 PM
Reply to: Message 132 by jar
12-19-2016 8:15 AM


Re: Religious addiction?
Correct. Praying like gambling or eating or drugs or most any THING is not the addiction. When how you perform or use the THING interferes with normal behavior, with other people, with family, with work, with your health then that behavior can be the issue or addiction.
I'm not really sure that this captures the essence of what we mean when we talk about addiction. It strikes me that an intelligent person can manage many kinds of addiction such that it does not noticeably interfere with their daily lives; whilst still being addicted.
The idea of adding in 'health' seems even less connected to what we're actually talking about when we say 'addict'. Many people engage in behaviours damaging to their health that we wouldn't consider addicted to anything. Many I'm missing your point. but it seems like you're equating 'addiction' with 'harmful consequence', but that's not what the word means.

This message is a reply to:
 Message 132 by jar, posted 12-19-2016 8:15 AM jar has not replied

Replies to this message:
 Message 140 by NoNukes, posted 01-13-2017 5:36 PM caffeine has seen this message but not replied

  
NoNukes
Inactive Member


Message 140 of 331 (797183)
01-13-2017 5:36 PM
Reply to: Message 139 by caffeine
01-13-2017 4:58 PM


Re: Religious addiction?
It strikes me that an intelligent person can manage many kinds of addiction such that it does not noticeably interfere with their daily lives; whilst still being addicted.
It's okay if you define addiction as you have. But your argument is circular. If in fact, addiction is defined as an unmanageable habit, then folks that feel some compulsion to indulge in a non-harmful behavior, like say chewing sugarless gum, would indeed be addicted. But if we harm as a component, then by definition, such chewers would not be addicted. It is of course the lexicographers choice as to what any word means.

Under a government which imprisons any unjustly, the true place for a just man is also in prison. Thoreau: Civil Disobedience (1846)
History will have to record that the greatest tragedy of this period of social transition was not the strident clamor of the bad people, but the appalling silence of the good people. Martin Luther King
I never considered a difference of opinion in politics, in religion, in philosophy, as cause for withdrawing from a friend. Thomas Jefferson
Seems to me if its clear that certain things that require ancient dates couldn't possibly be true, we are on our way to throwing out all those ancient dates on the basis of the actual evidence. -- Faith
Some of us are worried about just how much damage he will do in his last couple of weeks as president, to make it easier for the NY Times and Washington post to try to destroy Trump's presidency. -- marc9000

This message is a reply to:
 Message 139 by caffeine, posted 01-13-2017 4:58 PM caffeine has seen this message but not replied

Replies to this message:
 Message 142 by New Cat's Eye, posted 01-15-2017 9:29 PM NoNukes has replied

  
NoNukes
Inactive Member


Message 141 of 331 (797235)
01-15-2017 6:45 PM
Reply to: Message 136 by Phat
01-13-2017 1:05 PM


Re: Day 180
Today is day 180.
Not only that, but if you are still holding on, you can now call it six months! Nice!

Under a government which imprisons any unjustly, the true place for a just man is also in prison. Thoreau: Civil Disobedience (1846)
History will have to record that the greatest tragedy of this period of social transition was not the strident clamor of the bad people, but the appalling silence of the good people. Martin Luther King
I never considered a difference of opinion in politics, in religion, in philosophy, as cause for withdrawing from a friend. Thomas Jefferson
Seems to me if its clear that certain things that require ancient dates couldn't possibly be true, we are on our way to throwing out all those ancient dates on the basis of the actual evidence. -- Faith
Some of us are worried about just how much damage he will do in his last couple of weeks as president, to make it easier for the NY Times and Washington post to try to destroy Trump's presidency. -- marc9000

This message is a reply to:
 Message 136 by Phat, posted 01-13-2017 1:05 PM Phat has seen this message but not replied

  
New Cat's Eye
Inactive Member


Message 142 of 331 (797237)
01-15-2017 9:29 PM
Reply to: Message 140 by NoNukes
01-13-2017 5:36 PM


Re: Religious addiction?
It is of course the lexicographers choice as to what any word means.
But some meanings are better than others...
I still don't get why you prefer the tautology that it's only an addiction when it causes life problems? How does that help?
If in fact, addiction is defined as an unmanageable habit, then folks that feel some compulsion to indulge in a non-harmful behavior, like say chewing sugarless gum, would indeed be addicted.
So what? I'm sure there are people who are addicted to chewing gum. Wouldn't understanding that more help us better understand addiction, in general?
But if we harm as a component, then by definition, such chewers would not be addicted.
I'm totally addicted to nicotine and it's not causing any problems in my life, see Message 20. How does it help anyone to pretend that I'm not really addicted to it because there is no harm?
It's okay if you define addiction as you have. But your argument is circular.
How so? The definition you prefer is the one that is circular. See Message 9 and the thread that follows. It ends at Message 41 where you stopped replying.
What's the point of this limited definition?
I get that you don't want to talk about "oxygen addiction", I agree that's stupid, but I've already explained how that's different in Message 29 and Message 41.

This message is a reply to:
 Message 140 by NoNukes, posted 01-13-2017 5:36 PM NoNukes has replied

Replies to this message:
 Message 143 by NoNukes, posted 01-16-2017 3:08 AM New Cat's Eye has replied

  
NoNukes
Inactive Member


Message 143 of 331 (797241)
01-16-2017 3:08 AM
Reply to: Message 142 by New Cat's Eye
01-15-2017 9:29 PM


Re: Religious addiction?
I still don't get why you prefer the tautology that it's only an addiction when it causes life problems? How does that help?
Because we don't treat people for chewing sugarless gum for example? The other advantage, particularly when we are talking about alcohol or drug abuse is that patterns of destructive behavior are a lot more concrete a point than we get from comparing usage patterns, and a lot less deniable. In short, the harm causing aspect of addictions is an easily recognizable idea, and even someone who has a lower level of imbibing can be classified.
Look this is not my definition. For example, here is a definition of alcoholism from an article in JAMA from 1992.
301 Redirect
quote:
Alcoholism is a primary, chronic disease with genetic, psychosocial, and environmental factors influencing its development and manifestations. The disease is often progressive and fatal. It is characterized by continuous or periodic: impaired control over drinking, preoccupation with the drug alcohol, use of alcohol despite adverse consequences, and distortions in thinking, and most notably denial ."
Some folks throughout each week but manage to cut themselves off at a level that allows them to live with others in their house without abusing them and to go to work the next morning. Other folks cannot.
Some else already quoted a similar definition regarding drug dependency earlier in this thread.
ABE:
I'm totally addicted to nicotine and it's not causing any problems in my life, see Message 20.
We've been through this. I pointed out that tobacco does have health effects. To which you responded something like, "Oh I did not know you meant that." Of course, I did mean exactly that. I understand that you may be vaping now. I don't know if that has health effects.
In any event, my preferred definition is not circular. As I understand it, my definition is pretty much yours with an additional requirement that there be some harmful life consequence. My definition may be very open-ended, but it is not circular. I'd appreciate it if you could point out the circle in my definition.
ABE:
How so? The definition you prefer is the one that is circular. See Message 9 and the thread that follows. It ends at Message 41 where you stopped replying.
I did not say that his definition was circular. I said that his argument regarding why his definition was preferable was circular.
Edited by NoNukes, : No reason given.
Edited by NoNukes, : No reason given.
Edited by NoNukes, : No reason given.

Under a government which imprisons any unjustly, the true place for a just man is also in prison. Thoreau: Civil Disobedience (1846)
History will have to record that the greatest tragedy of this period of social transition was not the strident clamor of the bad people, but the appalling silence of the good people. Martin Luther King
I never considered a difference of opinion in politics, in religion, in philosophy, as cause for withdrawing from a friend. Thomas Jefferson
Seems to me if its clear that certain things that require ancient dates couldn't possibly be true, we are on our way to throwing out all those ancient dates on the basis of the actual evidence. -- Faith
Some of us are worried about just how much damage he will do in his last couple of weeks as president, to make it easier for the NY Times and Washington post to try to destroy Trump's presidency. -- marc9000

This message is a reply to:
 Message 142 by New Cat's Eye, posted 01-15-2017 9:29 PM New Cat's Eye has replied

Replies to this message:
 Message 144 by Phat, posted 01-16-2017 7:10 AM NoNukes has not replied
 Message 145 by New Cat's Eye, posted 01-16-2017 9:48 AM NoNukes has replied

  
Phat
Member
Posts: 18262
From: Denver,Colorado USA
Joined: 12-30-2003
Member Rating: 1.1


(1)
Message 144 of 331 (797251)
01-16-2017 7:10 AM
Reply to: Message 143 by NoNukes
01-16-2017 3:08 AM


Re: Religious addiction?
Addiction can be measured. That is the textbook definition...that the brain has become molded around the addiction.

Chance as a real force is a myth. It has no basis in reality and no place in scientific inquiry. For science and philosophy to continue to advance in knowledge, chance must be demythologized once and for all. —RC Sproul
"A lie can travel half way around the world while the truth is putting on its shoes." —Mark Twain "
~"If that's not sufficient for you go soak your head."~Faith
Whoever trusts in his own mind is a fool, but he who walks in wisdom will be delivered.~Proverbs 28:26

This message is a reply to:
 Message 143 by NoNukes, posted 01-16-2017 3:08 AM NoNukes has not replied

  
New Cat's Eye
Inactive Member


Message 145 of 331 (797257)
01-16-2017 9:48 AM
Reply to: Message 143 by NoNukes
01-16-2017 3:08 AM


Re: Religious addiction?
I still don't get why you prefer the tautology that it's only an addiction when it causes life problems? How does that help?
Because we don't treat people for chewing sugarless gum for example?
Maybe we should!
Well, treatment is a strong word, but we should at least be willing to help instead of pretending it's a non-issue.
The other advantage, particularly when we are talking about alcohol or drug abuse is that patterns of destructive behavior are a lot more concrete a point than we get from comparing usage patterns, and a lot less deniable. In short, the harm causing aspect of addictions is an easily recognizable idea, and even someone who has a lower level of imbibing can be classified.
So, because it is easier and the alternative is difficult? That's lame and unconvincing.
Look this is not my definition. For example, here is a definition of alcoholism from an article in JAMA from 1992.
I don't care who invented it, you are the one who is pushing it. Really though, I'm talking about a more-encompassing definition for addiction and you are referencing a 25 year old definition of one particular addiction.
Are you just arguing to arguing the definition of a word? Let me know, I'll drop it if that's the case.
Some folks throughout each week but manage to cut themselves off at a level that allows them to live with others in their house without abusing them and to go to work the next morning. Other folks cannot.
I could argue that the functional addict is even more addicted. So much that their sick mind realizes that it needs to maintain itself in order to keep the addiction, and is unwilling to allow "life problems" to interrupt that. These people need help just like the ones with life problems, and to pretend like its not really an addiction because there's no apparent harm is a serious disservice to many folks.
Some else already quoted a similar definition regarding drug dependency earlier in this thread.
I guess I'll go fish, then? How about a little quid pro quo? I gave you links.
I'm totally addicted to nicotine and it's not causing any problems in my life, see Message 20.
We've been through this. I pointed out that tobacco does have health effects. To which you responded something like, "Oh I did not know you meant that." Of course, I did mean exactly that. I understand that you may be vaping now. I don't know if that has health effects.
Right, but we've been passed that. "Having health effects" is not the same as "causing life problems". What if you found out that gum chewing was loosening people's teeth over the years and having health effects? Would you suddenly start classifying that as an addiction to treat?
In any event, my preferred definition is not circular.
"It's only an addiction when it causes life problems", whether circular or not, is not a good working definition.
As I understand it, my definition is pretty much yours with an additional requirement that there be some harmful life consequence.
Right, and I think that sucks. It's like if we didn't teach children how to cross the street until after they've been hit by a car.
Why wait until people start harming themselves before you start trying to help them? Because it's easier? Pssh.
My definition may be very open-ended, but it is not circular. I'd appreciate it if you could point out the circle in my definition.
Maybe its not the definition, itself, but instead like you said it is the argument for the definition. "It's not an addiction unless it causes life problems. Oh, that "addiction" isn't causing you life problems; well, then it's not really an addiction."
Approaching whether or not something is an addiction by determining if it is harming the person leaves out a bunch of addictions that people could use help with. Now, regarding treatment, perhaps there are limited resources that would be better spent on harmful addictions. But that's not what we're doing here. And if people want help with their unharmful addictions, telling them that its not a True AddictionTM is a terrible thing to say to them - and a serious disservice. It's immoral.
Here's my definition of an addiction: a compulsion to act that manifests a false need. You have the urge to do something because your mind has been tricked into thinking that you need to do it when you really don't.
Even when that is unharmful and/or doesn't cause life problems, it is still something we can address and help people with. Also, knowing more about unharmful addictions can only help us better understand the harmful ones. Waiting until people start harming themselves is a terrible approach. We don't wait to teach kids about the dangers of playing with fire until they start burning themselves. And we shouldn't delay helping adults understand addiction until it becomes a problem in their life.

This message is a reply to:
 Message 143 by NoNukes, posted 01-16-2017 3:08 AM NoNukes has replied

Replies to this message:
 Message 146 by NoNukes, posted 01-17-2017 9:36 PM New Cat's Eye has seen this message but not replied

  
NoNukes
Inactive Member


Message 146 of 331 (797349)
01-17-2017 9:36 PM
Reply to: Message 145 by New Cat's Eye
01-16-2017 9:48 AM


Re: Religious addiction?
ell, treatment is a strong word, but we should at least be willing to help instead of pretending it's a non-issue.
What do you think is the issue?

Under a government which imprisons any unjustly, the true place for a just man is also in prison. Thoreau: Civil Disobedience (1846)
History will have to record that the greatest tragedy of this period of social transition was not the strident clamor of the bad people, but the appalling silence of the good people. Martin Luther King
I never considered a difference of opinion in politics, in religion, in philosophy, as cause for withdrawing from a friend. Thomas Jefferson
Seems to me if its clear that certain things that require ancient dates couldn't possibly be true, we are on our way to throwing out all those ancient dates on the basis of the actual evidence. -- Faith
Some of us are worried about just how much damage he will do in his last couple of weeks as president, to make it easier for the NY Times and Washington post to try to destroy Trump's presidency. -- marc9000

This message is a reply to:
 Message 145 by New Cat's Eye, posted 01-16-2017 9:48 AM New Cat's Eye has seen this message but not replied

Replies to this message:
 Message 147 by Phat, posted 01-18-2017 11:19 AM NoNukes has replied

  
Phat
Member
Posts: 18262
From: Denver,Colorado USA
Joined: 12-30-2003
Member Rating: 1.1


Message 147 of 331 (797353)
01-18-2017 11:19 AM
Reply to: Message 146 by NoNukes
01-17-2017 9:36 PM


Re: Religious addiction?
Again, the issue is if the brains neuroplasticity has molded itself to support the addiction. Sugarless gum, for example, is nothing more than a habit. As far as I know, there is no evidence that the brains neuroplasticity molds itself around this habit. Not so with compulsive gambling(documented to have a higher suicide rate than heroin or methamphetamine) alcohol, drugs, text messaging, and compulsive pornographic addictions.

Chance as a real force is a myth. It has no basis in reality and no place in scientific inquiry. For science and philosophy to continue to advance in knowledge, chance must be demythologized once and for all. —RC Sproul
"A lie can travel half way around the world while the truth is putting on its shoes." —Mark Twain "
~"If that's not sufficient for you go soak your head."~Faith
Whoever trusts in his own mind is a fool, but he who walks in wisdom will be delivered.~Proverbs 28:26

This message is a reply to:
 Message 146 by NoNukes, posted 01-17-2017 9:36 PM NoNukes has replied

Replies to this message:
 Message 148 by NoNukes, posted 01-18-2017 2:51 PM Phat has replied

  
NoNukes
Inactive Member


Message 148 of 331 (797360)
01-18-2017 2:51 PM
Reply to: Message 147 by Phat
01-18-2017 11:19 AM


Re: Religious addiction?
Sugarless gum, for example, is nothing more than a habit.
I think you are right. But more to the point, I think chewing that gum is rightly something to be ignored. New Cat's Eye seems to think it is wrong to ignore the plight of folks who like to chew sugarless gum, but it was my intention to pick something that really was not a problem. The whole point to the example is that the habit was without any appreciable consequences; i. e. a non-issue. If he is right that we ought to worry about those folks, then I picked a bad example.
Edited by NoNukes, : No reason given.

Under a government which imprisons any unjustly, the true place for a just man is also in prison. Thoreau: Civil Disobedience (1846)
History will have to record that the greatest tragedy of this period of social transition was not the strident clamor of the bad people, but the appalling silence of the good people. Martin Luther King
I never considered a difference of opinion in politics, in religion, in philosophy, as cause for withdrawing from a friend. Thomas Jefferson
Seems to me if its clear that certain things that require ancient dates couldn't possibly be true, we are on our way to throwing out all those ancient dates on the basis of the actual evidence. -- Faith
Some of us are worried about just how much damage he will do in his last couple of weeks as president, to make it easier for the NY Times and Washington post to try to destroy Trump's presidency. -- marc9000

This message is a reply to:
 Message 147 by Phat, posted 01-18-2017 11:19 AM Phat has replied

Replies to this message:
 Message 149 by Phat, posted 01-19-2017 10:27 AM NoNukes has replied

  
Phat
Member
Posts: 18262
From: Denver,Colorado USA
Joined: 12-30-2003
Member Rating: 1.1


(2)
Message 149 of 331 (797381)
01-19-2017 10:27 AM
Reply to: Message 148 by NoNukes
01-18-2017 2:51 PM


When is an addiction an addiction? (Day 186)
The whole point to the example is that the habit was without any appreciable consequences; i. e. a non-issue.
I see your point. My point was that the consequences that determined whether a habit wass an addiction or not were entirely based on MRI technology. If the pattern of abberant brain dysfunction occurs, the verdict is that the habit---any habit---is thus an addiction regardless of the subjects opinion regarding consequences.
This is day 186. I feel more mindful and in control of my destiny. Yes, I still have addictions to fight...ones that are discernable through brain imaging. The good news is that I know how to fight them. In a word...total sobriety, fueled by the four step awareness method.
Edited by Phat, : No reason given.

Chance as a real force is a myth. It has no basis in reality and no place in scientific inquiry. For science and philosophy to continue to advance in knowledge, chance must be demythologized once and for all. —RC Sproul
"A lie can travel half way around the world while the truth is putting on its shoes." —Mark Twain "
~"If that's not sufficient for you go soak your head."~Faith
Whoever trusts in his own mind is a fool, but he who walks in wisdom will be delivered.~Proverbs 28:26

This message is a reply to:
 Message 148 by NoNukes, posted 01-18-2017 2:51 PM NoNukes has replied

Replies to this message:
 Message 150 by NoNukes, posted 01-20-2017 1:57 AM Phat has replied

  
NoNukes
Inactive Member


Message 150 of 331 (797407)
01-20-2017 1:57 AM
Reply to: Message 149 by Phat
01-19-2017 10:27 AM


Re: When is an addiction an addiction? (Day 186)
My point was that the consequences that determined whether a habit wass an addiction or not were entirely based on MRI technology.
Have we really connected all addictions to brain changes that can be revealed by an MRI scan? If so your definition is fine.

Under a government which imprisons any unjustly, the true place for a just man is also in prison. Thoreau: Civil Disobedience (1846)
History will have to record that the greatest tragedy of this period of social transition was not the strident clamor of the bad people, but the appalling silence of the good people. Martin Luther King
I never considered a difference of opinion in politics, in religion, in philosophy, as cause for withdrawing from a friend. Thomas Jefferson
Seems to me if its clear that certain things that require ancient dates couldn't possibly be true, we are on our way to throwing out all those ancient dates on the basis of the actual evidence. -- Faith
Some of us are worried about just how much damage he will do in his last couple of weeks as president, to make it easier for the NY Times and Washington post to try to destroy Trump's presidency. -- marc9000

This message is a reply to:
 Message 149 by Phat, posted 01-19-2017 10:27 AM Phat has replied

Replies to this message:
 Message 151 by Phat, posted 01-20-2017 6:45 AM NoNukes has seen this message but not replied

  
Newer Topic | Older Topic
Jump to:


Copyright 2001-2023 by EvC Forum, All Rights Reserved

™ Version 4.2
Innovative software from Qwixotic © 2024