Addiction fact or fiction?!


Question: Addiction fact or fiction!?
I smoked and did LOTS of drugs during my life, and I quit (its been two years) without any problems: no cravings or withdrawls to speak of!. So my question is simply: is addiction real or a matter of will power!?Www@Answer-Health@Com


Answers:
Addiction has been linked to genetics!. Since everyone has a different genetic composition, people will obviously have different experiences in both becoming addicted and giving up any particular substance!.

Think of it this way!.!.!. there are people who smoke and get lung cancer, and people who smoke who don't!. It's not magic or karma or god!.!.!. it's genetics that determines if your body will react negatively or neutrally to carcinogens!.

Addiction is the same way!. For some people, nicotine "unlocks" certain chemical receptors in the brain and develops an insane dependence on them!. For others, nicotine gives pleasure but doesn't have total control over the brain!. Here's an interesting quote from the link I posted below:

More than half of the people who smoke at least five packs in their lives - 100 cigarettes - go on to become nicotine dependent!. But about 15 percent of people who smoke that amount won't develop any symptoms of nicotine dependence!. "These people can give up smoking at any time," Bierut says!. "They have no cravings!."

So, congrats on being one of the 15% who aren't genetically nicotine dependent!.Www@Answer-Health@Com

Whoo hoo! Congrats on quitting, that's awesome!.

I'm not so sure if I believe in addiction or not!. I've never been addicted to anything so I can't actually have a say, but I know some people who definitely appear to be addicted to either cigarettes, alcohol or drugs!. I think that addiction is very real in the sense that there are proven physical changes occurring in the body when going through withdrawal - I don't believe this is all in your head!. When your body is used to consuming a certain substance, say, nicotine, it's obviously going to freak out and wonder what's going on when that chemical isn't being provided!. I don't believe that someone who is trying to quit smoking is sitting there saying, "I want a smoke! Let's make my hands shake!. K, let's throw up now!."

Every body is different!. Just as people might react differently to consuming certain chemicals, they're going to react differently when taking away these same substances!. You're one of the lucky ones! ;)


Again, congratulations on quitting! Keep up the great work!.
Take care!Www@Answer-Health@Com

I think it can be real in some cases (where alcohol is involved to a bad alcoholic), but you must have had a lot of will power!. It's weird you had no withdrawls!.Www@Answer-Health@Com

Fact, obviously!.Www@Answer-Health@Com

will power!. you cant die from withdrawl!. but you can force yourself out of it!.Www@Answer-Health@Com

it is a very real chemical dependence!. congrats on quiting!. i quit smoking about 8 years ago, feel great!.Www@Answer-Health@Com

ask people did drugsWww@Answer-Health@Com





The consumer health information on answer-health.com is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment for any medical conditions.
The answer content post by the user, if contains the copyright content please contact us, we will immediately remove it.
Copyright © 2007-2011 answer-health.com -   Terms of Use -   Contact us

Health Categories