I've struggled with addiction [I Addiction]

I spent most of my 20s under the influence of something. This year I finally had to be honest with myself, that I have been drinking and using benzos amongst other things since about 15. I love how I feel sober, food tastes better, my mood is lighter and I have way more energy. The biggest monkey to get off my back was prescriptions mainly ambien and benzos. I pretty much know I have to steer clear of all that stuff. But I still haven't worked out what to do about alcohol. I can stop at a couple of wines and I don't drink every night, but I never feel as good the day after. There is a lot of information out there that addiction is an all or nothing thing and with good reason. I just haven't decided what's right for me yet.

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Frank52 · 70-79, M

Get some support and don't try to do this on your own. Leaving this behind is much more than an intellectual decision.

Hope you get well.

Notladylike

@Frank52 I appreciate the comment and I have got support. This is kind of the issue I have with much of the addiction support out there where the only way is all or nothing. If you decide you are drinking too much then you need to be completely sober and work the steps.

I'm quite well thank you

Coppercoil · M

benzos were a nightmare for me to get off. It can be dangerous to go cold turkey on them.. the dr will have you ramp down in micro doses over time. There are other strategies.. substitutions (like using kratom or kava or cbd) and ramping down during a vacation or three day weekend when stress is naturally reduced and you don't have to worry so much about being tired or pissed off.

Notladylike

@Coppercoil Yeah coming off bezos made me so cranky. I haven’t taken any for ages though. The main thing now is wine. I have tried Kava which didn’t do much for me, cbd isn’t legal here unfortunately.
While I enjoy some wine with dinner on occasion I also love how I feel when I don’t drink for months

Coppercoil · M

@Notladylike You sound like you are in great shape. I don't think you are dependent on anything. Good job getting free!

Notladylike

@Coppercoil Thanks I appreciate your comment 😊

CheshireCatalyst · 36-40, M

I wonder a lot about the nature of addiction. There are great studies - only on animals unfortunately not humans - showing that if all your needs are met, addiction is less of an issue.

I hope you can identify what it is that you're missing. I know that's what I've struggled with for years.

Notladylike

@CheshireCatalyst There is so much we are still learning about addiction isn’t there, I’ve been reading “The Unbroken Brain”. Do you mean stuff like the rhesus monkey experiment? Or more recent studies...

I really like how you have captured that, identifying what I’m missing, or have missed out on would be immensely helpful.

CheshireCatalyst · 36-40, M

@Notladylike the famous one is colloquially called The Rat Park study

https://www.psychiatrictimes.com/view/what-does-rat-park-teach-us-about-addiction

It's a shame governments have learned nothing from it.

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