I have a couple of questions about drug addictions.

- Some articles I've read on this site say that some drugs aren't addictive at all. Should I believe these, or, (please supply a link) are there sites that will list whether a drug is addictive or not?

- Can it run in the family? For instance, many people in my family have drug addictions, so would I be more susceptible to it?

Thanks!

PS - I'm new on these forums, so I'd just like to say "hi" to everyone.

any substance could be somewhat addictive, to certain people. thats my opinion. what drugs are you wanting to know about specifically? im not gonna list them out for you, maybe someone will at my suggestion. visit www.erowid.org for a detailed analysis of most drugs.

Well, it depends on the drug you're taking. It also depends on whether or not you have an addictive personality, and how good you are at breaking psychological addiction. Now if you shoot heroin, which is physically addictive, then withdrawl will make you sick as hell for a while. On the other hand if you smoke weed every day and then stop, all you will notice is maybe a slightly decreased appitite and maybe slight insomnia. Now I can pretty much quit smoking weed whenever i want (and have sucessfully in the past) with little desire for it. But once the danger of drug tests passed, i started smoking again. There are a lot of factors. Main ones are the drug you use and whether or not you become easily psychologically addicted to stuff.

And yes, susceptibility to drug addiction can run in families.

http://content.health.msn.com/content/article/1685.53047
INteresting study on long term pot use and IQ you should read it. Nothing to do really with this topic though

Here's a good word of advice on drugs:"handle it or be handled!". Alcohol is addictive. And the most debilitating addiction there is. Drugs are in essence are weekend and holidays fun. Pot is not physically addictive that is fact not fiction. Just be sensible and conscience of your dabblings in various drugs. You'll more than likely be A.O.K. I'm addicted to Xanax and it comes only from the pharmacy so bare that in mind as well!

And welcome to our communtity. Please recognize and respect where you are and what you see and you'll fit right on in! Intelligent questions will get intelligent answers. And the same holds true on the flip-side.

yup

quote:

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Originally posted by Jamiroquai:
...Alcohol is addictive. And the most debilitating addiction there is...

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Oh, I'm sorry, that was the wrong answer. Thanks for playing, though.

As a consolation prize you can have what's on Jay's tray, or you can have what's behind the curtain by which Carol Merrill is standing.


As far as addictions go, I would have to say that the most debilitating one would be the one that was the hardest to quit. And I'm afraid that alcohol can't even come close to opiate addiction wen it come to that.

Unless you have directly experienced both addiction at some point in your life, you cannot have more than just an opinion on this matter.

And if you have been through both, at one point or another, in your life then you certainly wouldn't say thast in the first place.

It all depends man. You CAN get addicted to ANYTHING, whether it causes physical dependance or not.

It's seems that depressants (alcohol, opiates,benzo's) get you physicaly addicted and withdrawing from benzo's for example will cause fit's if dose not slowly reduced. Any drug that give's you a "kick" has the potienal to cause pshycologial craving. It just depend's how mentaly tough you are, whether you have other interest's to keep you busy or if you are naturaly happy and/or joking around being light hearted make's you feel good naturaly and it's dam good for you. I find it's best not to think or talk of drug's when you have none, so I find pshycologic addiction not really too bad where as physical addiction can be dangerous, just try not to binge out and just have it once in a while. Like with speed the only real danger is with repeat doses where you have it several day's in a row without sleep.Sleep depravation is going to screw with your health pretty quick.
ENJOY IN MODERATION.

"ENJOY IN MODERATION"

Nicely put. Responsible use is the key.

Is any use at all "responsible"?

Ever seen the words "Please drink responsibly" at the bottom of the screen during a liquor or beer advertisement? Alcohol is a drug, so if if you think that simply using drugs is irresposible, you're on the wrong board.

Basically there are many different definitions for what defines "addiction" but many accept there are two types. Phsyical where you physically need the substance to avoid negative physical symptoms (wich if severe enuff can lead to death) and psychological where you just feel you "NEED" the drug in your mind. Statistically nicotine is the most addicting drug actually. At least onne quarter of those who try it will become addicted and I believe its something like only one out of 15 addicts will manadge to quit however one out of 11 heroin addicts will manadge to quit Ill have to look that up again. However this is largely due to nicotine being legal relatively socially acceptable and everywhere basically IMO especially since new studies are linking cravings to seeing things associated with the drug use. A nicotine addict will see something associated with its use almost every day in normal life a commercial an ashtray whatever. However a heroin addict if they leave their social circle is unlikely to see someone shooting up at work etc. (for the most part)

Any psychoactive drug (and many non-psych meds) can be 'addictive'. There are many different definitions for addiction, but the one I find most useful is to examine the pattern of drug use. If using is compulsive in nature (you may not feel like doing it but can't stop), if your thoughts are constantly either modified or focused on the drug and how much is left and when you can use again and where to get more, well, then you're addicted in all but the most technical terms. A drug needn't cause tolerance nor produce a pronounced physical withdrawl effect (these are older criteria for addictiveness) for it to be addictive. Hell, I'm addicted to the internet. So ANYTHING can be 'addicting' when defined according to the behaviour and attitudes surrounding the use of the drug (or technology, or gambling etc.) in question. Take it or leave it? Not addicted. Can't say no even when saying yes causes problems? Addicted. No addiction is desirable, but some are safer than others. An obsession for the Simpsons will probably affect your life and health a lot less than an addiction to heroin for example. This is known as 'harm reduction'. The only REAL safety lies in abstinance.