[madisgram]

i for the most part agree with this article. when "cannot control" is mentioned i agree that they are the best words to use. many of us regain our health to this disease by "mind over matter", imho. stopping the addiction requires certain constructive decisions on our part. a 12 step program really helped me to reinforce positive behaviors. not everyone who is successful uses this however. it is what works for you. cognitive behavior therapy combined with AA was my method. i had loads of false beliefs and behaviors that pointed the way to become addicted to alcohol. it is my belief that all facets of our life need to be treated simultaniously to gain the best results. not everyone can use/afford therapy as part of their recovery but for me it reinforced new behaviors and life skills that led me to abstinence as well as AA. once the cycle is broken and sobriety occurs with conviction it is far more easy to abstain.
so if you're just starting to try this positive way of life know there are many of us who have broken the chains of bondage. at first it requires an effort but each day sober strengthens our resolve.

Summary

• People who are addicted cannot control their need for alcohol or other drugs, even in the face of negative health, social or legal consequences.
• The illness becomes harder to treat and the related health problems, such as organ disease, become worse.

Addiction is a chronic, but treatable, brain disorder. People who are addicted cannot control their need for alcohol or other drugs, even in the face of negative health, social or legal consequences. This lack of control is the result of alcohol- or drug-induced changes in the brain. Those changes, in turn, cause behavior changes.
The brains of addicted people "have been modified by the drug

http://www.hbo.com/addiction/underst...addiction.html

[tokiwartooth]

I took rx painkillers and drank to try to ease the pain and depression I'm in. Of course it makes me feel good for a little bit, but then it wears off. And then I have to start drinking and taking more just to get that affect. I was absolutely obsessed with getting drunk and taking vicodin. I still think about it a lot, but I haven't taken anything. I went to therapy for the depression, other than taking meds, it worked ok. When my insurance kicks in, I'm going back to talk about that and my addictions. AA is a good thing for me too, since everyone there knows how you feel. I'm having an anxiety attack right now, I think I need to relax and have a cup of coffee.

[madisgram]

toki, coffee has caff in it and can intensify your anxiety. warm milk, sweets, orange juice, chocolate, and lots of water do help. the sweets fool the mind for alcoholics trying to stay sober since alcohol is primarily sugar. also it is not uncommon to experience anxiety attacks in early sobriety. the brain is screaming for what it has become used to-drugs or alcohol. this is part of the obsession that can torment us. taking a walk, listening to music, etc will help you get your mind off what you are avoiding. i was told singing out loud works cause obsessing and singing can't be done at the same time by the brain. i'd start getting squirrely in the car so i sang. got lots of strange looks but it did work.