trace_of_scarlet: Red ink-pen (Toshiko Sato is cute as a bloody button)
trace_of_scarlet ([personal profile] trace_of_scarlet) wrote2010-05-23 06:02 pm

On the off-chance someone will know:

I was wondering: someone is a recovering painkiller addict. They've been clean for a while and they go to Narcotics Anonymous meetings. Would they also tend to stay away from other addictive substances, even those that they've never had a problem with? Specifically, would they not have an alcoholic drink in a pub with friends?

[identity profile] wanttobeatree.livejournal.com 2010-05-23 04:17 pm (UTC)(link)
I'd say likely not. Addictive personalities and all that. But then again, I have no experience with addicts of any kind, so I could be wrong!

(And when I say likely not, I mean likely they wouldn't have a drink in a pub etc., not they likely wouldn't stay away from other addictive substances.)
Edited 2010-05-23 16:18 (UTC)

[identity profile] dawning-star.livejournal.com 2010-05-23 04:26 pm (UTC)(link)
Ideally, he/she wouldn't drink. A drug is a drug is a drug, no matter the form it comes in, and NA includes in their meeting readings a little blurb that says "Alcohol is a drug - period."

Some still look on alcohol as being separate or different which would easily lead to a relapse. Conversely, some alcoholics won't look on, say, taking painkillers as an addiction because their problems are just with alcohol. The disease is a tricky thing.
Edited 2010-05-23 16:26 (UTC)

[identity profile] remindmeofthe.livejournal.com 2010-05-23 05:30 pm (UTC)(link)
Unrelatedly, there is a thing (http://isaysimplewords.livejournal.com/8471.html) that may be relevant to your interests, currently filtered to Sam's journal.

(I took the liberty of writing some stuff for Sam in the body of the post, but obviously you get final say on that.)

[identity profile] bigfluffball.livejournal.com 2010-05-23 06:29 pm (UTC)(link)
We had a lecture from NA once - pretty sure it coincides with what Ali said - if they were sticking to NA they'd stay clear of them all.

However, I think if someone is addicted to one thing they are more likely to be attracted to other addictive substances, so if you wanted to use a character that way you could probably justify relapse.

You could always have them have soft drinks?
ashen_key: ([N] shades of brown and gold)

[personal profile] ashen_key 2010-05-24 12:14 am (UTC)(link)
Speaking as someone who DOES have an addictive personality...that personality is a large reason why I don't drink. So, I'd find it reasonable that Reid - no matter WHY he was addicited - to avoid things that are addictive.

[identity profile] plum177.livejournal.com 2010-05-24 01:27 am (UTC)(link)
Since we're talking about Reid, although I don't think it's stated in canon, I'm not sure he would drink again in the aftermath of the dilaudid addiction.

He's smart, he knows all the statistics and he'd be sensible enough and probably scared enough by the prospect not to take the risk of developing another addiction by degrees. Also I think Penny would get all of this and help him along. If ever there was anyone who could have masses of fun without the aid of any alcohol whatsoever, it's Penelope Garcia. :D

Of course I have nothing practical to back any of this up, but it makes sense in my head. Hope it helps. :) I might try and keep an eye out for dear Spencer, I haven't done any RPing in ages. I miss it.