Are you addicted... and is addiction in and of itself wrong?

[imsoenthused]

As someone who never suffered much from withdrawal when quitting cigarettes I'm just not sure. Smoking always felt more like a habit and something I really enjoyed than an addiction. I feel the same way about vaping. From a physical dependency view point, then yes I am an addict. It's not a hard physical dependency for me to break. Breaking an enjoyable habit on the other hand...

 

[stillalive]

I think Untamed is probably right. If the idea of not being able to do something makes you nauseous and worried and wanting to make sure it doesn't happen, that's probably an addiction.

Which means I'm completely addicted to the internet, petting dogs, and playing my flute. Not so much vaping, lol.

 

[sqirl1]

I don't think being addicted to something is wrong as long as it's not going to either

1. ultimately kill you (which I would have to say nicotine alone does not)

2. cause you to commit crimes to get it

As for me, I wouldn't exactly say I'm addicted, I just enjoy tobacco (especially pipe tobacco!) and E-cigs. I look at nicotine like it's alcohol; everything in moderation. and a little bit of snus or stonewall makes work suck a lot less.

 

[stummies]

This kind of question requires you to first separate the emotional context from the word. Just take it for it's literal meaning. It just describes what you and I are doing with nicotine or any other drug someone may have a physical dependence on.

Addiction is troublesome when people write off those around them and making their addiction priority one. They sacrifice their happiness and the happiness of others around them to achieve this goal. There is nothing wrong with someone that likes to drink alcohol, smokes cigarettes, or even use drugs if in moderation. Once they step over the line of something they enjoy to something that is the only way to get enjoyment THAT is when it is a problem.

As a hypothetical example, take any illicit drug. Typically they are difficult to control and those that use them end up becoming dysfunctional. If we developed a way to produce the effects of being high on a drug without the undesirable consequences and difficult physical addiction would it still be wrong to do? This is a general example, but it certainly could be possible for something to be developed that had these sorts of properties. Using a PV isn't too far off, technology has allowed us to remove a large majority of the consequences with using tobacco. In this situation, if the person using the device is happy and those around them are completely unaffected, why is it still wrong?

You can say the person is a slave to the chemical, controlled by it, but if they are not harming themselves or others who am I to dictate what they consume. There are still risks with using a PV, but my chances are much better than before to the point that when my time comes it won't be due to nicotine use. Society in general is taught to view pleasurable things as wrong. Sex, .........ion, drugs, anything that isn't part of a stoic existence all carry this baggage. I think people need to look at things from a different perspective, ask questions, and learn more than just repeat what they've been told.

The world that exists today isn't the world that will exist tomorrow, we need to let go of these black/white definitions of everything and look between the lines.

 

[DC2]

Once they step over the line of something they enjoy to something that is the only way to get enjoyment THAT is when it is a problem.

I like that as a definition of addiction.
I think I'll go with that.

The world that exists today isn't the world that will exist tomorrow, we need to let go of these black/white definitions of everything and look between the lines.

Post more please.

 

[washvap]

Are we addicts? ABSOLUTELY! We are all addicted to a substance known as nicotine, if we weren't then there would be no ECF.
People could sugar coat the truth all they want but, it is what it is IMHO.

 

[Astatine]

"the state of being enslaved to a habit or practice or to something that is psychologically or physically habit-forming to such an extent that its cessation causes severe trauma."

By this definition (found in a dictionary), I am addicted.

Is it bad in itself? Well...it seems to me that a compulsive behavior can have a detrimental effect on:
1) others
2) oneself

When it comes to others, I agree that it's a no no. But you can be addicted and make provisions for that.

When it comes to oneself, I would guess that it depends largely on your personal convictions. I have no religious reasons to think that harming yourself is bad IF it is your own choice and yours only. I chose to smoke, and always felt it was my own damn business as long as I was using the snowy, rainy, cold or otherwise extra-hot rear parking lot area (i.e. the smoking area) so as not to harm others. And let me say that I cannot stand people who want to protect me from myself!

I guess you know the joke: Doctor, will I live longer if I don't drink, don't smoke...etc. To which the physician answers: I don't know, but it will FEEL longer"