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• Drugs
• Alcohol
• Nicotine
• Sugar
• Caffeine
• Workaholism
• Pornography
• Sexually acting out
• Eating

  CLICK HERE to see if you’re addicted.

• Purging (Bulimia)
• Not eating (Anorexia)
• Relationships (love addiction)
• Controlling others
• Spending
• Gambling
• Cutting
• Excessive exercising
• Video games
• Internet
• Lying
• Approval
• Stealing
• Excitement
• Possessions
• Power/Status

So what is an addiction?

I have checked many sources as to the definition of what an addiction is. It can be confusing, but here goes:

An addiction is an uncontrollable craving and need for a drug or certain behaviors that help numb the pain from not having emotional or spiritual needs met. No matter what the addiction or false feel good is (drugs, cutting, pornography, sex, etc), it is always used to give the addict a great feeling (a high). Some people call this great feeling a “rush”.

The “rush” comes from a release of chemicals in our brain that causes us to feel good. It may be a temporary high (Meth, gambling), or a deep feeling of calmness (pot, cutting). The addict chases the high, not the particular drug he/she is using. It’s the high, not the drug, he/she is after. A true addiction will cause withdrawal symptoms when the user tries to quit. This withdrawal can be physical, emotional, or both. All addictions lead to chaos in the addict’s life and the lives of those around them. Without intervention, addictions can lead the addict to jail, institutions, or death.


Other definitions of addictions from your comments:

“I have been drinking probably…about 2 years now, and I love it. I love everything about it. When I see it, everything else just goes away, like it's the only thing that matters to me…I drank a whole bottle in under 5 minutes, and loved it.” – Anonymous

“[Drugs or certain behaviors] affect the mind, get into the blood, creat

"I drank a whole bottle in under 5 minutes, and loved it."

e a feeling or better an illusion that everything is perfect. [It later makes] the person feel moody, depressed, and angry…All that person can think about is the next fix, the next drink just so they don't have to feel this way again. None of these addictions are a way to live; they are a way to die.” – Eric

“I think the definition of an addiction is something you feel you need in your life to survive, something you just cannot live without.” – Shannon

“To me, [an] addiction is when you truly believe you need whatever you’re addicted to just to make it through the day. When you go out with your friends…the first question you ask is "are we getting high" or "drunk" or whatever. When you think you can’t live without it…it’s all you think about and it makes you miserable to not be able to have it. That’s how it is for me…I feel like I’m dying without it…I can’t do anything without it.” - Becky

“An addiction is something that a person turns to when they cannot handle the cards that they are being dealt.” – Amanda

“I define an addiction as something that's controlling you, as opposed to you

"I feel like I’m dying without it… I can’t do anything without it.”

controlling it. When you have an addiction, it's like you can't think for yourself, and that addiction is living your life for you.” – Iris

An addiction is something that…is very hard for you to stop doing…you might want to stop doing them, but it’s really hard. – Kandyce

"I believe that the only reason I continued doing the drugs I did, was to get back that first feeling I had when doing them." – Friend of Amy who later died of an overdose

“You do anything long enough to escape the habit of living until the escape becomes the habit.” - Yevgenia



So are you addicted to something? If so, is it ruining your life? If it hasn’t yet, just wait. Give it time. It will. If there’s one thing I’ve learned about addictions, it’s this – it starts out as your best friend, and later becomes a deadly enemy. The wisest man in the Bible, King Solomon, said this about alcohol:

“Do not look at wine when it is red, when it shines in the cup, when it is smooth in going down. In the end it bites like a snake. It stings like the bite of a snake with poison.”

He also said,

“There is a path before each person that seems right, but it ends in death.”

The king is right. Everyone who becomes involved in the behaviors that lead to addiction start out wanting to feel good, not bad. They want to be at peace, not chaos. They want to find life, not death. Yet they end up on the wrong road going nowhere, heading for disaster. In fact, all addictions are a lie. I was given a poem written by a teenage addict. I’ve taken portions of it. I can’t say it much better than this:

“To the one who loves me,

I have given you comfort, have I not?
Wasn’t I there when you were lonely?
When you wanted to die, didn’t you call me?
I love pretending I’m your friend and lover.
I love to make you cry.
Better yet, I love when I make you so numb you can neither hurt, nor cry.
You can’t feel anything at all.
This is true glory.
I will give you instant gratification, and all I ask of you is long term suffering.
And until we meet again, I wish you suffering and death.”

Your friend,
Mr. Addiction



NEXT WEEK’S TOPIC – WHY ADDICTIONS?

Thursday, Aug 2, 2007 - 1:30:18 AM
I agree that some people turn to some kind of addiction because they are trying to fill a void of some sort. I myself grew a few addictions. When I was younger, my parents got divorced. I spent all my time on the computer, I some how grew an addiction to porn. It got so bad that I was spending money on the pay sights. I also grew an addiction to m******* To this fday I still get tempted with these addictions. I pray that I can over come these, because I am getting married in less than a month. God Bless
- Mike

Wednesday, Aug 1, 2007 - 10:49:04 PM
I think so many people turn to addiction because sometimes they dont have enough stuff to keep them busy! So they turn to something else that they can pass time with! and as they do it repeatedly they get addicted to it! I say this because it's kinda happening to me! It's not addiction and i dont do it regularly! It's not like if i dont do it i'll die! It's more like i know what i'm doing is wrong but sometimes i do it! I can control it if i distract myself! I just hope i stop doing it for good and that it dosen't become an addiction! Also if you're someone like me ask GOD for forgiveness and to help yoou get distracted from what you're doing! HE WILL HELP YOU!!!
- disah

Wednesday, Aug 1, 2007 - 10:47:41 PM
hey I don’t know what to do anymore I’m lost. I don’t think I can go on any more. I want a way out. I want to give up this dirty feeling, this shame. Why is it when I look at lustful things I feel dirty? What can I do to get out I am so lost. I am falling dipper and dipper in sin. It’s like a dark hole where no one can see me. I don’t thank I will ever see light again. I can’t see a way out. All my friends say it’s ok to look at lustful things and there is nothing wrong with it. I guess it’s just me why do I feel this way? Why don’t I feel the way my friends feel about this? Am I gay? Is there something wrong with me? Am I ok? I just don’t know is there anyone that can help me? Is there anyone who cares? I don’t want to ask for help for this. I would feel so ashamed of myself. I could ask someone to help me but they might think I’m nothing but a pervert. No I think I will take care of it myself I can get my self out I thank….
- Jw

Wednesday, Aug 1, 2007 - 10:42:08 PM
I think people to turn to their addictions to numb pain they can't control or don't understand. It's like...your addiction is right there, always there for you...waiting for you. It seems like your addiction is your best friend in times of need, but in the long run, it's your worse enemy, because it will destroy you. Another thing is, I think some people turn to addictions to feel like they are in control of something, but in reality, that addiction is controlling you.
- Iris

Wednesday, Aug 1, 2007 - 10:40:55 PM
I have had many addictions in life. For starters I was very heavy into drugs, meth and pot imparticular. I did drugs to forget about my past. I was sexually molested for all my preteens years, and needed a scapegoat to forget about it. That was the easiest way. I did meth for 11 years and moved to my current location and quit the day i left. I have been clean for 4 years in November. I also was a cutter, for all you cutters out there I understand why you do it. It's so much easier to deal with pain that you inflict rather than someone you care about. I quit that because I have kids and the last time I cut was right after I sent them to bed and I hit a main vein. Imagine the horrer on their little faces when they saw my blood squirting out with each heart beat. I refused to go to the hospital for fear that they would be taken away. It took a week for the cut to stop bleeding. I hope this opens at least one persons eyes that if I can quit such extreme things on my own I believe anyone can.
- Jessica

Wednesday, Aug 1, 2007 - 10:37:50 PM
well guys, i just got over and addiction and i know know that i was to worried about what ppl would think to know that i was hurting myself.its not worth it.
- mckay

Wednesday, Aug 1, 2007 - 10:37:37 PM
Dear Dawson back in 06 I was @ my grandma's freind's house and I couldn't fall a sleep so I turned the tv on flipin thought the channels and I came across something bad and I could n't turned off next I got to the computer I started going to websites I shouldn't have and I did it for a year then I went to camp with my church adn the guy there started talkin about it and I said I was goin to stop. a month later I did it again. I finally stop but I got it in my mind and I can't sleep at night now and I can't stop thinking about. Then a month ago I started cutting and I'm trying to stop but its hard. I need help.
- bc

Wednesday, Aug 1, 2007 - 10:37:06 PM
i dont know if listening to your blog cast counts but i have friends that have addictions. some worse than others. just letting you know that your show has changed my life. thank you so much!!
- Hannah P

Wednesday, Aug 1, 2007 - 1:17:34 AM
Dear Dawson, for the past 2 months or so, ive been getting on the internet every night until like 2am. i dont know why but i feel like i need to get on my email and stuff... just incase i has a new one... and if i dont do it, then i just sit in bed and cant go to sleep, so then i just get on the computer. should i stop? if so, how?
- Kimberly

Tuesday, Jul 31, 2007 - 10:33:41 PM
i have an addiction. which is hard to admit, but i am addicted to self injury. more specifically: cutting. why might you ask? i am still kind of confused myself, but i have been thinking about it a lot lately, so it's crazy that you have posted this blog. anyway... i guess it is a way of controlling one small part of my life. it also helps me coupe with what is happening at any given moment. i don't have too much emotional support from those around me, so i take matters into my own hands. it helps relieve stress, pain, anger, heartache, you name it. i stopped for a couple of weeks, but i then i relapsed. before i relapsed, i was dreaming about it, thinking about it, and practically fantasizing about the thought and feeling of making myself bleed. i am still trying to quit, but the journey is long and very hard. it's not easy to live life alone, and that is virtually how i am feeling. so i replace the hole inside of me with abusing my body. God has always been a part of my life, so that is why this makes it so much harder. i just hope that my walk with Him will be strengthened by this situation and i can get out of it before something horrible happens. of course cutting feels good, but it is about to take over my life... and it is just not worth that. the fun only lasts so long... then the real pain hits you in the face.
- Lynn

Tuesday, Jul 31, 2007 - 10:31:42 PM
people get addicted to the wrong things.(Not putting them down or anything because i have been addicted to my sorrow and darkness.I loved feeling dark and crying over my ex's)but I think people should go to chruch and pray to god cause he will always help sometimes it dont always feel that way but he always helps.Now Im a new person inside god laid it on my heart to go to chruch and get right with him and i thinkk everyone else should to (that is if they r christians) and im not saying just because you go to chruch your saved and perfect or anything.My Mother is a great christian and dont go to chruch she has a very close friendship with jesus.Your an angel Dawson that god sent to help people.I hope you keep on helping.
- jess

Tuesday, Jul 31, 2007 - 10:30:36 PM
Sometimes people have addictions because that is the only way to forget the past. Sometimes reality is not easy to face.
- beth

Tuesday, Jul 31, 2007 - 10:30:28 PM
i think people turn to addictions because it makes them feel as though they can control something in their lives. but addictions are something that if you do to much it controls you.
- lorr@ine

Tuesday, Jul 31, 2007 - 10:30:06 PM
To escape reality. Their life is a nightmare, then suddenly drugs are thrown in their face. What else do you have at the moment? you look to the left and all you see is yourself alone, hurt and angry then you look to the right and see these drugs/people who are willing to give you a false hope and a fake smile. People have addictions to set aside life. To forget and never go back. whether its food alcohol, or drugs. My good friend bryan is gone. Not dead but gone. He is addicteed to X and cocaine, also alcohol. To watch how fast something can blind you and take you away is sickening.
- lexy

Tuesday, Jul 31, 2007 - 10:28:56 PM
hi Dawson, Well my mom is addicted to coffee so she drinks it like two or three times a day. I think people have a addiction to stuff because there is something in that. LIke for coffee the addiction is probely that most people drink coffee is that they want to stay awake because coffee has something in it to keep you awake. It is called cafine. That keeps you awake. I think my mom drinks it so much is that she wants to stay awake. That is what i think of why most people drink coffee. So don't drink it a lot It is ok if you drink it sometimes but not a lot because u might not be able to fall asleep Thanks
- friendswithjazzy

Tuesday, Jul 31, 2007 - 10:03:59 PM
I believe people turn to addictions to fill the emptiness they feel. You block your senses of the world, allowing you to feel good. You feel you are solving your problem, with hurting yourself. As with cutting, it takes your emotional pain, and turns it into physical pain, which is much easier to handle and hide. My friend tried to cut herself, because she felt so guilty that could not lessen her friend's pain from being raped. She never realized how much it hurt everyone else around her.
- Kelly

Tuesday, Jul 31, 2007 - 10:02:44 PM
I'm a recovering addict with 16 years clean and sober. I say "recovering" because I sincerely believe that it is a disease. I know God can cure diseases, however, He also gives us doctors. In the same manner, I believe that God has helped people through 12 Step fellowships. I know that I've always believed in God, but going to church, being active in church, didn't quell my addiction. It wasn't until I started working the 12 steps that I truly started to change. The 12 Steps are basically New Testament living put in simple step by step directions. I truly believe that God has and continues to heal through these fellowships, I know He led me to the 12 Step fellowship, and it led me back to Him. It's all about filling the spiritual void we have in our lives. That void can only be healthily filled by a relationship with God. Recovery doesn't happen overnight, and I know that it's a hard struggle to give up an addiction. I couldn't do it alone, and I'm grateful to God that He put people in my life to help me.
- Lisa

Tuesday, Jul 31, 2007 - 10:00:40 PM
i think my friend has an addiction to some type of drugs but im not sure. she comes to skool and acts high and its really wierd bcuz she isnt like that at home. and all of her friends wanted to find out some way of figuring out if she is an addict or not soo we came to u. and she breaks out alot and it loox like the signs of meth sometimes but then it goes away and then come back again. and im scred for her cuz idk how to aproach her with this and how to get her to believe that i can be trusted with wat ever she needs to tell me.
- Camcam

Tuesday, Jul 31, 2007 - 11:23:07 AM
i know a little about addictions. i have been addicted to cutting for a year and a half. For me it helps me forget about the stuff happening in my life. I dont know if that helps but thats what it is for me.
- Keisha

Tuesday, Jul 31, 2007 - 11:23:04 AM
my dad is addicted to caffiene it might sound wierd but its true and the hardest part for me is when he hasnt had his caffiene for the day because he and i will get into an arguement and he will hit me or choke me. im 16 years old and i dont have any of my life put together yet. my dad is not letting me see my mother at all and its for no reason at all. but i have an addiction i smoke ciggerettes its a really bad habbit and i cant quit ive tried so many times but when i get around people who smoke i get the craving for it. i listened to your show this past sunday and some of the stories touched my heart and i wish i could do something to help them through the rough times ive been through the hard times and figured out a way to get through them. thanks for letting me post mt comment.
- Ashley

Tuesday, Jul 31, 2007 - 11:23:00 AM
Hey Dawson, What a great poem. My dad (while it isn't illegal) is addicted to tobacco. That sounds minute compared to some of the other addictions out there, but it is a tender subject in our family, especially because my grandfather was just diagnosed with cancer because of it. He always says he's going to quit and I used to get so mad at him when I saw him use it. Now, I sort of understand the way my father feels. I realize that he truly regrets ever trying it, and that he really does try hard to quit. What a great blog entry. Thank you for helping me understand. :)
- Emily

Tuesday, Jul 31, 2007 - 11:22:54 AM
i think that people get addicted because they need something to do to get away from all of their problems in life.people tell me that i am addicted but i dont think so, u have helped so many people...one day i wish that i could have that same help and guidance.
- kayla

Tuesday, Jul 31, 2007 - 11:22:51 AM
hey dawson!!!! i came by to say this show is AMAZING and keep up the good work of helping people who r in trouble and need someone to talk to.
- Krisha

Tuesday, Jul 31, 2007 - 1:23:01 AM
hey dawson. =) I think that people get an addiction because they're missing something, or something is wrong in their life. They then find something to relieve themselves from their problem, or to fill their emptiness. I, myself, unfortunately have an addiction of hurting myself. I'm not totally sure why I'm addicted, but it started out as my way to deal with my anger. Whenever I got really mad, I would want to sock someone, but I knew it wasn't an option because I would get in so much trouble. Now, I just get really excited/happy when I fall and get a bruise or a cut. If I don't have any bruises or cuts, I just make them myself. It doesn't even matter any more if I'm angry, I just need the pain. (Can somebody tell me why?) Of course, the need for the pain is greater when I am angry. I guess I've gotten so used to the pain being there, it's wrong when it's not. Here's something I also don't understand: I've gotten so used to washing the dishes that it's weird if I don't. Does that mean I'm addicted to washing dishes?
- Shelby

Tuesday, Jul 31, 2007 - 1:22:10 AM
Hey Dawson, One of my friends started cutting because she was upset about her brother hitting her. Then one of my other friends started cutting to make the first friend feel guilty and stop. well, it worked, but now friend # 2 is addicted to cutting. I'm really worried about her because she used to be little miss happy-happy joy-joy, but now she's called a wannabe emo kid. Im afriad thats she's headed down a path of self-mutilation and eventually suicide. she's even written songs about suicide. I'm so worried....Can you help??? Thanks....God Bless
- Kaitlyn

Tuesday, Jul 31, 2007 - 1:21:31 AM
i love ur show. when i lisen it gives me hope and i understand and relieze i am not the only one stuggling with and addiction and that there are ppl who got help and got better and maybe one day i can too.
- annie

Monday, Jul 30, 2007 - 10:56:45 PM
Hey I've listened to ur show on the radio since like eva & I c how u have helped all of those ppl & I think tht it is rly rly awsome how they go 2 bed thinkin tht since they tlkd 2 u,they prob. feel alot betta thanx 2 u 4 helpin them thru thier probs!!!!! Neway I luv the advice tht u give 2 alot of ppl & 2 the ones who truly need it & I figured out tht there is more ppl out there tht have more inportant & worse proba then I do & I rly wanted 2 tell u thanx 4 helpin me notice tht!!!!!!**:-)
- Brooklynn P

Monday, Jul 30, 2007 - 10:51:18 PM
I think that alot of people have turned to addictions becuz they don't know God, they fall into the world's "false feel good" In some school's you can never mention the word of God, so all people know is what the world does, not what God does. I know our world would be so much better off if the word of God was taught in school's, work, etc. I mean how manytimes do you hear people pray before they eat there lunch in a restaraunt, or a coach praying with there players out on the field? People know Addictions because they don't know Jesus Christ. I was addicted to cutting for 4 yrs. from problems in the family, & school. No one could help & I wantedto die then 1 night my mom & I went to a "fire" it's a youth/family event, you don't have to belong to a church & it's open to anyone, we have speakers from all over the country, anyway that night the coordinator was praying about accepting Jesus Christ into your heart, I thought no way I already have him, the problem was, I thought God had hated me & wouldn't forgive me since I was doing it over & over again. That night I accepted him into my life, relized that no matter what you've done God ALWAYS forgives, & this Oct. will be 2 yrs of being free from cutting!!! Also it is my Brother's first year of being drug & alcohol free!!!!!!! God is so great!
- Jenn

Monday, Jul 30, 2007 - 10:16:09 PM
"An Addiction Can BE Anything"
- Diana

Monday, Jul 30, 2007 - 3:41:40 PM
So i loved your show. I thought that it was really inspirational & a way for people to get help in a "HEALTHY WAY". So many of us suffer from addictions i think because they are all around us everyday, all the time, 24/7. How can you not fall into something that is constantly around. I mean i have heard tons of people say that they cant get addicted to stuff. They say things like i'll never get addictive or i've never gotten addictive, which is stupid. Everyone gets addictive, the question is how long does it take you to get addicted. So many of us follow the so called TRENDDD of getting addictive to stuff, but what we really need to do is to be individuals & take control of our OWN lives & see what these addictions do to not only you but the other people around you. thats just how i think we should all look at it. i mean everyone has an addiction if you look at it...
- Megan

Monday, Jul 30, 2007 - 3:41:37 PM
i think that people become addicted to things because they are running away from there problems and dont no how to deal with them so the just lach on to drugs, sex, money and so on.
- osiris

Monday, Jul 30, 2007 - 1:03:52 PM
I realli luv ur show!! but i think that many ppl hae addictions because they feel that they have no where or no one they feel they can trust or since they have no control in their lyfe they turn to something that they kno they can control. i dont thinlk this is an addiction but i LUV sugar and sweets. im a very....very picky eater. but i think that everyone luvs candy and sugar. so everyone kinna has a problem
- mariah

Monday, Jul 30, 2007 - 1:03:50 PM
I think people turn to addictions is becaues they have some kind of proble in there life that, they can't headle alone and they want to get away some how with out killing them selfs.
- Chris

Monday, Jul 30, 2007 - 1:03:46 PM
I think people start getting addicted to many things by accident. Maybe their friends told them something was "cool". The try what their friends were doing thinking they will only do it once. Then they really get into it and doing it over and over again, which becomes an addiction.
- Beth

Monday, Jul 30, 2007 - 1:03:37 PM
An addiction is something that people think they have to have. They think that the stuff they are addicted to helps them and makes them feel better. But it may make them feel better but it is frying there brain cells and it is ruining there lives. When they are on drugs or drinking they have no clue what they are doing.
- Megan

Monday, Jul 30, 2007 - 10:56:44 AM
Hey Dawson! I love how your show helps so many people! I listen to it every Sunday. You rock and should keep on doing the show!
- maggie

Monday, Jul 30, 2007 - 10:56:40 AM
My best friend Haylee had an addiction. It started in the middle of our 8th grade school year. We were on the way home from a field trip on the bus when she told me that she cut herself. I didn't think of it as that big of a deal because she hadn't started changing at all. About a week later, I had a sleepover for my birthday. She pulled me aside in my kitchen and showed me the cuts on her arm. They werent big at all, i mean i really couldn't see anything. So once again i didn't think it was that big of deal. Then a few weeks later, she wore nothing but sweat shirts, she didn't talk about the normal "happy things".. to make it short.. she just wasn't Haylee anymore. Her cuts got bigger and bigger. Our discussions on instant messenger started to freak me out. She would tell me about how she tried to drown herself in her bath tub. She also told me about one of her dreams, where she hung me, and several friends and cut our wrists and stuff. That really freaked me out. I really had no clue what to do, so i told my mom, and she told me i needed to talk with someone who really knew haylee and could do something to help her. So when i gathered up enough guts, i talked to my science teacher, Mrs. Banjoff. She thanked me for letting her know, and she took it in her own hands. She told the principal about Haylee's problem and they got her special therapists and talked with her mom. Her mom started taking her to a pshyciatrist and things started getting better. About a week after her last appointment with her pshyciatrist, Haylee stopped eating. When she did eat her occasional meal, she would throw it up. Once again, i told my teacher about it. My teacher told me she would deal with it, but this time she didn't. I was so disapointed with her, and it really hurt me to think maybe she didn't care about Haylee. Before school ended, things got back to normal and i guess you could say time healed everything. I was just so happy to have MY Haylee back.
- Sherri

Monday, Jul 30, 2007 - 10:56:37 AM
I think what causes a adiction is when people want to escape something thats happening in there lifes so they get adictive to something to escape!!!!!!!!
- Emma

Monday, Jul 30, 2007 - 10:56:35 AM
I think that so many people turn to an addiction is because they want to find a way to escape their life's for a short ammount of time. I also think that after awhile they can't control the addiction so it slowly is taking over their body. I think i might have an addiction to pop or one of the main ingredients in pop which is caffeine. I started realizing this because it doesn't matter how many cans of pop i have it still isn't enough. And i think I'm also addicted to it because it helps me stay in focus and able to not be so depressed.
- Monika

Monday, Jul 30, 2007 - 10:56:32 AM
I believe an addiction is something that somebody falls back on when things arent going there way. I beleive that all those people with addictions have addiction because it makes them feel comfortable to know that no matter how there day goes they will always have that certain something to fall back on.(there dependent)
- liz

Monday, Jul 30, 2007 - 10:56:29 AM
If we have to be addicted then lets get "Addicted to Jesus!"
- Deb

Monday, Jul 30, 2007 - 10:56:25 AM
my aunt is a recovering addict shed been doing meth and crack for about 20 years. the last 2 years were the worst then we finaly got her in rehab. now i think its funny that its this blog this week cause she moved in with us on friday and the first thing she told me was she did it for the excitment the thrill of doing somthing ileagl, the addrenlin rush from it,also the felling of acception from other people because she always felt like a outcast. Me I dont have any additions im just afrade of them i gess. But when u say that 6 in 10 people have a addiction ur rite just look at my faimley my brother:vidio games, parents: caffine, grand mother, 2aunts and 2 uncles:nicciten and my cousin:cutting. i ave no idea why peoloe turn to addections or why the would i just know its been tearing my faimly appart for a long time and its just getting worse.
- kylie

Monday, Jul 30, 2007 - 1:47:03 AM
ADDICTION. Addiction is a attempt to gane normalcy and control something to hide behind and identify with. It gives you a purpose when you feel you have no friends when no ones there to love you when it feels like everyone hates you. It does so many different things for so many different people. The one thing it does for all of us though is kills us from the outside in. You don't realize it at first and then you start doing this addiction even if you don't want to hense purpose it keeps you company. Like when you get home from a rough day and you really wish you had someone there you do now that addiction it's waiting on you always hence a friend. No one can understand till they've been there yet everyone can because eveyone has a addiction whether it be work,coffee,sugar just plain food whatever we all end our day with some routine that's addiction something you do and don't know why but feel as though you can't stop. To me life is a addiction I can't stop no matter how hard I try I can't slow down but can't catch up at the same time always lost wondering around wishing someone would catch me before I fall.
- Kelly

Monday, Jul 30, 2007 - 1:34:20 AM
I found this blog from somebody on Myspace. This blog and your radio show on addictions is a great idea. And I can believe that 60-70% of people are addicted to something. My Myspace(my addiction now :o) title right now is "Choosing Life" because I want to have life abundantly, not death from addictions like cigarettes, pot or alcohol. Those are mostly the addictions I've dealt with. I was raised by alcoholics who smoked cigs around me till I was addicted to the second-hand smoke. I gave up cigarettes ten yrs ago after coughing so bad it made my head hurt, and I can't drink because it makes my head hurt also. I've been hit in the head from DV and had other head injuries. The sulfites in alcohol people have told me is what gives me a headache bad. So that left pot, which I smoked for almost ten more yrs until now I can't enjoy smoking that because of my lungs, throat and it gives me nosebleeds and heart palpitations! Pot was my best friend for years! "Just a crutch," someone called it at my church. She was right. I wanted my husband & me to quit while the kids were still young. But after the last straw with my husband, I continued to "use" as a "crutch," to get me through the pain of divorce. Now I've been divorced almost ten years, people have died, some from car accidents, one alcoholic teacher of mine from a suicide, and two friends from smoking(both kinds of smoke,) Emphysema and the other from COPD. My kids are adults now, one gave me a grandbaby, who almost didn't make it from oxygen deficiency from mom smoking while pregnant and the cord wrapped around her little neck so bad she had to be on oxygen the first night. You can best believe I appreciate life a lot more then I ever did. There are worser things then pot I know, but when you are sick & tired of being sick & tired, it's time to quit! Addiction is a vicious cycle where the tail wags the dog instead of the other way around. Or it's like a dog trying to chase it's tail,(except it's a high or buzz you're trying to get,) but never can catch it. Because you are always trying to escape, escape what? Feelings? Reality? And so how can you ever enjoy a better life if you don't stop escaping from it? Learn to feel again and get through the realities of life and you will have a better reality. I'm choosing a better life. God gave life to me & I should appreciate it and honor my body with my actions by taking care of it, otherwise I'll suffer from the consequences. My daughter who smokes cigs always says, "We're going to die someday." So I say, "why make it a premature painful death?" Some people don't care about living, is a reason people stay in their addiction, kind of a slow suicide. But when they are on their death bed trying to gasp for breath, are tied to some machine that keeps them barely alive or can't talk from COPD, I'll bet they care then, except then is too late. Addiction is a terrible slave master. I pray everyday that people become free from their addictions like me. My prayer is that the devil is bound from controlling us with addictions so we can be free from the hell that so easily prevents us from having an abundant life. The life God meant for us, the greatest "high" on earth.
- tami

Monday, Jul 30, 2007 - 1:18:14 AM
i think people turn to addictions to hide the guilt that they store.they think that it would take all the shame off their backs.They like it at first,but then,they find out it makes them feel guiltier
- claire

Monday, Jul 30, 2007 - 12:38:36 AM
I was addicted to cutting and drugs. It was all to releave some sort of pain. The cutting was to release the pain inside. I was numb for along time. After years of verbal abuse, I felt like dieing. My addictions though were probably killing me softly, prevented me from killing myself. It's a Catch 22.
- kristin

Monday, Jul 30, 2007 - 12:38:14 AM
Hey Dawson, What you r doin with ur show is awsome i listen to it every sunday night. I thinks people have addictions is because they r pressured by their parents families friends tv magazines and thats how they get hooked on what ever they r doin. so please keep up the good work dawson and i cant wait to hear u next sunday, Love your friend, Jessie P
- Jessie P

Monday, Jul 30, 2007 - 12:30:37 AM
DEAR,DAWSON,I AM HAVING A PROBLEM WITH MY ORIENTATION I AM A BI MALE FROM KY AND I DONT KNOEW HOW TO BREAK IT TO MY FAMILY, I NEED SOME ADVICE ON THIS SITUATION AND IM TO SHY TO TALK ABOUT IT LIVE ON RADIO,BUT I HAVE STRONG FEELINGS FOR MEN AND I DONT WANT TO HRT ANYONE OVER IT SO HOW CAN I EXPLAIN IT,BECAUSE ,YOU SEE WHERE I COME FROM BISEXUALITY IS A BIG PROBLEM AND EVERYONE WANTS TO MISTREAT YOU OVER IT AND MY FAMILY IN WHICH I LOVE IS VERY MUCH SO AGAINST AND I HAVE BEEN HIDING IT FOR SO LONG THAT I DONT KNOW WHAT TO DO ANYMORE,I HAVE AN ADDICTION FOR MEN1BUT MY FAMILY IS THR TYPE THAT IF THEY KNEW THEY WOULD TELL ME TO LEAVE AND NEVER COME BACK AROUND THEM OR EVEN CALL.PLEASE HELP YOUR ADVICE WOLD BE VERY APPRECIATIVE> THANK YOU MR.KY.ANAMIOUS
- CHRIS

Monday, Jul 30, 2007 - 12:26:39 AM
I think your show is a good because a lot of people can get help and deal with problems in there life
- Randy Moore

Sunday, Jul 29, 2007 - 11:41:05 PM
Well Dawson,i think addiction is somthing to keep your mind off of your problems.Since everyone has some kind of problem big or small in their life and there are so many diffrent ways people deal with problems these days that turning away from your problem and getting addicted to all of what you listed above is way easyer than facing your problem. My semi Bestfriend has recently gotten in to ALOT of trouble.she has starteed drinking sooo much and shes been doing drugs like crazy.she got cought shopliffting at nordstroms and she cant go in there for 2 years.She has gotten a new bestfriend a lots of new friends and boyfriend that are most deff. not good for her. She has ALOT of problems with her fam.and that is her problem.and she deals with it by drinking and doing drugs.And i think that is common with most teens these days. thanks for reading/listing..lol -15 Elizabeth
- Elizabeth

Sunday, Jul 29, 2007 - 11:33:10 PM
for the past 3 years or so, i have been addicted to self-injury. and for me, it has been the hardest three years of my life. the pain i held inside is something i would would want no person to ever have to feel, both emotionally and physically. it always would seem that when life would finally take those few steps forward, something terrible would happen and i would end up three steps back, farther away from any sort of "normalcy" in my life. and although i have kept my addiction to a minimum in the past few months, there is always that constant reminder of the pain, suffering, and temptation to revert back to self-injuring. i would just recommend to anyone with any sort fo an addiction to seek help now; whether it be a friend, relative, or a hotline of some-sort. the longer you wait, the longer it will take to overcome the addiction. it wont be easy, but it will be very fulfilling in the end. i promise. god bless to all.
- rachael

Sunday, Jul 29, 2007 - 11:26:46 PM
So many people turn to addictions to escape reality from the hurt and the pain, wheather it be food,drugs,alcohol,caffiene, it's an escape. I have a few addictions, i'm addicted to cutting myself,and binge eating...i used to purge too, but now i just eat. It's harder now that I am morbidly obease,diabetic,and eat and drink soo much pop it's not funny. I just can't stop, i know i need help for it but have no way to get it. My mental health is suffering also.
- Jessica

Sunday, Jul 29, 2007 - 11:26:26 PM
I think so many people turn to an addiction because We are all looking for something to take the pain away. To escape from everything that is going on around us. To feel good or fill up an emptyness inside. Over the past few years when I became depressed I started cutting myself. When something happend that I felt like I couldnt handle I would cut. I became so numb that I just wanted to feel something, even if it was pain. Several months ago I got into a lot of trouble when my parents found out I had been partying and what not. I was grounded of course. They completly cut me off from EVERYONE. I wasnt even allowed to go to my church youth group. I was cutting myself of course...But eventaully it just wasnt enough and I couldnt handle it anymore. I had no one to talk to and tell them how I was feeling. I was having suicide thoughts like crazy..and those thoughts let to actions...so a few months ago I slit my wrists...My little brother found me and called 911 and they took me to the hospital. They sent me home after I promised I wouldnt do it again but they said that if I cut myself or anything they would put me in a hospital so I had to stop cold turkey and its been really hard. I still crave it when Im depressed. But I have stopped acting on it...However I would say if I thought I could do it and not get caught..I would...But I'm trying to stay strong and not go down that road again.
- Jennifer

Sunday, Jul 29, 2007 - 11:16:19 PM
hey dawson, i think people have addictions because they have or think they have few things in life. for example people who have love addictions they focus on one specific person and devote all their time to them and then once the person breaks up with them the love addict doesn't have any friends or family to run to because they haven't tried to make friends they just smothered their lover and kept to themselves and become super jealous. cya dawson hope i helped!
- chris m

Sunday, Jul 29, 2007 - 11:15:50 PM
Hello, This is great stuff. You should have this stuff posted on myspace. I would subscribe to the blog. God Bless!
- Tarynn

Sunday, Jul 29, 2007 - 11:07:54 PM
i would say an addiction is anything that people do to get away from. they might be abused or have other problems. so they think they can drink or use alcohol and it will all go away. really it just makes it worse. i love your show and the stories inspire me to be clean and that there are so many consequences to addictions.
- Kat

Sunday, Jul 29, 2007 - 11:07:21 PM
Hey Dawson, I heard your program for the first time tonight (7.29.07), I am a Recovering Alcoholic. I have been sober for almost 2 yrs .. Sept 3rd Aniversary Date. I think what you are doing is absolutely great. What I would like to tell your listener's is to trust people, trust in yourselves. Just by them writing in or calling in they have taken a HUGE step towards getting help. To get help you need to ask for it. That was my biggest problem was asking for and accepting help. Your question for this blog is "Addiction, Why?" Wow, thats a tough question. I come from a family of alcoholics .. worstly they are not in any recovery. I grew accustom to alcohol everywhere I looked. So it came easy for me to justify my useage. I really didnt start drinking until a fairly late age in comparison to most people I went to school with and/or hung out with. At first drinking was just having fun with my friends, then it became "get drunk to celebrate, get drunk to mourn, get drunk to feel better etc etc etc" until finally it gets to "drink to survive" to function. I lost my Dad in Sept of '97, he had Diabetes, Heart Disease and Liver Cirosis. His first heart attack was at age 40 .. second at 48, that one killed him. The last time I saw him he looked like he was 20 yrs older than he was. He had just drank himself ill, when he died, ironiclly I did just the same thing. So, to answer the original question, I drank to live .. I lived to drink. I drank to feel good, I drank to not feel at all. I used it to numb my feelings about, my life, my relationships and the mourning of the people I lost in life. I used it to escape from the reality that I was afraid to face and deal with. I now love living life sober. Thanks for giving all of us a safe place to talk and to get some sound advice.
- Shawn

Sunday, Jul 29, 2007 - 10:40:56 PM
My best friend has an addiction problem. i dont think he realizes it though. the day before school ended he was with our other friend drinking. my best friend passed out in the back of our friends car. they said it was because he was on anti-depressants and to much drinking. i tried so hard to wake him up but it wouldnt work. so we had to call his mom and the ambulance. our friend who was drunk and didnt pass out realized how stupid it was. and is getting help. but my best friend who almost died from this doesnt realize that he needs help. he thinks its ok to drink and smoke all the time. i dont know how to help him figure out he needs to help. i dont think his parents notice how bad this is getting.
- Mary

Sunday, Jul 29, 2007 - 10:40:34 PM
I reacetally had a very bad break up with my boyfriend ive been going out with for the last 6 years on and off and the reason we broke up was because he started doing drugs and screwing up his life when i broke up with him he when to a bridge near our house and if the cops wouldent have shown up when they did because i called them i dont think he would be alive. At first i was getten messed up on durgs and drinking but i realized that i was better than that that i guess if god wanted me here theres a reason for me to still be living when i was born i had a 15% chancee it live cause i was only 1 and 1/2 pounds and if i lived through that i can live through anything. but i would like to know why all of a sudden my boyfriend truned to durgs and partys .. maybe ill never know i guess that was just his way to let go.
- Tarah

Sunday, Jul 29, 2007 - 10:37:52 PM
Hey Dawson! I just read your blog and the list of addictions. I realized I have a couple of addictions. I'm addicted to controlling my girlfriend, caffeine, and sex. Can you please help me?
- Tabitha

Sunday, Jul 29, 2007 - 10:37:32 PM
Think people haven't so much turned to addiction more so this behavior is a result to many life experiences. A I'm a recovery addict. In my case my addiction came from wanting to feel good. At first I did feel good and I also didn't have feel or deal with bad uncomfortable feelings. But with drugs and alcohol over time the using was no longer fun or felt good. My diesease of addiction took over. I was a slave to the drugs. I had to use just to function day to day. Fortunately I was able to get help. I went to treatment. Was it fun not always but it was neccasary. I learned about AA and NA and the 12 steps. I go to meetings just about every day and am working and living the steps. I don't believe I can remain clean and sober without 1) going to meetings 2) work the 12 steps all the time 3) pray and 4) help another addict or alcoholic. I am very grateful I found these tools and other people like me. I also believe that my diesease will kill me if I go out again. I strongly encourge addicts and alcoholics to try this way of life. But the most important thing to keep in mind when you go all the people there have the same disease you do. So be open minded, willing, and honest. The program of AA has saved many people from every having to drink or use again. If you think you have a problem go to an AA or NA meeting and stay till the miracle happens. Thank you for letting me share this has helped me stay sober one more day, today.
- cheryl

Sunday, Jul 29, 2007 - 10:31:16 PM
i think ppl turn to addictions to get away from life. my addictions was cutting and i guess still is but wen i look at the ppl i love like my bf i c wat i have to live for and how much i'm hurting them but wen i feel like i can't go on i just feel like going back and it become a constent craving until i talk to my boyfriend then i feel like i have someone to live for and if i give into the craving i'll hurt him more then myself and that's something i can't live with becouse i no he has a hard time with his life to.
- kaylei

Sunday, Jul 29, 2007 - 10:28:33 PM
Dawson, Hi i'm Amber, i'm 15. My addiction all started by experimenting. Life was hard, or so i thought it was at the time. I started smoking more pot, drinking all the time. and losing my virginity while i was wasted. basically taken advantage of. Then learning new things. coricidon, dust-off. my grades starting to fall I became very depressed. I had alot of things going on in my life. I began to cut myself, which is so unlike me. I always cared about the way I looked and my parent's noticed. I began not to eat. at all. my parent's sent me to rehab. I was there for 18 days. I learned new things. I was put on zoloft there. for post-partum depression. This was in November 10-28th. I was there on thanksgiving.I got out was good for a few days. And denied i had an addiction. my counselor there didn't think so. And she told me it could develop into one, and boy was she right. After i got out i got a therapist, drug counselor, psychiatrist. I started drinking more, getting into opiates. coke. well I got hooked on oxycontin 240mgs for 5 months. My therapist emergency petitioned me to .... a phsyiatric ward. because she felt i was in danger of myself. and i started cutting more. but after i got out of there about o gosh 5 months ago i haven't cut. but after there iw went back on oxy. intill i overdosed on a speedball heroin and coke. i hated my life it became so i can't even think of a word. i hated it more than anything. i cared about no one. but my drugs. i didn't even care about myself. but finally the overdose scared me. i stopped oxy. my mom moved me to florida to start over. and i'm not doing. good. i went to work yesterday and didn't come home after i stayed out all night drinking and doing coke i must of snorted over 20 lines. and i made my mom worry all night i could have been dead anything. i want to get better i can't. i don't want to tell my mom. I can't tell her I need help, she will just get mad.i have no one here. i stopped taking my medicine. i'm always angry. or really depressed i don't know what to do. help please?
- Amber

Sunday, Jul 29, 2007 - 10:13:05 PM
I believe people don't turn to addictions. They slowly develop them. Growing up they experiment. They like it. They have fun it makes them happy. And one day when there unhappy with the way there life is going they turn to drugs and alcohol. And somewhere down the road you will most likely get addicted.
- Amber

Sunday, Jul 29, 2007 - 10:11:45 PM
hey dawson, ummm i have an addicition that is pretty embarassing but i am addicted to * sex *. I don't know what to do with myself, can you please help?
- Jacob

Sunday, Jul 29, 2007 - 10:11:17 PM
An addiction really does stink I think pepole trun to them because they think its the easy way out! and its really not so I found out! I did not relize how many addictions I had but I just resetly relized that I have a workout addiction! I will lose it if I do not get to work out 2 hours a day 6 days a week and I have the addction because I wanted to lose so much weight and I learend everything I was doing was making me wrose not better!Anyways Dawason I think what you are doing is amazing and helpeing many many many pepole who are affried to call in and talk and you are giving hope to many! thanks Kristen
- Kristen

Sunday, Jul 29, 2007 - 10:10:12 PM
I have an addiction. I'm not going to say to what. But not many people know about it. My friend and I have the same addiction. Why do we do it? Because it makes us feel good. It relieves us. I've been thinking about quiting this addiction and replacing it with something healthier.
- Ashley

Sunday, Jul 29, 2007 - 10:09:50 PM
addiction-instant self satisfaction...thats why I think people turn to an addiction.
- brandon

Sunday, Jul 29, 2007 - 10:09:31 PM
I LOVE YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!! ..sorry.. HAHA You are so awsome
- jessie

Sunday, Jul 29, 2007 - 9:52:06 PM
hey dawson i think people turn to addictions because they have problems with something and it makes them feel good for the moment.but they feel awful after they do it and they do it again because it makes them feel good for a moment its just a never ending cycle.
- august

Sunday, Jul 29, 2007 - 9:51:49 PM
ok, so ii guess you could say i ihave a love addiction. ii am 9 months pregnant && my ex left me 2 weeks ago &&& went back ot his ex. nut this eek we have been talking && texting && calling && seeing eachother behind his girls back. he said that he doesnt love her.but anyways..... ii am so addicted to him that when im not with him ii am miserable, but when ii am with him, its like ii am just as high as a kiye! it is better than any drink or drug could provide! && the sex is great. but likewha am ii supposed to do? ii think he wants to come back, but ii dont know if ii can trust myself or whatever to make him prove to me first thta he isnt gonna leave me && my daughter again. (or well she will be born anyday now) help please! ii need advice!
- elizabeth

Sunday, Jul 29, 2007 - 9:51:05 PM
dear dawson, i love what ur doing to help teens in the time of need!!! and the teen hope line is a VERY GOOD help too!! keep up the awesone job that u do!!!! love, EMILY K
- EMILY

Sunday, Jul 29, 2007 - 9:50:49 PM
my friend is really scared of being called fat and shes like "addiced" to throwing up.Shes not fat at all and she dont believe any body when they tell her she isn't.if you can please send me a list of health afects that you can have from throwing up so i can show her them. thanks alot.
- Jess

Sunday, Jul 29, 2007 - 9:49:07 PM
Hey Dawson! I wrote to you last week about addictions, and I mentioned that I am addicted to cutting. It began over 3 years ago, when I was still in grade school. I had lost my two very best friends to different lifestyles, and it killed me inside. That was the first time I cut. I had to fina something to distract me from the pain. Since then, I have had a lot to deal with. I cut off and on, and my parents would only find out sometimes. I started again last year after being sexually assaulted. It was my way of being able to focus on what is in the present and not what was going on in my head. Again, it was a distraction from what I needed to deal with because the pain was too great to handle. I think my story is like many- everyone who has an addiction is trying to escape. No one ever imagines that it will turn into an addiction, but the pain continues, and the distraction is needed. It's survival for so many people, and it's awful that we all have to deal with them.
- Amanda

Sunday, Jul 29, 2007 - 9:48:31 PM
Im 14 and i have had a hard time with a lot of things. Every since i was in 6th grade i have cut myself and been an emotional wreck. My step dad was always real sweet until my mom went back out on the road with him. when she got back in a truck he started getting more and more p*ssy. my mom finally got sick of it and 2 months ago she decided that we were leaving him for his good friend and i had to move from middle tennessee to middle of nowhere arkansas. Every since then things have gotten worse for me because i moved in the middle of the summer and dont have any friends here yet.school doesnt start till the end of august and i dont know anyone. since i moved down here i have been cutting more and more and i dont want my mother to find out about it yet and i especially dont want herboyfriend to know.i dont know what to do.
- shauna

Sunday, Jul 29, 2007 - 8:12:07 PM
when my parents got a divorce when i was twelve thats when it started. i didn't realize how addiced to caffeine it slowly just happened. My best friend realized it and wanted to make a pact that i couldn't have caffeine for 40 days. i started freaking out like how can i do this? i relized then i had a problem after a week it was broke because i was so scared. and i'm still struggling wiht it today. but i have been trying to stay away from it mostly but it is really hard. I seem to lose self control a lot and worry about becoming addiced to other things. I have come ot the concluson that i wanted conrol of soming but i really don't control it. it can control me. i not sure how i became addiced to it or why but my thoughts are that drinking pop and cappiccino remind me of my mom i barly ever get to see. and i began nto go over board.
- Anna

Sunday, Jul 29, 2007 - 8:08:44 PM
I believe that the reason that I have an addiction to self-injury is the stress and my depression. Through out my life I was homeless, didn't know what I would eat next, and so much more. So my addiction has become something I can't live without. I feel that so many people have an addiction to many things like self-injury like myself, alcohol, drugs, and other things because of the life they currently live or have lived. Addictions become something that you can't control and you can end up hurting others and yourself. Many people that I know turned to something thinking it would end when the problems ended, but the fact is it didn't. Many people also turn to it because they may have come to reality such as a parent dying. Addictions have became something that you have to get help with.
- Ashley R.

Sunday, Jul 29, 2007 - 6:55:04 PM
Dear Mr. Dawnson McAllister, Many years ago, I heard you speak at weekend retreats. Do you still travel and speak at these retreats, or are you only doing radio now. I have a friend who would be really interested in this retreat. However, I'm not sure if the retreats are only for teens. My friend is 29. Please let me know. Thanks a lot! Please e-mail me
- Kelley

Sunday, Jul 29, 2007 - 6:54:24 PM
I just want to say how awesome this really is. Dawson, you are the coolest guy out there for caring so much about teens and young adults. I guess you could say that I am addicted to your show! I listen to it every single sunday night and when it's over I'm just thinking 'Nooooo it's over!!!' Thank you, Dawson. You really changed my life. I love you for that. :)-stay cool.
- Sarah

Sunday, Jul 29, 2007 - 5:34:35 PM
I have an addiction to my computer...which started to happen because im on disability and i have nowhere to go or anything to do and much less any money to spend.so i just fiddle around on my comp all day long..its what im used to..even tho i feel better i still sit in front of the comp..but its like what else do i have to do.because i have major depressive disorder and very low self esteem i sometimes get needy or clingy about things which tends to anger people. and i also have a friend who has a spending and is constantly negative to herself which sometimes makes me not wanna be friends with her..because shes always telling me she doesnt have any money but its because she just bought $50 pants and 40 dollars worth of makeup.she doesnt realize how much it adds up.she also compares every aspect of her and her life to someone elses...its this constant "oh i wish i was her" for one reason or another.i like my friend and shes cool but sometimes i just wanna slap her..lol too much of anything is a bad thing sometimes people dont realize what their doing is wrong until they hit the bottom or something very bad happens to them.addictions of any sort even ones that dont involve drugs can be just as hard to break..which alot of people dont understand which is why alot of people who have some type of non drug addiction never bother to get help or realize their problem.
- Emily

Saturday, Jul 28, 2007 - 10:39:36 PM
At first, my addiction was a choice that I made. Growing up, I wasn't given the priveledge of making choices for myself. I've suffered physical, emotion, and sexual abuse all of my life. To be given the choice to drink or have sex brought me comfort. I could recieve comfort and relief at any moment in the day. It was something that I could control. Now that I've started, it is too painful to stop. It's no longer a choice, but something that I can't control. I feel ashamed but I have no where to go. I am lost. Even if I conquer my addiction, it would then go back to being abuse. Whether I choose to do it or not...it WILL happen...one way or the other.
- Sarah

Saturday, Jul 28, 2007 - 8:06:48 PM
The reason I think celebrites such as Paris Hilton,Lindsay Lohan,and Britney Spears among others,have an addiction to things like drugs,alchol,and partying is because they think it would make them look tougher and cooler.I think the same is another reason why regular people also have addictions.It makes them seem cooler and tougher.
- Yevgenia

Saturday, Jul 28, 2007 - 8:02:49 PM
I think the reason why so many people have turned to an addiction is because it seems like an escape or a solution to the problems they have in their lives.Also I don't think they realize that having that addiction will create even more problems for them.
- Yevgenia

Saturday, Jul 28, 2007 - 7:59:53 PM
Hey Dawson iv been listening to you every week and i think its really amazing what your doing for kids and young adults! You give out alot of great advise and your just a kool guy!
- Emma

Saturday, Jul 28, 2007 - 7:59:14 PM
I listen to your show every sunday. i stay up untill 3 in the morning just to listen to the whole thing. and even though i havent personally called you, some of the things that people have mentioned on your show are the same problems i have and the things you say to them help me also. i just want to say thank you. not just for me. but for everybody.
- star

Saturday, Jul 28, 2007 - 7:56:59 PM
I too am a recovering addict. I went into my first drug rehab when I was 13 years old. Stayed clean by the grace of God for 5 years, but when I was 18 I stopped going to church, lost connections and started hanging out with the wrong people one thing lead to another and before I knew it I was getting high all day every day, seriously as soon as I woke up I got high, I got high every opportunity I could throughout the day and before I went to bed. For me, getting high was so I did not have to feel anymore. It was an escape for a little bit everything was okay. I now have 10 months and 27 days clean, but its often a struggle because i am not used to feeling these feelings. It's unfamiliar and it's hard.
- Kimberly

Saturday, Jul 28, 2007 - 7:45:22 PM
I know people that who are addicted and I think that they have become addicted because they were brought up around it, like there parents did it, so they thought that it was okay, to them it was just a part of life. Another way I think that people I know have become addicted is because of the peer pressure was to much for them and they gave in because they wanted to be like "everyone else" and "everyone else was doing it". I think that so many people have turned to addiction as a form of escape and the good feelings it gives them such as the "high" or the "rush", and I also believe that people have turned to addiction by believing that they can smoke just a couple of cigarettes and not become addicted but pretty soon it turns into a pack, and then two, and before you know it your addicted. I enjoy listening to you Dawson & I left you a comment on myspace also I always try to keep in touch & If I ever need anything I know where to come!! Your the best, thanks for all that you do and the many lives you have saved, and all the people you have helped along the way and the people your goin to help in the future also. I love you Dawson!! A loyal listener & Fan, Brittney =]]
- Brittney

Saturday, Jul 28, 2007 - 7:43:37 PM
My name is Beth and I'm a grateful recovering alcoholic.I had my first drink when I was 15 years old,I didn't cross that "invisible line" to aloholism until 20 yrs later, during those 20 yrs I could take or leave it, truly a "normal" drinker. But during those 20 yrs, I was a "mom-a-holic" (which by no means is a bad thing....I had my first child at 16), I also had a period of time that I was bulemic. Once I started drinking on a regular basis, within 6 months I was a full blown alcoholic, practically drinking 24/7. It took me 4 1/2 years of getting intervals of sobriety, only to follow up with relapse. The last time I drank was by far my worst, I didn't feel that "buzz" at all, I drank for less than an hour, but I hit an emotional and spiritual bottom that I will never forget. From that day until now, thanks to God and the program of Alcoholics Anonymous I haven't had a drink since. you asked the question: "If you have an addiction, tell me why. " for me, during that 4 1/2 yrs, I kept asking myself and others........why?, why?, why?....was it genetic? was I "weak", it wasn't until I STOPPED asking "why" that I got sober. Yes, while working the 12 steps, I had to get down to the causes and conditions of why I drank, but I could not continue to ask myself, "why me", that put me in a victims role, and victims DON'T stay sober. Thank you for the topic and thank you for allowing me to share my experience, strength and HOPE! During that 4 1/2 years, I kept asking myself and others
- Beth

Saturday, Jul 28, 2007 - 7:16:59 PM
peolpe get into drugs beacuse they think that it would help them get help. but it really will not beacause you they feel like they help and they dont know how to ask for help and they. so thats why i think teens get in dugs.
- elly harris

Saturday, Jul 28, 2007 - 7:12:23 PM
i listen 2 u all the time... and even though i have never talked 2 u myself... u have helped me. i think what u do is great! kids actually have someone who cares about them and wants 2 help them. u r a great person! thank u! - kristyn
- kristyn

Saturday, Jul 28, 2007 - 7:11:14 PM
well im addited to cutting. I love it so much. Every time i cut, everything that i feel is GONE! This fall it will be 3 years that i have been addited. And i cant help it, i cant go over 2 days without. I carry "tools" everywhere with me. It is what bring me up so i dont have to feel Emotional Pain, cuz ive learned Physcially pain is nothing compared to Emotional. & most ppl have something that they love... mins is just cutting.
- Samantha

Saturday, Jul 28, 2007 - 7:06:52 PM
Can I ask u something it as nothing to do about what you are even taling about. I just want to know why some husbands are so cready and such a** h***s when it comes to spending money. I mean we have a 16 month old we hardly ever have food in this house for the poor kid to eat and im about to have another baby in oct so I figured we could go out and buy a couple of things we need for the baby. Well its not that he didn't do it when we left the store and everything he started saying he didn't even want to get the stuff right now he would rather wait till the last minute. But why wait when you do need the things. I just don't know what to do anymore we have been married for almost a year and I can't deal we it. Its like he doesn't care about anything or anybody but himself. If he didn't care then why did he even marry me is it maybe bc we have a child together if thats the only reason then thats no reason to be married at all. Please write me back about what I should do I really need help. Thank You
- tammy

Saturday, Jul 28, 2007 - 2:37:56 PM
There are so many things a person can have an addiction too. I have an addiction I know I do. I wash my hands a lot. I don't feel as dirty when I wash them. But I know that washing them isn't good. But I don't want to here what any one wants to say. Because I'm in my own world ,and I just want to keep on going. I've tryed to get help but I did'nt care what the therapt had to say.
- Crystal

Friday, Jul 27, 2007 - 10:52:28 PM
I think that a lot of people turn to addiction becasue they feel that they have control over it. Over all, we know that that is not the case, but in the beginning i think that the person believes that they can stop anytime. The reason for turning to addiction? Most likely it is family problems or emotional instability. Also if you are afraid to say know you are sucked into the realms of drugs, alcohal and all of that. It is obviously veru hard to stop. But i tihnk that the main reason for turning to addiction is that you are looking for something that you may be able to control.
- Kim

Friday, Jul 27, 2007 - 10:48:45 PM
my dad is addicted to nicotine and that hurts pretty bad but my friend is annarexic and she cuts and that just broke my heart because i luv her maddie
- maddie

Friday, Jul 27, 2007 - 10:47:29 PM
I completly agree addiction is a form of escape. Even if the escape is just for a sec it doesnt matter, its still a period of time that you are not dealing with that overwhelming feeling. If you will listen im going to tell you my story and i hope it helps someone somewher. I am an addict myself and i have been dealing with this cutting thing now for 3 years. Im almost 15 and my entire life has been very disfunctional. When i was younger i use 2 be very close to my father but he has done so many terrible things to me and my family my entire life and i never saw him for who he realy was until i was old enough to be concious of him and his wrong doing. I grew up raised in a christian household and we were always taught to respect our parents. Meaning you submit to watever and never saying how angry or watevr u were because it would be disrespectful. I lived through years of emotional abuse and watching my mom put up with all kinds of crap. sometime even physical abuse once i told him how i felt. But because my family values were rooted in Christian beleifs it was very disrespectful to let him know how i felt if how i felt was good my feelings were welcomed but if how i felt was against him in anyway i was expected 2 keep them to myself. But someone can only keep strong overwhelming emotions bottled up for so long. My life was like an out of control rollercoaster and i had no control ovr anything cutting also helped me to control my life and my emotions. because i was causeing my own pain it was like this was my way of controlling my feelings. If i didnt wanna feel pain then i didnt i felt numb, i felt so bad and terrible inside that id rather be numb than feel how i felt. if i wanted to feel good i could u would think cutting would hurt bt u dont feel pain u feel good. I had so many overwhelming and out of control fellings a child my age had no idea what to do with. cutting was my escape or my coping mechanism because inside i was an emotional wreck it was like my best friend because everything just went away. cutting gave me the will to live. Cutting was like a high it was like once u did it you were emerced into a state of false calmness and all of my problems went away. But like dawson said after a while your best friend became your worst enemy. cutting was never ment to become an addiction bt soon you have to keep cutting and the more i cut the more my life spiraled out of control. Now my dad has moved out and my parents are in the process of a divorce. I havnt cut in about 2months. The addiction never goes away its a struggle almost everytime something goes wrong but its a matter of learing control and better ways of expressing your feelings. I hope no one falls into this terrible trap and Thanks dawson your the best. ~Bre
- bre

Friday, Jul 27, 2007 - 10:17:59 PM
Dear Dawson, I am lucky to say I am not addicted! I was born with Retinopathy of Prematurity or ROP. This condition consists of the photo cells slowly dying around the retina. Since I was thirteen, I have been seeing an orange color in the left corner of my right eye. My parents have been very supportive and understanding of this during the four-and-a-half years it has continued. We have been to numerous doctors, and they can't help and they have never heard of this. This past September though, I have started seeing additional colors, such as blue, pink and green. They vary from bright shades of color to dark. You need not feel any presure of responding to this message. If you would like however, maybe you could write something in this white, type-in box. Thank you
- Mary

Friday, Jul 27, 2007 - 2:02:52 PM
i agree with Dave that addiction is escape. i hang out with a bunch of people and it is like a party non stop in the summer but as soon as school hits it gets really bad. i suffer with bad grades and my parents don't understand why i can't do better in school and the reason is addiction. i'm not addicted to drugs or porn or anything like that. i am addicted to parties. if i hear about a party i am there. yeah sure i drink but not so that i am completely wasted. i hang out with people who my parents don't approve of and try to get away from their nagging tones trying to get me to be like my sister, perfect in every way. my addiction lets me escape from my parents controlling who i am and who i am going to turn out to be. lately i have realized that doing what i am doing is just messing up my mind and pushing me away from the ones that love me. while my addiction may not relate to many people to the ones that it does relate to get out of the partying scene it will damage your relationship with the ones who matter too much.
- amanda

Friday, Jul 27, 2007 - 2:02:49 PM
i know people who turn to addiction because they feel that no one cares about their lives anymore. i am recently dating one of these people and he has told me that meeting me was the one thing that saved his life. he was struggling with meth abuse and he felt he had no reason to live anymore because he thought no one cared. we met through a friend and he admits to caring to much about me to die anymore. if you just show someone that you care that person just may try to turn their life around because you gave them a reason to live.
- Ali

Friday, Jul 27, 2007 - 11:18:59 AM
I think so many people turn to an addiction as an escape. The addiction can be anything, but the escape is specific...it's the addiction of choice for the addict. I had become addicted to pornograph at a very young age (11y.o) and have been struggling ever since. This is not something that has ever gone away, in fact, I feel at times it can be stronger than ever before. The only reason I continue to return to this addiction via the internet is because it's an escape from reality. Sure it's something that I always feel guilt and shame from, but the temporary "high" I get from it outweighs the extreme guilt that I will feel from it! The only time I ever have freedom from this addiction is when I remove the source, and that happens by asking my wife to block my computer from pornography and all other forms of nudity. If I cannot access it I'm okay. Honesty with my wife is vitally important as well. I cannot hide this from her, although I may try, I always seem to fail at some point...she is not stupid! Accountability is important too. Finding someone you can trust to be open and honest with helps too. Addictions are often nipped in the bud by learning that there are antecedents, things that cause us to give in to the addiction. With this specific addiction, the acronym HALT is something I must always remember. H=Hunger, A=Anger, L=Lonely, and T=Tired. Anger and being lonely are the big ones for me and my specific addiction to pornography...Hope this helps someone
- Dave

Friday, Jul 27, 2007 - 11:18:56 AM
I think people turn to addiction because their is something missing in their life and then they get into the habbit of doing something and can't stop.Can sombody be adicted to finding the worse in people?
- Diamond Reed

Friday, Jul 27, 2007 - 11:18:53 AM
dawson what u r doing is great i really like to lisen to your show every sunday keep it up
- dylan