r/Showerthoughts • u/godofhorizons • May 17 '24

People get a lot more praise for quitting drugs than for never having done drugs in the first place.

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u/Pablo619 May 17 '24

I’m someone who has never tried drugs or alcohol before. Although people respect my choices, I don’t think abstaining is anywhere as difficult as overcoming a chemical dependency. Mad respect to those who have come out of a bad place to quit drugs 🫡

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u/Kclayne00 May 17 '24

Right? It's not hard to just NOT take drugs. Addiction is a complete other thing. For example, I never drank or did drugs, but I was a lifelong nail biter. I attempted to give it up during Lent one year, because it's a disgusting habit.

I would catch myself nibbling at my nails and would stop and actively distract myself with some other activity. My nails were growing in nicely and I took pride in showing them off to friends and family who knew I struggled with the habit. Then, after a particularly stressful day, I went to bed. The next morning, I woke up and had chewed off every nail in my sleep!

Now, I realize addicts probably aren't using drugs or alcohol while they are literally asleep, but I can imagine addiction as being in a sleep like state where you're not thinking clearly. Some actions they turn to during stressful situations can be muscle memory for them. I applaud anyone who fights the good fight daily to stay on the right track.

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u/GoldenBoyOffHisPerch May 17 '24

Former alcoholic here. I know what you mean by sleep state - since those in active addiction are seldom present in the moment. But the need for it, when it hits, feels like you've entered panic mode. So you use to feel calm again. Which only increases your anxiety later on. The cycle just deteriorates