Yes I do Sir. Yes I do.

Rereading through some of the posts above, God bless everyone that’s been affected family wise. I couldn’t imagine losing relatives in some of the circumstances described. I’m overly hard on my boys, but it helps to put some of the small things that I find fault with into context knowing what others have had to deal with.

I’ve been lucky or blessed so far. I don’t have anyone that’s been affected by an addiction.
The wife says I have one, but it’s not what most consider an addiction. Mine is the outdoors. There’s times like now when I can’t get around that she’s like go to the plantation and call if you need help or I’ll drive you out there and let you hobble around a while because I can’t stand you like this.
If I don’t get out in nature I feel like my world is crashing in. I don’t have to do anything, just a 30 minute sit or walk gives me a reset. I don’t mean walk around the yard either, I need woods, birds, critters, bug sounds, the wind…something about nature is just soothing to the soul. I get more of a rush walking through places snakes should be or walking alone at night with no lights than just walking a trail or road. Nature is my addiction.

My family is rife with addicts sadly

Brother ODed at 34 on Fentanyl
Mom was an alcoholic and it sped up her death
Uncle committed suicide after a crash form coke binge
2 cousins ODed
Another is crack addict
Several assorted Alcoholics

I have my own battles as well and can telly ou sometimes it hellacious and you cant even say why you are using your drug of choice whatever it may be. Therapy and family support helps ALOT however only IF you want to quit and stay sober. Can't make a person quit if they dont want to. My partners son is a Meth addict and doesn't care to quit, lost lots of jobs and been homeless at least twice, lost 3 apartments full of furniture clothes etc as he got evicted and had no where to put it.

Addiction sucks and despite what some say it is real as I can attest from both sides.

A good family friend died of alcoholism a few years ago he would have been 60 yesterday.

Thank every one of you for sharing your experiences with addiction and the addiction of loved ones. It is a very real issue and one we need to be able to openly discuss.

Please feel free to continue posting if you wish to do so. I will in no means judge anyone. We are all a mess in one way or another. Just a matter of sorting it out. Being able to talk to others helps a ton.

I took prescription Ambien for 20.5 years. Doctor was fine with it.

Wife and I went on a three-day trip and I forgot all my meds. Survived two tough nights without the Ambien. Only taken one pill in seven months since then. Tried a few times before with no luck. Had the jitters each time but not this time. Go figure.

I don't talk about this but it might help someone who needs to hear it. I lost my oldest of 3 sons on 7-15-2018 from heart failure due to drugs and alcohol.
He was 10 days from his 40th birthday. He would've been 46 tomorrow. That night he came over and we played a game of cribbage (he won) and talked about our strained relationship.
I got a call about an hour after he and his wife left. He was gone. As the title of one of the other threads on here says, "Life is Hard."

I really feel bad for some of you all by some of the stories you guys have told. I have been fortunate. Dipped for 25 years and quit. I do have to watch my drinking of beer. I can see where it can take some people. I told both of my kids I would give them $1000 at 21 years if they can look me in the eye, and say they never tried tobacco. I feel like some drug addictions can start by just trying a cigerette? Great post SheepDog.

Kinda like a moderator starting a political post after the Boss said no politics? I get ya brother.

Fentanyl has taken an aunt and a cousin.

Opioids took another cousin

Opioids, alcohol, meth and what ever else was available caused enough complications to get yet another cousin

Untreated diabetes and alcoholism caused a massive stroke for my mom.

The phrase "the struggle is real" isn't a joke. It's as real as it gets.

Sorry for your loss k zoo ......sad indeed

My addiction , 1/2 can a day , every day.....can't shake it

I've got to have a bad headache or other pain to take even ibuprofen.

I've never liked the thought of ingesting ANY synthetic chemical....which is what most meds are....unless I have to at a doctor's instruction. And a lot of times, I've resisted that.

I don't drink alcoholic beverages or smoke.....never have.

Prayer to those that allowed that demon to get ahold of you and to those that have family member that have.

It's a very common vice. My aunt is homeless because she has had a life long gambling problem. She could have had a paid off house and six figures in the bank, but she gambled it all. My sister was addicted to meth for a decade. Thankfully she kicked it, but not without it's consequences. My mom nearly died more than once from alcohol when I was a teenager. A friend of mine drank himself to death. He was a great guy, but made bad choices and it snowballed. Neighbor lady drank herself to death. Her kids had just started high school. That was around the same time my mom was trying to get clean.

That jarritos looks yummy

That was one of my first thoughts.
I think this is one of the biggest Eephants in the room nowadays. No one is talking about it seriously. It is having a terrible effect on young kids. I think major problems will manifest themselves very soon and it will not be good.

That and VIDEO GAMES I see my step son addicted to them. So much so he only works two days a week and sleeps on his sister's couch. It's already cost him his wife and daughter that live in Massachusetts now. He is a healthy 43 year old boy/man. I just can't seem to get through to him. We are good friends but any suggestions are shrugged off. I have a job he says. Doesn't pay his sister a dime for bills or rent.

Turtledale I'm just q 13 year old but 2 years back I was TERRIBLE ADDICTED to video games! Didn't even know what trapping was.

Dad took me out hunting, opening morning shot a doe. And I was hooked. After that, never cared for video games.

Lost my brother, drank himself to death, wouldn't accept any help as there was "nothing wrong with me"

In the end hated everyone, all his problems were caused by someone else, even his kids stopped talking to him hoping that would shake him up enough to get help.
Died by himself in his house surrounded by junk, no one knew till a neighbor noticed he hadn't seen him in a while. both sad, and infuriating....

Dipped 33 years--quit almost 3 years ago. Life is better although I miss it everyday.

Gave up booze completely almost 5 years ago. Life is better although I miss it occasionally. Marriage is way better.

Gave up sodas 10 or so years ago. Life is better and I'm healthier. Miss it with certain foods.

If I got a terminal diagnosis today, I would immediately buy a log of snuff and bottle of Evan Williams. I would skip the soda.