Addiction Questions
Alcohol and Drug Abuse Information: Ask A Question
Although we have tons of alcohol and drug abuse information already here on our website, you may have a question of your own that you would like answered directly. A lot of people have questions about alcoholism and questions about substance abuse, but they are either too afraid to ask or they just don’t know where to ask questions. We hope this website has offered you a safe space to ask any questions you might have. The following are some of the most common questions we get, so we thought it might be helpful to share them with the answers.
Q: Are you not supposed to tell people you’re in AA because it's anonymous?
You can tell whomever you want that you attend Alcoholics Anonymous meetings. The anonymity aspect of AA is so that you don’t talk about anyone else in the meetings. You should absolutely not tell other people who you saw in AA meetings.
Anonymity is one of the spiritual foundations and principles in the program. A lot of people will have different ideas about what exactly anonymity means.The idea is that AA is a safe place where people can come to get better from their alcohol addiction. If people have to worry about their anonymity being broken, they may stop showing up and may never recover. Many drug addicts and alcoholics are very embarrassed and ashamed of their disease and they may not want anyone to know that they are attending meetings.
You should always respect the traditions of the Alcoholics Anonymous group and the privacy of the members in the AA meetings and not discuss who you see at meetings. One of the other aspects of anonymity is that AA is supposed to be attraction rather than promotion. So people shouldn’t throw AA in anyone’s face. The truth is, people who have been around the program for a long time now, or even some of the newer people, may feel that this website goes against the tradition of AA. My personal opinion is that people should know about AA so they know where to get help. If someone is interested in reading this and wants to learn about AA, great! If not, that’s okay too. I’m not here to convince anyone. I am simply sharing my opinions and experiences and what I have been taught.
Q: Do you think addiction is a choice?
Addiction is a disease, not a choice. Addiction is caused by a combination of genetics and environment. Yes, it is true (generally speaking) that people choose to pick up the first alcoholic drink or the first drug before they become a full-fledged drug addict or alcoholic. But when a person crosses the line from any kind of normal or social drug user or alcohol drinker to an addict, they have no choice in the matter.
No one would choose to become an drug addict or alcoholic. I don’t believe that anyone, as a young child, aspires one day to become an addict. In my experience, it’s something that happens before you even realize it.
I think one of the problems is people don’t always know their family background and family history of addiction. If drug addiction or alcoholism runs in your family, it’s very important to be aware of this. This may not stop a person from using drugs or drinking, but maybe they will think twice. The more information we have about our family members, the better informed we are to make safe decisions regarding drug use and alcohol use.
Q: Does addiction only affect weak people?
Addiction can affect anyone! Addiction affects the poor, the rich, the white, the black, the young, and the old. There is absolutely no category of people or no type of person who is immune to addiction. While part of addiction can be genetic, people without the genetic predisposition can become addicts also. Dealing with addiction has absolutely nothing to do with being strong-willed or weak.
One of the biggest misconceptions about addiction is that all you need is willpower to quit. If that were true, there would be a whole lot more people in recovery, and a whole lot less people dying of drug overdoses. Again, addiction is a disease and it absolutely does not discriminate against anyone
Q: After someone is in recovery for awhile, can they ever go back to ‘normal’ drinking or using drugs?
This is a complicated question, and my answer often changes depending on where I am in my journey.
In some ways, I believe that once someone is an addict, they will always be an addict. Being an alcoholic or drug addict changes the way your brain is wired. We just don’t respond to alcohol and drugs the way ‘normal’ people would. A lot of people believe that after a year, 5 years, or 20 years of sobriety, an addict can never use safely or socially. Addiction is progressive, meaning that even when you are not actively using, it is progressing, just waiting for you to give in and use again.
There are a lot of sayings, like the disease is doing push-ups while you are in recovery, getting stronger and stronger hoping you will give in. This is one of the reasons why drug or alcohol relapses are so bad. I know that when I relapsed, it was like I had never stopped using. Not only was it like I had never stopped, but it was worse than it ever was before. Within a day or two, I was so powerless over my drug addiction, more so than ever before.’t want to use at all. I think that is very common among addicts.
I don’t think I could ever use heroin or cocaine ‘normally’ because most ‘normal’ people aren’t using those drugs.
Today, I am in a place in my recovery where I do drink socially. It is what works for me right now, but I’m still not sure I’d consider my drinking ‘normal.’ I’m very vigilant about how much I drink and I have to be very intentional about it. Some people might wonder what the point is, then. Why drink if I always have to worry about it and make sure I’m being careful? That’s just what’s working for me right now. It might not be forever. There might come a time where I decide I don’t want to drink anymore – I’m not sure.
The most important thing is that whatever you’re doing, do it safely and make sure people are aware of what’s going on. I would never encourage someone in recovery to try to drink again – most of the time, it doesn’t turn out well.
It was many years and many very serious conversations with my family and my therapist before I decided to drink again. I’ll discuss this more in some other posts!
Q: Should I go to AA or NA to stop smoking pot?
Both AA and NA meetings are a great place to go if you are trying to stop drinking or using drugs. In my opinion, a 12 step meeting is a meeting, regardless of the type of meeting that it is.
Some Alcoholics Anonymous meetings are a little strict and don’t necessarily want people talking about drugs in the meeting, so it might be better to go to Narcotics Anonymous meetings. However, some AA meetings don’t mind.
The best thing to do is to check out a bunch of different meetings, AA and NA, and find the ones that you are most comfortable in. After doing some research I actually found that there are Marijuana Anonymous meetings. If you check out the website it will give you more information and will allow you to find meetings in your area.
I have never personally been to a Marijuana Anonymous meeting before so I don’t know exactly what they are like. It is a 12 step meeting so it will be very similar to AA and NA, although I don’t believe that it is as well known as AA and NA so the meetings may be smaller and harder teo find.
Again, I would urge you to try out as many meetings as you can and continue attending the ones you like the best and the ones you feel you can be most open in.
Q: Does alcohol bring out true feelings?
There is no evidence that alcohol brings out true feelings in people. Yes, alcohol will decrease a person’s inhibitions and perhaps make them more open than when they are sober. However, that being said, it can also make people say things that aren’t even close to being true.
Alcohol impairs a person’s judgment and thinking, therefore it probably doesn’t make sense that everything a person says when they are intoxicated is the truth. Sure, a drink or two may make someone open up and allow them to say what they really want to say. But as a general rule, I would not advise anyone to assume that whatever someone says while intoxicated is the truth or what they really mean
Q: Can you turn someone into a drug addict? Is drug addiction caused by peer pressure?
One of the most important things to realize about addiction is no one can make someone an addict. Yes, environmental factors can play a huge role in addiction, but it is the individual’s decision to pick up that first drink or drug.
There is also usually a genetic factor in addiction, meaning people who have addiction in their family are much more likely to become addicts than those who don’t have addiction in their family.
If someone is pressured to do drugs or drink alcohol, it is possible that somewhere down the road they will become addicted to whatever drug they are using. However, a lot of people experiment with drugs and alcohol, perhaps because of peer pressure, but do not become addicts. It is the combination of the environmental factors and genetic factors that determine if someone is going to be an addict or not.
It is possible for someone without the genetic predisposition for addiction to become an addict. Sometimes something happens in a person’s life and they turn to alcohol and drugs. If a person uses a drug excessively on a continuous basis, it will absolutely change their brain chemistry and put them at risk of becoming addicted.
The truth is there’s no clear cut way to tell if someone will be an addict or not, but it is clear to me that no one can cause someone to be an addict (unless we’re talking about a unique situation where someone is literally forcing someone to use drugs – like sex trafficking, for instance).
Q: How can I show a recovering drug addict that I love them and am proud of them?
When you have a loved one who is in recovery, it can be very difficult to know how to interact with them at times. Especially if it is early on in their recovery, sometimes you might not know what exactly to say to them or how to act around them.
– If you want them to know you are proud of them and that you love them, tell them! Words can go a long way.
– Be open and honest with each other. Let them know you are there for them if they need someone to talk to.
– Tell them you see how hard they are working and that they are doing great.
– Attend al-anon or nar-anon meetings. If your loved one sees that you are attending meetings to try to help yourself and to try to understand their disease more, this will speak as loud as your words. They will know that you care enough about them to take time out of your day to support them and also to take care of yourself so you can be there for them.
– There are also a lot of open alcoholics anonymous meetings and narcotics anonymous meetings. This means that it is open to anyone, not just alcoholics. If the person you love and are proud of attends meetings, ask them if you can go to an open one with them! Tell them you want to learn more and be there to support them – going to a meeting with them is a great way to do this.
Again, sometimes all it takes is to just tell someone how you feel.
Q: Is adderall abuse possible? I'm worried that my brother is taking my little sister's adderall. Is adderall addiction a real addiction?
Adderall abuse and adderall addiction is absolutely a real thing. I believe a person can become addicted to pretty much anything, whether it be food, drugs, sex, or video games.
Adderall is a stimulant, and when used properly (for things like ADD/ADHD), it can be very beneficial. But when abused, adderall can become very dangerous. If a person is abusing adderall and taking it when they shouldn’t, as well as taking an excessive amount, it raises blood pressure significantly. This can cause stroke, heart attack, or even sudden death.
Adderall will also decrease a person’s appetite, which can cause severe weight loss if not managed correctly …and when someone has an adderall addiction, chances are they aren’t managing their food intake correctly. Adderall can also cause increased aggression, and severe irritability.
Anytime someone is taking another person’s medication that is not prescribed for them, it becomes very dangerous and addiction becomes a worry. Some people have the idea that because adderall is a prescription drug, it “can’t be that bad.” But the truth is, people are abusing prescription drugs more and more these days.
Again, adderall abuse and adderall addiction is absolutely real and should not be taken lightly. If you are worried about your brother, you need to talk to someone immediately to try to get him help
Q: Am I a coke addict if I only use on the week-ends?
I am not really in a place to decide whether or not you are a coke addict or not. Cocaine is a very dangerous drug, but that doesn’t mean that everyone who ever uses cocaine is considered a cocaine addict.
Many people can drink casually, and even use certain drugs casually and socially, without developing a dependency on them. This is definitely not something I would recommend; our brain chemistry can literally change from using drugs, and it doesn’t take that long for this to happen.
This means that someone who is a casual cocaine user can easily turn into a coke addict. Is your life unmanageable due to your cocaine use? Does it affect the people around you? Do you obsess about the next time you are going to use cocaine?
If you answered no to these questions, it’s very possible that you are not addicted to cocaine. Again, sometimes people really can just use drugs or drink socially. Ultimately, it’s up to you to decide if the health risks of doing cocaine and the risk of addiction is worth the high.
Addict or not, cocaine is a very dangerous substance. Increased blood pressure, heart attacks, overdose and immediate death can occur from using cocaine, even if it’s just on the weekends. It has even happened to individuals the first time they even used cocaine. I can’t advocate any kind of cocaine use because I have experienced what it can do to a person and to a family.
Q: Is there an alcoholism cure? Is it true that a person is an alcoholic for the rest of their life even if they don't drink?
There is no cure for alcoholism. And yes, most people believe that you are an alcoholic forever, even without a drink. This doesn’t mean that you are doomed if you are an alcoholic, though. There is no alcoholism cure, but there is treatment. Many, many people get sober and stay sober for the rest of their lives.
Alcoholics Anonymous meetings are a very good way to maintain sobriety. Then, getting a sponsor and working the 12 steps helps maintain sobriety and really just gives an alcoholic a better, meaningful life. 12 step meetings and the 12 steps aren’t just about not drinking; they’re about becoming a better person and living a fulfilled life.
Q: What Are The Subtle Signs of Cocaine Use?
There are some obvious physical signs of cocaine use, some of them being weight loss, dilated pupils, and change in mood. Please visit our page on cocaine use symptoms to read more.
Some of the more subtle signs may be hard to catch. You may notice that the user is spending time with different people lately, maybe not their usual friends. Perhaps they are canceling plans a lot or cannot be reached as often. Spending large quantities of money is also another red flag. It can be hard to identify these less subtle signs, but be wary of any change in their behavior, mood or attitude, especially if there is a history of substance use or abuse in the past.
Most importantly, don’t be afraid to say something. If you think something is wrong, chances are it is. A lot of the time people are afraid to say something, not wanting to be confrontational or to hurt someone’s feelings. I would advise you to speak up.
The user may not admit their use and yes, they may get angry. But keep asking. Let them know you are there for them. Let them know that you won’t punish or judge them, but instead that you will help them. Don’t let someone you care about hurt themselves because you didn’t want to hurt their feelings. Sometimes simply being there for someone is enough
Q: Can You Tell Me How To Stop Drinking Alcohol Safely?
If you have been drinking large quantities of alcohol for a long period of time, quitting ‘cold turkey’ can be extremely dangerous. It is very important that you speak with a doctor before you quit.
If possible, detoxing from alcohol is safest if done in a rehab center. There will be trained professionals watching after you all day and checking your vital signs. They can also give you medication to lessen the withdrawal effects. If you quit on your own, you could experience shakes, severe anxiety and panic attacks, and seizures which can be fatal. I understand that not everyone has the means to go into a rehab center, but if it is possible I would highly recommend it.
At the very least, please speak with your primary care physician so you can plan out the safest way to quit drinking alcohol. Again, the withdrawal symptoms can be fatal so please speak with a professional.
If you can’t see a primary care physician, try to have someone with you at all times during your detox. If you start to experience severe shakes or seizures, at least someone will be there to be able to call 911 or take you to the emergency room. However, we DO NOT recommend doing it this way. If you can’t enter a detox or a rehab, start cutting back your drinking so that you aren’t quitting cold turkey.