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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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.