addictions

[nailit]

Do you consider people with addictions to be ill or selfish? (or somewhere inbetween)

[Baldric]

///every day I thought of drink, (and recently started drinking again)///
Lack of will power by the sound of it.

[nailit]

and the years I was sober????

[Baldric]

Your WP was strong.

[nailit]

I think we'll have to agree to disagree Baldric.
Im an addict to alcohol (sober or drunk) nowt do with willpower

[Baldric]

OK , we're not going to fall out, in my post I said 'weak willed to BEGIN with' and I believe that's how a lot of addictions can start off;
"I like this I'll just try another one, then another one etc" until you become an addict, I'm not saying it's all like that but in some cases i'm sure a bit of restraint might have helped.
Good luck to you.

[nailit]

Thanks Baldric.

[barbwolff]

I believe what Milkman wrote decades ago that addiction is a normal condition for human beings. The crux is what one chooses to become addicted to - a safe substance or activity or an unsafe.. I believe illness arises from abusive use or practice. And there's an element of choice involved which can be difficult for many to recognise. Milkman wrote an article decades ago called "Natural Highs" and showed the safe activities that could provide the same High as received from uses of safe substances.

[Mikejas]

Selfishness

[leonore]

NAILIT You are quite wrong. It takes strength of will to be able to refuse in the first place. Drug sellers (including alcohol and tobacco companies) lur people with free samples and also advertising. they know that their product is addictive that is the whole point of getting people started.
Then it takes strength of will to stop, ask any smoker. My father had a very strong will, when his doctor told him to quit smoking he did. Cold no question.
I did the easiest way, never started!

[young Ern]

selfish. I smoked from age 14 through to my sixties had a slight heart attack and gave up immediately am now 86
its all down to will power

[candysherbet]

Who come up with the word selfishness as it's nothing IMO to do with addictions.I'm addicted to 'Games and puzzles'.Another of my 'addictions is 'stickers'.To me they have been a great enjoyment through the years-i'm 50 now and won't be giving them up any time soon.They are also a great stimulation for the brain.
If however you are talking about people overdoing it with drink or drugs-I class these as illnesses as they are not good for your body system are they.

[reaster]

ill, but addiction makes one incredibly selfcentred