[Marc]

Originally Posted by Vicky.

Gotta love codeine. It seems to have..antidepressant qualities for me. I always feel good for a fair few hours once it kicks in. Went through a stage of having it every day a few months back, but I realised I was becoming dependent on it so cut back. I only have it now when my rib pain flairs up, but I am running out and I am worried the docs wont give me more

Yeah I feel happy for a few hours as well. Beautiful stuff, I should stay taking it at work

[Vicky.]

Codeine never used to work at all for me. They tried giving me it for my migraines when I was a lot younger. I wonder what changed..unless they were giving me weak ones due to me being like 15

[Marc]

See one of the reasons I've gone off of it a bit is because it gives me headaches if I use it too much.

[Niamh.]

Originally Posted by Marc

See one of the reasons I've gone off of it a bit is because it gives me headaches if I use it too much.

Yeah same here, it was a vicious cycle

[Kizzy]

My son gets it prescribed for migraine, have to say I've took the odd one when in a lot of pain.
Being an ex alcoholic is a bitch, I have insomnia and back pain but they won't give me anything that could lead to an addiction.

[MTVN]

Find addictions something quite hard to comprehend, especially as I do drink, smoke a bit, and gamble but have always found it easy to control all of these. Must be awful to be so physically addicted to something that it completely disrupts your life though and I'd agree with what Annie said that it's probably impossible to understand if you haven't experienced it yourself, so I do sympathise

I've always thought of gambling as the most ambiguous addiction as well, because it's not a physical dependency it's a lot more of a grey area I think. Like my brother used to play loads of online poker and on the one hand it did disrupt his studies and things like his sleep pattern, but on the other he was winning loads of money and he wasn't completely obsessive over it so I dunno if he was addicted or not lol. He's pretty much packed it in now anyway though which is probably for the best

[Vicky.]

If he was winning (and cashing out when he won) chances are hes not addicted.

My problem is I can win hundreds, but I always think 'oh I am on a roll, lets keep going' and then lose it all again,. If losing you think 'well I have to win soon' and keep depositing.

I know how ridiculous that sounds to those who arent addicted, but thats how it works.

[arista]

Originally Posted by Vicky.

You got that..from ammis post about understanding people, listening to them, and basically being compassionate?

Yes ideal for TV interviews
Front Bench Conservative job

I am not joking here

[Stu]

Originally Posted by Kizzy

My son gets it prescribed for migraine, have to say I've took the odd one when in a lot of pain.
Being an ex alcoholic is a bitch, I have insomnia and back pain but they won't give me anything that could lead to an addiction.

I know most herbal stuff is B.S. but I've found Valerian root extract in dropper form quite good for insomnia.

5-HTP supplements also act as a precursor to melatonin and seem to promote deeper, dreamier sleeps once you can actually achieve that state.

[Kizzy]

yep heard some really good things about 5-HTP too, taken valerian in the past might give it a go again thanks.

[Verbal]

I've been thinking about this subject, and i've had a sort of epiphany. I am addicted to the Internet and have been for years.
I get up in the morning, first thing I do - turn the PC on. Come home from work, first thing I do - turn the PC on and sit on it until I go to bed. I finished work on Friday and have barely moved from my PC. I've not even been to bed, i've fallen asleep sitting here.
I do my shopping, banking and socialising via the PC.

I was just thinking, if the Internet ceased to exist right now what would I do? And I honestly have no idea, which is quite a scarey thought. I havent even been into a shop bigger than the local corner shop for years because I do it all online. If it wasnt for the internet I would probably be about 6 stone lighter.

[Ammi]

Originally Posted by Verbal

I've been thinking about this subject, and i've had a sort of epiphany. I am addicted to the Internet and have been for years.
I get up in the morning, first thing I do - turn the PC on. Come home from work, first thing I do - turn the PC on and sit on it until I go to bed. I finished work on Friday and have barely moved from my PC. I've not even been to bed, i've fallen asleep sitting here.
I do my shopping, banking and socialising via the PC.

I was just thinking, if the Internet ceased to exist right now what would I do? And I honestly have no idea, which is quite a scarey thought. I havent even been into a shop bigger than the local corner shop for years because I do it all online. If it wasnt for the internet I would probably be about 6 stone lighter.

...I think it is an 'addiction' for many people...if it ceased to exist for you only then that would be extremely difficult because you would probably feel as though the whole world was existing/living without you sort of thing..?...but if it ceased to exist completely for anyone, then I think maybe we would all adjust to that quite easily...?...

[Verbal]

Originally Posted by Ammi

...I think it is an 'addiction' for many people...if it ceased to exist for you only then that would be extremely difficult because you would probably feel as though the whole world was existing/living without you sort of thing..?...but if it ceased to exist completely for anyone, then I think maybe we would all adjust to that quite easily...?...

When in the house the first and only thing I do i sort of zone out infront of the PC.
I use the Internet as sort of an emotional crutch. If it ceased to exist then I would adjust because I would have to, and I think it would do me nothing but good.

Genuinely going to look up internet addiction now.

[Ammi]

Originally Posted by Verbal

When in the house the first and only thing I do i sort of zone out infront of the PC.
I use the Internet as sort of an emotional crutch. If it ceased to exist then I would adjust because I would have to, and I think it would do me nothing but good.

Genuinely going to look up internet addiction now.

..I think I have read stuff about internet addiction because obviously the internet is a huge part of most people's lives now..and if we didn't have it then as you say, we would adjust but it probably wouldn't be easy and especially as you're encouraged to use it to sort of conduct your everyday life..shopping/banking etc..and it's a wealth of information and so quickly..how much longer it would take to go to the library and look something up for instance....I don't know, I guess it depends on whether you yourself or anyone is conscious of it and wants to stop/cut down etc because it is just today's social networking for everyone and if we didn't have it..?...some may say that we would 'communicate more' perhaps..but in another way we would communicate less because we're constantly communicating on the internet...and that has to be a good/positive thing..?...

I don't want to live in a world where I can't see Japanese girls and octopus tentacles within 2 or 3 clicks of the mouse.

[Verbal]

Originally Posted by Ammi

..I think I have read stuff about internet addiction because obviously the internet is a huge part of most people's lives now..and if we didn't have it then as you say, we would adjust but it probably wouldn't be easy and especially as you're encouraged to use it to sort of conduct your everyday life..shopping/banking etc..and it's a wealth of information and so quickly..how much longer it would take to go to the library and look something up for instance....I don't know, I guess it depends on whether you yourself or anyone is conscious of it and wants to stop/cut down etc because it is just today's social networking for everyone and if we didn't have it..?...some may say that we would 'communicate more' perhaps..but in another way we would communicate less because we're constantly communicating on the internet...and that has to be a good/positive thing..?...

Its the lack of actual social interaction that rises as a problem of using the internet. 10 years ago I would not have thought twice about going out to town shopping or whatever, now the idea fills me with dread and sites like amazon etc totally negate the need to face up to any anxiety you may have.

[Ammi]

Originally Posted by Verbal

Its the lack of actual social interaction that rises as a problem of using the internet. 10 years ago I would not have thought twice about going out to town shopping or whatever, now the idea fills me with dread and sites like amazon etc totally negate the need to face up to any anxiety you may have.

...yeah I do understand what you mean..in a way people socialise more because of the internet because, say if you did go to the shops etc..you may not meet many people or chat but in that time it took you to go on the internet you could have 'clicked' your shopping and spent some time chatting with friends etc as well..and also on things like forums, here....you get to 'meet' people that you wouldn't necessarily meet in 'real life' and can find things in common and share opinions etc..so it has huge advantages and positives over not having it or using it...but if it's to the extent that you do have anxieties about going out somewhere when you need to, then it is a problem that you need to address...(I didn't mean you as in you btw..just as in people in general..)...

[Verbal]

Originally Posted by Ammi

...yeah I do understand what you mean..in a way people socialise more because of the internet because, say if you did go to the shops etc..you may not meet many people or chat but in that time it took you to go on the internet you could have 'clicked' your shopping and spent some time chatting with friends etc as well..and also on things like forums, here....you get to 'meet' people that you wouldn't necessarily meet in 'real life' and can find things in common and share opinions etc..so it has huge advantages and positives over not having it or using it...but if it's to the extent that you do have anxieties about going out somewhere when you need to, then it is a problem that you need to address...(I didn't mean you as in you btw..just as in people in general..)...

No you're right it is my problem, and it is largely self corrective. I've just never thought of it.

Change is afoot...

[Ammi]

Originally Posted by Verbal

No you're right it is my problem, and it is largely self corrective. I've just never thought of it.

Change is afoot...

..I think a really hard part of 'addressing' any addiction is to realise that you have one or that, that's what you feel it is..and you've obviously given it thought and decided that you yourself want to make changes in your life, so for you those will be very positive and something that will make you feel good about yourself..?...and that in itself will give you more and more confidence, as you feel proud with yourself ...and that will help you to achieve what you want to...for me personally, setting myself a 'goal' for something always helps...sort of giving myself a date/deadline and a task etc that I want to achieve by then..and also not making that 'achievement' too taxing/difficult..just a little at a time..step by step....

..I have to go offline for a little while but I'll look and see if I can find some advice sites that may help you and be worth looking at later, ok.....

[Verbal]

Originally Posted by Ammi

..I think a really hard part of 'addressing' any addiction is to realise that you have one or that, that's what you feel it is..and you've obviously given it thought and decided that you yourself want to make changes in your life, so for you those will be very positive and something that will make you feel good about yourself..?...and that in itself will give you more and more confidence, as you feel proud with yourself ...and that will help you to achieve what you want to...for me personally, setting myself a 'goal' for something always helps...sort of giving myself a date/deadline and a task etc that I want to achieve by then..and also not making that 'achievement' too taxing/difficult..just a little at a time..step by step....

..I have to go offline for a little while but I'll look and see if I can find some advice sites that may help you and be worth looking at later, ok.....

Thank you Ammi. I've just done a quick search on internet addiction and it is largely dismissed as a fad, which is a little disheartening. Its very real, and i'm the poster boy for it.

I can sit and say that i'm going to actually do my shopping physically and so on, but I know I wont when it comes to it, because its so easy just to log onto tesco and do it sat here. Unless someone physically stopped me from sitting here all day, i'm not gonna change and they'll probably find me at 45 dead infront of the PC covered in Guiness and Pizza logged onto TiBB

There is no doubt the Internet is a major issue for me, and as other sites suggest it may be a symptom of another condition, which I agree with. I am on medication for anxiety. But again, sitting here just acts as another convenient crutch.

[Kizzy]

I'm surprised really,I thought there would be a lot of info on it as it is such a big problem for some.
There have been stories in the past of cases of deep vein thrombosis due to hours sat gaming, so this to me is a natural progression.
Everything is so damned easy to do online and is made that way for people who have busy lives, trouble is those who don't have busy lives can still access the services! haha.
Admitting you have an addiction to anything is the hardest part, as it affects most aspects of your life I would say you are too.
The most important part of breaking an addiction is thatyou really want to... sounds daft but it is.
And you do so that's a bonus, work out on paper how you could achieve this, write a daily schedule for yourself that fills your day leaving only a permitted window for browsing?

[Verbal]

Originally Posted by Kizzy

I'm surprised really,I thought there would be a lot of info on it as it is such a big problem for some.
There have been stories in the past of cases of deep vein thrombosis due to hours sat gaming, so this to me is a natural progression.
Everything is so damned easy to do online and is made that way for people who have busy lives, trouble is those who don't have busy lives can still access the services! haha.
Admitting you have an addiction to anything is the hardest part, as it affects most aspects of your life I would say you are too.
The most important part of breaking an addiction is thatyou really want to... sounds daft but it is.
And you do so that's a bonus, work out on paper how you could achieve this, write a daily schedule for yourself that fills your day leaving only a permitted window for browsing?

Its not so much admitting it, its realising it. I've never really considered it an addiction, its just what I do.
When I hear addiction my definition of it is if its infringing on your daily life then you have a problem. This does for me, and has for 5-6 years or more. Wanting to do something and actually doing something about it are two very different things. I could turn the PC off now and do 4 or 5 things that need to be done, but I wont and there is nobody around me to tell me otherwise, which just compounds the issue.

[Kizzy]

With an addiction nobody can tell you what to do an it has any effect anyway, you have to tell yourself....
At the risk of sounding totally nuts I spent weeks 'having a word with myself' about it, and reasoning with my subconscious that this was a good idea for both of us.
(I did say it would sound nuts!)
You could switch the PC off now but I wouldn't as aware as you are that it's impacting on your quality of life I would do a bit of preparation first.

[Ammi]

Originally Posted by Verbal

Thank you Ammi. I've just done a quick search on internet addiction and it is largely dismissed as a fad, which is a little disheartening. Its very real, and i'm the poster boy for it.

I can sit and say that i'm going to actually do my shopping physically and so on, but I know I wont when it comes to it, because its so easy just to log onto tesco and do it sat here. Unless someone physically stopped me from sitting here all day, i'm not gonna change and they'll probably find me at 45 dead infront of the PC covered in Guiness and Pizza logged onto TiBB

There is no doubt the Internet is a major issue for me, and as other sites suggest it may be a symptom of another condition, which I agree with. I am on medication for anxiety. But again, sitting here just acts as another convenient crutch.

..I haven't had a chance to look through these yet Verbal..but maybe see if they are of any help..?...


http://www.helpguide.org/mental/inte..._addiction.htm

http://www.forbes.com/sites/alicegwa...net-addiction/

http://netaddiction.com/internet-addiction-test/

http://www.minddisorders.com/Flu-Inv...-disorder.html

http://www.dailystrength.org/c/Inter...diction/advice

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technolog...-internet.html

http://forums.psychcentral.com/gambl...-internet.html



..the irony of help sites on the internet lol....


...I'll look through them myself as well later when I have more time...and well, if you want to talk over what you think would maybe be best for you or anything... and just doing a little at a time and things you feel are achievable and that wont make you feel anxious.... ok..?....


EDIT:...one of the things it does mention in there is Cognitive Behaviour Therapy which many people find very effective for lots of things including addictions/self esteem etc...it's all about 'breaking down' your anxieties into smaller bits so that you can tackle it a bit at a time, rather than the whole thing in one go, sort of thing....which can be quite scary and create more layers of anxiety which would only make it worse....

[Verbal]

Originally Posted by Ammi

..I haven't had a chance to look through these yet Verbal..but maybe see if they are of any help..?...


http://www.helpguide.org/mental/inte..._addiction.htm

http://www.forbes.com/sites/alicegwa...net-addiction/

http://netaddiction.com/internet-addiction-test/

http://www.minddisorders.com/Flu-Inv...-disorder.html

http://www.dailystrength.org/c/Inter...diction/advice

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technolog...-internet.html

http://forums.psychcentral.com/gambl...-internet.html



..the irony of help sites on the internet lol....


...I'll look through them myself as well later when I have more time...and well, if you want to talk over what you think would maybe be best for you or anything... and just doing a little at a time and things you feel are achievable and that wont make you feel anxious.... ok..?....


EDIT:...one of the things it does mention in there is Cognitive Behaviour Therapy which many people find very effective for lots of things including addictions/self esteem etc...it's all about 'breaking down' your anxieties into smaller bits so that you can tackle it a bit at a time, rather than the whole thing in one go, sort of thing....which can be quite scary and create more layers of anxiety which would only make it worse....

Thanks Ammi thats very kind of you to search for all of those I will take a look this afternoon. Regarding CBT I have been offered that due to me being medicated for social anxiety, the 'therapist' that offered it to me gave me an address for a website where you basically do this self help thing, it was very patronising and pretty useless really. I've not actually attended a live CBT session as it where as I kind of talk myself out of going anywhere these days