SI as an addictive behaviour?

Post by **strmdncr** » Wed Sep 05, 2007 6:12 pm

I was reading something where someone mentioned that si is an addictive behaviour, along the same lines as drug and/or alcohol use. I'm just wondering if anyone has thoughts on this, along the lines of will a person who si's always be in recovery or an addict like one is who decides to stop using alcohol/drugs? I'm trying to get some thoughts on this b/c I would like to have an idea as to whether I will ever be past having urges to go shopping for si tools, or urges to si in order to deal with stressful situations or if it is something that I will always need to be aware of in my life so I have a better idea of what to expect as my si free time increases.

Li'lRuby · Post by **Li'lRuby** » Wed Sep 05, 2007 9:29 pm

I took a couple psych courses and stuff, also an addiction couse, and it was mentioned in some ways. First of all, when the body reacts to pain the brain sends out endorphins-the bodies natural painkillers. These painkillers are considered the brain's own opiates (morphine, heroin, opium). So when the body reacts to pain, it sends out these hormones. How I've had it explained, runners get addicted to this because when the body realizes that there is too much pain in too much time (ie: a person runs every day and makes sure he presses himself to higher goals) the body sends out a flow of these endorphines, which in turn gives a rush or a mild high.
I have never had it explained to me regarding SI or cutting or anything in that way (I think these issues are just coming out as per say "addictions" since "old school" is still thinking substance addiction).
Personally-I think people who SI and cut are addicted to it in a way. I know I was. However how the body is involved--I don't know anything else than what I explained.
Does this help?

break the dayx3 · Post by **break the dayx3** » Fri Sep 07, 2007 1:36 am

From personal experience I can truthfully say it is more addictive than smoking. =/ Thats all I have to say but, it does say its an addictive behavior. Most people on hear will agree it is.

Licentia Poetica · Post by **Licentia Poetica** » Fri Sep 07, 2007 1:30 pm

I've found that it's different for different people. Personally, I have never felt a strong "physical addiction" to it, like people describe as with alcohol, drugs, etc.

What's hard for me is the *psychological* addiction. The fact that it becomes so ingrained for you - it's almost like you feel your being and personality is dependant on it.

Those things are the hardest to let go of imho.

heidi4battle · Post by **heidi4battle** » Fri Sep 07, 2007 11:27 pm

By my personal experiences I consider myself an SI addict because I need it just like a drug addict will need there drug. I am not sure if you can physically be addicted to SI but I believe that emotional you can be.

Ruby Tuesday · Post by **Ruby Tuesday** » Sun Sep 09, 2007 5:23 pm

For me, I think it is addictive. Even when I'm well, it will cross my mind, but I am much more able to dismiss it. When I'm unwell, it becomes much more difficult to deal with things, so my mind goes in seach of other coping methods. Sometimes, unfortunately, this leads to SI. So, addiction in the sense that it's a well-trodden path in my brain!

vampirelover · Post by **vampirelover** » Sun Sep 09, 2007 8:49 pm

"An addiction is a recurring compulsion by an individual to engage in some specific activity." That sound how i feel about SI to me.
I also found this on Wikipedia
"Psychological dependence does not have to be limited only to substances; even activities and behavioral patterns can be considered addictions, if they are harmful, e.g. gambling, Internet use, usage of computers, sex / pornography, eating, self-harm, vandalism or work."

Quiet little Angel · Post by **Quiet little Angel** » Sun Sep 09, 2007 9:51 pm

i'd like to second what Licentia Poetica said... and add, that no matter what replys you get here noone can tell you if you'll ever get over the urges... i think some will always feel like they're in recovery but surely some will reach a point where they feel recovered... it's very individual... noone can say that you can't recover from SI, if you ever feel recovered, then that's what you are... personally i don't think i'll ever reach that, but i'd like to hope...

VNPixie · Post by **VNPixie** » Mon Sep 10, 2007 4:28 am

So I am new here. I think it is an addiction. You are in recovery and may relapse at anytime. I was clean and free for a couple of years, but here I am. back to it for a year now.

dncn4lyfe77 · Post by **dncn4lyfe77** » Mon Sep 10, 2007 4:47 am

its an addiction hands down

Licentia Poetica · Post by **Licentia Poetica** » Mon Sep 10, 2007 6:48 am

I just thought I'd add that SI is only a symptom of a bigger disease. While the addiction aspect is definitely a factor, the further you go into a healthy lifestyle, relationship with yourself, develop self esteem and defeat the issues of depression and anxiety that plague you - the further away the world of self harm and destruction will seem.

Kansaland · Post by **Kansaland** » Mon Sep 10, 2007 7:40 am

I had never hear of that but I feel it is something I will always live with and not nessasarly do but have to work on.

pelagic · Post by **pelagic** » Wed Sep 12, 2007 5:57 am

I think it's addictive...

But then, maybe not as much as drugs/alcohol.

styled_wrong · Post by **styled_wrong** » Thu Sep 20, 2007 12:59 pm

i agree i do think it is an addictive behaviour i find that sometimes i dont have a reason to si i just feel a need to

Arcana · Post by **Arcana** » Thu Sep 20, 2007 3:58 pm

Totally addictive, in my experience. It's almost exactly like all other addictions: tends to start out small, and you need more and more the longer it goes on.

Of course, like other addictions, you can manage it. It takes work, but it's possible.

Roxi · Post by **Roxi** » Sat Oct 06, 2007 11:03 pm

Licentia Poetica, I think that when SI becomes repetitve instead of episodic it moves away from only being a symptom of a bigger problem to being a symptom and a problem on its own

... and yes an addiction too, definately. All that stuff on endorphin release = physical addiction, and then psychological addction in terms of a coping mechanism etc...

Personally i feel i HAVE to regard SI as an addiction- i was SI free for a year and a half, hardly had any urges.... then BANG, i relapsed- it came back worse than ever before. I thought i had gotten rid of it forever-- but was proved wrong.

Chaocontrol6 · Post by **Chaocontrol6** » Tue Oct 09, 2007 7:31 am

I do agree, I do think it is an addiction, even from the word GO. My nan always said "the first cigarette will make you never stop smoking" or something along those lines and I wish I had thought of that with SI-ing, but like other people i know off when they started smoking, they thought they could have 1 and get away withit, then another and then another.

I only did small cuts, and I didn't think it'd turn to deeper cuts and more of them. So it is extremely difficult to stop, I just hope I can get rid of this, and I hope everyone can do the best they can too

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SI as an addictive behaviour?

SI as an addictive behaviour?

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