Question by Meghan W.: General addiction support?
I have what I believe to be an addiction, but it does not fall into the regular “groups” (Drugs, Alcohol, Sex/Porn, etc). Are there any general addiction support groups where I could seek peer aid?

Best answer:

Answer by kim s
It’s kinda hard to help if we don’t know what the addiction is. But there might be a support group for it. Maybe try googling it instead.

Answer by orchidmg
www.NAMI.org

National Alliance of Mental Illness

They have support groups in many cities. See if your city has a group. They meet 1-3 a month for an hour and a half. Talking helps. You will be surprised that you aren’t alone.

I use to be addicted to beer and cigarettes and sex. After my divorce and having a child I stopped all that. But I’m now addicted to spending money on crap. Purses, pens, lighthouses, books, food. I’m also addicted to food. Big time! My health isn’t good because of it. I’m also addicted to Yahoo Answers 🙂

Good luck

Local stories tell deadly dangers of drug abuse
Since Schmaus' passing in May, many classmates have joined with area parents and other adults in a group for St. Francis Community Drug Awareness, to combat an issue that has grown in Anoka County and beyond its borders. Concerned residents filled …
Read more on Coon Rapids Herald

Girl Talk: Why I'm Thankful For My Weekly 12-Step Meeting
But even in the many years before he discovered and became addicted to the drug that destroyed many of his relationships and eventually lead to his death, he was an addict through and through. Addicted to alcohol early on, he eventually stopped …
Read more on The Frisky

Support groups in the area can help with illness, drug problems and many other …
NARCOTICS ANONYMOUS: Marion, Va., Survivors Group, Royal Oak Presbyterian Church, 139 W. Main St.; Sunday, open meeting, 8 p.m., open discussion; group meets regularly to help each other recover; open to those addicted to any form of drugs …
Read more on TriCities.com

1 in 6 unemployed are substance abusers
The trends for drug use have held relatively steady for a decade, even in spite of the recession. One would think that as millions of “clean” workers suddenly lost their jobs and joined the unemployment rolls, the rate of drug use among that group …
Read more on New Pittsburgh Courier

Lincoln drug treatment workers, police seeing more addiction woes
“Before the situation was that we would see an older group of people, probably more in their late 30s and 40s, that had mental health [and drug addiction] problems,” Greenleaf said Tuesday. “Now we are seeing people using drugs at a much younger age, …
Read more on Bangor Daily News

Addictions Services makes presentation to public
There were representatives from many different support groups, including the Gambling Education Services, the Family Treatment Centre, Valley Hill Youth Treatment Centre, SIAST students taking the addictions counsellor program, a group of students from …
Read more on Prince Albert Daily Herald

Lifeline available for families of alcoholics in Swindon
Swindon and Wiltshire drug and alcohol service staff, from left, Phil Spalding, Jo Stevenson, Barabara Pike, Denny Reed and Chris Stickler. SWADS has a support group for the family of addicts. FEAR, guilt or a sense of betrayal. Those are just a few of …
Read more on Swindon Advertiser

Question by slykitty: Why do people change personality wise after gastric bypass?
Most of them say im still the same person just 100,200 lbs less…I say BS. I know a few people who now can never make to for their friends and family because they are all caught up into theirselves. Why is this? And giving the benefit of the doubt if there are still the same person is it me a friend that has changed. I personally don’t feel I have. Please feedback from others who have gone through the same situation. THANKS
mae to=time sorry
darn i can’t type tonight
make to=time

Best answer:

Answer by Iwillliftmyeyes
probably because they are less heavier, and they can see themselves different. They see that they weigh less, and can be more social. They are more accepting of themselves, and how they see themselves.

Answer by Flowers
There are a few things that happen to people after gastric bypass surgery (GBS). Within a few days or weeks after surgery, a lot of hormones are released that have been stored in their fat. This can cause moodiness and depression.

Also, people who are obese have a food “addiction”. This can’t be maintained after the surgery and many people become addicted to something else…sex, drugs, games, whatever. If a GBS patient does his/her research, they should know this and begin a new healthy habit before surgery.

As their weight decreases, generally their self-esteem increases. They have suffered greatly with this surgery and have reached a major accomplishment which has not happened for them before. Before the surgery they have struggled with diets, exercise, and just the yoyo fads they have been through, but never were able to accomplish their goal. Now they have actually accomplished this huge goal and they are proud of themselves. Like a person who runs a marathon and makes it through the whole race without falling flat on their faces.

Finally, sometimes they see that their “friends” aren’t really friends at all. Some friends have spent years criticising them, and now the GBS patient just realises that they don’t have to deal with such “friends” any more. I am not saying that you were that kind of friend. But that obese person, a lot of times, has thick skin or a great sense of humor as defense for the constant comments they receive concerning their weight.

Yes, your friend has changed, and you are a good friend to notice. Maybe you should talk to these friends of yours and find out what the problem is. They will probably be very grateful that you are interested enough to be interested. I hope this helps.

I had the surgery 3 months ago. I belong to a great Yahoo group called Weight Loss Surgery Friendship & Support. I see the changes, some of which are just wonderful. Try to be happy for your friends, and look to see if any of these items may relate to the problem.

Drug court: a road to remaking addict's life
“Drug court was created in recognition of the fact that most people who end up in court are there as a result of substance abuse or addiction,” said Lucinda Brown, director of Reinventing Justice. “It uses the authority of the court to push people …
Read more on The Recorder

As Syrian Chemical Attack Loomed, Missteps Doomed Civilians
Calls came in to the presidential palace from Syrian allies Russia and Iran, as well as from Hezbollah, the Lebanese militant group whose fighters were inadvertently caught up in the gassing, according to previously undisclosed intelligence gathered by …
Read more on Wall Street Journal

Support groups
Alzheimer's/other dementias support group, 6:30 p.m. third Thursdays, Horizon Bay Assisted Living of Concord, 1501 Zion Church Road East, Concord, for families dealing with Alzheimer's or other dementias. … Celebrate Recovery, a Christ-centered 12 …
Read more on Salisbury Post

Question by Dennis: How will losing all family support effect a drug addict?
I know you need to cut druggies off unless they get help but what happens if you also treat them like you hate them?

My brother is on Meth and he did a lot of horrible things to our family over the years. When our Mom passed away I finally retaliated and did a lot of horrible things to him. To be honest though it didn’t make me feel any better.

I am wondering what losing all family support will do to a drug addict?

Best answer:

Answer by Amber B
thats hard. i have never been in that situation. But family support is very strong and if my sister was doing drugs i would do everything i could to help her quit and see what she is doing to her life and how she is effecting everyone else. but you also have to understand what there going through too. Good Luck 🙂

Answer by Daily.Bullsh
well, i know my ex had a problem with different drugs but drinking was the major one. his family cut him off and it seemed it got worse. he tried to commit suicide 3 different times, once by OD, once by hanging and another time by OD on flexril (sp?) i found out towards the end of our relationship that it was a cry for help and all he wanted was his family to tell him that they loved him and was there for him.

Column: Resources for families affected by drug addiction
Also, do not underestimate the value of support groups and counseling. As an ex-prosecutor, I routinely saw success from these types of programs. Drug abuse not only affects the addicted person, but it takes a serious toll on their families and friends.
Read more on Cincinnati.com

Question by Alexis: How do you know when you’re addicted?
My boyfriend says hes addicted to cigarettes. He says hes tried to quit, but he can’t. I think it is a bunch of bullsh*t. I know that if I really wanted to stop something I could in a heartbeat. So, my question is, how do you know when you become addicted and I just don’t understand why you can’t just stop smoking?

Best answer:

Answer by tigertiger_ca
if you can’t stop….you’re addicted. Period.

Answer by tink_mcd
If you’ve never been genuinely addicted to something, it’s probably hard to imagine what it’s like. I can see how you might imagine that it’s not even possible.

Still, there’s pretty solid evidence, as far as I know, that certain substances are addictive–and certainly the nicotine in cigarettes is considered to be highly addictive.

When someone is addicted to something, they experience physical “withdrawal” symptoms when they don’t take in enough of that substance.

However, many, many addicts have successfully quit using the substance they were addicted to, whether it was alcohol, nicotine, or some other drug. “I’m an addict” isn’t an excuse not to quit–it’s a reason to seek help and support in quitting. Some get that help from medical caregivers (doctors, psychiatrists) and prescribed medications such as a nicotine patch, Wellbutrin (an anti-depressant that has a good reputation for helping people quit smoking as well), or Antabuse (which makes people throw up when they ingest alcohol). Others find support groups like Alcoholics Anonymous helpful. For really serious and persistent addictions that are having profoundly negative effects on a person’s life, some people find that they need to go through a residential rehabilitation (“rehab”) program.

If your boyfriend truly *wants* to quit, encourage him to explore the different kinds of help available. Be aware, though, that even people who are highly motivated to quit smoking (because, for example, they’ve been diagnosed with emphysema or lung cancer) can still have a very hard time doing so. Some of the ex-smokers I know tried several times before finally managing to quit. And some people who have successfully stopped using an addictive substance never stop craving it: they have to be constantly vigiliant about their behaviour, lest they “fall off the wagon.” That’s why many refer to themselves for the rest of their lives as “a recovering addict” rather than “a former addict.”

Hope this helps you understand and support your boyfriend in any efforts he makes to quit. Even if he doesn’t quit, for your own health you can make a firm rule that he must not smoke in your presence or in any enclosed space (e.g., a home or car) that you share. If he won’t respect that, then I’d question whether he really cares about you. Just as another person’s right to swing his fist ends where my nose begins, I believe that another person’s right to smoke ends where my lungs begin.