Is addiction a choice or a mental problem or ECT? Asking cuz my dad said me smoking cigarettes and dope is a choice that I can quit. Apparently I'm choosing not to. Everyone else just knows how I feel. Making me want to just stay quiet and not even bother no one.
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Hey Leann welcome to Loosid. Most people have opinions. Your dad gave you his based on his own knowledge and experience. I hope you get plenty of other opinions and information here. I honestly believe the only opinion that can effect change is your own. If smoking anything has impacted life in a negative way then consider making a change.
Addiction is complex and for me required treatment In my recovery program we can only claim ourselves alcoholic. If I didn’t admit the problem I couldn’t move toward the solution. Good luck. You’ll find a lot of support here.
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You do have a choice, and if it doesn’t feel that way.
If it’s too hard at times, I ask God, because he is willing to do for us what we cannot do for ourselves. Or chose to ask for help from someone else: tell a friend “ I can’t stop, I need your help”.
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I go to mental health and admit it to them. I get my dad shared his opinion on it, but he shouldn't throw it in my face telling me I don't care bout my kid and that's all I wanna do is smoke and do drugs ECT. When when I'm here, Is the time I crave it most. I'm it's not an excuse but. I do wanna quit. No one believes me cuz I keep doing it.
I tried asking friends. I hardly get anyone to answer their phone. To me I get home it can be a choice in a way. But addiction is addiction no matter what it is. Good or bad. Some people can't.
He shouldn't be throwing it in my face like that neither tho just about every single day
For me the booze took away my choices. Once I put it down came freedom to choose. You said you want to quit and that’s the first step. Keep sharing. I need help and I have a hard time asking for it. You did by posting. Way to go!!
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Try this: Ask God out loud for his help, tell him you feel like you can’t quit and that you need his help.
Even if you’re not religious, what is the harm in giving that a shot! Ask everyday, whenever you’re struggling say it aloud.
I didn’t believe in anything like God or prayer, but I tried it, and the more I prayed the more I felt him helping. The universe wants you to be happy and healthy 
Thank you! Idk how to react to this. I'm not used to someone being positive towards me really..but I do appreciate it so much.
You got it girlfriend!! I was mostly scared and uncomfortable in my first month. It has become a little better after I felt fear and did it anyway. Stay close to people who support you. We are here !!
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It’s really complicated. There are tons of opinions regarding addiction. For me, I wasn’t aware that I had a choice. Theoretically I did have a choice, but my thought process was completely shut down and controlled by my addiction to the point that I was just surviving on auto pilot. Today I’m aware of that choice. The program of AA has made me aware of this choice. I have learned that I have a built in forgetter that forgets that I have this choice if I don’t remind myself of this choice over and over again one day at a time. This is the key to long term sobriety in my opinion. Again this is how I make it work for me. If I don’t take my medication (work a daily program of recovery), I slowly get sick. I begin to become ungrateful. I begin to build resentments. I become irritable, restless, and discontent. Eventually I feel the need to escape reality so badly that I think to myself “F it. Then I’m back to that vicious cycle of hitting a bottom once again. I completely forget I do have a choice. Isn’t this insane!!! What kind of fool let’s this happen to them over and over again!! That’s what the “normies” think of us. They’ll never understand. Heck, we ourselves even think we’re fools. That’s why we are full of shame. Rather than focusing and debating on the choice issue, it’s best to accept our condition, and focus on the solution. I found my solution. I just need to live in this solution one day at a time. That’s how I’m doing it. I know many others that are doing the same. I hope you can join us. AA/NA are not the only programs. There are others that have been successful in keeping people sober. They all require some work and connection. Hop on the recovery train!! Put on a helmet and strap on your seat belt! It’s a wild ride 
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Leann, welcome to Loosid. I know firsthand what you’re going through. My ex wife said the same thing to me. Why can’t you just stop. What others don’t understand is we have a three part disease, body, mind and spirit.
Body-Allergy
Mind- obsession
Spirit- Spiritual malady- we don’t believe
I hear a few resentments in your story. Resentments are the number one killer of Alcoholics. My suggestion is to get a sponsor, read the big book, work the steps, help others, attend meetings regularly.
I wish you well
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Hi. I struggled with that question for a long time, but with the right help I found out that it was an addiction that went through my family. My brother died an alcoholic at 33 the color of a lemon. What started out as fun took such control over me that I physically needed the alcohol to function daily from morning to night. I was medically detoxed and thank god I am at 20 months sobriety. It’s been very hard because I am addicted and could pick up in a heart beat so I need to avoid people, places and things. I feel sad that your dad said that. I also have had comments made “Just Don’t Drink”. Doesn’t work that way. My last relapse was with a sip of beer and I was off and running. Since detox I don’t do pills or pot anymore. It’s not easy but know I am doing the right thing. Today I have another friend that probably isn’t going to make it leaving 2 beautiful daughters. Please get help to stop for yourself first and for your children. God bless.
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With addiction we all needed to admit we couldn’t quit on our own. We made deals with ourselves, tried the “only one tonight”, next week I will go to a meeting… you took the first step and said you want to quit, that’s great. Now do you truly in the depths of your soul believe it? There is no shame in admitting you need help to quit. I had to let go of my pride and say that alcohol kicked my as$, and I can not stop without someone to help me. And it did… it’s been a year and there are still some remnants of the wreckage. But staying true to the steps and my sponsor… I can honestly say I never want to go back to the drink again. Good luck! I hope you find the peace you deserve.
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I do that. I should more but get too caught up with my thoughts. Thank you guys so much for being so supportive. 
It’s both. I saw a trauma therapist for eight years to know it’s at the root of our problems.
Take a look at this link below. This was my childhood. I had abuses in the home which effected my brain development. I was under constant stress my entire life which effected the lack of certain chemicals and too much of others.
Many of us in here experienced repeated shame….that’s verbal abuse. We coped by self-medicating.
I need medication to now repair the damage done to my brain. But I have compassion for myself and forgive my ill-equipped parents for not having the tools to be healthy themselves: they both have personality disorders. My my is an alcoholic and prescription drug abuser. Of course I had anxiety and depression-who wouldn’t?
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How about adding something tangible that would help?
"Even if you're not religious do my religious stuff". Pushy.
God didn't stop a guy walking into a school and shooting up the place the other day, why would he care about a drunk like me?
Please offer real suggestions to people, instead of just proselytizing.
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This is interesting
We all love and support you in your recovery! We’re all in this together
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I get what you’re saying here. My point was that it can’t hurt, and it seems to work well for lots of people!
Something tangible is a great suggestion as well! Use whatever works!
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