The phenomenon of craving as described in the big book of AA: is this the same with other drugs? The same physical allergy? Or does this only apply to alcohol? Thank you so much for your thoughts.
Thank you for the reply. Yeah thats what I thought. I was listening to Joe and Charlies Big Book Study. I realize Dr. Silkworth was only concerned with alcohol in his studies, but I think the allergy applies to all drugs, some more than others depending on the person (thats my own experience too). I think the phenomenon of craving does not just apply to alcohol. I am starting to think alcoholism and addiction to other drugs are both the same disease.
What does anyone else think? I'd love to hear other people's thoughts on this.
In sobriety I developed the phenomenon of craving for energy drinks, junk foods, tobacco products, exercise, sex, etc. The list goes on and on. So sure, addictions are addictions but I know one thing for sure: I wouldn't go to an overeaters anonymous meeting for an alcohol problem.
I heard someone use this analogy for the phenomenon of craving, using a white board.
When she had a craving for a cigarette she drew a cigarette on the board. After she smoked it, the craving went away for while, but when it returned, she drew another cigarette to represent the craving.
With booze, the desire to drink was represented by a standard wine glass. When she had the wine, the crazing became active and the representation was replaced with a much larger glass. When she drank that, the craving was represented by a giant glass. The craving got more and more powerful. This was my experience.
I don't see how this could work with drugs. So many have to be taken in very measured, prescribed amounts, and to take any more could prove fatal. Like the heroin addict buys his stuff, and works out the amoint he will need for the desired effect, assuming the purity is the same as last time. He fores the shot, and it does the job until it wears off. To apply the phenomenon of craving to that scenario,
the addict would take the first shot and as soon as it took effect, he would fire in an even bigger shot, followed by a bigger one again. Can anyone see how this would end.
The alcoholic, in this regard, sucumbs to the obsession that this time it will be ok to have one or two. The objective is the sense of ease and comfort that comes with a few drinks. I well remember that feeling when I first discovered alcohol. But after he takes the first drink, the phenomenon of craving kicks in and he goes way past the objective, ending up insanely drunk, though that was not his intention.
His intention is like the addict, aiming for a specific target (ease and comfort) but, unlike the addict, there is no point where the desired effect is achieved.
