talisman's Posts

Re: Internet Junkie.

7/10/2007 7:02:58 PM talisman
202 Posts

It's not only the restless craving for being online that signifies an addiction, I think it's also the loss of time that you described. It may be an addiction, but I believe the true measure comes with the effect it has on your family and other responsibilities. Are you on the internet just for fun and relaxation, or does it take time away from work, friends, and family members?

Re: Addcited to Music

7/10/2007 7:06:54 PM talisman
202 Posts

I'm not sure music can be a true addiction.... if you're restless and listening to music consumes your thoughts, if you're ignoring your responsibilities in order to listen to music, then it may be a true addiction. I can't really see that happening. Having music on in the background while you perform day to day tasks is healthy, in my opinion.

Re: Friends

7/10/2007 7:09:13 PM talisman
202 Posts

I'd say the right kind of friends are extremely important to your recovery. But the friends that empowered your addiction in the first place should be handled with caution until you know whether they're going to lift you up or pull you down.

Re: Addicted to family

7/10/2007 7:13:56 PM talisman
202 Posts

I don't think it was your family, per se, that you were addicted to, but rather their negative attitudes fulfilled some need. Perhaps deep inside you wonder if you're really worth being treated with respect? It sounds like you're working on the problem with a great deal of success, though. Congrats!

Re: Church and Addictions

7/10/2007 7:18:25 PM talisman
202 Posts

I think it's helpful to realize that pastors are human, too, and as human beings they are imperfect and sometimes do things that God would not approve of, or condone. There's a tendency to believe that authority figures in a church or religion always speak for God, when in fact they are mere mortals like the rest of us.... they can and do make mistakes. It doesn't make them bad people, and it doesn't make the church wrong. But religion does not equal the pastor.

Re: Why do we not get the help from God

7/10/2007 7:22:02 PM talisman
202 Posts

I agree... we expect God to work in our time, and in our way, and we need to realize that God knows what is best for us. He will provide for our needs. Also, I believe that a lot of people expect God to fix it, when that isn't His way. He wants us to have a hand in solving our own problems, and then he will make up the difference between what we can do and what needs to be done.

Re: The Role of Christ

7/10/2007 7:25:24 PM talisman
202 Posts

I think we turn to God when things go wrong because that is the time when we most need a friend. We need to talk things over, and believe that there is someone out there who can help us solve our problems without judging us.

Re: I really like my Pepsi

7/10/2007 7:28:19 PM talisman
202 Posts

I guess Pepsi could be an addiction, although it doesn't sound serious. The true measure is how you feel when you go without it. I was addicted to diet Coke at one point, and I only realized I had a problem when I started having headaches every time I went without it for a couple of hours.

Re: Eating for two!

7/10/2007 7:30:59 PM talisman
202 Posts

I completely overate during pregnancy, and my weight gain showed it! If you're hungry, you should eat. Hunger is your body's way of telling you it needs nutrition. I'd say just be careful what you eat... cut down on starches and eat more protein: it stays with you longer. Also, hunger and thirst are closely related. Your body might be telling you it wants water, not food.

Re: Snacking

7/10/2007 7:33:47 PM talisman
202 Posts

I do the same thing, especially while watching movies or reading a book. I don't keep snacks in the house for the same reason... I'll eat it if it's in the house, but I won't make a special trip to the store for it!

Re: Salt ammounts

7/10/2007 7:37:53 PM talisman
202 Posts

There are many seasonings that are better for you than salt and actually add more flavor to your food than salt, also. Take a trip down the spice aisle in the grocery store and see what looks good to you.

Re: If We Were More Open About Sexuality...

7/10/2007 7:42:29 PM talisman
202 Posts

I think there is an element of the forbidden in porn, and that it possibly adds to people beginning to view porn, but I don't think that people would be less addicted to it if it were more readily available. There's a brain chemical component involved in porn addiction, and that will be the same whether it's on the top shelf or sitting on our shelf day in and day out.

Re: Porn is good

7/10/2007 7:45:16 PM talisman
202 Posts

How is porn good again? All of the studies I've read show that not only is porn more addicting than alcohol, but it causes many problems in marriages and families. I'm not judging anyone who looks at porn, but I can't see where it can possibly be called good.

Re: Quick Facts about Porn

7/10/2007 7:48:42 PM talisman
202 Posts

It's true supply and demand...people pay an insane amount of money for porn, so more and more of it gets dumped on the market. Add to that the addicting nature of porn, and I believe it's becoming a real problem.

Re: I don't think there's anything wrong..

7/10/2007 7:51:39 PM talisman
202 Posts

Sex is a natural function, and it does promote a strong relationship between people. If your relationship with your partner isn't being harmed in any way, I don't really see a problem.

Re: I think some time's childen take after parents

7/10/2007 7:54:46 PM talisman
202 Posts

Children sometimes take after their parents because it's the only way they know. Even though you don't like what your dad did, he was your example and it's difficult to strike out on your own. Find a new role model... someone you look up to and admire and do your best to be like them, not your dad.

Re: Exercising Too Much

7/10/2007 7:57:40 PM talisman
202 Posts

Twice a day doesn't seem like that much. Athletes exercise all the time, and apart from normal sport related injuries they don't see any negative effects. I've known people who exercise for 5+ hours a day.... at that point there may be a problem. But it just sounds like he likes how he looks and feels when he's healthy.

Re: How Do You De-Stress?

7/10/2007 8:00:03 PM talisman
202 Posts

Even though I enjoy work, it doesn't help me de-stress. Personally, I curl up with a good book or watch a favorite movie. It gives my mind a much needed break from every day life.

Re: Gambling and children

7/10/2007 8:12:04 PM talisman
202 Posts

My children play poker with chips, but I've made it very clear to them that chips are acceptable but playing for money isn't. Maybe it's a fine line, but I believe that gambling is more of a state of mind than a game, or games.

Re: Swift and terrible punishment

7/10/2007 8:15:00 PM talisman
202 Posts

There's a difference between tough love and going overboard with the punishment. I agree that something needs to be done if a child is ruining his or her life, but the measures you have described would only push the child away from you and toward the friends that are enabling their addiction.

Re: Died of Addiction

7/10/2007 8:17:18 PM talisman
202 Posts

There's a difference between helping someone out and feeling like you could have changed their behavior. Having someone close to you die because of an addiction is tough, but sooner or later you realize that they and they alone are responsible for their actions.

Re: Irresponsible Lenders

7/10/2007 8:23:03 PM talisman
202 Posts

Credit card companies get most of their revenue through late fees and interest. They obviously don't want you to default on your obligation, but they do want you to spend more with their company because it means more money for the company. They're not out to protect your interest.... they want to take your money, plain and simple.

Re: Change of Scene

7/10/2007 8:24:47 PM talisman
202 Posts

The end of an addiction should definitely be celebrated, and I can't think of a better way than to break out of your normal routine and go somewhere different and fun!

Re: Okay for a 15month old to watch TV?

7/10/2007 8:27:38 PM talisman
202 Posts

I'd say that a half hour of TV at 15 months really isn't harming her. The problem comes when the TV is on all the time and that's all they do. Just make sure the program is educational and age appropriate.

Re: Just one more try..

7/10/2007 8:29:51 PM talisman
202 Posts

The machines are programmed to make you think that you're oh so close, and maybe just maybe next time will be the time it will pay out. It's an illusion, and yes... everyone gets caught up in it.

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