Does saying, "I'm an addict" perpetuate addiction?
Very interesting question KP. From what I have been told, a big part of confronting addiction is owning up to the fact and admitting to yourself and others that you have an addiction. However, I think that at some point repeating that phrase "I'm an addict" or "I'm an alcoholic" can perpetuate the problem and allow the person an out. It applies to other negative "I'm a " statements like "I'm depressed". We identify too strongly with this sense of I and end up reinforcing a false truth. As people have discovered with Iboga and Ayahuasca, this "I" is just a small part of us. Saying "I have an addiction" is different than "I'm an addict" - the former allows for an unaddicted part of the psyche to coexist with the addicted part , the latter statement doesn't. I just finished reading Super Brain - you can see a program about it on public televison pledge drives. It shows how the 3 parts of the brain (reptilian, limbic and neocortex) should work together but often we let the reptilian or limbic brain rule us. One of the things stated in the book is that constantly repeating something negative causes that thought to be automatic and habitual. I started taking Noopept as a result of reading this book. I hope others chime in on this - thanks for raising an interesting and important topic.
KP, this is indeed a great topic! Entheonewbie, this above statement cracked me up! Please, tell us more! Noopept has certainly enhanced my brain in 100's of ways it seems, and my life as a result. And please post in the 'Noopept Trials' thread when the moment strikes (no rush). I believe this drug will be used adjacent to Iboga therapy for many for the coming years. Your feedback is valuable. Once an addict, always an addict? What if the word never existed? What if you were not able to categorize such a complex concept into one freaking word?!? Everyone is some sort of addict if we really want to break down the definition of what addiction is. Our brains will always continue to be programmed/updated by internal and external factors. So you can believe whatever you want, or think you need to (i.e. "I am not an addict" to break the cycle...?) Really it comes down to whatever you need to tell yourself to get to that next phase of evolution. Personally, I consider myself an "addict." That's because I must do so in order to keep myself in check on my path to homeostasis and transcendence, continued saturation of my soul if you will. The question is: How often do you live in a state of awareness? What are the systems you have put in place that have bridged you to the new evolution of KIAP? That can certainly be, telling yourself "you are not an addict." I am sitting here with Lala, and we both just read your post about people you have met who don't believe in addiction.....anyone who has gone through opiate withdrawal knows what addiction is. I would venture to guess these folks you are speaking of never went through that. Not believing in addiction is one of the dumbest things I have ever heard (Blue's opinion). It seems you are simply speaking of psychological addiction.... Let's continue this talk as it's value has only begun to present itself I hope.
Amen and thanks for stating that. I tried to state that in the intro but wasn't very clear. I've met several addicts that actually said they didn't believe in addiction but were curious about Iboga/Kambo because of how much it had helped a friend or relative. So herein is another question I have (because I didn't know what to say to them at the time nor do I still know what to say to those that deny there is such a thing as addiction)... What does one say to an addict (at least they have all the symptoms) that denies there is such a thing as addiction? As this is the necessary beginning step.
BT - I wil post in the Noopept thread once I get my hands on the book again - I couldn't renew it at the library. I feel like there is a line that gets crossed where the benefit of stating "I'm X" turns into either a crutch to continue being X or starts reinforcing a habit (no pun intended) that we want to stop. Personally, I'm very much aware of all the excuses I come up with to do things I shouldn't/don't do things I should, I can just see the angel on one shoulder and the devil on the other and the devil often wins particularly if its a well established habit like rewarding myself with food. I've only had one experience with a guy who was clearly an alcoholic but claimed that he wasn't and could stop drinking anytime but just chose not too (meanwhile I almost passed out due to the alcohol content of his breath). I asked him to prove it by stopping for a week. Not surprising, he wouldn't do it and became very defensive. So, unfortunately, I for one don't have a answer to this that has worked.
Back to the original topic, I think the phrase can, but should not be used as an ultimate personal identifier the more we gain awareness and the cleaner we live. Personally, not messing with my opiate system and turning a new chapter without cigarettes has me loving myself, I am aware I am not a ghost. In fact, I am alive, and full of color and light! BUT, I like drugs and have "addictive tendencies." Keeping this in mind serves it's historical purpose in better navigating me through the future. The real frosting on the cake is the emotional affair with entheogens that continues to develop. The therapeutic effects and the beauty that comes from these experiences is a way in which I choose to define myself. This simply means: Drugs still occupy my mind. Just different ones (the good ones). If they didn't, something else would and I'd be a very different person. Frankly, drugs and behavior fascinate me. And I don't forget my past by choice. As previously stated, because it fuels me to continue eating healthy, loving to exercise, it somehow reminds me that if I don't continue to flex the muscle of LIFE, than I stand the chance to die. Iboga showed me that this life is too good and interesting, and a magical divine gift to let that happen. So for me KP, "I can addicted to anything" is a pearl of wisdom. For example, this Noopept is strong stuff. People have reported getting addicted to it. I could be a jackass (carelessly push my limits) and take over 60mgs a day, but the above phrase reminds me to follow the therapeutic protocol.
I have used a LOT of drugs in my lifetime, different substances, some for long periods, but I don't think I ever considered myself an addict until I experienced opiate withdrawal a few times. At first I didn't even realize that is what it was that I was experiencing, someone else recognized my symptoms and told me that is what was going on. The addiction, I believe, was indeed real. I may have been addicted to other drugs from someone elses viewpoint, but most of those other substances I was able to walk away from after awhile even if I didn't feel they were giving me trouble in my life, though thinking back on it most did.. or I was able to quit if I did realized the trouble they were causing. The hardest to overcome were opiates because of the physical pain being without them caused. For me personally, admitting I was an addict was the first step in making me realize I had a problem that I needed to take control of. I think that it is possible that it could for some. I think that some people romanticize using drugs or alcohol and being an addict could give them a sense of identity, so perhaps for people like that it could perpetuate it? I don't think everyone is the same. People start using and abusing drugs for different reasons and I believe that there are things that may perpetuate addiction for some and not others. Some of the things that perpetuate use for one person may be the same thing that makes other want to quit. Also I truly believe that some people are more susceptible to addiction, My father was an addict, my uncle (his brother) died from a heroin overdose, their father was an alcoholic. I think in cases like that, realizing that you may be susceptible to addiction, for some could keep them away from substance abuse in the first place. Saying something like " My family are addicts, therefore if I use, I may become an addict" may prevent addictions. * It did not for me obviously, but I started using so young that maybe I didn't even realize at the time that because of my family history that I could more prone to addiction ? Good question KP roxine BT ( I posted this before reading what you wrote... nice. I totally agree )