Addiction - Nicotine, THC, and What Not

[BigBallinStalin]

Is addiction itself something bad? Does it matter to be addicted?

[TheProwler]

Is being poor bad? Because my addictions always seem to cost a lot...

[TA1LGUNN3R]

I've got this tough addiction to food that really puts a drain on my budget.

-TG

[Dukasaur]

Yeah we can predict that addictions are bad in the general sense (ie. completely independently of any specific harmful effects from the items one is addicted to) because they at the very least create burdensome opportunity costs. If I feel compelled to sit at the bar and have another beer, I'm not doing whatever might be my optimal activity for self-improvement at that time.

Of course, we can postulate that there are moments when sitting at the bar having another beer is my optimal activity for self-improvement at that time. Nonetheless, even if sometimes it is, at other times it isn't, so the basic statement remains unchallenged. If even some of the time my addiction compels me into a non-optimal path, then it creates a cost.

[TheProwler]

Yeah we can predict that addictions are bad in the general sense (ie. completely independently of any specific harmful effects from the items one is addicted to) because they at the very least create burdensome opportunity costs. If I feel compelled to sit at the bar and have another beer, I'm not doing whatever might be my optimal activity for self-improvement at that time.

Of course, we can postulate that there are moments when sitting at the bar having another beer is my optimal activity for self-improvement at that time. Nonetheless, even if sometimes it is, at other times it isn't, so the basic statement remains unchallenged. If even some of the time my addiction compels me into a non-optimal path, then it creates a cost.

It seems that you have defined "self-improvement" as being the only thing that is not "bad".

[warmonger1981]

Sticking with the two listed above. Does a religious belief play a roll in this equation and if one does what religion? If so I would say yes for most situations. If religion doesn't play a roll in this equation then it probabl wouldn't make much difference.

[nietzsche]

Being addicted means surrendering your power to something else, so yes.

[crispybits]

Sticking with the two listed above. Does a religious belief play a roll in this equation and if one does what religion? If so I would say yes for most situations. If religion doesn't play a roll in this equation then it probabl wouldn't make much difference.

[mrswdk]

Yeah we can predict that addictions are bad in the general sense (ie. completely independently of any specific harmful effects from the items one is addicted to) because they at the very least create burdensome opportunity costs. If I feel compelled to sit at the bar and have another beer, I'm not doing whatever might be my optimal activity for self-improvement at that time.

Of course, we can postulate that there are moments when sitting at the bar having another beer is my optimal activity for self-improvement at that time. Nonetheless, even if sometimes it is, at other times it isn't, so the basic statement remains unchallenged. If even some of the time my addiction compels me into a non-optimal path, then it creates a cost.

Perhaps, in relation to addiction, the opportunity for self-improvement comes from one's addiction helping them clearly identify destructive behavior and instilling in themselves a strong emotional desire to live a more positive and industrious life.

Even experiences which are widely labelled as 'bad' contain the opportunity for learning, and therefore self-improvement.

[warmonger1981]

Is the pope addicted to religion? Is it ok to smoke weed or cigs of your Christian?

[Army of GOD]

Personally I hate the concept of being addicted because it shows weakness. If I'm addicted to something it means that it controls my life and not myself. And anyone who isn't in control of their own life is a piece of shit.

I don't think there's anything I'm addicted to and if anyone jokingly says I'm addicted to something, I immediately don't associate it for a year.

Incidentally, I think I'm addicted to not being addicted to anything.

[mrswdk]

I don't think there's anything I'm addicted to and if anyone jokingly says I'm addicted to something, I immediately don't associate it for a year

So what happens if I say your 4745 posts show that you're addicted to CC?

[Army of GOD]

I don't think there's anything I'm addicted to and if anyone jokingly says I'm addicted to something, I immediately don't associate it for a year

So what happens if I say your 4745 posts show that you're addicted to CC?

Then I say you're an idiot for two reasons: 1. that number does not include off-topic and usergroup posts (the real number is 29591 posts) and 2. that number implies only 2.6 posts a day which is hardly addiction worthy (if you've read any of my posts you would realize that they never contain any content, so 2.6 means nothing).

[mrswdk]

I don't think there's anything I'm addicted to and if anyone jokingly says I'm addicted to something, I immediately don't associate it for a year (unless it's CC)

Heh. It's only 2.6 a day. I could quit any time!

Textbook case.

[Army of GOD]

I don't think there's anything I'm addicted to and if anyone jokingly says I'm addicted to something, I immediately don't associate it for a year (unless it's CC)

Heh. It's only 2.6 a day. I could quit any time!

Textbook case.

Ok, mr. smarty pants, let's have a competition. Neither of us are allowed to post ever again. First one that cracks, loses.


Ready, go.

[Ray Rider]

I don't think there's anything I'm addicted to and if anyone jokingly says I'm addicted to something, I immediately don't associate it for a year

So what happens if I say your 4745 posts show that you're addicted to CC?

Then I say you're an idiot for two reasons: 1. that number does not include off-topic and usergroup posts (the real number is 29591 posts) and 2. that number implies only 2.6 posts a day which is hardly addiction worthy (if you've read any of my posts you would realize that they never contain any content, so 2.6 means nothing[/size][/b]).

He admits it!! jk

[mrswdk]

I lose. Mrs. Smarty Pants is comfortable with his natural urges.

[Army of GOD]

I win.

[BigBallinStalin]

I've got this tough addiction to food that really puts a drain on my budget.

-TG

If I could not eat any food and still live healthily, that would be greeeattt.

[BigBallinStalin]

Personally I hate the concept of being addicted because it shows weakness. If I'm addicted to something it means that it controls my life and not myself. And anyone who isn't in control of their own life is a piece of shit.

I don't think there's anything I'm addicted to and if anyone jokingly says I'm addicted to something, I immediately don't associate it for a year.

Incidentally, I think I'm addicted to not being addicted to anything.

When's the last time you drank? How long have you been without alcohol--after drinking 'regularly'?

[Lootifer]

Is addiction itself something bad? Does it matter to be addicted?

I generally think of irrational behaviour as being objectively bad. And addiction is generally irrational (in terms of the obvious destructive addictions like gambling, alcohol, heroin, etc - being addicted to being awesome is ok).

Sure there's probably some exceptions I can't think of right now, but at a high level that's my view.

[Metsfanmax]

Is addiction itself something bad? Does it matter to be addicted?

I generally think of irrational behaviour as being objectively bad. And addiction is generally irrational (in terms of the obvious destructive addictions like gambling, alcohol, heroin, etc - being addicted to being awesome is ok).

Sure there's probably some exceptions I can't think of right now, but at a high level that's my view.

Love?

[Timminz]

It depends on your definition of "bad".

I would suggest that it varies depending on personal preferences.

[muy_thaiguy]

I have a bad hankering for caffeine products, but otherwise, nothing really. Though my post count on here may suggest otherwise (post numbers are still off).

[Army of GOD]

Personally I hate the concept of being addicted because it shows weakness. If I'm addicted to something it means that it controls my life and not myself. And anyone who isn't in control of their own life is a piece of shit.

I don't think there's anything I'm addicted to and if anyone jokingly says I'm addicted to something, I immediately don't associate it for a year.

Incidentally, I think I'm addicted to not being addicted to anything.

When's the last time you drank? How long have you been without alcohol--after drinking 'regularly'?

I usually (95% of the time) drink once a week, 95% of those times either on a Friday or Saturday (today [aka right now] being one of the 5% of non-weekend nights). I know I can go fucking forever without drinking though...(remember before 2012 when I made fun of people who drank?).