Is it true that addicts never stop being addicts, they just replace their addiction?

vestmoria@linux.community to No Stupid Questions@lemmy.world – 61 points –

example: a drug addict alcoholic who discovers god and turns a teetotaler gay bashing abortion hating new born Christian.

Is replacing addictions the rule or the exception?

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The concept of addiction as a brain disease has been challenged in recent times. Its better to think of it as a learning disorder that can be corrected over time. AA and NA have also shaped public opinion on alcoholics and addicts with ideas that are not based on science.

The concept of addiction as a brain disease has been challenged in recent times

Because we didn't know shit when it was described like that in layman's terms when it was described...

Nobody studying it thought it was a literal disease you could catch.

AA and NA have also shaped public opinion on alcoholics and addicts with ideas that are not based on science.

One of AA's founders had LSD as a huge factor in his recovery and initial program. When he died (or just left) the other guy took all the LSD out and replaced it with Jesus.

LSD breaks your brains pattern recognition, thats what happens when you "trip" things don't look like they should and you look at things with a new perspective. That's why the original program worked with addiction and people got to stop going to meeting eventually

https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/lsd-helps-to-treat-alcoholism/

This tho...

Its better to think of it as a learning disorder that can be corrected over time.

Is just fundamentally wrong on a lot of levels, and also offensive but I'm pretty sure you didn't mean it to be intentionally.

Nobody studying it thought it was a literal disease you could catch.

Yes they do. A person's genetics can predisposition them towards alcoholism. That means you can get it, or at least the predisposition for it from your parents upon birth.

https://www.niaaa.nih.gov/alcohols-effects-health/alcohol-use-disorder/genetics-alcohol-use-disorder

Science hasn’t really been winning that fight either, though. Has it.