What makes something addictive?

RE: What makes something addictive?

According to a book I'm reading it's all of the above combined with an addictive personality which is down to the make-up of a specific gene. From the description of the personality, I think I have an addictive personality, although I've got a lot of willpower. Best not try heroine, anyway.[sm=speechless-smiley-008.gif]

RE: What makes something addictive?

Sometimes you believe you are addicted even though you just have a habitual desire for something.

Hugs
Steve

RE: What makes something addictive?

If the substance is in control of you, then you have a problem with it.

RE: What makes something addictive?

Best not try heroine, anyway.[sm=speechless-smiley-008.gif]

Do you mean heroin Darren? Or do you mean heroine?:D
Sharon

There does seem to be something in the thought that if it's bad for you, and makes you feel good,it's more likely to be addictive. A bit like this bottle of Armagnac. Hey ho, just off for a game of on-line poker and a few ciggies before I hit my bed.

Sharon

RE: What makes something addictive?

I look at it from several perpectives. It depends how deeply you want to go into this.

Looking at one of these, I would say that the energy patterns that make our body are a bit like a jigsaw puzzle anddifferent substances fit together with our body to varying degrees. Those things that we take as "addictive" make a close match when fitting into our jigsaw and the more they are put in the more the body shapes around them to make them an even better match.
If that piece of the jigsaw is then removed, the energy patterns around that gap feel at a loose end and reach out to seek another piece of energy that will fit in its place. This is the craving. Over time the space for the jigsaw piece either needs to be filled again to make the energy body feel whole, the energy body needs reshaping (though therapy e.g. EFT, Reiki etc) to close up that space, or the body will eventually close the space through it's own process of reshaping due to other energy changing patterns.
Sometimes thespace can be filled with other pieces that match either in whole or part, and this relates to a need for substitutes i.e. comfort eating.

There we go, I managed to put it down in as short a description as I could muster. I hope it makes some sort of sense. 😀

Love and Reiki Hugs

RE: What makes something addictive?

I'm with Darren on all his points, including the 'Best not try Heroine' for same reason.

I would add that - often there is a physiological aspect.
i.e. alcohol destroys anamino acid called L-Glutamine. As alcohol mimics L-Glutamine, then this could be part of the craving, as we seek what we need.

Otherwise & ordinarily seeking what we need is a healthy response, but you see how the system can get confused.

Simillarly with allergies -those prone to addictions often crave the very thing that they're allergic to. Encountering an allergen or something that we're hypersensitive doesn't always make us feel bad, but often can give us a high, so can develop into an addiction.

Consider the habits of your day.

What is it that you eat and drink every single day?

Then decide that you're not going to have them for a couple of days. Sounds ridiculous I know. You'll do everything you can to rationalise that it's just cos you like them and it couldn't possibly be any sort of addiction.

So let's say that you get past that and actualy do it.

If you fell absolutely no different, then you we're right and can rest assured that you were right.

On the other hand you feel better for avoiding or worse for that matter, then - hey, ho!

Andrew.

PS If you feel worse, then I suggest persisting, as you'll likely feel better overall in a day or two.

RE: What makes something addictive?

Interesting discussion Gussie.

There's a few questions going on at once there-

What makes something addictive?

Two main things.

1. Something that contains a chemical which (in a certain quantity)produces a pleasantpsychological effect, and secondly,

2. a psychological state in which somebody that is not 'balanced' in some way. For example low self esteem, loneliness. They reach out for something to fill this gap and mistake the signals for something material rather than emotional. Often what they seek is really their own approval and love.

I thinkthis is probably true in all cases, although other factors can increase the liklihood of becoming addicted, e.g peer pressure.

what defines the line between addiction and habit?

To quote Suzanne, 'when a substance is in control of you.'

RE: What makes something addictive?

Hi

how about when you think you addicted? you are.

if you ain't having fun, you probably are.

i finally decided i would go the heroin route if i ever get involved in some slow terminal illness. some addictions kill ya faster than others.

the things that kill us also keep us alive.

in love

in dulgence

in joy

j..mmm

RE: What makes something addictive?

ORIGINAL: spinal music

Best not try heroine, anyway.[sm=speechless-smiley-008.gif]

Do you mean heroin Darren? Or do you mean heroine?:D

dagnammit! Well, now that I think of it... both. I'm sure I could fall for Supergirl. 😀

RE: What makes something addictive?

ORIGINAL: Anahata

I would add that - often there is a physiological aspect.
i.e. alcohol destroys an amino acid called L-Glutamine. As alcohol mimics L-Glutamine, then this could be part of the craving, as we seek what we need.

Otherwise & ordinarily seeking what we need is a healthy response, but you see how the system can get confused.

Simillarly with allergies - those prone to addictions often crave the very thing that they're allergic to. Encountering an allergen or something that we're hypersensitive doesn't always make us feel bad, but often can give us a high, so can develop into an addiction.

Very true. I've had many interesting experiences with this. Recently, I've treated different clients for addictions to coffee, sugar, a certain kind of crisps (encouraging growth of a certain parasite) and the combination of cigarettes and alcohol. The treatment for the cigarettes and alcohol was very interesting to watch. I gave the client a whiff of alcohol and she then held some alcohol and a cigarette at the same time whilst being treated. The result was very rapid and still holds to date. Many times in the past, I treated this with about 20 minutes of hypnotherapy and NLP, now it's treated in 5 minutes of meridian therapy, quite simply because it's not all in the mind and there's definitely a physiological aspect.

Fascinating.

BTW it's good to see your posts again Anahata, I really look forward to them 🙂

RE: What makes something addictive?

Dear Suzanne - looks like we're talking the same language.

Recently dug out my Hulda Clark book and been reading up on Royal Rife's work again. 5-6 years ago I got interested and started work on some electronic gizmos and now find myself back here.

The interesting thing is that it fits in with NAET & other meridian therapies and am thinking that the two would work well together. So I've on a mission to get on with developing the electrickery.

Why bother you may ask?

Well, it seems that some parasites, be they flukes, bacteria or viruses can find comfy homes within neural tissue, such as the nerve sheaths, which are beyond the reaches of the immune system. The implications could be huge with regard to MS, lateral sclerosis, altzhiemer's, etc.

Also this point may mean that if they are beyond the reach of the immune system, then it may be that balancing the energetic body and building up the immune system may not be enough in certain cases.

I do like the more challenging case. 😀

Andrew.

RE: What makes something addictive?

Hello Anahata,
What the heck are we doing up at this time of day? Anyway, just to say that I think that the whole idea of addiction is down to personality. I have known, for one reason or another, many alchoholics and junkies over the years and the there seems to be no common thread. I used to take many different kinds of drugs (although never heroine) and I have NEVER been addicted to anything. I believe, absolutely, that addiction is in the mind. I may be wrong but I have known addicts who have to have and users who can take or leave. Incidentally, I have not used any drug for many years (other than alchohol, which I enjoy and don't need) and so I believe, rightly or wrongly, that my idea of addictive personallity, as opposed to addictive substances, is probably right. Having said that, I don't have a degree in phsycology (but my wife has, and she thinks the same). I feel that this is not the end of this discussion.
Love, Ian.

RE: What makes something addictive?

My opinion: forget genes and physiological reasons.

An addiction comes from an emotional availability to compensate, any kind of addiction, this is my emotion. The genes and toxins and addictive substances get a hold of you only when you have the emotional gap inside.

When an addictive body/mind response occurs, instead of satisfying this resonse immediately, you should take the time to breathe in deep into your emotion and feel it. Become aware of the emotion, either painful or simply anoying, be responsible enough to feel it and breathe into it. Of course, most of us do not have the patience to breathe thru an urge for 5 minutes of emotional awareness, we'd rather compensation immediately. This being said, we are the only artisan of our own faillure.

ONLY AN OPINION HERE! Sorry if i disturbed someone,... or a few,... or a bunch. I did not want to sound like i was telling the truth like 95% of physicians and therapists.

A few other things:

1- It is ok to feel pain, it doesn't mean you are weak.
2- Courrage is not acting without fear, it is action however the fear.
3- An emotion is painful only when you put pressure on it. When released, it becomes an experience.