Personally, I've been addicted to sugar and caffeine. I was also on an antidepressant called Citalopram for some time. What are you addicted to?

My dad has been addicted to alcohol for as long as I can remember. He is a very angry drunk and very loud. I worry that he may one day drive under the influence. I'm very glad I live with him right now, so I can watch over him and make sure to be the voice of reason. I don't want him hurting someone else!! He is so addicted that just the thought of drinking and knowing he's about to get some drives him crazy and he gets all hyped up.

I feel like a very strong person because I came of my depression pills and did fine. Not saying it was easy, but I didn't lose it. Do you think addiction can be fought easier if you have more willpower to fix something?

__________________
-Brittany Brydahl

Sometimes willpower alone is not enough, a person needs professional help. Has your dad ever tried to get it? There are special programs, but of course he must first decide that he wants to be treated and stop it. You can't do it for him.

My father was a lifelong smoker. I remember him trying to quit many times when I was a kid, many times. I wouldn't say he was a weak person, but he just couldn't do it.

Willpower is the biggest tool one has in beating any type of addiction and most people use it to rid themselves of theirs. However, there are some addictions that are so cored into your brain that even willpower is not enough to get them out of your system. That's when the professionals and rehabs come in.

Thanks to both of you for responding! I realize that my dad can never fix it unless he wants to do it for himself. What frustrates me most is that he keeps promising me that he's going to fix it. I don't want him to promise, I want him to do it. By promising, he's putting too much pressure on himself and then when he 'slips up', he's feeling TERRIBLE about himself. He hasn't had a job in I don't know how many years, and it's just becoming a burden on all of us. With my grandma having cancer, and us really needing help around here, he doesn't do much. All he seems to care about is himself and I hate to say it, he's not a very nice person.

__________________
-Brittany Brydahl

Sorry to hear about your situation Brittany. It must be so hard for you and your grandma. Perhaps tThe next time your dad promises to stop drinking you could suggest him to take a stronger step in the right direction and go to a counselor? Or join an AA group?

I stopped drinking in May 2008. I had a real problem and I was starting to lose control.

I did it with will power and it was...still is very very difficult. I still have the drink craving, I have one right now, but I never want to be that person again.

My dad was addicted to soda and hamburgers. I know that it doesn't sound like much, but he would compulsively buy and drink sodas and hamburgers. I'm just glad that he didn't drink alcohol because if he drank it as much as he drank soda, he'd be an alcoholic. Once he gave it up, he lost a lot of weight.