The Forums › Forums › What is it? › Addictions › Food/Sex/Excercise to self medicate › Re: Food/Sex/Excercise to self medicate
Yep yep,
I call it “the disease called more” whatever it is that makes the dopamine flow in our brain? we tend to do it too much. Exercise is actually a very healthy one, but even that can lead to problems later on in life. I was a carpenter, and a body builder. For me exercise was my addiction. And adrenaline seeking. I’ve gone on and on enough about my seemingly suicidal adventures here already. But yep, it’s definitely a factor.
I have to take extra special care of my shoulders. I started the body building in 7th grade, even back then I remember playing king of the hill at scout camp, and my nickname at scout camp was “muscles”. I ate up that positive attention big time. Being an athlete was my one ticket into all the parties after football games in high school. Put some booze in me and I was very nearly comfortable in social situations. Of course, the only real friends I had were absolute party animal types. So I ended up doing some of the stuff you’ve talked about. My biggest struggle was with weed. When a judge sent me to AA because of some trouble I had with drunk guys hitting me in the fist with their faces. In AA they said I had to quit smoking weed in order to quit drinking. I literally cried like a baby. It made me crazy. Becoming a dad made it a billion times easier for me. I’m eternally grateful that judge sent me to AA instead of 2 years in prison… (please don’t ask)
If you have any concern at all about real addiction. I very strongly recommend AA meetings. They will give you a “big book” for free. I’m very convinced that an extremely high percentage of the folks in 12 step program meetings are untreated, undiagnosed ADDers. I’m sure there’s statistics and studies out in cyberspace to back me up. But my point is to consider showing up there. I had a girlfriend who I met in SLAA (how funny huh?) who didn’t even drink!. She went to AA because she said that’s where she found the best support, really awesome unconditional love, excellent philosophy that in hind sight fits ADDers like a custom made glove. (I bet she also went to AA to find men!) that’s another rant for another time. Please be careful about that. It can be a difficult place to stay sober if you like flesh. The ultimate exercise!.
Anyways, you don’t have to say, or even be an alcoholic to go to the meetings. I haven’t been there in years. But I still carry lot’s of the philosophy with me. They will talk about God, but trust me, it’s not religion, and it’s not a cult. An atheist will get just as much unconditional love, and respect as any other human being there. In fact. They helped save my life.
Good luck.
PS, people are very surprised to hear me say I’m 47 all the time, and I don’t get out much either. I’m really sure it’s because I haven’t drank for so many years. I did start drinking some about the time my daughter went to college, but soon realized it’s just plain dangerous stuff to me. I very rarely drink these days. Got no friends that drink fortunately. Keep us up to date okay?, thanks
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