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I’m fairly sure this is a logical fallacy. Addiction is so prevalent among people who are far more intelligent, capable, and strong than I am. There’s nothing s

I’m fairly sure this is a logical fallacy. Addiction is so prevalent among people who are far more intelligent, capable, and strong than I am. There’s nothing special about me other than a fortunate environment and genetics as far as I’m concerned. Pretty much every addict I’ve spoken to about their addiction and personal matters (not a small number) has had terrible experiences in life. It’s almost guaranteed. Weird trauma, or a lack of something critical in early life. The brain begins to seek, it self medicates, it soothes, the feedback loop becomes unbearable. Like an itch you need to scratch, but each scratch ruins your life a little more. Even after you stop using, the itch is typically still there. Good luck not scratching it. It might feel good to tell yourself us non-addicts are somehow superior, but I prefer to warn myself that I’m certainly not. If anything I admire a lot of these people for holding on. My life is comparatively effortless yet I still have a hard time with plenty. We’re on easy mode if you ask me (which I know, you didn’t). Bottom line, addiction is arguably like a disease and you (fortunately) don’t have it.

girvo 5y ago
I was a heroin addict from 16 years old through to my mid 20s. I had pretty rough childhood trauma, just to add to your own anecdotes. Crippling depression too. I’m doing much better these days :) suboxone initially saved my life, then Buvidal injection made sure I’m here to stay.
- steve_adams_86 5y ago
  I’m glad to read that you’re doing better. I meant it when I said I admire people for putting up that battle. Not just the addiction but the things that lead to it. It gives me perspective on how good I have things and how strong people can be. Beating opioid addiction is an incredible triumph.
BurningFrog 5y ago
My point was not at all that we non addicts are superior. I was trying to make a methodological argument: If you only look at addicts, your data will say that addiction is inevitable. You need to look at the whole population, to see that some get addicted, and most people don't. Then you can figure out how the groups are different and start to understand the casualties. I'm sure this has been done, but I haven't heard much about results. I think your trauma theory very likely is part of it.
- steve_adams_86 5y ago
  Ahh my bad, your phrasing was fine and I definitely inferred the wrong intent from it. Sorry, I should have read it with less baggage.

girvo 5y ago

I was a heroin addict from 16 years old through to my mid 20s. I had pretty rough childhood trauma, just to add to your own anecdotes. Crippling depression too. I’m doing much better these days :) suboxone initially saved my life, then Buvidal injection made sure I’m here to stay.

steve_adams_86 5y ago
I’m glad to read that you’re doing better. I meant it when I said I admire people for putting up that battle. Not just the addiction but the things that lead to it. It gives me perspective on how good I have things and how strong people can be. Beating opioid addiction is an incredible triumph.

BurningFrog 5y ago

My point was not at all that we non addicts are superior. I was trying to make a methodological argument: If you only look at addicts, your data will say that addiction is inevitable. You need to look at the whole population, to see that some get addicted, and most people don't. Then you can figure out how the groups are different and start to understand the casualties. I'm sure this has been done, but I haven't heard much about results. I think your trauma theory very likely is part of it.

steve_adams_86 5y ago
Ahh my bad, your phrasing was fine and I definitely inferred the wrong intent from it. Sorry, I should have read it with less baggage.