Climbers vs. Junkies... A lifestyle comparison.
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"What is interesting for me about this post is having climbed with a few addicts (former addicts) is how they have absolutely seemed, to my evaluation anyway, to have replaced a drug addiction with climbing. They are the most adamant and committed climbers I know. The adrenaline appears to be a solid drug replacement." |
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lewisslc wrote:As a former Addict (3 years sober) all i do is climb. All i think about, even to the detriment to other areas in my life. If i don't get to climb what i want/when i want, or as much as possible, the 'withdrawal' becomes apparent in my mood and actions. I wouldn't say adrenaline has anything to do with it, but rather, the sense of accomplishment... i am a fiend for the 'Sending' emotion. Seems to be getting worse with getting older as well, knowing there is a limited time left... There should be a balance though, as others have mentioned. I lack this balance...That's interesting, thanks for sharing. So, serious question here: "Would you describe it as more of a compulsion or impulsion model than an addiction model?" IE: Addiction is generally desensitized to the 'drug' with size/frequency of dose, and satiated to a degree with a moderate bolus. Compulsions are not, necessarily... Of course there are many other ideas around that, but I bet you get where I am headed with that. Both can "build up" on a withdrawal, so that's less useful of a model. I guess that the 'adrenaline' question can be answered, perhaps, by considering the effect of non-exciting climbing. But a lot more goes on with neurotransmitters and climbing than adrenaline - IE Dopamine, which is linked to all accepted modern models of addition since that's the reward pathway for the SNc. |
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Thanks for all of the comments. It's super cool to see the different responses this generated. |
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I could not help but notice so many egos out there. Not that I am naive to that, but in my quest for serenity I have discovered the liberating powers of egolessness. Namaste. |
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leon wrote:I could not help but notice so many egos out there. Not that I am naive to that, but in my quest for serenity I have discovered the liberating powers of egolessness.Hmmm... you have achieved something you correctly point out that many of us have not. Are you proud of that? (wink wink). |
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Marta Reece wrote:Keep writing, Ryan Derrick. If you start a blog, I will follow it, and recommend it to my friends. Thanks for posting.Thanks Marta! Just got around to the blog. www.pacmountaineering.com |
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Good read. I like it. But did you mean to end the first paragraph with the words "rock climbing"? I expected those two words to be "getting high". |
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Well written. This was written before I started climbing or joined MP, but these words are so relevant to my life right now. I'm going to quit my job one of these days.... |
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So glad I ran across this again! Bump to the top!!! |
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Jared Moore wrote: I do concur.I concur with this concurrence. In layman's terms: WRITE A BLOG |
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rDerrick wrote: Thanks Marta! Just got around to the blog. pacmountaineering.comYAY! |
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She's Such a B wrote:What is interesting for me about this post is having climbed with a few addicts (former addicts) is how they have absolutely seemed, to my evaluation anyway, to have replaced a drug addiction with climbing. They are the most adamant and committed climbers I know. The adrenaline appears to be a solid drug replacement.My gym is working with phoenix multisport, an organization that helps former addicts get into d sports. Really love the idea. |
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I've always said that first ascents are like heroin. You just can't get enough of them. |