Addiction / substance dependency topic?

[thequickbrownfox]

I wrote to MNHQ about having an addiction topic as there's a codeine addiction thread at the moment where lots of posters are talking about dependency on OTC drugs.

It seems strange that in the Health section there are topics for almost everything else - eating disorders, alcohol dependency. Drug addiction is something that affects huge numbers of us.

They've said they might introduce one based on how many MNers agree.

So if you do, post below!

Agree with you wonkylampshade I also thought I was going mad at times. Even though I had family support dealing with my dds addiction I found it one of the most lonely times of my life.

I agree. Alcohol support could be renamed Substance Misuse, and it should be clearly signposted not buried 5clicks away

Don't think it helps that the whole subject is still so stigmatised. I agree with you about the overwhelming loneliness, I've never been at such a low ebb in all my life. I found MN a great support which I could access anonymously and that saved my sanity some days.

My heart really goes out to posters when I come across them on here now because they are often trying to navigate a sea of judgement... It's not easy either being an addict or having an addict in your life. Trying to take control of your situation can be a long process of realisation and can take many failures before you succeed too.

Or even "Addiction Support" and then it covers everything that can be the subject of addictive, compulsive behaviour.

lampshade thanks so much for everything. I'm a bit down today and the tone of the thread wasn't helping so havn't posted on it but still reading and taking on board.

This is precisely why there are defined areas for particular subjects... Not all posters have the depth of understanding required to make constructive posts on those kind of threads. It's too easy to abuse or disparage OPs, and knowing how vulnerable I was, I think I'd go as far as saying it's dangerous to risk a pile-on when someone is asking for help from the situation you are in.

I think you were very brave coming back for advice and are on the right track- there's lots of really good advice on your thread so don't be chased off it. One poster advised you to ignore the posters who are looking for the instant gratification of decisive/dramatic action from you, and that person had it spot on. Just ignore them and focus on the posters who are giving you sound advice and ideas. You're going through a process here, and it's a painful one. I know! You are getting there though, so take the support being offered to you.

Yes from me.

Good idea.

Bumping again - anyone else agree a specific area for addictions would be helpful?

Bumping again - at the risk of sounding like a stuck record I know there are lots of us here who are / have been affected by addiction.

Site stuff always a quiet area, but just in case there's anyone watching active convos who would like to add support.

Yes from me!

Yes!

Thank you for posting - I know there are lots of us here.

Yes from me

It's a wonder mnhq haven't responded. Though I think I daw on another thread that there has been a tech glitch. I will report the op to get it back in the queue.

I had an email a few days ago saying they were going to have a chat about it.

It's hardly an erroneous topic so hope they give it the go ahead, a defined area could be such a brilliant resource.

That great news. I hope they do. I think it would be used more than they think.

Hi everyone,

Thanks very much for suggesting this as a topic - and so sorry for the delay in responding here.

We can see there's a whole lot of support here. We're just trying to decide the best title for this topic once we get the official go-ahead - the OP's suggested Addiction/substance dependency, others have suggested Addiction Support - what do we think best covers it?

Yes from me. Substance addiction needs it's own topic.

I think substance dependency is good too. Thanks for responding.

I think "addiction support" is best - addiction can cover a huge range of topics - substances, gambling, any subject really.

Thanks so much MNHQ! I really think this will be an invaluable resource.

A friend of mine actually became an addictions counsellor in Oz and he was telling me he actually gets a lot of clients who are addicted to mobile phones! He's very interesting on the subject, as he encounters people struggling with addition to some unlikely things.

If we used the title Addiction Support, anyone struggling with addiction to anything can post.

There needs to be a separate topic for drugs because then the hysteria and judgemental comments surrounding drug use and illegal substances will be avoided. Hopefully people will post who have some experience or knowledge of drug use/abuse.
I see your point about addiction wonky It's a fair point.

Addiction Support sounds a good title covers all addictions. I think you will always get judgemental comments surrounding drug use cos until you've lived with it and seen the devastation it causes, you probably couldn't begin to understand.

Yes, and within an Addiction Suppoirt topic there could be any number of specific threads dedicated to OTC/substance/gambling addictions or whatever.