Is this basically true for most people?

[sterling]

Is this post from a newspaper blog basically true? What are your thoughts?

Everyone self-medicates. Some do it with running or exercise. Some with coffee. Some with cigarettes. Some with alcohol. Some read books to settle down and forget the world. Some people post in blogs.

To each his own!

[Guest]

OOOh... great for discussion. I have a business meeting (yes, I work on weekends and whenever clients need me) but would love to weigh in when I get back. I look forward to reading some of the responses when I return. Very thoughtful topic...

[GMan]

Yes...I think we all do. I do it with music of course. I'll just sit and play my acoustic guitar which always puts me in a good frame of mind...or I'll just put some of my favorite music on the stereo and just absorb it.

[sterling]

I would add to the list:

some do it with gambling, shopping, sex, drugs, guns, politics....and the list goes on and on. I really believe that as humans we all have some tendencies towards addictions of some kind. Are these addictions basically ways to get us through the bumps in the road of life? Or our perceptions of what gets us through it all. I am convinced that some choices are more destructive than others. The real question is how we manage it in a healthy way.

[James]

I've always loved physically working out, and I used to love to drink too much (I quit 12 years ago).

Drinking too much was likely "self-medicating". Throwing yourself into something constructive (Giro playing guitar, me running or riding my bike, etc)... is not self-medicating. It's just doing something positive for yourself, that makes you feel better.

IMHO, of course..

[GMan]

James....I believe that the positive things we do for ourselves does release endorphins creating that natural high....oh....and let me not forget....that when women see James...they just melt and swoon.....forgetting about everything else.

[MJ]

uh Giro - maybe they just have the FLU ahahahhahaha

[HT from Mo]

James....I believe that the positive things we do for ourselves does release endorphins creating that natural high....oh....and let me not forget....that when women see James...they just melt and swoon.....forgetting about everything else.

Don't encourage him Giro!

[GMan]

I'm just tryin' to get some of the heat off of myself Beth....lol Only teasin' of course....

[canadianchick]

Now, just so I understand...having a harem...is it self-medicating or an addiction......

[dianed]

In Jame's case, I think it is a little of both PLUS delusion !

[GMan]

James has the harem.......not me.....lol. I am not delusional!

[Ecstasy]

This is only my experiences but I think that some of the methods are a result of specific issues. For example, both of my sons as teenagers used to abuse HUGE amounts of Mountain Dew and No-Doz. They're both ADHD and bipolar so they would use Mountain Dew's high caffeine to sedate themselves (stimulants work on ADHDers differently) or slow down and then use No-Doz to stimulate themselves during a depressive cycle. They have broken these patterns and use other methods to control their cycles.

I used to abuse prescription drugs as a teen and very young adult --- completely emotional. It was a means of making the pain go away while living in an abusive and dysfunctional family. I broke this pattern years ago and haven't repeated it.

Now I have a different set of emotional issues I have to keep in check for the right reasons. Over-exercise and weight loss is definitely one of them. I've endured years and years of humiliation over my weight (which is health related.) I was doing almost anything to lose weight just a few years ago. The added benefit was the adrenaline rush and release of endorphins as Giro mentioned which gave me a sense of control and power. Now I'm learning to focus on improving my health first and letting the weight loss be my benefit. I'm trying to learn to deal with the emotional issues without hurting myself. I'm working to break the pattern. The real catch about addictive behaviors is 1) recognizing them as destructive, 2) being willing to do something about them, and 3) staying on top of them so they don't regain power. You have to WANT to change.

[Guest]

Awesome Kathy Lee...

I think as we get older HEALTH has to be our primary concern. Whether it's quitting smoking or loosing weight, the behavior is so hard to break... but so very worthwhile! I was a skinny kid who never had a weight problem, but as I grew older the weight piled on. I took a look in the mirror one day and saw my mother! I'm always looking for ways to slim down... and I find exercise very beneficial.

My big addictive behaviors are shopping & eating for comfort...

When clients are paying slowly that kind of takes care of the shopping lol!

As you mentioned, recognizing addictions and taking action steps are so important.

One of my friends is very close to Tony (Anthony) Robins, and she brings home tons of material & books related to his presentations... I happen to respect his work very much.

[James]

Thanks for the good words Diane, GMan, HT, Sadis & MJ. And GMan, I know what you mean about the endorphins.

I went running earlier today, and got the endorphin rush. But it wasn't an all good experience.

You see it's pretty cold here. And today was the first workout day where I ditched my shorts, and donned my sweatpants. And it wasn't pretty.

The neighborhood chicks live for seeing James in shorts, and they were PISSED when they saw me jog by in long sweatpants. I tried to appease them with the James wink, but even that didn't work.

As a matter of fact, they've concluded it won't be until March that they see James in shorts again. Accordingly, all flags in the neighborhood are lowered to half mast (which makes sense).

Anyway, to appease these angry female neighbors of mine, and for neighborhood peace, our Mayor has offered each of the affronted chicks a keg of beer!

But that didn't work either. In fact it back-fired. The neighborhood chicks are planning a sit-in at City Hall Monday. And I got wind of the chant they're going to use:

Hell with the kegs,

WE WANT JAMES' LEGS!!!

[hollies65]

Shut this thread down...never gonna top that post.

[HT from Mo]

Thanks for the good words Diane, GMan, HT, Sadis & MJ. And GMan, I know what you mean about the endorphins.

I went running earlier today, and got the endorphin rush. But it wasn't an all good experience.

You see it's pretty cold here. And today was the first workout day where I ditched my shorts, and donned my sweatpants. And it wasn't pretty.

The neighborhood chicks live for seeing James in shorts, and they were PISSED when they saw me jog by in long sweatpants. I tried to appease them with the James wink, but even that didn't work.

As a matter of fact, they've concluded it won't be until March that they see James in shorts again. Accordingly, all flags in the neighborhood are lowered to half mast (which makes sense).

Anyway, to appease these angry female neighbors of mine, and for neighborhood peace, our Mayor has offered each of the affronted chicks a keg of beer!

But that didn't work either. In fact it back-fired. The neighborhood chicks are planning a sit-in at City Hall Monday. And I got wind of the chant they're going to use:

Hell with the kegs,

WE WANT JAMES' LEGS!!!

Ahhh.. I see James is still living in his deluisional yet "perfect" world where women "bow" at his appearance

[Shelley]

James

[AnniekNY]

You know, I am beginning to believe james is actually the Hugh Jackman of EC.COM...even I'm pissed off he went jogging in sweatpants and I don't even know what he LOOKS LIKE!!!!

[AnniekNY]

I can't even bring myself to actually address the topic of the thread!

[darlene]

That's my James!!! And I've never even SEEN your legs!

Life is stressful in many ways and it's not easy for anyone from any walk of life. *Everyone* gets negative thoughts and everyone has some form of stress, if not many forms at the same time. Life happens, and much of it is stressful, whether the stress is applied by external forces or from within ourselves, as we create a lot of it.

Whatever we can do to make life easier, and/or joyful, is what we wind up doing. The beauty of nature, engaging in sports or exercise, beautiful music (listening, going to concerts, singing or playing it), a creative hobby (knitting, crocheting, woodworking, making beautiful and useful things), enjoying or creating art, meditating or just relaxing are things that bring us pleasure and self-appreciation. Some people are workaholics and get the most pleasure when they feel they are "producing" something.

And the basic needs of humans can be "medications: too: delicious food and drink, entertainment and human companionship are important. Sex is another way of appreciating another person and ourselves. There are probably as

many "medications" as there are quirks in the human personality. Apparently, James is quite a medication in himself!

The more of these pleasurable things we can enjoy the better, as long as they are in balance with everything else. It can happen that we focus on one thing to the detriment of other elements of life and something benign can become as dangerous a dependence as a drug.

I know a man who became so wound up in playing the violin that he became manic with it and he had to stop because he neglected his family and extremely successful business. The violin was such an up for him it was like drugs to a drug addict. It was all he wanted to do to the exclusion of all else.

I'm sure that's rare, but I sometimes feel things getting out of balance. If I'm stressed, I'll pick up the violin and practice for a long period because playing music and advancing my technique is like a drug for me. It makes me feel better. I have to remember that I have to put it down before I neglect something else.

I love cheese and chocolate, but if I begin to go on a binge with these comfort foods, I notice a pound or two gained and have to stop.

Balance is not automatic and I try think of it everyday.

--Darlene

[Danny S.]

My stress reliever...A tall glass of single-malt scotch,a cigarette,or two, and going down to my basement,grabbin a guitar off the wall,puttin the amp on "11"...just for an hour or so.The Scotch kicks in, and my ears ring,so I cant hear or care to hear anyone complain anymore!Trust me it works!

[pretender]

I think my best medication is my dog,Max. There is nothing more relaxing than sitting around petting his head as it lies in my lap.Or more exhilerating than taking him out into the yard to play.