Around the NFL: Week 3

[Dirtbag59]

Originally Posted by DynamiteRave

As someone who was spanked... I suffer from depression and anxiety, I am prone to bouts of gambling addiction (no substances, thankfully) and can have an awful anger issues.

Is that a product of spanking or just bad genetic luck? Eh.

Keep in mind I only took one psych course in college so obviously I'm not an expert by any stretch of the word, but in the case of gambling my limited understanding is genetics provides the foundation while issues during childhood provide the fuel.

I do know that addiction is kind of thought of as an all encompassing condition. A person might have certain vices they prefer but a lot of times quitting cold turkey just ends up with one vice being traded for another. If you're lucky it ends up being a funny quirk rather than a self destructive behavior. One of the more common examples seems to be an alcoholic that might quit drinking only to find themselves suddenly taking up a daily pot habit.

My family history with addiction is unclear but it certainly seems to be there in some capacity. Theres also one instance of a relative with an eating disorder that has since been dealt with.

I know with my own personal history that I took up smoking cigarettes right before college (Feb 2003-Jan 1, 2004) and drinking shortly after I entered college. On New Years Day I quit my smoking habit which was probably one or two packs a week cold turkey with no withdrawals so I feel pretty lucky on that front.

In the summer of 2005 because I had became obsessed with getting in shape so I quit drinking (in bodybuilding alcohol is among the worst things you can have) which probably just left more energy for an exercise addiction. Since then I might be able to fill up a single wine glass to hold all the alcohol I've had since then even though I no longer have the compulsive exercise habit.

I know today I'm addicted to a lot of relatively tame things like Starbucks Ice Mochas and bathing habits that are in line with Bryce Hapers need to shower ~7 times a day so I guess on that front I'm lucky but at the very least I'm aware that theres most likely risk for me to take up self destructive behaviors.