replacing addictions

I was just wondering if you've been addicted to one thing before, is it easy to become addicted to something else? Just, replacing coping mechanism?

I was addicted to cutting (I say "addicted" because I thought about it and did it even when I felt okay) and I don't really want to drink more or start doing drugs because I think I'd just end up replacing self-harm with those things. Does this mean I shouldn't really drink just to stay on the safe side?

Just wondering.

- AJ

Hmmm that is a tough one. I have never cut but I think of it as a form of addiction like from the relief the endorphins bring. It is not really an addiction in the traditional sense. A coping mechanism for sure but other addictions are coping mechanisms too.

I have been clean and sober for many years but I am still addicted to cigarettes. I could be addicted to these forums, or gaming which I was at one time in sobriety. In my using days I switched addictions all the time. Any drug as long as I liked the effects. Alcohol was my favorite.

In sobriety behavioural addictions become much easier to get and are more common. Work, relationships, running and working out..... Not as harmful but still addictions.

In your case I would think it would very much depend on if you really have an addictive personality. Maybe cutting was just a coping mechanism and not really an addiction in like you have very strong addictive tendencies. You may use alcohol as a coping mechanism and not be an alcoholic. Many people do who are not true alcoholics. What is your past experience with substance use?

Yes, you have a point. And I've been really into working out lately haha :P I guess I just chase highs, even small ones. I guess I'm just wondering if I have addictive tendencies, since cutting is like the only thing I've done (don't intend on going back there though). I'm still in high school so all this drinking and drug stuff is relatively new, I've gotten drunk several times but I don't usually drink to excess, I just really like that buzz. Other substances haven't really touched, but have been really curious and want to try. So I'm just curious about stuff but I don't want to end up addicted just by experimenting. So yeah that is me.

- AJ

I think the majority of people at your age experiment to a degree. I my case I had a very very strong personality before I ever started experimenting and I was hooked right away. All the classic symptoms of addiction and alcoholism very quickly.

The safest thing would be to not experiment and stick to working out and other healthy coping mechanisms. If you do experiment there are things to look for. I am happy to explain further but will have to do it later.

AJ, I was a cutter...alcoholic, drug addict and it seems like I get somewhat addicted to activities in life, so I think have a tendency towards it. At your age I was pretty much doing what you are doing and I think a lot of people do at that age. But, I was not an addict or alcoholic until some people convinced me I was and so I went out and I drank and drugged like one...then, eventually, I did actually become one. I think its important that you use caution with alcohol/drugs because anybody can get caught up in it. And, if you've been a cutter then you might have some underlying issues that might make you vulnerable--but, don't read too much into it and create a problem that does not exist. It sounds like you know the signs of addiction so you will see the red flags if you start heading down that road with alcohol/drugs.You know yourself better than anybody else in this world and only you will truly know your motivations for drinking/using...so keep your eyes open and be completely honest with yourself about your intentions--if you decide to drink/use. If you do and you start to notice some addictive behavior, then stop using before you become an addict. Anybody can choose to quit using at any point in time and just because you might have had addictive tendencies in the past with cutting, does not mean you have a life sentence of addiction. Please be careful........D.