re: Alcoholic/sober

Quoting 624582:" But, I thought once you were an alcoholic or drug addict you will always be? This isn't me being snarky ... [snip!] ... they are no longer an addict. Like I said, I am not very educated in addiction nor am I certain that this is the best outlook."

I know it is very few and far between, but there are people out there who can control their habit after they kicked an addiction.

Example. I got into Coke really bad. I admit. I love the drug. If it were put down in front of me, I wouldn't turn it down. So, to get away from it. I separated myself from those of my friends who do it.

Now pills. I got into those worse than I ever did coke. I took them a lot more, and for a lot longer. I love the high. (Still do). Interestingly enough I have a script in my cabinet from a while ago. (Like since September). I take them as needed, and only one. If I get a buzz, then cool. I'll enjoy it. If I don't, meh, who cares ?

<blockquote><b>Quoting HopingforaMiracle:</b>" <blockquote><b>Quoting 624582:</b>" But, I thought once you were an alcoholic or drug ... [snip!] ... I apologize. You are right. Even with 20 years of sobriety under a person I know's belt he is still considered an alcoholic."</blockquote>

Yes, what you just said.

You can't claim sobriety, addict or alcoholic, if you're still picking up. You are living a sober life when you no longer consume mind or mood altering substances. That's according to the Anonymous Recovery programs anyways. They even say drug addicts have to start their sober clocks over if they have a drink.

I agree with it personally. Very few alcoholics can exhibit self control with alcohol. The same can be said for drug addicts.

Quoting The Dandelion Rapist:" I know it is very few and far between, but there are people out there who can control their habit after ... [snip!] ... since September). I take them as needed, and only one. If I get a buzz, then cool. I'll enjoy it. If I don't, meh, who cares ? "

I see what you are saying, but do you no longer consider yourself an addict? Or just an addict who is able to control how whether or not you indulge?

I'm not exactly sure how to word this, but I believe that I could become addicted to pain pills or perhaps I am addicted. I love the high that I get from percs and hydrocodones, I began taking them a few years ago when I had really bad pain from Endometriosis, but stopped over 3 years ago. It wasn't until last month, when I had my hand worked on and I was given an RX for 15 Vicodin, that I indulged again. I only needed 2, maybe 3 tops out of the 15, but I took them all for the high. Since I finished the last pill I haven't sought out a way to get more, but I couldn't promise you I wouldn't do it again if I was given another RX.

I understand that you're not taking them for the high, but you still enjoy it and you have struggled with pills in the past. I am just curious, I'm not trying to cut you down or come off rude.

Quoting 624582:" I see what you are saying, but do you no longer consider yourself an addict? Or just an addict who is ... [snip!] ... enjoy it and you have struggled with pills in the past. I am just curious, I'm not trying to cut you down or come off rude."

You didn't come off rude to me in the slightest. I will be more than happy to answer your questions.  

To be honest, I think of myself as more an "ex" addict. Mainly because I don't have to have them anymore, and I can control myself when I do take them. When I was over indulging in them, it would take me about 4-5 (Depending on the dosage) to catch a buzz, and you bet I would take that many.

I don't crave the buzz, or go running to my Rx's every time I have a little bit of pain that isn't really bothersome anymore. I don't feel like I have a disease and can't be trusted around someone's prescription. (Actually I was never that bad, but it didn't stop people from questioning it).

So to answer your question, I would like to say I got lucky. I developed a habit which turned quickly into an addiction. (Pretty much, my first pill, I was hooked). I saw the person I had become, and decided from there, no more. Never turned back to it. Not for a high anyways.

An ex addict? Yes. A recovering addict? No. I recovered a long time ago and since then have moved on with my life.

I know 2 people who were alcoholics. They are each older then 50 and they have the occasional drink here and there. They have no problem controlling their drinking. Not everyone has that will power. Do I consider them alcoholics? No. Not anymore. Would I say they are sober? I don't know. They are just as sober ad anyone else who had an occasional drink.