Susana Posted July 30, 2015 Posted July 30, 2015 http://www.huffingtonpost.com/johann-hari/the-real-cause-of-addicti_b_6506936.html?ncid=fcbklnkushpmg00000063 Edited to add what about the conclusions in the 2nd to last paragraph: "Loving an addict is really hard. When I looked at the addicts I love, it was always tempting to follow the tough love advice doled out by reality shows like Intervention -- tell the addict to shape up, or cut them off. Their message is that an addict who won't stop should be shunned. It's the logic of the drug war, imported into our private lives. But in fact, I learned, that will only deepen their addiction -- and you may lose them altogether. I came home determined to tie the addicts in my life closer to me than ever -- to let them know I love them unconditionally, whether they stop, or whether they can't." and no mention of past/childhood trama and Ace, just "the age of loneliness"
GA_Freeman Posted July 30, 2015 Posted July 30, 2015 This was a good article that presents a very human picture. I am clean over 9 years and the last 3 or 4 years, since finding Steph and School sucks, who led me to Nathaniel Brandon and Gabe Mator as well as others has helped me accept myself as i am. This article is true for me. Philosophy helped me past just sobriety to truly living. It helped me find connection. I took drugs to forgot how much i hated myself, to feel normal for just a little while. Now, I don't need that. 1
utopian Posted July 30, 2015 Posted July 30, 2015 Ya know, I always suspected something like this, that addiction was not necessarily a chemical issue only, but a philosophical one. I used to do a lot of drugs when I was younger. I was just seeking that high, because life seemed so dull without it. I never got over getting high, I just replaced the high... with violence. I started getting into cage fighting and working out. I replaced the drug high with the runners high. Right now, I am addicted to video games. There is no chemical addiction here, save for, perhaps, an adrenaline rush of winning at combat. What I do feel addicted to, is a philosophical fulfillment I seem to get while playing video games. The sense that I am building a character. That I am going on an adventure. That I am living an exciting life. That is what I feel addicted to. And when I stop playing video games, there just seems to be nothing else in my life. I still work out sometimes, but that can only be done for an hour or so really. I am too disgusted by the general stupidity of people to enjoy being around them. There is simply nothing that can seem to fill the void when video games are not there. I suspect the same is such when people go looking to fill the void when drugs are not there.
Donnadogsoth Posted July 30, 2015 Posted July 30, 2015 Ya know, I always suspected something like this, that addiction was not necessarily a chemical issue only, but a philosophical one. I used to do a lot of drugs when I was younger. I was just seeking that high, because life seemed so dull without it. I never got over getting high, I just replaced the high... with violence. I started getting into cage fighting and working out. I replaced the drug high with the runners high. Right now, I am addicted to video games. There is no chemical addiction here, save for, perhaps, an adrenaline rush of winning at combat. What I do feel addicted to, is a philosophical fulfillment I seem to get while playing video games. The sense that I am building a character. That I am going on an adventure. That I am living an exciting life. That is what I feel addicted to. And when I stop playing video games, there just seems to be nothing else in my life. I still work out sometimes, but that can only be done for an hour or so really. I am too disgusted by the general stupidity of people to enjoy being around them. There is simply nothing that can seem to fill the void when video games are not there. I suspect the same is such when people go looking to fill the void when drugs are not there. Most videogames, I gather, are "quest" games. The point is to clear out a dungeon or castle or complex or spaceship, and achieve a victory for "the good guys". If you view real life humans as stupid, where do you get your motivation to go on a quest? Who are worth going on an adventure for?
utopian Posted July 30, 2015 Posted July 30, 2015 My own "quest motivation" comes from the prospect of loot. The person worth going on an adventure for, is myself, for the excitement of the adventure. Have you ever found treasure in real life? In any capacity? It's quite exciting. Sometimes I look for dimes and pennies lying on the ground, because the ones from before 1965 are made of actual silver and copper, and worth much more than today's equivalent denominations. It feels like finding treasure. A long time ago I used to work in a movie theater. People always thought I was weird because I always wanted to clean the movie theaters by myself. I never told them how much money I used to sweep out from under the seats. In game combat is quite exciting, just like real life combat can be, which is why I fought for a while. You dont lose brainpower getting hit in the game however.
fractional slacker Posted July 31, 2015 Posted July 31, 2015 Anyone want to give epistemology on addiction ie clear, concise, falsifiable definition?
Susana Posted July 31, 2015 Author Posted July 31, 2015 what about the conclusions in the 2nd to last paragraph: "Loving an addict is really hard. When I looked at the addicts I love, it was always tempting to follow the tough love advice doled out by reality shows like Intervention -- tell the addict to shape up, or cut them off. Their message is that an addict who won't stop should be shunned. It's the logic of the drug war, imported into our private lives. But in fact, I learned, that will only deepen their addiction -- and you may lose them altogether. I came home determined to tie the addicts in my life closer to me than ever -- to let them know I love them unconditionally, whether they stop, or whether they can't."
MagnumPI Posted July 31, 2015 Posted July 31, 2015 Anytime this "unconditional love" shit comes up, I sound the alarms. Sounds a lot like don't judge me or accept me the way I am.
fractional slacker Posted July 31, 2015 Posted July 31, 2015 SeriousSuana - From what I can tell, that is the epitome of altruism. Disgusting typical sophistry.
hannahbanana Posted July 31, 2015 Posted July 31, 2015 I've also seen a response to the article mentioned in this post. You can read it here: www.thecabinchiangmai.com/blog/the-real-cause-of-addiction-a-reply-to-the-huffington-post#.Vbud0PlbjsA Seems a little more legit than just some opinion article response that you may find elsewhere. Notice though, that he says there are genetic markers in only 40-60% of people, leading me to believe it is probably a complicated issue that may involve multiple factors (as most things do).
AccuTron Posted July 31, 2015 Posted July 31, 2015 Gaming, for what it's worth: I only play UberStrike.com which was designed for the young originally, so no gore. Don't let that fool you, it's a very demanding shooter and fabulously upgraded over the years. No gore, no plot, no levels, just skill and fun. I wonder what difference it would make to eliminate those factors from your gaming.
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