I do not understand why people cannot stop addictions

33% Normal
13 Comments

I drank alcohol regularly for 12 years. Often I would take breaks but sometimes drank daily. I thought perhaps I was an alcoholic.
Last month the doctor said I had fatty liver so I decided not to drink anymore. I simply quit doing it that day and realized I am not even craving to drink. People say they have no control over it which seems like bullshit because I even have still been going to the bar to hangout regularly and just drink juice and don't feel any desire to drink.
People congratulated me for quitting drinking and it seems ridiculous because it's not a big deal and there was nothing challenging about it. I was only doing it out of choice because I was either bored or other people were doing it so I joined.
So it seems like when people say they are "powerless" over addiction I imagine they just don't actually want to do it.
I only did it because I wanted to and didn't have much reason not to drink until I realized it effected my health.

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33% Normal
Based on 15 votes (5 yes)
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Comments ( 13 )
  • SgtRock
    5 years ago

    Well, thank your lucky stars that you are not an alcoholic. Alcoholism is an actual disease. Research the subject. One in every Eight American adults can't be wrong with needing help stopping.

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    • [Old Memory]
      5 years ago

      Just don't get what the big deal is. I just quit smoking too. Smoked about a pack a day for over 10 years. Just got tired of them, threw them away and haven't smoked again. No issue with it and have no desire for them.
      I seem to be able to have will power to change things with ease. I get over anything quickly. For example other people get upset over things like breakups, or losing a job. I never really care much and just find something better to do. If something doesn't work for me that means it wasn't important. I think people who are fixated on things that are bad for them are probably not very smart or weak minded. I only drank and smoked because it was enjoyable, but it started effecting my health so I decided I didn't want to do it anymore. Wrote this last month and still have had no alcohol nor does it bother me to give it up, which makes me think anyone who has trouble giving something up either doesn't want to or is incredibly weak minded, which I don't mean that to insult, but it's just how I see other people because they think they cannot do things I find unchallenging. Pretty much anything similar is like that where people have no will power.

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  • e51pegasi
    5 years ago

    There is a difference between alcohol abuse & alcohol addiction. If you want to find out the difference there is a plethora of information on both online.

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    • [Old Memory]
      5 years ago

      Just looked it up and doesn't fit either. I suppose I was abusing alcohol but I didn't actually need it and didn't do it for any reason other than choice. I also do not act like that when I drink. If anything I act more friendly and calm, but my normal behavior is manic and careless. I will no longer take psych meds for my normal behavior either. I did for years but only did because I kept getting fired from jobs for who I am and people who have lived with me do not like that I am not very relaxing to be around unless I am on pills or drunk. If anything drinking improved my responsibilities and social interactions because I act more normal after a few beers and when I am sober I am told I am annoying.
      So in a way I was self medicating with it but decided I am done with it as I need to watch my liver and acid reflux as I don't want bad health.

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      • nikkiclaire
        5 years ago

        Doesn't sound like you are an alcoholic. I am sure you are addicted to things that you can't or won't give up. Try quitting one of those things with ease and you may understand.

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        • [Old Memory]
          5 years ago

          Probably food but I need that.

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          • [Old Memory]
            5 years ago

            I can take or leave mostly anything. Not sure if I have actual addictions.

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            • nikkiclaire
              5 years ago

              Could be a thought process, a certain way of doing things. Try wiping you ass with a different hand from now on and never use the one you use now.

              Doesn't nescessarily have to be a tangible gluttony, everyone has something.

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  • jethro
    5 years ago

    I was the same way with cigarettes. I smoked for 50 years. I actually enjoyed smoking. But one day I heard the buzz of angel wings when the doctor said I was wheezing and climbing a hill or stairs got me really puffing. I quit smoking that day and never thought about again or since. That has been 5 years now. I still have 5 packs in the cupboard and I have never considered sparking one up. But I can't pass a doughnut or a cookie. I have absolutely no willpower with those things.

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  • Ellenna
    5 years ago

    The fact that you quit without problems indicates you weren't addicted, so how about you stop being so judgmental and pontificating about something you know nothing about?

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  • MangoTango
    5 years ago

    It comes down to motivation (which you had in place), and the drive to realize that this change is advantageous. Maybe it takes people feeling like complete shit to change? I've read a ton of rock star bio's that are drug filled reckless lives. They always write of their moments when they wise up and quit. They change their habits, and that's it. Some have a bumpy road to getting free of addiction, but those that want to fix it get there.

    Scientifically, all it takes is changing habits long enough to get the substance out of one's system, and then lifestyle changes to curb relapse triggers. The roughest time is the withdrawal symptoms that occur in the initial phases of detox for a variety of substances. I've read about Alice Cooper's awful battle with alcohol a long time ago. He's been sober for decades now. It's a choice, yes. But, I don't think being judgemental with those that have less willpower is a good idea. Being firm (tough love) is a good idea for kicking some people in the right direction but they also need knowledge about how to overcome substance abuse. Addictions to various substances do create physiological changes that might require medical supervision to stop. I know that with alcoholism some people have to taper off gradually, or they will experience troubling withdrawal symptoms. I, myself don't drink alcohol mostly because I just don't favor the taste. I'm just a strange person that likes to read about rock star drug addictions.

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  • COSMICPSYCHO
    5 years ago

    What type of alcohol was this?

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    • [Old Memory]
      5 years ago

      Drank all different types.

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