A look into the addiction disease concept and why alcoholics, drug users, and others suffering from chemical dependency can't just stop using. Presented by Dr. Robert Booher.
My son hated being a meth addict. His addiction tore our family apart. Now my boy is dead. He never wanted to be an addict. He was I rehab most of his life. He couldn’t beat it. It’s been a year. I miss my boy. Not the addict but the kind loving person he was. I miss him. Life has not been the same. It never will. 💔
Meth is the worst addiction to have especially when it comes to stopping.A very lil percent of people can quit meth after becoming addicted to it.Don't blame him blame his addiction.
I totally agree with you but there's a reason why ìt isn't as well as the same reason why they don't teach our children the importance of work and the outcome will be if you leave education without any knowledge and qualifications, so basic wages and zero hours pay will have u working every hour u can just to survive and god forbid living any decent kind of existence or bring a child into the world, we leave school without a clue on reality and it's purposely done
I have 2 family members who quit and never worked a program and stayed clean till the day one died and the other goes to church and works on computers and guitar electronics. It's a beautiful thing seeing everyone's recovery is different. I was addicted to heroin meth and xanax. And I have to work a program. I had to have something stop me, which involved being arrested. I still have thoughts but the longer I've worked a program, the more I've learned what to do when I have those thoughts to distract myself. I dont have the desire, I was miserable and I know itd be worse. I still see my brother doing it, and it's so bad. But it's a reminder for me the reason I dont ever wanna go back to it..
Mine was in stages until I just hung up the stumbling shoes but I had zero withdraws or a bit of desires, and as far as A.A. goes, all I have to say is after 12 years of attending various Meetings it just never struck Gold with me and I was finally convinced of its deeper agenda. I quit A.A. first, drank a few more times and then reached a point to where I had nothing left, and so I was done. I quit smoking the same way and never had any withdraw symptoms at all. All I can say is to surround yourself with education and realism, and you don't have to repeat your story every day just to fit in. Oh yeah, No G-O-D for this fella, nope! Nothing against the idea but for me it makes life more complicated to have to live up to that pressure following over 2 decades of boozing.
It was a personal decision. Only way to be spiritual is 6 feet under. There is no other way. This is why I am not a spiritual. I made a personal decision not to be an alcoholic or a drug addict. It had nothing to do with being spiritual.
I am an addict. One day I went to a dentist to get my wisdom teeth pulled. I took one of the pills I was prescribed and I suddenly realized that not only was my pain gone, but so was my emotional pain. I finally for once felt like life was worth living. For once life felt like how I knew it should have always felt but never did. I quickly became an addict and went through a ton of shit with my parents. I got arrested and a whole slew of other problems but now I am 1 year clean.
I have a similar story. I was 19 when I got my wisdom teeth pulled. I ate all my pain pills in a week. A months worth. So I told the dr I lost them and continued using opiates for 6 years straight. I’m 40 now and I still struggle. Back and forth.
@@uuudam keep positive.. i have been through the same, now im almost a year clean off all opiates(12yrs on Methadone) and I will not take that road again. there is hope, stay strong and be patient with yourself.
@Thomas Victorian Dont imagine. you never miss what you dont try. Marijuana is the silent destroyer be careful, associated with shiva and the dance of destruction.
Very True and so sad. I am dealing with some strong emotions over which I'm completely powerless. It is so sad to see somebody - a loved one - destroying themselves right in front of your eyes, and you cannot fix it.
@@ender2664 not sure if this helps anyone here. The person I wanted to help, died. But here, I'm sharing this just in case: ua-cam.com/video/rTS-3F0Rjl0/v-deo.html
100% Why people even think that alcoholics and drug addicts are happy? They are miserable and see “ drug free normal life as a dream “ because when they try to stop they are always relapsing. Speaking from experience. I would not wish this disease on anyone. It takes everything from you !
I used alcohol, drugs,and smoked my whole life On a daily basis for over 30 years.. I stopped all three by myself. cold turkey. when you see enough of your friends die, or go to prison for the rest of their life, or you see how low your tweaker friends can go for a bag it make you think, and it made me say enough is enough. wasn't easy at first, but it can be done. I am clean, I am proud of myself,which is something an addict lacks in themselves, and it feels good. And i can hold my head high. I wish everyone could conquer their problems so they can feel good too. I still have friends trying to get me high, and it makes me realize that misery loves company.
Don X Shew! I don’t see how! Wasn’t my experience at all. I have quit opiates and smoking as well but the opiates were hell on earth for me to quit. I was on very high doses and had switched to suboxone to quit. Coming off the suboxone was worse than most could even imagine. I truly think my heart almost stopped. I think I almost died(which can happen when someone already has a heart condition and has been using for years)but thankfully I didn’t. I lost lots of weight and froze to death! I took 5-10 baths a day for two weeks to get warm. Begged my husband to place blankets in a dryer for me. I also would sweat at the same time and had to change clothes. The restless legs were just awful. I can’t even describe how awful and uncomfortable they felt. I couldn’t eat or drink much at all. I had to force myself after some days of nothing. I was so sick I couldn’t sleep longer than 10 mns at a time but was exhausted! I hardly slept at all the first three weeks. That may have been the worst part possibly...idk because it was all bad. Constant diarrhea and extreme nausea. The chills lasted a month. I had zero energy to even lift my arms or walk and that was the symptom that lasted the longest. Just no energy. Zilch. All of the things I listed and more were like having the flu and a stomach virus combined times 10, lasting weeks! Seriously. Anyway, after a solid month and a week, I was over the physical withdrawals for the most part and though most people say the mental part that comes after is the worst, it wasn’t for me. The physical withdrawals were actual torture. I was just relieved to not be so sick and over the nightmare of being dependent on something. So I didn’t battle much with myself about using again. I knew I NEVER wanted to go through what I just had gone through ever ever again! I’m happy you didn’t endure those symptoms though when you stopped drinking! I know alcohol withdrawals can be horrific. My grandpa was an alcoholic and his withdrawals were bad. The hospital would have to strap him down because he would see spiders crawling all over him, etc... You were blessed to not have to go through those types of withdrawals! Quitting smoking is a real bummer but for me, not comparable to quitting drugs.
@@BS-dq1kz i hear ya, i quit a nasty addiction to subs as well. One month of hell and putting life on hold, now im battling alchohol.....pure addiction runs deep in both sides my family, alchohol wd scares me. The seeing spiders comment you made i have heard from more then 3 severe drinkers, people dont realize some people quit drinking 2 or 3 beers a day and yes that probably not too bad.....but when you stop from drinking a 5th of hard booze a day you are gonna pay the max price. And apparently its hospital and watching spiders crawl out of the walls for a week.....its no joke and keeps alcoholics drinking out of fear like myself.
I am an hardcore heroin abuser. I will die soon if i didn't stop... I wanna quit... I want to live... I want to feel happiness .... I tried so many times but failed every time... This is my fist day and i can't tell you how i am feeling now.... This is the worst feeling.. God give me strength.... I want to live
I recently had a 28 year old family member commit suicide. He was addicted to alcohol and drugs. His mother was an addict. Now I understand. Thank you for this brilliant lecture.
Weed was my choice. Refused anything else and really had no interest. But I was never sober, smoked 24/7 to ease my emotional pain and basically mellow out to handle life. I could not function without being high. I stopped multiple times for months at a time but would always go back and binge. They say you can't be addicted to weed but I can say that is not true.
Yep, it is addictive. Compared to booze or meth it's a rather mild drug. But it a drug and does change your thinking and behavior. I've found it to be a sneaky thing, it's mild compared to heavy drugs but still can take you to a dark dark place. And if I smoke it it leads to want me to drink. If I get booze then the crazy crap can start, yippee 😭😭😭😭
I was an addict, I’m now nearly 1 year clean and sober, I’m here to help where I can, I did it but there’s still work to do, look me up if you want to see my journey, good luck everyone, x
In the end as an addict you have to make a choice. The thing that is not talked about in most cases is the fact that addicts have no emotional regulation and do not know how to process their feelings. Anyone addicted to anything has created a negative feedback loop that is attached to emotions. That's why when you first quit anything, you get kind of weepy, or have bursts of anger, or any other strong emotional reaction. It's hard to stop the thing that you're addicted to. Sometimes you gotta go 'through' the emotional stuff to get a sense of what turned you into an addict in the first place.
Yep, he's got a doctor's writing. I'll watch the whole thing now. Edit: I was trying to bring a little lighthearted humor to the forum, that is how I personally deal with my pain and triggers. I live in recovery and do not make light of it in my day to day life. I'm 48, and had been on either controlled substances or alcohol until just a few years ago. I truly meant no offense, and yes I did watch the entire film and took newfound knowledge away from it.
After years of drinking a 6 pack a night, sometimes a case on a day off, June 7, 2007 I got tired of the taste of beer, tired of going to the bathroom ALL the time, tired of what people were saying when I left a room, and quit. I don't miss it one bit. Read AA's material, agree with most of it, but I know I'll never drink again, period.
I STARTED USING WHEN I WAS 12 Y/O, MY DAD LET ME DRINK WAY BEFORE THAT, I GOT MY 30 YEAR CLEAN CHIP A FEW MONTHS AGO, IM SAYING THIS TO SHOW ANYONE CAN RECOVER 1 DAY AT A TIME.
Ben321...Look up Mega dosing Vitamin c ...works AMAZING. .the liposomal kind..Google it..prepare to be amazed. ..u can do this! Sending u positive vibes! ;)
Praying for all addicts out there who feel they cant escape this trap, stay strong and have faith in the lord. He has a plan for you if we like it or not, we learn and become stronger.
i've been an addict my entire life basically from 14 -40. you experiment early on, then you become full addict mind & body. most are afraid they cant beat the physical addiction & humiliation its caused, finally if you get that far you have to learn how to live & cope w/ everyday normal issues and idle time. i used most of my life & trying to live sober an deal with life without drugs is the hardest part of the battle. to anyone who isnt or never been an addict its not a switch you just turn off and say i'm done, you have to restructure your whole life. people , places , situations, depression an ways to cope w/EVERYTHING
You aint lying, there have been times i would think to myself what would i even be doing with spare time if i wasnt drinking and i couldnt think of one answer
I was an opiate addict for 12years now 3 years clean cold turkey.The depression and anxiety I still have makes me feel suicidal. I feel I don't have the tools to get through my life at 43 years old. I thought getting clean I would feel better but I feel like shit.
You think? He could barely spell stuff clearly....and put a period where a question mark belonged...just saying...so yeah....I guess you're right. Chicken scratch...probably never even experienced it. Really well educated. Skip....Next video.
I'm SO ashamed of addiction. I'm 41 and have been addicted since I was 15. I got clean for 4 & 1/2 yrs when I was 26yrs-30yrs of age thru NA. That stopped me from being a HOPELESS addict but now I've become high functioning and don't use every single day. I am ABSOLUTELY terrified my child will become addicted when he gets older. I pop psyc med's and drink alcohol to get rocked. I was recently warned that I could die from the combinations. I have to take medication & Gaviscon for my stomach b/c it's so messed up from alcohol. It's all so sad & pathetic.
Do NOT be ashamed. That's Exactly what keeps us in it. You didn't ask to be this way. Just like some people can drink socially and never become an alcoholic. The same goes for other substances. The best we can do is ask for help and take action. It's not too late until you draw your last breath. PLEASE ask for help!!!
I just want to feel normal. Truest words of an addict. I used to say it took me at least a bottle of wine to get back to zero. I deluded myself that a bottle of wine wasn't even counted as drinking, that was just to "feel normal".
I think I need to listen to these videos all through my withdrawal, I was so desperate to scrape some money together and get some pills or even some alcohol about 2 hours ago, just to get rid of the pain and the feelings. But I’m glad I didn’t, it might of spared me an evening of discomfort but I’d be right back to the beginning tomorrow. Need to push through, i want to be free from it all. I want my kids to be free from it.
@@michiganwoodsman2199 I’m doing great. I have been completely free for over a year and a half now. I honestly am surprised that I did it. Life is MUCH more enjoyable now, I’m working too which I couldn’t before. Wish more people could push through and realise how precious life is.
@@sunkim9163 You either need to hit rock bottom, or recognize you will at some point. If you value your future, fix your present. I'm on 7 weeks in my battle myself, but I had to hit rock bottom in order realize something needed change. It's a slow process. You'll feel good for a bit, then you'll feel like you're in hell. However, slowly, day after day, the good feeling starts to be more prevalent than the bad. Just know no matter what addiction you're fighting it will be an uncomfortable battle. I'm hoping the best for you!
@@sunkim9163 Also, check out Ryan Donnelly's YT channel. He was very insightful as a former opiate addict. Unfortunately he has passed on, but his videos have helped out a lot!
All that time and hard work got him his career it allows him to pass down his knowledge to us. But is he happy. these people with successful lives are usually unhappy and depressed.
CookieziJr Osu! LOL. This is what losers tell themselves not to have to get off the couch. I have lots of super successful people in my family and they are very happy and live a balanced satisfying life.
I'm no medical expert but I've said for years that people addicted to drugs,alcohol and many other things are in that place due to emotional problems of some sort. But... it's not just drugs and alcohol it's gambling, food disorders, workaholics, shopaholic, gym addict... the list goes on and on and on.
I agree , it's all a form of escaping emotional or physical pain , just some addictions are worse than other's or manifest in other ways but at the end of the day it's still an addiction and the person needs help .
It’s only informative if you stay until the end and if this information somewhat relates to you like for example if your an addict. Lots of helpful information I recommend watching this to anyone that needs help or knows someone. It seems super dull at the start but trust me before the ten minute mark you will be invested if this topic relates to you or family or friends.
I have a family member who was so on board with this man's teachings. In fact, it is how I discovered Dr. Booher in the first place. But now, a few years later, that same loved one is back on the destruction path. It's so damn sad.
My thumb hit this video when I was watching someone else. But this reminds me of when I had my shoulder injury years back and being unable to sleep the worker’s compensation doctor gave me a bottle of pills. All I knew was they worked amazingly. Slept like a baby and woke up without a care in the world. I found out about six months later they were Xanax. I have learned to search generic drug names before agreeing to them. Well, I decided I didn’t want to take these things. The benefit was worse than the issue. I found out I had to wean myself from them. So every week, I’d cut back 1/4 pill. “This will be easy” I thought. Holy shit, was I wrong. Every minute from that point I was paranoid like I’ve never known before. I could only described it as “a feeling of impending doom”. And by the end of the week I’d just about normalized for the ride to start all over again. When I got down to that last 1/4 pill I thought to myself “I’m so glad this is over after this”. Wrong. After finishing that last week of 1/4 pill, my nightmare kicked into overdrive. What I had thought was the worst was merely half throttle. Every minute of every day I dug my fingernails into whatever chair I was in. I hurt. I had no motivation. I thought the world was coming to an end. I craved that drug This lasted three entire months. I never want to go through that again. And I never will. Thankfully now it’s a distant memory and I want no part of any of that ever again.
I have recently found myself in a similar situation with that drug which also does not say xanax but I found out that is what it is. So your comment is a bit worrying for me. Can I ask you what dose you were prescribed and how long were you on it? I just recently started at 0.4 mg twice a day.
A G I think they were 1mg. It’s been a while. They’re round and baby blue. I wish you all the luck in the world. It won’t be fun for a while, but the result is worth it. If you can drag out the tapered reduction longer, do it.
A G one more thing... I noticed something was up with the script when I began having memory issues. I’ve always had a fantastic memory. It really shook me up when I couldn’t recollect things that always mattered to me and came to me easily.
Dr. Booher... just starting to leave a life of addiction... if I can. Your lecture was helpful, informative, and empathetic. You've articulated what I have been unable to express. Shared this video.
I learned a long time ago with a partner who smoked cannabis on a daily basis (which is supposed to be non-addictive) that if you deliver an ultimatum "it's either me, or the drug," then the drug is going to win!
Perhaps most of the time, but it my case, the ultimatum worked. I wanted to be sober, but couldn't find the will on my own. It took a very strong and understanding woman to show me how life could be so much greater without alcohol (The fear of jail and death helped a bit too, as well as the shame I felt around my friends and family). I had lots to live for, even without her, but I doubt I'd have done it successfully. Over 2 years without a drink now, and I definitely have no interest in going backwards, ever. Life has improved ten fold. But I'm not cocky, people go back to using all the time, so I must be humble. I have also more recently quit a daily weed habit, which is more insidious. Depression is gone, clarity and energy is back. I'm sorry your partner couldn't do the same. It's a goddamn miracle anyone breaks their habits.
I am one year clean from heroin, crack, alcohol, and pills. I tried everything to stop, multiple rehabs, AA, NA, etc. The only reason I'm sober today is because of Jesus. He saved me from hell and from my addiction.
How do you believe in Jesus when objectively looking at religions they all are screaming with fallacy and are blatantly constructed by man? Btw I think Jesus and his teachings are wonderful
I am a drug addict all my life. I'm elated someone is trying to change the mindset in people who have no clue how it feels to be an addict. I know I didn't wake up one day thinking "I know what I want to do with my life! I'm going to be an addict!" I did not choose this path. Since I intellectualize everything I decided to educate myself about addiction. Maybe this would give me the push I needed to get off drugs! I even took a class in college that taught me about neurotransmitters and the chemicals involved. The teacher taught us that once you've gotten to the stage where your body doesn't produce as much of a transmitter that when you quit most people never get 100% of whatever neurotransmitter was affected. And this is where psych meds come in handy...to replace what your body doesn't produce any more. And also this is why it makes an addict become more apt to becoming an addict again "just one more time". I believe (I personally am not in favor of psych meds) that once you are clean and back to normal it takes the desire to want to stay that way and a lot of self discipline of telling yourself no. You have to kinda wanna quit to permanently stay clean. So what is the answer to getting clean and staying clean? I don't think there is an answer for those questions, is there? It's a chronic disease once you get it, and if your immune system (your brain) gets weak, when the disease comes back, it comes back worse than the previous time! When this happens repeatably eventually you become immune to what help there is for it and then there is no cure. You end up getting stuck with a full blown chronic disease. What's the next step? You then either die or become a functional addict. Not fun.
Things like cannabidiol can help(not mentally or physically addictive and doesn't get you high, anxiolytic and antidepressant, pro neurogeneic effects).
Yeah most of this is your understanding of things. Not the actual truth. That's just an assumption based on the lack of understanding how one could knowingly give up everything good for a few minutes of heaven. It must be that they can't say no. The drugs make you weaker yada. You said it yourself just now. Self discipline and you have to want it more. That IS the answer lol. It's the only chronic disease that its not okay to stigmatize those who do what they know is killing them then. We fat shame, smoke shame, drunk shame, whore shame..while all of these may seem mean, they are meant to reinforce positive behaviors and punish negative ones. It's all your own business but I don't want that kind of vibe around my children while they are learning.
As both a loved one of a few addicts as well as a recovering addict myself, I found this video to be SO INSIGHTFUL!!! If I could get my loved ones to watch this, I really think it wd help them understand. I recommend this to EVERYONE who has an addict in their life that they care about!
I agree 👍 This is so informative and insightful mainly because he is a recovering addict. I too am a recovering alcoholic and addict and people that have lived with this disease just know how to share the experience, strength and hope. I have had therapy for years and college educated therapists just don't get the progressive nature of this disease!
Thank you..this is very helpful..my 70 year old brother just passed away. He was an alcoholic for over 40 years recovered only 4 years ago..it led him through a life of sheer horror..led to a son who died at 20 drunk.a daughter who became a heroin addict and two wives who left him..legal problems tax problems and on and on..i loved my brother but did not understand how and why he could not stop drinking!
Speaking from experience, I discovered that I have an allergy to alcohol. A simple analogy, is that some people are allergic to bee stings, others are not. My addictive behavior was present long before I ever drank. Once I accepted my fatal condition, and became willing to live differently, my life totally changed for the better. Live in the problem, or live in the solution. It’s as simple as that!
This is the most accurate video I've ever seen, and so refreshing to come from another health professional. I am a nurse and trust me, when you work in these fields and have a past or present addiction problem the modality becomes that much harder, almost like you're not allowed to have health issues of your own. But definitely wish more people understood that people with addiction aren't just having a "great old time" and getting high for the fun of it.
10 minutes in and I already can tell this lecture is AMAZING. It should be shown in schools! So, SO many students struggle with having an addict loved one, several, and/or being on the path themselves to become one. The way this man is explaining the exact thoughts of propably many millions of addicts is phenomenal. I have been addicted to weed, tobacco, caffeine, and alcohol. 32 years old, took all 4 for a good 10 years now, and the only one I have managed to quit for good is alcohol. And let me tell you that I stopped and started drinking so many times I lost count ages ago. But still I tried again after every relapse and here I am. Beautiful work dr. Robert Booher. Bless this man.
EXCELLENT! The meticulous breakdown of symptoms & behaviors should be heard by everyone struggling with an addiction or those struggling alongside an addict!
I'm quitting smoking, down to 1 per day. I've smoked for almost 25 years. I had this come up in my auto play. Thank you for sharing all that you know. I also have a problem with alcohol. It's manageable at a current avg of 13ozs whiskey per day, or rather, it is not yet late stage. There is no question that I am dependent for the purpose of masking physical and emotional pain. There is therefore no question that continuing to drink and smoke will cause the growth in physical pain, emotional pain, mental dysfunction, and further dependency. I remember as a child, I never talked to any imaginary friends but I remember when the imaginary enemy started to speak. It has taken half a lifetime to come to the understanding of why and I don't know if the wounds will ever fully heal.
In 40years I have struggled with my only addiction, Nicotine. It's almost one month I have stopped and instead courses to help stopping, I go to a small but fucking steep mountain near me. It kills me, I have to stop several times to get my breath in order and I say this is the best course, the best reminder what smoking does with me. against smoking.
This guy said every single detail that has been hovering in my brain that i wanted to say to someone who doesn't understand addiction, god bless everyone who is still fighting their demons! Opiates and Benzos are the devil!
The word 'Addict' comes from the Greek for 'slave'....that can often wake family members up. We need compassion and love and thats the weird thing - we dont get it. Not all of us and rob and steal - yes we cause hell because these are demons but the demons are destroyed by love. It sounds trite - but its simple and everyone knows, simple is true X may God or whatever power you believe in, keep you strong x
Your explanation of the difference between physical addiction and chemical dependency really helped me to understand how addiction works. Thank you for making this information available. I'm watching this video for the second time in a row.
Yes agree I'm recovering myself 4 years but on long term treatment Subutex it saved my life I'm now trying to stop or taper off these the intense withdrawal from opiates is very very hard to deal with thank you God bless you 🙏
I was an everyday drinker just using excuses to drink everyday. Finally was sitting in my chair one night with my table full of empty cans and chip bags I actually said to myself. This is how I'm gonna die if I keep on. I did AA for about 1 year and got away from it and I am still sober after 4 1/2 years doing it on my own. It can be done cold turkey. You just have to find what will work for you.
this made so much sense and helped me greatly, that haunting question i had for a while "why do i keep doing this shit" well you have answered that for me, many thanks
I’ve always said alcoholism addiction are both an illness not a disease... not trying to insult anybody so I just want to clarify how my thought process has always been... A disease is something that happens through pathology, it’s biological, basically non-preventable...cancer is a disease, diabetes is a disease, MS is a disease, being Bi-polar is a disease...etc...... An illness is something that is more of a feeling, mostly curable, preventable... such as colds, flus, depression, and yes alcoholism since it was a CHOICE to start drinking, or taking drugs to begin with... After watching this video, I’m starting to view things a little different. I’m not 100% convinced when hearing alcoholism and addiction are diseases but I’m more willing to open conversations of disease vs. illness and the possibilities... (and yes I have had people I love fall into that dark place, so I’m not talking about situations I know nothing about)... Thank you Dr. Bob Booher for educating me...I wish all who suffer from and with these issues, a positive journey to recovery🌹💕
Are you addicted? Once you start you can’t stop? Do you think about using/drinking all the time? For me to change I had to dumb down. Rejection of preconceived notions is difficult. The idea that my thinking could be wrong attacks my EGO. I really like being smart.
@Adrienne Gurge I seriously abused hard drugs for years. With CBT I changed my behaviors and have a fantastic life now. I do not like 12 steps as I believe it hurts many people with depression or bipolar. It also has an abysmal success rate. Hey whatever keeps you clean...
@Adrienne Gurge I agree with that but I'm bipolar and was specifically told to come off my meds and I ended up in a psych hospital. They have no right to try and play doctor or therapist. This happens throughout the country everyday. I have a great issue with that because about 50% if us are duel diagnosis patients that need meds. Because of this AA has the highest suicide and divorce rates out of any self help group in the US......
Dr. Booher really knows what he is talking about. Many loved ones especially children start to blame themselves for the addict's behavior. Addicts hurt not only themselves but also all their loved one. Most addicts can not stop by themselves. They need professional help.
This was by the most helpful video that I've come across thus far. And I have to admit that I am extremely grateful for the high note at the end because, while I appreciated the honesty, a various points in this talk I was starting to lose hope. I would honestly appreciate the opportunity to shake this man's hand. This was an excellent exploration of addiction and recovery.
For anyone else looking for the answer to the question, it seems to start at about 0:35:00. For some the prologue might be as important as the answer, but for those who want to skip, that's when I think it starts.
I’ve thought about that question when I was little, “Why don’t they just quit? It’s clearly negative..blah blah blah”. But now with multiple dependencies, I now have unwanted insight on what addiction is genuinely like....
The first question is not why the addiction, it's why the pain? Addiction begins with solving a problem, and the problem is that of human pain, emotional pain. The hurt mostly rooted in childhood trauma, either overt or covert.
Most addicts don’t even know what it’s like to be sober anymore and are no longer surrounded by any clean people I can’t name a single friend who doesn’t drink or do drugs it’s sad I really think it’s more common to get high every day then to be clean !
Fascinating talk. Fortunately I have no first-hand experience with so called pain killers, aside from sitting in a dentist chair, but we hear all the time about people who had an accident and were prescribed pills, and fell off that cliff. With your no-nonsense bare bones, hard hitting and very articulate presentation I can see how these tragedies develop from the most unassuming beginnings.Thank you!
@@janellmeads1399 Did you watch the video? Possibly not a "disease" although it's clear addiction is used to cover-up an emotional pain. So jail time and verbally and emotionally abusing an addict does what? Adds pain. Which does what??
I never understood why scientists have declared many times that opiate addicts who are cut off their meds often become full-blown alcoholics. Here, Dr. Booher says that with chronic alcoholism, a new pathway is made in the brain creating a “Morphine” type response. Very interesting. (I never understood the substitution of addictions here, because alcohol is a very different feeling from opiates. Evidently, that is, until one is a chronic drinker.)
Watching that time I could have seen a movie 😂, but true say the truth this was the best lecture i heard in my life. I got few answers of those questions that were in my head for years. Thank you 🙂
This is one of the best if not the best video on addiction and why most people become addicts. Also this Dr is great at explaining why addicts use and just cant stop.
I've been heavily dependent on meth, weed and alcohol over the years, and I have no idea what withdrawal symptoms feel like. The only thing I can't seem to voluntarily stop is smoking.
my relief of monotony is searching internet porn but I don't have compulsions for pharmaceuticals, gambling and the other evils. Except I dive into youtube and the internet.
Speaking from My own experience with being addicted to Heroin for fifteen Years , and being free of it for over ten now , an addict can not stop using because They do not want to. Also Human Beings are addictive by our very nature. Whether it's an evolutionary cause from a past symbiotic relationship with plants , or our social instincts. That is our nature , and to prohibit us from that relationship with Plants , or to create an unstable Family structure due to War , Economic collapse , or natural catastrophe will logically ruin the ideal living conditions that a Human needs to be healthy and happy. So addiction , suicide , and family dysfunction are the manifestation of this imbalance.
I don't think I will ever be able to kick my addiction( basically weed, alcohol or any pill that will produce a effect). I was diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder type 2. Every time I am alone I can't stop myself from smoking weed or opening a bottle. I don't want to be that guy that always stays at his parents house without a job. I want to make something of my life. Tbh I'm scared af of the future
You're last couple of sentences really hit me cuz I'm in the same boat. I'm trying to quit cold turkey. It's been 5 months since you posted your comment, how have you been doing?
@@RealD8 Honestly I'm doing good. I have a better outlook on life. In the time between my comment and this reply, I got accepted into college where I'm now studying to become a electrician. Mental health wise I'm doing good. How have you been these last few months?
WOW!!! This is the BEST explanation of Addiction I’ve ever seen on UA-cam. I have an addict family member and for God’s sake I was asking the very same questions: why can’t she just stop even after experiencing bad consequences? I agree with others that this video should be shown everywhere addiction is a concern. It should be a staple
I needed this, I am trying to help a loved one. Lost my sister to this, I made many mistakes in trying to help, this time, I shall shut up and just listen. It is the best thing that I can do.
I quit on my own having partied hard up to 2 days before I stopped. I never looked back since. My friends came over 4 days later and were trying not to "tempt" me. Man I just laughed and set them straight. I AM DONE. Then I opened up my drawer and gave away the 1/8th pound of weed I still had. Brad is correct, knowing the nuro chemistry is why I was able to stop and part of this is knowing when you are "really" ready.
This is fairly old and may look boring at first glance, but this recovering Dr. knows what he's talking about. He explains it in a very straight forward manner. No glitch, no glamour, just facts and very accurate.
"Drugs give you wings, but slowly takes away your sky"
Brad Bradleys good one
darthspeaks: What or who's the sacklers? Never heard of that.
Richard Sackler...developer of Oxycotin.
UA-cam needs better comment section
relevent Hurt`: Well then by all means...provide a better comment. 🙄
My son hated being a meth addict. His addiction tore our family apart. Now my boy is dead. He never wanted to be an addict. He was I rehab most of his life. He couldn’t beat it. It’s been a year. I miss my boy. Not the addict but the kind loving person he was. I miss him. Life has not been the same. It never will. 💔
So sorry for your loss. I can't imagine.
at least his addiction is over now. Watch NDE's on utube.
Meth is the worst addiction to have especially when it comes to stopping.A very lil percent of people can quit meth after becoming addicted to it.Don't blame him blame his addiction.
So sorry for your loss
😭💔 sorry
This needs to be shown in all schools and work places for people to better understand dependency and addiction.
I totally agree with you but there's a reason why ìt isn't as well as the same reason why they don't teach our children the importance of work and the outcome will be if you leave education without any knowledge and qualifications, so basic wages and zero hours pay will have u working every hour u can just to survive and god forbid living any decent kind of existence or bring a child into the world, we leave school without a clue on reality and it's purposely done
@@michelledixon4759 kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkky
11 years sober - stopped drinking cold turkey, never looked back, never felt like a drink, never did AA. It was spiritual.
I have 2 family members who quit and never worked a program and stayed clean till the day one died and the other goes to church and works on computers and guitar electronics. It's a beautiful thing seeing everyone's recovery is different. I was addicted to heroin meth and xanax. And I have to work a program. I had to have something stop me, which involved being arrested. I still have thoughts but the longer I've worked a program, the more I've learned what to do when I have those thoughts to distract myself. I dont have the desire, I was miserable and I know itd be worse. I still see my brother doing it, and it's so bad. But it's a reminder for me the reason I dont ever wanna go back to it..
Mine was in stages until I just hung up the stumbling shoes but I had zero withdraws or a bit of desires, and as far as A.A. goes, all I have to say is after 12 years of attending various Meetings it just never struck Gold with me and I was finally convinced of its deeper agenda. I quit A.A. first, drank a few more times and then reached a point to where I had nothing left, and so I was done. I quit smoking the same way and never had any withdraw symptoms at all. All I can say is to surround yourself with education and realism, and you don't have to repeat your story every day just to fit in. Oh yeah, No G-O-D for this fella, nope! Nothing against the idea but for me it makes life more complicated to have to live up to that pressure following over 2 decades of boozing.
It was a personal decision. Only way to be spiritual is 6 feet under. There is no other way. This is why I am not a spiritual. I made a personal decision not to be an alcoholic or a drug addict. It had nothing to do with being spiritual.
It's a Choice that brings a lot of Experiences into someone's lifes Conviction. Gbu..
it wernt spiritual it was that u aint a alcoholic simple as that
I am an addict. One day I went to a dentist to get my wisdom teeth pulled. I took one of the pills I was prescribed and I suddenly realized that not only was my pain gone, but so was my emotional pain. I finally for once felt like life was worth living. For once life felt like how I knew it should have always felt but never did. I quickly became an addict and went through a ton of shit with my parents. I got arrested and a whole slew of other problems but now I am 1 year clean.
I have a similar story. I was 19 when I got my wisdom teeth pulled. I ate all my pain pills in a week. A months worth. So I told the dr I lost them and continued using opiates for 6 years straight. I’m 40 now and I still struggle. Back and forth.
@@uuudam keep positive.. i have been through the same, now im almost a year clean off all opiates(12yrs on Methadone) and I will not take that road again. there is hope, stay strong and be patient with yourself.
@Thomas Victorian Dont imagine. you never miss what you dont try. Marijuana is the silent destroyer be careful, associated with shiva and the dance of destruction.
@@mikemarley6556 I wish there was methadone for cocaine
@Thomas Victorian dont imagine... NEVER get curious, it's simply not worth the inevitable downward spiral that you WILL experience...
This dude gets it... Period... Only those with first hand experience can totally understand what it's like and relate to their fellow addict.
Recovered / Recovering addicts are like fuckin superhuman man 💯
My sister used to say that god rest her soul.
I'm so sorry for your pain. No addict wants to be an addict. Take it from someone who knows.
Having an addict in the family destroys that family one day at a time, one person at a time. It affects everyone.
Very True and so sad. I am dealing with some strong emotions over which I'm completely powerless. It is so sad to see somebody - a loved one - destroying themselves right in front of your eyes, and you cannot fix it.
@@ender2664 not sure if this helps anyone here. The person I wanted to help, died. But here, I'm sharing this just in case: ua-cam.com/video/rTS-3F0Rjl0/v-deo.html
ye sad i study i cant move out get
willy kandelin 🙁so sorry you have to go through that while in school, stay strong, don’t leave school
@@missme3331 im fine thanks, no i wuold never leave i want my dream job so :)
100%
Why people even think that alcoholics and drug addicts are happy? They are miserable and see “ drug free normal life as a dream “ because when they try to stop they are always relapsing.
Speaking from experience.
I would not wish this disease on anyone. It takes everything from you !
True like me.
@Sheila Mchgee quite weed adiction is one of the hard lesson for me.
Including your life. Fentanyl is a game changer for drug addicts today.
I am sure most people understand that alcohol and drug addicts are miserable. Never heard of the "happy addict" stereotype.
@Mariya Volkov Same here, thank you for your honesty .
I used alcohol, drugs,and smoked my whole life On a daily basis for over 30 years.. I stopped all three by myself. cold turkey. when you see enough of your friends die, or go to prison for the rest of their life, or you see how low your tweaker friends can go for a bag it make you think, and it made me say enough is enough. wasn't easy at first, but it can be done. I am clean, I am proud of myself,which is something an addict lacks in themselves, and it feels good. And i can hold my head high. I wish everyone could conquer their problems so they can feel good too. I still have friends trying to get me high, and it makes me realize that misery loves company.
chaseme81871 , Hard to believe yoy
Congrats to you who
overcome ... the best thing is to never get started ... So far, so good for me
u are not a addict good for u ...but i dont personally relate i stop iseing an things get worse not better without AA.or NA ..im doomed
Don X Shew! I don’t see how! Wasn’t my experience at all. I have quit opiates and smoking as well but the opiates were hell on earth for me to quit. I was on very high doses and had switched to suboxone to quit. Coming off the suboxone was worse than most could even imagine. I truly think my heart almost stopped. I think I almost died(which can happen when someone already has a heart condition and has been using for years)but thankfully I didn’t. I lost lots of weight and froze to death! I took 5-10 baths a day for two weeks to get warm. Begged my husband to place blankets in a dryer for me. I also would sweat at the same time and had to change clothes. The restless legs were just awful. I can’t even describe how awful and uncomfortable they felt. I couldn’t eat or drink much at all. I had to force myself after some days of nothing. I was so sick I couldn’t sleep longer than 10 mns at a time but was exhausted! I hardly slept at all the first three weeks. That may have been the worst part possibly...idk because it was all bad. Constant diarrhea and extreme nausea. The chills lasted a month. I had zero energy to even lift my arms or walk and that was the symptom that lasted the longest. Just no energy. Zilch.
All of the things I listed and more were like having the flu and a stomach virus combined times 10, lasting weeks! Seriously.
Anyway, after a solid month and a week, I was over the physical withdrawals for the most part and though most people say the mental part that comes after is the worst, it wasn’t for me. The physical withdrawals were actual torture. I was just relieved to not be so sick and over the nightmare of being dependent on something. So I didn’t battle much with myself about using again. I knew I NEVER wanted to go through what I just had gone through ever ever again!
I’m happy you didn’t endure those symptoms though when you stopped drinking! I know alcohol withdrawals can be horrific. My grandpa was an alcoholic and his withdrawals were bad. The hospital would have to strap him down because he would see spiders crawling all over him, etc...
You were blessed to not have to go through those types of withdrawals! Quitting smoking is a real bummer but for me, not comparable to quitting drugs.
@@BS-dq1kz i hear ya, i quit a nasty addiction to subs as well. One month of hell and putting life on hold, now im battling alchohol.....pure addiction runs deep in both sides my family, alchohol wd scares me. The seeing spiders comment you made i have heard from more then 3 severe drinkers, people dont realize some people quit drinking 2 or 3 beers a day and yes that probably not too bad.....but when you stop from drinking a 5th of hard booze a day you are gonna pay the max price. And apparently its hospital and watching spiders crawl out of the walls for a week.....its no joke and keeps alcoholics drinking out of fear like myself.
I am an hardcore heroin abuser. I will die soon if i didn't stop... I wanna quit... I want to live... I want to feel happiness .... I tried so many times but failed every time... This is my fist day and i can't tell you how i am feeling now.... This is the worst feeling.. God give me strength.... I want to live
Praying for you❤️
how are you?
I recently had a 28 year old family member commit suicide. He was addicted to alcohol and drugs. His mother was an addict. Now I understand. Thank you for this brilliant lecture.
Found this video by accident and what luck. The right message at the right time. Thank you Dr. Booher.
There are no coincidence there is a reason why we are here
Agus Rios it’s called UA-cam’s marketing strategies. “Suggested feed” is just what they call it
mike miller same for me ironically
@Michael Jones beautiful
@@WPXTacoMan477 yea, kind of "try this one"
Weed was my choice. Refused anything else and really had no interest. But I was never sober, smoked 24/7 to ease my emotional pain and basically mellow out to handle life. I could not function without being high. I stopped multiple times for months at a time but would always go back and binge. They say you can't be addicted to weed but I can say that is not true.
yup
I agree! Almost 6 mos sober. No more weed or booze.
Watch you tube videos of people who cured cancer/crohns/alzheimers etc. usin full spectrum Indica RSO Oil //Wake Up People !
Yep, it is addictive. Compared to booze or meth it's a rather mild drug. But it a drug and does change your thinking and behavior. I've found it to be a sneaky thing, it's mild compared to heavy drugs but still can take you to a dark dark place. And if I smoke it it leads to want me to drink. If I get booze then the crazy crap can start, yippee 😭😭😭😭
can’t get addicted to bud bronem
I was an addict, I’m now nearly 1 year clean and sober, I’m here to help where I can, I did it but there’s still work to do, look me up if you want to see my journey, good luck everyone, x
What were you addicted to and how did you overcome it?
Manly coke ( all forms) and alcohol but given the chance anything, how are you. ? What about you my friend?
Hey Adam I'm 2 years 3month clean myself. After 23 years of heroin and crack use. It's been bloody hard but woth it .
You're still an addict, you're just sober today. But you're still an addict.
Karl Krogmann your right mate, always be recovering hay. ?
In the end as an addict you have to make a choice. The thing that is not talked about in most cases is the fact that addicts have no emotional regulation and do not know how to process their feelings. Anyone addicted to anything has created a negative feedback loop that is attached to emotions. That's why when you first quit anything, you get kind of weepy, or have bursts of anger, or any other strong emotional reaction. It's hard to stop the thing that you're addicted to. Sometimes you gotta go 'through' the emotional stuff to get a sense of what turned you into an addict in the first place.
Well said!!!
Thank you Gloria. Hope you have a lovely day. @@Globelle
Yep, he's got a doctor's writing. I'll watch the whole thing now.
Edit: I was trying to bring a little lighthearted humor to the forum, that is how I personally deal with my pain and triggers. I live in recovery and do not make light of it in my day to day life. I'm 48, and had been on either controlled substances or alcohol until just a few years ago. I truly meant no offense, and yes I did watch the entire film and took newfound knowledge away from it.
lol
True😄
was waiting for this comment
@Wytchfinde the Earth is flat
I didn't understand this comment until 0:57
After years of drinking a 6 pack a night, sometimes a case on a day off, June 7, 2007 I got tired of the taste of beer, tired of going to the bathroom ALL the time, tired of what people were saying when I left a room, and quit. I don't miss it one bit. Read AA's material, agree with most of it, but I know I'll never drink again, period.
I STARTED USING WHEN I WAS 12 Y/O, MY DAD LET ME DRINK WAY BEFORE THAT, I GOT MY 30 YEAR CLEAN CHIP A FEW MONTHS AGO, IM SAYING THIS TO SHOW ANYONE CAN RECOVER 1 DAY AT A TIME.
@toomuchjunkiebizness 79 I'm 54, I got clean when I was 23 years old.
@toomuchjunkiebizness 79 your welcome, and think you for saying I look so young, it makes a old man feel good, lol.
@toomuchjunkiebizness 79You take care too my friend.
Congratulation REDBEARD .I'm 2 years 3 months clean thankfully I found NA I would be lost with out them, and there whole way of looking at things.
@@aprilcooper6518 that's awesome I'm glad we both are clean today, I feel the same way about NA.
Ugh I wanna quit. Currently 3 days into opioid withdrawal.
Try Kratom
Good vibes sent your way!
Benadryl helps with the insomnia.
Ben321...Look up Mega dosing Vitamin c ...works AMAZING. .the liposomal kind..Google it..prepare to be amazed. ..u can do this! Sending u positive vibes! ;)
Sean Daly no no no no no no. It makes the restless leg worse in withdrawal. Don’t take Benadryl
Praying for all addicts out there who feel they cant escape this trap, stay strong and have faith in the lord. He has a plan for you if we like it or not, we learn and become stronger.
@@ender2664 Just because it does not help you, does not mean it can't help other people
shane nelson Check me out on gabapentin ua-cam.com/video/eK5_2LdQavo/v-deo.html
i've been an addict my entire life basically from 14 -40. you experiment early on, then you become full addict mind & body. most are afraid they cant beat the physical addiction & humiliation its caused, finally if you get that far you have to learn how to live & cope w/ everyday normal issues and idle time. i used most of my life & trying to live sober an deal with life without drugs is the hardest part of the battle. to anyone who isnt or never been an addict its not a switch you just turn off and say i'm done, you have to restructure your whole life. people , places , situations, depression an ways to cope w/EVERYTHING
You aint lying, there have been times i would think to myself what would i even be doing with spare time if i wasnt drinking and i couldnt think of one answer
@@marked4death076 1 day at a time brotha
Real talk
I was an opiate addict for 12years now 3 years clean cold turkey.The depression and anxiety I still have makes me feel suicidal. I feel I don't have the tools to get through my life at 43 years old. I thought getting clean I would feel better but I feel like shit.
Hope you are doing good friend.
This is helpful for children of addicts like me, too.
Well he certainly writes like a doctor.
lol to funny
😄😄😆😆
Those hyroglyphics
You think? He could barely spell stuff clearly....and put a period where a question mark belonged...just saying...so yeah....I guess you're right. Chicken scratch...probably never even experienced it. Really well educated. Skip....Next video.
doctors write way worse
Please pray for me, I'm trying so hard to stop and messing up every day.
You can do this. I was an opiate addict for 12years now over 3 years clean cold turkey. It's not easy but it is doable. SENDING LOVE friend
Stay strong yo 💪 on a low key note, I’ll do it if u do it
You got this just hang in there
Never stop trying. Things will get better.
It's ok sis... Keep coming back. Do you have a sponsor?
I'm SO ashamed of addiction. I'm 41 and have been addicted since I was 15. I got clean for 4 & 1/2 yrs when I was 26yrs-30yrs of age thru NA. That stopped me from being a HOPELESS addict but now I've become high functioning and don't use every single day. I am ABSOLUTELY terrified my child will become addicted when he gets older. I pop psyc med's and drink alcohol to get rocked. I was recently warned that I could die from the combinations. I have to take medication & Gaviscon for my stomach b/c it's so messed up from alcohol. It's all so sad & pathetic.
Do NOT be ashamed. That's Exactly what keeps us in it. You didn't ask to be this way. Just like some people can drink socially and never become an alcoholic. The same goes for other substances. The best we can do is ask for help and take action. It's not too late until you draw your last breath. PLEASE ask for help!!!
19 years and i stopped......i asked God for help and he helped me
luis reyes I’m going to ask him tomorrow
I am a former alcoholic and drug addict. And I do not believe in perpetual recovery. Jesus is Lord!!
Its a spiritual thing i think
Bless you! Even strangers care about you.
Amen! God is good!
I just want to feel normal. Truest words of an addict. I used to say it took me at least a bottle of wine to get back to zero. I deluded myself that a bottle of wine wasn't even counted as drinking, that was just to "feel normal".
My S.O. O am just at my best after a six pack(of tall boys). Ya?! And the worst thing is he believes it.
I love the compation and understanding of others problems. I will love to heal the world. God bless everyone that cares about others.
Yes, Paula, agree 💯%
Love & Light from NYC and to all people of goodwill everywhere 💋☮️💖
Care and compassion is the bread of life.
I think I need to listen to these videos all through my withdrawal, I was so desperate to scrape some money together and get some pills or even some alcohol about 2 hours ago, just to get rid of the pain and the feelings. But I’m glad I didn’t, it might of spared me an evening of discomfort but I’d be right back to the beginning tomorrow. Need to push through, i want to be free from it all. I want my kids to be free from it.
How are you doing now?
@@michiganwoodsman2199 I’m doing great. I have been completely free for over a year and a half now. I honestly am surprised that I did it. Life is MUCH more enjoyable now, I’m working too which I couldn’t before. Wish more people could push through and realise how precious life is.
@@jadelyth7397 Do you have any advice for people going through this? Thank you so much!
@@sunkim9163 You either need to hit rock bottom, or recognize you will at some point. If you value your future, fix your present. I'm on 7 weeks in my battle myself, but I had to hit rock bottom in order realize something needed change. It's a slow process. You'll feel good for a bit, then you'll feel like you're in hell. However, slowly, day after day, the good feeling starts to be more prevalent than the bad. Just know no matter what addiction you're fighting it will be an uncomfortable battle. I'm hoping the best for you!
@@sunkim9163 Also, check out Ryan Donnelly's YT channel. He was very insightful as a former opiate addict. Unfortunately he has passed on, but his videos have helped out a lot!
This man said he worked 2 jobs in medical school. That is EXTREMELY hard to do. That is some unreal determination.
All that time and hard work got him his career it allows him to pass down his knowledge to us. But is he happy. these people with successful lives are usually unhappy and depressed.
2 jobs ? 1 hour per week in 2 jobs is only 2 hours peer week. Unless he worked 2 40 hour jobs. 80 hours a week plus school. Thats cool
CookieziJr Osu! LOL. This is what losers tell themselves not to have to get off the couch. I have lots of super successful people in my family and they are very happy and live a balanced satisfying life.
I'm no medical expert but I've said for years that people addicted to drugs,alcohol and many other things are in that place due to emotional problems of some sort. But... it's not just drugs and alcohol it's gambling, food disorders, workaholics, shopaholic, gym addict... the list goes on and on and on.
I agree , it's all a form of escaping emotional or physical pain , just some addictions are worse than other's or manifest in other ways but at the end of the day it's still an addiction and the person needs help .
It’s only informative if you stay until the end and if this information somewhat relates to you like for example if your an addict. Lots of helpful information I recommend watching this to anyone that needs help or knows someone. It seems super dull at the start but trust me before the ten minute mark you will be invested if this topic relates to you or family or friends.
Yep. Just ignore his illustrations lol
@@Jimmison007 typical doctor :)
Watch VNI brain reward webinar on UA-cam, 40 mins much more in depth and solution based
I have a family member who was so on board with this man's teachings. In fact, it is how I discovered Dr. Booher in the first place. But now, a few years later, that same loved one is back on the destruction path. It's so damn sad.
My thumb hit this video when I was watching someone else. But this reminds me of when I had my shoulder injury years back and being unable to sleep the worker’s compensation doctor gave me a bottle of pills. All I knew was they worked amazingly. Slept like a baby and woke up without a care in the world. I found out about six months later they were Xanax. I have learned to search generic drug names before agreeing to them.
Well, I decided I didn’t want to take these things. The benefit was worse than the issue. I found out I had to wean myself from them. So every week, I’d cut back 1/4 pill. “This will be easy” I thought. Holy shit, was I wrong. Every minute from that point I was paranoid like I’ve never known before. I could only described it as “a feeling of impending doom”. And by the end of the week I’d just about normalized for the ride to start all over again.
When I got down to that last 1/4 pill I thought to myself “I’m so glad this is over after this”.
Wrong.
After finishing that last week of 1/4 pill, my nightmare kicked into overdrive. What I had thought was the worst was merely half throttle. Every minute of every day I dug my fingernails into whatever chair I was in. I hurt. I had no motivation. I thought the world was coming to an end. I craved that drug
This lasted three entire months. I never want to go through that again. And I never will. Thankfully now it’s a distant memory and I want no part of any of that ever again.
I have recently found myself in a similar situation with that drug which also does not say xanax but I found out that is what it is. So your comment is a bit worrying for me. Can I ask you what dose you were prescribed and how long were you on it? I just recently started at 0.4 mg twice a day.
A G Xanax are very hard to come off of. Hope you’re doing well!
A G I think they were 1mg. It’s been a while. They’re round and baby blue. I wish you all the luck in the world. It won’t be fun for a while, but the result is worth it. If you can drag out the tapered reduction longer, do it.
A G one more thing... I noticed something was up with the script when I began having memory issues. I’ve always had a fantastic memory. It really shook me up when I couldn’t recollect things that always mattered to me and came to me easily.
benzos are to painful to run out of damn felony pills
Dr. Booher... just starting to leave a life of addiction... if I can. Your lecture was helpful, informative, and empathetic. You've articulated what I have been unable to express. Shared this video.
You definately can, it might take a few tries, but don’t give up. You got this.
One minute at a time, one hour to one day. Get therapy and go to meetings. 90 meetings in 30 days. Keep trying.
This covers all aspects of addictions.
Weed
Coke
Opiates
Alcohol
Pills
Wow supremely impressed.
Should be taught in high school and college
meat addiction
Porn has more users than all these.
@@chiefcaptn1922 thus making my career pay well
@@MassMultiplayer Ya? Don't think that industry's paychecks come guilt free. And if you don't feel it now you will later on, much worse
I learned a long time ago with a partner who smoked cannabis on a daily basis (which is supposed to be non-addictive) that if you deliver an ultimatum "it's either me, or the drug," then the drug is going to win!
Perhaps most of the time, but it my case, the ultimatum worked. I wanted to be sober, but couldn't find the will on my own. It took a very strong and understanding woman to show me how life could be so much greater without alcohol (The fear of jail and death helped a bit too, as well as the shame I felt around my friends and family). I had lots to live for, even without her, but I doubt I'd have done it successfully. Over 2 years without a drink now, and I definitely have no interest in going backwards, ever. Life has improved ten fold. But I'm not cocky, people go back to using all the time, so I must be humble. I have also more recently quit a daily weed habit, which is more insidious. Depression is gone, clarity and energy is back. I'm sorry your partner couldn't do the same. It's a goddamn miracle anyone breaks their habits.
@@jasonwalsh8281 Hi there Jason.
Really glad to hear that! 😉👍
i'd take cannabais any day over a person
I am one year clean from heroin, crack, alcohol, and pills. I tried everything to stop, multiple rehabs, AA, NA, etc. The only reason I'm sober today is because of Jesus. He saved me from hell and from my addiction.
I don't believe you are clean and sober. I just don't believe it!
@@c_farther5208 why would you say something like that? I dont even know you
@@jesusislord9439 Please ignore negative comments. They don't know you and they must not know Jesus either. Stay healthy and sober.👏👏👏👏👏
Jesus Is Lord, Amen!!!! Sounds like your story is almost identical to Brian Welch and Fieldy from the rock band, Korn.
How do you believe in Jesus when objectively looking at religions they all are screaming with fallacy and are blatantly constructed by man? Btw I think Jesus and his teachings are wonderful
A brilliant video. I have been clean for over 20 years. I was a heroin addict.
I am a drug addict all my life. I'm elated someone is trying to change the mindset in people who have no clue how it feels to be an addict. I know I didn't wake up one day thinking "I know what I want to do with my life! I'm going to be an addict!" I did not choose this path. Since I intellectualize everything I decided to educate myself about addiction. Maybe this would give me the push I needed to get off drugs! I even took a class in college that taught me about neurotransmitters and the chemicals involved. The teacher taught us that once you've gotten to the stage where your body doesn't produce as much of a transmitter that when you quit most people never get 100% of whatever neurotransmitter was affected. And this is where psych meds come in handy...to replace what your body doesn't produce any more. And also this is why it makes an addict become more apt to becoming an addict again "just one more time". I believe (I personally am not in favor of psych meds) that once you are clean and back to normal it takes the desire to want to stay that way and a lot of self discipline of telling yourself no. You have to kinda wanna quit to permanently stay clean. So what is the answer to getting clean and staying clean? I don't think there is an answer for those questions, is there? It's a chronic disease once you get it, and if your immune system (your brain) gets weak, when the disease comes back, it comes back worse than the previous time! When this happens repeatably eventually you become immune to what help there is for it and then there is no cure. You end up getting stuck with a full blown chronic disease. What's the next step? You then either die or become a functional addict. Not fun.
Well said
Things like cannabidiol can help(not mentally or physically addictive and doesn't get you high, anxiolytic and antidepressant, pro neurogeneic effects).
So on point! The struggle is real..
Yeah most of this is your understanding of things. Not the actual truth. That's just an assumption based on the lack of understanding how one could knowingly give up everything good for a few minutes of heaven.
It must be that they can't say no. The drugs make you weaker yada.
You said it yourself just now. Self discipline and you have to want it more. That IS the answer lol. It's the only chronic disease that its not okay to stigmatize those who do what they know is killing them then. We fat shame, smoke shame, drunk shame, whore shame..while all of these may seem mean, they are meant to reinforce positive behaviors and punish negative ones. It's all your own business but I don't want that kind of vibe around my children while they are learning.
Systematic, clear and concise explanation of process and end game of it all. Thank you Dr Booher.
As both a loved one of a few addicts as well as a recovering addict myself, I found this video to be SO INSIGHTFUL!!! If I could get my loved ones to watch this, I really think it wd help them understand. I recommend this to EVERYONE who has an addict in their life that they care about!
I agree 👍 This is so informative and insightful mainly because he is a recovering addict. I too am a recovering alcoholic and addict and people that have lived with this disease just know how to share the experience, strength and hope. I have had therapy for years and college educated therapists just don't get the progressive nature of this disease!
Thank you..this is very helpful..my 70 year old brother just passed away. He was an alcoholic for over 40 years recovered only 4 years ago..it led him through a life of sheer horror..led to a son who died at 20 drunk.a daughter who became a heroin addict and two wives who left him..legal problems tax problems and on and on..i loved my brother but did not understand how and why he could not stop drinking!
Or he married and had children while being a drunk. Make a choice and stick with your addiction or people.
19 years clean on 4/11/20. I am so grateful !
♥️
Speaking from experience, I discovered that I have an allergy to alcohol. A simple analogy, is that some people are allergic to bee stings, others are not. My addictive behavior was present long before I ever drank. Once I accepted my fatal condition, and became willing to live differently, my life totally changed for the better. Live in the problem, or live in the solution. It’s as simple as that!
oh if it's that simple
I recall something about the allergy theory in rehab
Charles Manson It is! Not “easy”, but simple!
@@markg.4246 You are correct. It is an allergy of the body and an obsession on the mind.
This is the most accurate video I've ever seen, and so refreshing to come from another health professional. I am a nurse and trust me, when you work in these fields and have a past or present addiction problem the modality becomes that much harder, almost like you're not allowed to have health issues of your own. But definitely wish more people understood that people with addiction aren't just having a "great old time" and getting high for the fun of it.
10 minutes in and I already can tell this lecture is AMAZING. It should be shown in schools! So, SO many students struggle with having an addict loved one, several, and/or being on the path themselves to become one. The way this man is explaining the exact thoughts of propably many millions of addicts is phenomenal.
I have been addicted to weed, tobacco, caffeine, and alcohol. 32 years old, took all 4 for a good 10 years now, and the only one I have managed to quit for good is alcohol. And let me tell you that I stopped and started drinking so many times I lost count ages ago. But still I tried again after every relapse and here I am.
Beautiful work dr. Robert Booher. Bless this man.
EXCELLENT! The meticulous breakdown of symptoms & behaviors should be heard by everyone struggling with an addiction or those struggling alongside an addict!
Thank you Lord for delivering me from this awful bondage 🙏🏻
Are you still sober?
@@michiganwoodsman2199 Yes!!
One of the best recovery speeches I've heard. Great job.
I'm quitting smoking, down to 1 per day. I've smoked for almost 25 years. I had this come up in my auto play. Thank you for sharing all that you know. I also have a problem with alcohol. It's manageable at a current avg of 13ozs whiskey per day, or rather, it is not yet late stage. There is no question that I am dependent for the purpose of masking physical and emotional pain. There is therefore no question that continuing to drink and smoke will cause the growth in physical pain, emotional pain, mental dysfunction, and further dependency. I remember as a child, I never talked to any imaginary friends but I remember when the imaginary enemy started to speak. It has taken half a lifetime to come to the understanding of why and I don't know if the wounds will ever fully heal.
If old Bob had been to the places we’ve been, then he’d understand that we’re just trying to get back there, just one more time.
All addicts can say that...God be with you
Well said Flem
@@johnwreagan exactly
In 40years I have struggled with my only addiction, Nicotine. It's almost one month I have stopped and instead courses to help stopping, I go to a small but fucking steep mountain near me. It kills me, I have to stop several times to get my breath in order and I say this is the best course, the best reminder what smoking does with me. against smoking.
Wow! That was fantastic! Thank you so much!!
This is one of the better addiction talks I have watched. Thank you! So many of us are fighting for answers.
You need to listen until the end to really understand and gain benefit from this.
This guy said every single detail that has been hovering in my brain that i wanted to say to someone who doesn't understand addiction, god bless everyone who is still fighting their demons! Opiates and Benzos are the devil!
The word 'Addict' comes from the Greek for 'slave'....that can often wake family members up. We need compassion and love and thats the weird thing - we dont get it. Not all of us and rob and steal - yes we cause hell because these are demons but the demons are destroyed by love. It sounds trite - but its simple and everyone knows, simple is true X may God or whatever power you believe in, keep you strong x
Your explanation of the difference between physical addiction and chemical dependency really helped me to understand how addiction works. Thank you for making this information available. I'm watching this video for the second time in a row.
Yes agree I'm recovering myself 4 years but on long term treatment Subutex it saved my life I'm now trying to stop or taper off these the intense withdrawal from opiates is very very hard to deal with thank you God bless you 🙏
I was an everyday drinker just using excuses to drink everyday. Finally was sitting in my chair one night with my table full of empty cans and chip bags I actually said to myself. This is how I'm gonna die if I keep on. I did AA for about 1 year and got away from it and I am still sober after 4 1/2 years doing it on my own. It can be done cold turkey. You just have to find what will work for you.
this made so much sense and helped me greatly, that haunting question i had for a while "why do i keep doing this shit" well you have answered that for me, many thanks
I’ve always said alcoholism addiction are both an illness not a disease... not trying to insult anybody so I just want to clarify how my thought process has always been... A disease is something that happens through pathology, it’s biological, basically non-preventable...cancer is a disease, diabetes is a disease, MS is a disease, being Bi-polar is a disease...etc...... An illness is something that is more of a feeling, mostly curable, preventable... such as colds, flus, depression, and yes alcoholism since it was a CHOICE to start drinking, or taking drugs to begin with... After watching this video, I’m starting to view things a little different. I’m not 100% convinced when hearing alcoholism and addiction are diseases but I’m more willing to open conversations of disease vs. illness and the possibilities... (and yes I have had people I love fall into that dark place, so I’m not talking about situations I know nothing about)... Thank you Dr. Bob Booher for educating me...I wish all who suffer from and with these issues, a positive journey to recovery🌹💕
Are you addicted? Once you start you can’t stop? Do you think about using/drinking all the time? For me to change I had to dumb down. Rejection of preconceived notions is difficult. The idea that my thinking could be wrong attacks my EGO. I really like being smart.
Addiction is a behavior
@Adrienne Gurge I seriously abused hard drugs for years. With CBT I changed my behaviors and have a fantastic life now. I do not like 12 steps as I believe it hurts many people with depression or bipolar. It also has an abysmal success rate. Hey whatever keeps you clean...
@Adrienne Gurge I agree with that but I'm bipolar and was specifically told to come off my meds and I ended up in a psych hospital. They have no right to try and play doctor or therapist. This happens throughout the country everyday. I have a great issue with that because about 50% if us are duel diagnosis patients that need meds. Because of this AA has the highest suicide and divorce rates out of any self help group in the US......
Dr. Booher really knows what he is talking about. Many loved ones especially children start to blame themselves for the addict's behavior. Addicts hurt not only themselves but also all their loved one. Most addicts can not stop by themselves. They need professional help.
He doesn't know shit - same old bullshit I heard decades ago it was wrong then and its still wrong
Addiction is about mental obsession and physical craving.
I didn’t think you could compact that statement into one, but you did it; and pretty well. However, that’s just the surface
Dont simplify that easily, friend. Many, many more factors.
This was by the most helpful video that I've come across thus far. And I have to admit that I am extremely grateful for the high note at the end because, while I appreciated the honesty, a various points in this talk I was starting to lose hope. I would honestly appreciate the opportunity to shake this man's hand. This was an excellent exploration of addiction and recovery.
For anyone else looking for the answer to the question, it seems to start at about 0:35:00. For some the prologue might be as important as the answer, but for those who want to skip, that's when I think it starts.
I’ve thought about that question when I was little, “Why don’t they just quit? It’s clearly negative..blah blah blah”. But now with multiple dependencies, I now have unwanted insight on what addiction is genuinely like....
Addiction is weakness and a person screaming for comfort. No one comforts anyone in this life. It's a tough world and only the strong survive it.
The first question is not why the addiction, it's why the pain?
Addiction begins with solving a problem, and the problem is that of human pain, emotional pain. The hurt mostly rooted in childhood trauma, either overt or covert.
My condolences on your loss. No parent should feel the pain of losing their child .
THIS IS THE BEST THING I HAVE EVER HEARD EVER!
@Bob ha, ha...
@Bob lil pump...What a joke..
@Bob okay, if thats the case i dont wanna wake up. Ever..
@@rollinstoned9816 😉🤣 same!
Camera pans out to reveal a class of pre-school children.
Lmaooo
Thank you so much! I have a grown son that is an addict and this really helped me understand his problem.
This great helped so much to understand
Most addicts don’t even know what it’s like to be sober anymore and are no longer surrounded by any clean people I can’t name a single friend who doesn’t drink or do drugs it’s sad I really think it’s more common to get high every day then to be clean !
thank you for posting this video. it's informative for addicts and their families
Fascinating talk. Fortunately I have no first-hand experience with so called pain killers, aside from sitting in a dentist chair, but we hear all the time about people who had an accident and were prescribed pills, and fell off that cliff. With your no-nonsense bare bones, hard hitting and very articulate presentation I can see how these tragedies develop from the most unassuming beginnings.Thank you!
I've been in recovery for about a month and can't seem to get the hang of it. Educating myself by watching videos and man am I glad I found this.
This is why it is a bad idea to put addicts in jail!
That's one thing that never fails to get me pissed! It's downright CRUEL when they put people in a position like that because they have a disease.
Self inflicted disease?
@@janellmeads1399 I understand how it can seem that way, but it's really not that "simple" for most.
@@janellmeads1399
Did you watch the video? Possibly not a "disease" although it's clear addiction is used to cover-up an emotional pain. So jail time and verbally and emotionally abusing an addict does what? Adds pain. Which does what??
@@Thisbecomes VERY well said!
I never understood why scientists have declared many times that opiate addicts who are cut off their meds often become full-blown alcoholics. Here, Dr. Booher says that with chronic alcoholism, a new pathway is made in the brain creating a “Morphine” type response. Very interesting. (I never understood the substitution of addictions here, because alcohol is a very different feeling from opiates. Evidently, that is, until one is a chronic drinker.)
it creates a new pathway that creates a chemical with a very similar structure to morphine
I’m a Senior Practitioner Social Worker in London & found this clip to be invaluable - thank you Sir
My dear friend that I’ve known over 20 years died of drugs & alcohol recently. I had a very bad weekend processing it; this was an excellent talk.
Watching that time I could have seen a movie 😂, but true say the truth this was the best lecture i heard in my life. I got few answers of those questions that were in my head for years. Thank you 🙂
Heard that
I agree, Im in treatment and that was exactly what I needed.
you can tell hes a doctor look at that writing
bieltanman 😂😂😂 true. Not like these new spoiled doctors who just wanna type everything lol
👌🧐
This is one of the best if not the best video on addiction and why most people become addicts. Also this Dr is great at explaining why addicts use and just cant stop.
So informational! Gonna send this to my family members.
I've been heavily dependent on meth, weed and alcohol over the years, and I have no idea what withdrawal symptoms feel like. The only thing I can't seem to voluntarily stop is smoking.
I feel you !!! Nicotine is such a mental addiction . I love the ritual and the feeling . Ugh ...
*Wife watches presentation*
Wife: You said you stopped using.
Him: I liked the way the chalkboard felt
Best explanation I have ever heard!! Thank you!
This is the best, easiest to understand lecture I've heard on this topic. I can share this with others and they'll be likely to resonate with it.
my relief of monotony is searching internet porn but I don't have compulsions for pharmaceuticals, gambling and the other evils. Except I dive into youtube and the internet.
bro thats my problem as well. porn has me hooked and i dont want to do it but i cant stop
Speaking from My own experience with being addicted to Heroin for fifteen Years , and being free of it for over ten now , an addict can not stop using because They do not want to. Also Human Beings are addictive by our very nature. Whether it's an evolutionary cause from a past symbiotic relationship with plants , or our social instincts. That is our nature , and to prohibit us from that relationship with Plants , or to create an unstable Family structure due to War , Economic collapse , or natural catastrophe will logically ruin the ideal living conditions that a Human needs to be healthy and happy. So addiction , suicide , and family dysfunction are the manifestation of this imbalance.
What's your story? How did you overcome your addiction?
Excellent information and definitely worth the time to watch. Thank you, doctor.
Thank you for this incredible lesson on the "Why" of addiction.
Very good explanation! Enlightening and hopeful!
I don't think I will ever be able to kick my addiction( basically weed, alcohol or any pill that will produce a effect). I was diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder type 2. Every time I am alone I can't stop myself from smoking weed or opening a bottle. I don't want to be that guy that always stays at his parents house without a job. I want to make something of my life. Tbh I'm scared af of the future
You're last couple of sentences really hit me cuz I'm in the same boat. I'm trying to quit cold turkey. It's been 5 months since you posted your comment, how have you been doing?
Go to a meeting. Don't think, ask for help, go to a meeting. Where are you now? Have you tried to quit in the five months since you posted this?
@@RealD8 Go to a meeting, Daniel. How long have you been sober? You hangin' in there?
@@RealD8 Honestly I'm doing good. I have a better outlook on life. In the time between my comment and this reply, I got accepted into college where I'm now studying to become a electrician. Mental health wise I'm doing good. How have you been these last few months?
@@KarlKrogmann Thanks for reaching out. Im doing much better than I have a few months ago. Hope life has been treating sir well?
WOW!!!
This is the BEST explanation of Addiction I’ve ever seen on UA-cam. I have an addict family member and for God’s sake I was asking the very same questions: why can’t she just stop even after experiencing bad consequences?
I agree with others that this video should be shown everywhere addiction is a concern.
It should be a staple
I needed this, I am trying to help a loved one. Lost my sister to this, I made many mistakes in trying to help, this time, I shall shut up and just listen. It is the best thing that I can do.
What were you drinking while doing this video?
I quit on my own having partied hard up to 2 days before I stopped. I never looked back since. My friends came over 4 days later and were trying not to "tempt" me. Man I just laughed and set them straight. I AM DONE. Then I opened up my drawer and gave away the 1/8th pound of weed I still had. Brad is correct, knowing the nuro chemistry is why I was able to stop and part of this is knowing when you are "really" ready.
I am glad you managed to quit weed man. It is not as addictive as many other chems, but its not easy either. COngrats Vijay.
This is fairly old and may look boring at first glance, but this recovering Dr. knows what he's talking about. He explains it in a very straight forward manner. No glitch, no glamour, just facts and very accurate.
I love to hear this man talk. He is awesome.