Nicotine addiction

[Vas Incrementum]

Yeah but when you say you've "been there and done all that " what are you saying? That you have no addictions now? That you're content?

I don't smoke, drink or do drugs, and I did them all. I have zero craving for them and don't think about using them. I don't buy newspapers or watch TV. I don't view any pornography and if I see an immodestly dressed woman, l look away.

I'm not going to list all of the addictions, there are more, I've conquered and I had no pride when I wrote those I listed. I'm not perfect. If I buy a cherry pie, I'll eat half of it in a sitting, with cream and Greek yoghurt. But having worked for years on Fortitude, I'm now starting on Temperance and have gluttony underlined on my chart.

No, I'm not contented. I want to become a saint, if God wills it and grants me the grace to acheive sanctity. All Christians are called to do so.

I understand your scepticism, but my credentials are bone fide. Not a boast, that would be sinful, just a formerly weak, pathetic man stating facts about his progress over the years, so that you know what God can do in your life if you let him.

 

[FrancisK]

No I basically agree. Thats me.

If you know something is wrong then you can work to fix it, you have a path to make it right. Don't just accept it....

 

[Tippy]

I don't smoke, drink or do drugs, and I did them all. I have zero craving for them and don't think about using them. I don't buy newspapers or watch TV. I don't view any pornography and if I see an immodestly dressed woman, l look away.

I'm not going to list all of the addictions, there are more, I've conquered and I had no pride when I wrote those I listed. I'm not perfect. If I buy a cherry pie, I'll eat half of it in a sitting, with cream and Greek yoghurt. But having worked for years on Fortitude, I'm now starting on Temperance and have gluttony underlined on my chart.

No, I'm not contented. I want to become a saint, if God wills it and grants me the grace to acheive sanctity. All Christians are called to do so.

I understand your scepticism, but my credentials are bone fide. Not a boast, that would be sinful, just a formerly weak, pathetic man stating facts about his progress over the years, so that you know what God can do in your life if you let him.

Glad for you bro.

 

[Tippy]

I don't smoke, drink or do drugs, and I did them all. I have zero craving for them and don't think about using them. I don't buy newspapers or watch TV. I don't view any pornography and if I see an immodestly dressed woman, l look away.

I'm not going to list all of the addictions, there are more, I've conquered and I had no pride when I wrote those I listed. I'm not perfect. If I buy a cherry pie, I'll eat half of it in a sitting, with cream and Greek yoghurt. But having worked for years on Fortitude, I'm now starting on Temperance and have gluttony underlined on my chart.

No, I'm not contented. I want to become a saint, if God wills it and grants me the grace to acheive sanctity. All Christians are called to do so.

I understand your scepticism, but my credentials are bone fide. Not a boast, that would be sinful, just a formerly weak, pathetic man stating facts about his progress over the years, so that you know what God can do in your life if you let him.

The real question is whether a life free from vice is the only path to contentment. It has always been an issue for me with 12 step. Ok we dont drink and call each other every day but now what?

It's also way easier for you to dunk on me for 'whining' when I've been open about my struggles and you have not.

 

[Tippy]

You don't need a support group to quit nicotine, you need to toughen up. Far too many of your posts appear to me to be you fishing for easier softer ways. Pray (I counselled you in another thread about having a disciplined prayer life and you ignored me), dig in and grind out results. Put the time and effort in like I, and many others, had to do. If you fail, start again. And stop whining, all it does is reinforce weakness.

Yes, I've been there and done all that. I speak from experience.

I don't know why you think 12 step is 'easier' or 'softer' than white knuckling addiction as well. Such groups originated from Christian principles. I don't disagree that I often look for the easier solution but it seems unfair to disparage someone who is looking to commit to a 12 step program as being weak since such programs are not easy if they are followed as intended.

 

[Vas Incrementum]

The real question is whether a life free from vice is the only path to contentment. It has always been an issue for me with 12 step. Ok we dont drink and call each other every day but now what?

It's also way easier for you to dunk on me for 'whining' when I've been open about my struggles and you have not.

It's not a question for realists, for those who are serious about coming out of bondage, it's only a question for those who want their cake and to eat it too. "God make me holy, but not too holy". I can only think that you haven't suffered enough because by the age of 29 I was crushed and willing to do anything to get better.

You think I'm dunking on you because I have your number and it rankles. That's your pride. There's nothing noble about you being open about your struggles if you aren't willing to graft. And that's the difference between us: pain made me willing to become docile, follow direction and put the work in, whereas you are not willing to do so, so you come here looking to have your milquetoast attitude validated.

 

[Vas Incrementum]

I don't know why you think 12 step is 'easier' or 'softer' than white knuckling addiction as well. Such groups originated from Christian principles. I don't disagree that I often look for the easier solution but it seems unfair to disparage someone who is looking to commit to a 12 step program as being weak since such programs are not easy if they are followed as intended.

I never said such a thing. I've mentioned on RoK many times I had been through the 12 steps. And stop being dishonest. You've previously criticised AA in this thread and now all of a sudden you're committing. Which is it?

 

[Tippy]

It's not a question for realists, for those who are serious about coming out of bondage, it's only a question for those who want their cake and to eat it too. "God make me holy, but not too holy". I can only think that you haven't suffered enough because by the age of 29 I was crushed and willing to do anything to get better.

You think I'm dunking on you because I have your number and it rankles. That's your pride. There's nothing noble about you being open about your struggles if you aren't willing to graft. And that's the difference between us: pain made me willing to become docile, follow direction and put the work in, whereas you are not willing to do so, so you come here looking to have your milquetoast attitude validated.

Dude I came here being honest with my struggles and trying to solve a problem. Berating someone and acting like they suck and are weak cos they haven't beaten it doesn't really help. It really just says more about your attitude towards yourself and addiction generally.

Also, if your life truly is as amazing as you say you wouldn't dunk on strangers on the internet.

 

[Vas Incrementum]

That's the thing, you're not being honest for the most part. The most honest thing you've written in relation to your addictions was, "no, basically I agree. That's me.", when I called you out.

I'm not your equal Tippy, I'm many decades sober and I'm giving you sound advice. There is no easy soft way. Now go find yourself a sponsor who is hard line AA and commit to the steps. Buckle down and do 90 meetings in 90 days.

 

[FrancisK]

Dude I came here being honest with my struggles and trying to solve a problem. Berating someone and acting like they suck and are weak cos they haven't beaten it doesn't really help. It really just says more about your attitude towards yourself and addiction generally.

Also, if your life truly is as amazing as you say you wouldn't dunk on strangers on the internet.

It seems to me that the man is coming from experience and trying to inspire you instead of coddling and enabling you, not dunking on you.

 

[BehindTheLines]

The real question is whether a life free from vice is the only path to contentment. It has always been an issue for me with 12 step. Ok we dont drink and call each other every day but now what?

It's also way easier for you to dunk on me for 'whining' when I've been open about my struggles and you have not.

No need to ask questions like this.

More important to acknowledge that rationalizing enslavement to multiple vices is definitively not the path to contentment.