Life is one big addiction - Enjoy responsibly

[Three Legged Dog]

I can't speak for women, but I have a feeling many men go from one addiction to another. Most happy when launching a new one. I am, of course, projecting my own personality and generalizing, but I see it in many of my friends and relatives.

They key is to have wholesome addictions. Helpful may be hard, but wholesome is doable. I got addicted to backpacking, wife hated it. I spent a bunch, went on one weak trek and said, "that was fun, what's next". Got addicted to racquetball and blew out muscles I didn't know I had (but I've stuck to that one). Native American flute was next, then online chess, etc, etc.

I'm not just writing all this to talk about myself (another addiction). I used to think there was something wrong with it all, and there probably is. But if you give yourself permission to indulge in healthy addictions, it keeps you away from unhealthy ones. Think of it as a reward.

Just my caffeine-induced two cents for today. Hope it helps at least one.

[Curious Voyager]

Addiction is never healthy. NEVER and by definition it can't be.

We addicts do tend to swap addictions. that leaves us vulnerable to more harm than ever. Recovery addresses the flaws that fed and contributed to our addictions. Healing these is the long-term solution to safety and health.

[Three Legged Dog]

Addiction is never healthy, true. "Interests" may be a better term. I am coping by allowing myself to pursue interests. But I do it with an unhealthy vigor. Currently choosing not to change that.

My point is, if your interested in something, pursue it. Don't say "I really don't have time for that, too busy with obligations and recovering and all". Pursue it because interests are a good part of the life your trying to recover for.

Not recommending you pursue to a level bordering on addiction, but many do. I do, that's me, I like it for now.

To be honest CV, I have not reached the point where I am ready to address the underlying flaws. Rock-on fellow primate, you have. You have reached a level of openness that few will ever reach. But it scares the sh!t out of me. So, for now I'll use coat hangers to hold up the muffler, a new exhaust system is out of reach.

[cammy]

Native American flute? You any good? Met a guy, claimed to have done a sundance. I dunno bout that but said the flute was trance-like.

[Three Legged Dog]

Cammy,
I suck, but it is trance-like.