Addiction advice thread

[googoodoll]

I'm not being funny or anything but I have a shopping problem. I spend spend spend all the time. Especially on the internet. And its not like I have money to waste...
I start using my savings or my school fees to buy stuff that I imagine I need.

 

[Grimspoon]

I'm not being funny or anything but I have a shopping problem. I spend spend spend all the time. Especially on the internet. And its not like I have money to waste...
I start using my savings or my school fees to buy stuff that I imagine I need.

I also have a bit of a spending problem. I don't have any debt other than my bond, but any spare cash I do have I like to blow. I have often wondered if I have a problem or is it just a bit of a over the top.

 

[googoodoll]

I also have a bit of a spending problem. I don't have any debt other than my bond, but any spare cash I do have I like to blow. I have often wondered if I have a problem or is it just a bit of a over the top.

I think it might be a problem. Especially since I shop online instead of working or studying...
I also have to really control my urges to buy lotto tickets...

 

[Grimspoon]

I think it might be a problem. Especially since I shop online instead of working or studying...
I also have to really control my urges to buy lotto tickets...

I also do a lot of online buying. It is too easy and it feels good

I have a problem buying shoes and other expensive toys.

 

[googoodoll]

I have a whole lot of cat equipment and I don't even have a cat
The worst is when there's free delivery - they always catch me with that.
I buy more books than I can read.
And earrings too lots of them.

 

[Sherbang]

I'm not being funny or anything but I have a shopping problem. I spend spend spend all the time. Especially on the internet. And its not like I have money to waste...
I start using my savings or my school fees to buy stuff that I imagine I need.

First thing you need to do is cancel your credit cards and paypal account. Make it as difficult as possible for yourself to buy stuff online. The fact that you are aware of your problem is a good first step.

I suspect there is another underlying pschological issue involving shame and low self-esteem. Do you shop for comfort but feel ashamed afterwards. We live in a world where advertisers try and convice us we can be happy and fulfilled if we buy stuff so when we feel unloved, lonely or undervalued we buy stuff as a comfort - but it doesn't work because then we feel ashamed afterwards, leading to feeling unloved and lonely and so the cycle continues. It's called Retail Therapy because it, supposedly, makes us feel better, but leaves us feeling a bit empty afterwards.

 

[googoodoll]

I suspect there is another underlying pschological issue involving shame and low self-esteem.

I don't think its my self esteem. Could be but I doubt it. I have a lot of interests and hobbies and I will easily buy craft supplies for crafts I don't really have time for or things that seem interesting. I spent a few hundred rand buying wool over the internet the other day... And my book on historical corsets is being delivered today...

I also work with a few rich old people who spend as their hobby and always buy the newest and most expensive toys and I don't think that's a very good influence. Not that I'm blaming them but they do get involved when they hear I'm shopping around and send me during work time to go buy whatever I'm looking for.

 

[Sherbang]

I don't think its my self esteem. Could be but I doubt it. I have a lot of interests and hobbies and I will easily buy craft supplies for crafts I don't really have time for or things that seem interesting. I spent a few hundred rand buying wool over the internet the other day... And my book on historical corsets is being delivered today...

I also work with a few rich old people who spend as their hobby and always buy the newest and most expensive toys and I don't think that's a very good influence. Not that I'm blaming them but they do get involved when they hear I'm shopping around and send me during work time to go buy whatever I'm looking for.

Well in that case it's either simply about self-discipline or you need to uncover the reasons why you shop for things you don't need or don't have time for.. Probably still a good idea to cancel your credit cards and paypal account.

Don't worry, I just spent R600 on 4 balls of harris tweed wool myself!

 

[googoodoll]

Ok from today no more online shopping for me

 

[KalMaverick]

Ok from today no more online shopping for me

From today no more internet for me...

 

[googoodoll]

Good idea Kal.

I'm being serious though. I feel so guilty.....

Much respect to recovering drug addicts

 

[syntax]

so i screwed up on the weekend, it wasnt even worth it.
Feel like garbage now (physically) and its likely going to take a few more days before my body is back on track.

On the plus side, it has been ages since I have done anything like this, and Im hoping for it to not to occur again. Stupid alcohol definitely increases my stupid decisions

 

[syntax]

Alcohol is the devil. Almost went and did something stupid on the weekend after having a few drinks.
Managed to convince myself that it was a crap idea, and that I would regret it in the morning.
I also told myself I dont want to waste a whole sunday feeling crap and not enjoying the company of my wife like I should be doing.

Low and behold, woke up Sunday morning so thankful that I didnt make that phone call. I dont care what anyone says, alcohol is the gateway drug, without a doubt.

 

[bpow2404]

so i screwed up on the weekend, it wasnt even worth it.
Feel like garbage now (physically) and its likely going to take a few more days before my body is back on track.

On the plus side, it has been ages since I have done anything like this, and Im hoping for it to not to occur again. Stupid alcohol definitely increases my stupid decisions

I know the feeling. I really have some stupid and potentially damaging ideas when drinking. I don't know why I can't just say no to that second beer or wine and behave like a normal person. I think for me it's going to have to be complete abstinence.
The thing is, is that I really start wanting just that one drink. You know that feeling and I convince myself that I'll be ok...

 

[koeksGHT]

I never seemed to have a problem with smoking, I smoked socially around friends but I have never had an urge to smoke or buy. I stopped after I moved away and have never really smoked. I do enjoy one now and then but not to a point of nicotine dependency(time waster when bored).

I hate alcohol because it all tastes **** and makes you feel ****..

Weird

Would MJ be classified as addictive or is does it really just depend on the person if they have the addictive attributes?

 

[chicken247]

I have been high for 6 days now. I think i am broken.

 

[Batista]

I never seemed to have a problem with smoking, I smoked socially around friends but I have never had an urge to smoke or buy. I stopped after I moved away and have never really smoked. I do enjoy one now and then but not to a point of nicotine dependency(time waster when bored).

I hate alcohol because it all tastes **** and makes you feel ****..

Weird

Would MJ be classified as addictive or is does it really just depend on the person if they have the addictive attributes?

It doesnt matter if you are 'addicted', as long as everything else in your life is right then it simply doesnt matter.If your addiction starts interferring with your social life, job, family then you need to seek help.
I hardly rate MJ as an addictive substance, you may want to be high all the time, but that is not a result of the chemicals in MJ, as there are no addictive chemicals in it.All in the mind.

 

[syntax]

I have been high for 6 days now. I think i am broken.

if you are serious, then i feel bad for you. The comedown is going to be pretty brutal.
out of interest, what kept you going? Benders like that lose all kinds of entertainment value after the first few hours. In fact, like any substance, after the initial phase, they are usually not worth the effort, but its hard to stop in the moment eh?

It doesnt matter if you are 'addicted', as long as everything else in your life is right then it simply doesnt matter.If your addiction starts interferring with your social life, job, family then you need to seek help.
I hardly rate MJ as an addictive substance, you may want to be high all the time, but that is not a result of the chemicals in MJ, as there are no addictive chemicals in it.All in the mind.

Maybe MJ is a bit of an exception. But addiction to narcotics is never a good thing. I was trying to find this blog from a lady i read a while back whilst struggling with issues myself. She described how she was a functioning heroin addict. She knew she had to maintain her job in order to afford her addiction, so she did. She was at work, she did enough to keep her job, she knew that if friends and family who werent in on it would try make her stop, so she put on a normal facade when around them.

It was one of the most honest, and brutal articles I have read. Im going to keep digging for it, because it would be worth people reading this thread to give it a once over.

 

[mak2000]

Don't have enough internet access to get addicted...

Seems like you found a solution to your addiction problem. Make sure you do not have enough access to the addicted items

 

[phLOx]

Been off cigarettes for 2 months now. It never gets easier but you get used to it. I crave a cig at least once every two days.
Once I got over the habit it was a lot easier. I thank e-cigarettes for helping met get over the addiction and habit.