Is there a difference?

Is there any difference between drug addiction and alcoholism?  Or is addiction just addiction?

If a person had a problem with drugs in the past, is it OK for them to drink?

[wantingtohelp]

I'm not sure of the specifics of drug addiction versus alcoholism. What I DO know, however, is that drinking, for a recovered drug addict, is a dangerous and precarious situation. Alcohol can act as a gateway to drugs. Also, think of the situations one drinks in: how long before you (or whoever) is offered some sort of drug? And how tempting would it be, if you were already drunk?

I've seen, personally, recovered drug addicts relapse very quickly when they start drinking. If this is about you, or someone you care about... I'd say it's not a good idea at all... (Also remember that alcoholism can ruin lives just as easily as drugs. If you were addicted to drugs, chances are it'd be much easier for you to become addicted to alcohol as well.)

[rodewc]

It varies. I am not an alcoholic. Alcohol never consumes a single thought. I never wonder prior to going somewhere whether alcohol will be served. I never drink something prior to an event in case it is not served, or in case I would be viewed as a lush, or to boost my self esteem/confidence. Alcholol does not allow the body to burn fat, and I am consumed with food. As my dear mutha used to say, "I prefer my calories in bulk" The answer is ambiguous. Many peeps are cross addicted. I, by the grace of God, am not. Give me a Mr. Pibb on crushed ice anytime. I am a barbituate, narcotic, book, sex, and food addict. Keep the alcohol, amphetimes, Ultram, etc. I have drunk, and will do so again. But it wouldnt matter if I never drank again. I certainly would be thinner. However, Perrier-Jouet and like are nice treats.
~~

[Esmith28]

I agree with wantsto help...she hit the nail on the head and I have been in AA and CA and around the program for years...and she is right you might not have a proble, with it but it could impair judgenment and make them want their drug of choice..I myself have been addcited to cigs, coke and pills at different times in my life but I dont care enough for alcohol to drink like an alcoholic...but I must be carefull....because if it is the addcited side to me that I must keep in check...good luck...

[herself]

I agree with r. that it varies. For me,
the desire to get high on pot or opiates
or whatever is pretty much exactly the same
as the desire to drink, when I experience it.
But alcohol does have a slightly stronger hold
on me than the other drugs, so maybe it's not
quite the same. However, I think that's just
a drug of choice issue. The base compulsion
for drug use and for alcohol comsumption for me
are the same, and that's what matters.

h h

[minime]

I've been told while in a detox hospital that alcohol is the only drug you can actually die from while detoxing.  The others may make you feel like dying but even Heroin is safer to detox from than alcohol.  

I think the urge to do drugs or alcohol is the same.  Just like the compulsion that anorexics or overeaters have.  It all boils down to loss of control doesn't it?

[herself]

Loss of control vs. retention of control.
In my mind, and I was bulimic from age 15 to 30
(am now 42) bulimics and alcoholics want to lose
control while anorectics seek to retain control.
It is the letting go, the indulgence without
limitation in something you take into yourself
that makes bulimia and alcoholism share some
characteristics. I think anorexia is different.
But then I've only dabbled on the fringes of
anorexia in my personal life. I'm a recovered
bulimic and a sober alcoholic though am not
entirely clean, by the way.

[herself]

Man the pop up adds on this forum are
******* driving me crazy, so if I
disappear that is why.

best,
harriet

[theGolden1]

I read your comment down below ... suggesting that Fibromyalgia was a name they use when they do not know what "it" is. I have FMS and I can tell you it's PAINFUL. Right now, I'm very proud of myself, because I am only dosing once a day, but if the pain I had 2 years ago should return, I will not hesitate to stop it.
I used to be all uppity about drugs and people that said they had pain and took pills ..... until it happened to me. I don't want to get into a big thing, but I think you should worry a little less about your wife's medication and start learning more about fibromyalgia. Massage, moist heat .... and light excersize are very important. If she is swallowing all these pills ... she can swallow a vitamin every day and some calcium. This condition has to be fought on several fronts .... she is afraid of the pain. Ultram is considered the best medication for FMS (I think)
things change so fast .... my email is ***@**** I will be happy to send information or help .... Goldie

[feelsobad]

I think the good doctor gave you the educated, professional view point. I abused alcohol, before I discovered hydrocodone, gave up the booze. Didn't need it anymore...introduced to oxycontin...gave up hydro. Didn't need it anymore... for reasons of not wanting to check out of this planet before my time (at least by my own addiction)...gave up the oxy's. Hardest period of my 49 drug experimenting years. I think any chemical in owr hands is Dangerous. I quit the oxy's now I've noticed I'm cycling back around to the booze. So, as addicts we are prone to be compulsive and overindulge in everything we do. If only I'd listend to mom, "Those cigarettes are addicting and they'll lead to......" Oh well so much for hindsight. Now its time for a little mature foresite. Just be carful with anything pleasurable or mood altering. It's a recipe for disaster.

have a great day
feelsobad

[MrsRat]

Hi, I saw your comment on popups.  If you haven't heard of the web browser called Opera, you may wanna check it out.  It gives you the option to stop all popups when you are surfing the web.  Actually, until you did your post, I never realized this website used popups.

My husband and I love Opera so much we paid to register it. We feel we've more than gotten our money out of it over the past couple of years we've been using it. They are also always working on new versions of it. I have yet to go download the newest version (been too busy last few days), but my hubby got it and says it's wonderful. You can find their website at this URL: www.opera.com

The only problem we have found with Opera is not all websites allow it's use.  A few insist you use IE or NetScape. We keep a copy of NetScape on our computers anyway, since we use NS 4.8 for email, so when needed we will use that to surf a site. That is the only time I will see popups and they do drive me NUTS.

Just thought I'd post and let you know about this browser and how you can get rid of popups. Opera also is a lot faster loading sites than the other browsers out there, just like they claim it is. Hope this info helps you.

[4mygirls]

Hi everyone,  I don't mean to ask this question on someone elses post,  but this sight won't let me post my own.  Anyway,  I was wondering how long it takes from day one of w/d's to get strength back into your body.  The first and second day of w/d's for me are inbearable.  I can't get off the couch, it kills me to even go to the bathroom.  I have three kids and two of which I have to get ready for school.  I hate this feeling,  but I hate being off the pills even more.  I Love this sight and all of you out there.  You have encouraged me so much and gave me faith that I can do this and I will.  Please give me some incourageing words,  some that will help me through the upcomeing days.  Day one is tomorrow,  I have decided I want to do this once and for all.  I was going to stay on the pills until I had surgery, was think why get off when I am going to be right back on them.  But what good is it to stay on them, when by the time surgery comes,  they won't help because of my tolerance to them. My thoughts and prayers are with all of you. YOU ALL GIVE ME HOPE.
     thank you
            4mygirls (Gina)

[jerri 1]

As I just posted to lifer,I'm here for you too sweetie.Reach out and hang on to my hand we can do this. After the first 5 days of the super flu symtems it starts getting better.Just make sure you take vitamins,hot bathes for the aching muscles, drink lots and lots of fluids,make sure you eat,walk cause you need exercise!!!!!Some people use a sleep aide(I did not)I idnt sleep much the first 5 or 6 days but didnt want to replace one drug for another.Some take valium or something of its kind too.Just to get through the first few days.I promise it gets better and better everyday!! I think back now and remember seeing these great people on here saying that and thinking ha right!! But I now know it does. I havent felt this good in many yrs. If you fall on your way just pick yourself back up and dust yourself off and go again! Weve all fallen at least once some alot more. We just have to keep fighting this beast and we can win!! This is my 3rd.time getting back up and going forward. Its a shame we cant post hardly anything anymore. when i started on 1/10/03 we could post all night and never run out of space.This forum and all these wonderfull addict brothers & sisters are what got me through this and keep me going. So just keep posting when you can and we'll help you through.  I'll be praying for you and everyone here. Godbless... Jerri

[jerri 1]

I hope you come down here cause the threads are all full above. I just wanted to let you know I hear you. And I'm here for you if needed. This is a tragic disease we all have. And sadly we have no options except to quit.I'm on day 31 clean and its still up and down.But I am determined this beast is not going to drag me down again. know matter what it whispers in my ears! I'm here for you my friend. And I'll be praying for you on your journey. You can do it!! Just look up ahead and grab my hand and we'll do it togeather. God bless...   Jerri

[feelsobad]

I can't believe my eyes. Can't post a new question on a new day, have to skroll down through the months to find some unused comment that nobody in need of help will be able to find. This is as bad as I feared, even worse. This site in this condition is USELESS....WE ARE FORSAKEN BY OUR DOCTORS WHEN WE FESS UP AND TRY TO BE HONEST, WE GET CUT OFF OUR MEDS ON A WHIM WHEN WE REALLY DO NEED THEM BECAUSE THE DOCS ARE AFRAID OF THE DEA. THE REHAB SYSTEM IS A SCAM TO MAKE THE REST OF AMERICA FEEL LIKE "AT LEAST THEY HAVE SOME WHERE TO GO". YEA LIKE A DOG BEGGING FOR A BONE. DEMORALIZING.
Then we all find this site. It's a God send. We have a whole group of people just like us. We can console one onther in our darkest hours. And celebrate another passing day drug free. Come on here going bananas because of a bad recovery day or maybe we relapsed. But someone, more than likely many, will come to your aid and calm you down like only a fellow addict can do. I hope this is not the beginning of the END. I just can't imagine not having this important resource to help other and others help me.
Remember how everyone responds when they find this site? "I felt so all alone,I didn't know anybody had this problem but me. I now have hope."
I just don't think we are so digusting that even Med Help will forsake us. I will make a donation to them but unless a lot of others do we can kiss this place goodbye. There is just no logic behind the comment limitation. Oh, enough of my ranting. Im just worried about losing a great group of friends.

feelsobad

[4mygirls]

Thank you for you kind words and everybody else on this sight.  We all get the flu in our lives right.  Why is it so scary to know that when we are going to get it and what effects its going to have on us.  Weve live through the past years with the flu,  why should now be any differant right.  Well day one is today,  I woke up sneezeing my butt off,  cold as cold can be(thats to be expected).  Barely enough energy to comb my kids hair and then dragging myself to the car to get them off to school.  This sucks I swore up and down I would never get addicted to these darn things.  When I first starting takeing Lortabs 5's they made me sick,  I threw up like there was no tomorrow even now than I am up to ten's I still have my moments more than I want to count where I just puke and puke and puke.  Does anyone No why that happen.  I only have to take one lortab 10 and I puke and on other days I can take 3 lortab 10's at one time and be just fine.  Well anyway I am done done done, I was just curious why this was happening to me.  If anyone knows please give me some feedback.  Well again I thank all of you for being here for everyone.  Yes I am on day one,  but I will get through this.  I have no access to pills and have no urge to go and find any either.  Tomorrow is going to be harder I'm sure.  So I will post again then.  I need to read your posts they give me hope.
your all in my prayers
  4mygirls (Gina)

[jerri 1]

feelssobad,I know what you mean it,s sooooooooo sad what has happened here.I dont know what I would have done without this forum to help me through.And theres so many people who dont even post just read for the strength they receive.But I guess nothings free anymore!                                         4mygirls,My oldest daughter(shes28)does that with vics.too.Sometimes she can take them with know problem and sometimes she pukes her guts out from them.There the only thing that does this to her!I dont know if its a reaction to the hydrocodone or what. She ends up throwing them down the toilet.(Boy did that make me want to cry when I was taking them. But I thank God all 4 of my kids know I have an addictive personality.They used to have to hide their pills when they knew I was coming! And thats sad that I would steal them if I found them.But thats how we think I guess. Good luck sweetie. Its even harder for you with taking care of your kids too.But down the road you'll look back and thank God you got off of them. We only end up on a dead end.Clean there is know end to the possibilities we have before us. It only gets better day by day..  Take care my friends.. I'll be praying for extra strength to get us all through.           Jerri