Americans Only

[Bocefish]

If you had the ultimate golden opportunity to enact three laws, what would they be?

Examples... legalize pot & prostitution and set term limits for politicians.

 

[THE MOLLIE MARIE]

Those would probably be my choices, honestly.

 

[heybarkeep]

Not exactly laws but

A complete overhaul of the prison system that focuses more on rehabilitation. Stricter sentencing for hard drug pushers. Heroin possession with intent to distribute would have a brutal mandatory sentencing. Lighter sentences for all non violent users. Country wide legalization of marijuana.

Free healthcare for those that can pass a physical. Free fitness classes for the obese. The obesity epidemic is as out of control as heroin in America but instead of a solution, people are more worried about fat acceptance and not hurting feelings and other stupid shit while not addressing the problem. America is overdosing on Big Macs and Fentanyl with no end in sight.

Much stricter gun ownership laws. A pipe dream perhaps but things badly need to change. No clue where to start with this one.

 

[Emberblaze]

Not exactly laws but

A complete overhaul of the prison system that focuses more on rehabilitation. Stricter sentencing for hard drug pushers. Heroin possession with intent to distribute would have a brutal mandatory sentencing. Lighter sentences for all non violent users. Country wide legalization of marijuana.

Free healthcare for those that can pass a physical. Free fitness classes for the obese. The obesity epidemic is as out of control as heroin in America but instead of a solution, people are more worried about fat acceptance and not hurting feelings and other stupid shit while not addressing the problem. America is overdosing on Big Macs and Fentanyl with no end in sight.

Much stricter gun ownership laws. A pipe dream perhaps but things badly need to change. No clue where to start with this one.

Soooo disabled people that can't pass a physical just continue to get screwed over as they are now?

 

[JickyJuly]

1. politician overhaul. pay politicians based on what their average constituent's salary is. mandate that they send their children to public school, use public transportation a percentage of the time etc. mandate that 50% of political positions must be held by women.
2. legalize and tax drugs heavily. jail time only for unauthorized dealers. use profits to fund affordable rehab programs, support displaced children affected by addiction, create parenting classes, fund solar and wind power, improve communities.
3. treat any hitting of a child by an adult (including spanking/hand smacking etc) as domestic violence.

 

[Val Vega]

1. Universal healthcare.

2. Universal basic income.

3. A law establishing proportional representation in governance.

 

[Ms_Gingersnatch]

Good stuff!

I'd also vote for universal healthcare and universal income.

I'd really love to legalize marriage with more than one person at a time, providing that all parties are informed, consenting adults. I think my ideal relationship status is second wife, but I don't like the feeling of being a "secondary" partner with no rights.

If I can cheat slightly and count universal healthcare/income as a single wish, I'd also legalize prostitution. (I think weed is going to get legalized without any magical wishes.)

 

[heybarkeep]

Soooo disabled people that can't pass a physical just continue to get screwed over as they are now?

I didn't feel it necessary to mention that certain people would be exempt from taking the physical.

 

[TokenGesture]

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[CharlieCharma]

1. Single payer system for healthcare
2. Decrimnalize prostitution & drugs
3. Body cameras always on for all cops

 

[CharlieCharma]

Free healthcare for those that can pass a physical. Free fitness classes for the obese. The obesity epidemic is as out of control as heroin in America but instead of a solution, people are more worried about fat acceptance and not hurting feelings and other stupid shit while not addressing the problem. America is overdosing on Big Macs and Fentanyl with no end in sight.

Double posting, sorry. I don't agree with this for several reasons. If an obese person ends up in the hospital they will still have to be treated. But who foots that bill? Poor people are overwhelmingly more likely to be obese. They're not going to. Universal healthcare works because everyone throws down on it in the form of taxes and the healthy people are cheaper to see(yeah, that is super condensed, but I don't want to write paragraphs on this). It wouldn't make sense financially to only cover part of the population. Also, addiction is a disease. We are obviously over prescribing pain killers. But do you think most addicts just went straight to heroin? They didn't. I have a good friend who addicted to heroin. He first got hooked on pain killers after a car accident when he was a teenager. Things progressed. He got clean for 10 years, then relapsed recently. Addiction is life long. To stay clean off drugs, a support system has to be there. Doctors are a part of that support system. A lot of poor people don't have time to stay healthy while working two jobs and raising a family. Just telling them "no health care for you" isn't going to work in fixing this nation's obesity problem.

Edit: Sorry for jumping back and forth between topics. I think decriminalizing drugs so that way people aren't thrown in jail when seeking help or when oding, but rather put into treatments is a great place to start for opioid overdoses as well as stricter policies on who gets prescribed them. I think the obesity problem is going to be a lot harder to fix.

 

[EspiKvlt]

1. Universal health care.
2. Decriminalize drugs and FSSW.
3. Universal basic income.

 

[heybarkeep]

Also, addiction is a disease.

A disease easily cured with a bit of self control and willpower. Sorry but I don't believe alcoholism or addiction are real diseases. Just an easy way to excuse poor behavior and a lack of discipline. I've also seen plenty of people switch from percs to heroin so while appreciated, a schooling on the subject matter was unnecessary.

Your post made me think of those hilarious rehab commercials, an episode of South Park, and a Mitch Hedberg joke. So thanks for that.

 

[Dan Epstein]

I'm not an American, but I've seen what different additions can do to loved ones. One of the typical mistakes of social wisdom towards addicts is that they lack discipline or self containment, or that they're lazy.
Anyone who visited an AA session, or had to take someone to 12 steps for gambling, knows that some addictions are a full time job that consumes the addict, like a disease. Isolating addicts and despising them has proven to escalate the addiction in both lab rats and human beings so far. Some of the strongest people I've met, were addicts at the same time. It's hard to accept, but it's a part of the complexity of the lives of many addicts. I know addicts that I love, despite their addiction. I don't encourage it, but I don't condemn or despise them.

 

[Lucid1]

Bocefish,

Not to split hairs, or come off as disrespectful, but are you talking federal, state or local laws?

A lot of laws could do well at the local level, while others would do better at the state or federal level. It all depends on the scope of the proposed law(s) and what it intended to achieve. I'm against laws that would work to financially enslave law abiding citizens into paying or being taxed for the mistakes or indiscretion of others, or would work to redistribute wealth from some form of "socialistic" ideology. That being said, I would propose the following:

1. I would propose a federal law that would repeal any "laws of intent". Most Americans don't know how big of an issue this is becoming.
2. I would propose a law that would require companies to establish equal wage scales regardless of sex.
3. I would propose a law that would require mandatory, long-term minimum sentences for anyone convicted of child sex trafficking offenses.

 

[EmiliaSong]

1. Redefining money as currency, not speech, and corporations as companies, not humans. <= This unravels the system of legalized bribery between politicians, lobbyists, and the uber-rich, thus forcing the politicians to stop fundraising all the time and actually do their damned jobs as representatives of the American citizenry. Then they might actually get to work on those super popular policies like. . .

2. Medicare for all. It's the most efficient method for achieving universal healthcare which a) drives drug and medical service prices down because of collective bargaining, b) creates jobs, c) promotes economic growth by keeping people out of staggering medical debt (which means more disposable income therefore more money for us entertainers), d) ensures the population has easy access to care when the next epidemic inevitably arrives (please look up antibiotic resistence if you don't know about it already!), and e) keeps everyone else in your life covered, so even if your ass doesn't need it (for now. . .), at least your family and friends won't be fucked over by medical bills. Oh, and did I mention the most widely supported version is cheaper for everyone in the lower 80% income range, including those paying uninsured Obamacare penalties?

3. A Green New Deal. Our planet is fucked, and the U.S. needs a massive infrastructure overhall. The market as it stands is immune to longterm forethought, so waiting for private companies do take the lead is counterproductive. We need the largest organized group in the U.S. to get the game plan in motion.

 

[Deleted member 37064]

1) Restructure the elected officials positions (this could apply to all levels of officials)
- Return the Senators to be paid by the states they represent, rather than Federal employees
- Force them to adhear to any and all laws that they enact. Such as they must take part in health care laws, not their own plan. "Eat their own poison" if you want to say that.
- Term limits for all positions. If the highest elected offical in the US is limited to two elected terms as President. Then every other elected official should be held to the same standard.
- Elected officials shall not take money from "Non-Person" entities: Corporations, Non-Profits, PACs/SuperPACs, etc. Either during election, or as "gifts" while in office
- Remove the "lifetime salary" they receive once they leave office.
- During election season, elected officials shall not skip sessions and campaign for others, or for another position they are seeking election for.
- Many other things I can't think of at this time...

2) Reduce the number of laws we have down to more simple, and basic ones that cover a broader range of related items For example, dui/dwi, distracted driving, speeding, etc. should all fall under negligence and the sentencing guidelines should be based upon the severity of the outcome of their actions. There's far too many laws on the books, which causes confusion of the legal system. This would also reduce the backlog of legal cases since many of them throw as many different infractoins on someone as possible hoping they'll get them in something... Also, any and all bills submitted can not be "omnibus" or have unrelated items. Everything associated with that bill shall be explicitly related to it (No education bills which may have defense spending attached to it).

3) Simplify the tax code by eliminating all income (wages, capital gains, property, etc) based taxes and go to a pure consumption (sales) tax system. This would also have the side effect of shrinking our overly bloated government down to a more manageable size.



There's more. But, you said just three...

 

[EspiKvlt]

Addiction is an extremely deadly disease that can KILL you when you ATTEMPT TO GET CLEAN. My dad is finally trying to get clean after being an alcoholic since at least I was born, and the doctor told him he needs to go to rehab so that he DOESN'T DIE. People who quit heroin are RISKING THEIR LIVES TO GET CLEAN.

It IS a fucking disease, and no, it is not "easily cured."

 

[Val Vega]

3) Simplify the tax code by eliminating all income (wages, capital gains, property, etc) based taxes and go to a pure consumption (sales) tax system. This would also have the side effect of shrinking our overly bloated government down to a more manageable size.

So the rich can get richer and the poor get poorer? No thanks, I'll pass on your highly regressive ideas for taxation. Tax the everliving FUCK out of the rich.

 

[n_i_c_u]

Addiction is an extremely deadly disease that can KILL you when you ATTEMPT TO GET CLEAN.

I think that there was an actor that just died trying to beat the alcohol addiction:

http://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/actor-s-death-spotlights-risks-detoxing-alone-n781906

It seems little different than having to deal with a disease from a mosquito bite. The only difference is how one goes about keeping themselves distant from the outside world. The reaction the body takes to responding to a disease infected mosquito and that of booze withdraw are amazing in what the exhibited human responses convey as the human body responds to infection/withdrawl. I know, no particular disease from a mosquito can equal the same as that from alcohol but one does have to admit that

• Insomnia
• Tremors
• Anxiety
• Digestive discomfort
• Loss of appetite
• Headache
• Excessive perspiration
• Heart palpitations

are symptomatic of many diseases borne by insects or plants.

A good friend of mine had a father-in-law that quit drinking. Every day after he ended his shift at his job he would go and hang out with his buddies at the corner bar. This was a behavior done by average guys of the WWII era. I'm guessing a lot of mental demons and just a time when a bar was a big deal. They weren't drinking beers. On some Fridays he would bring his wife and kids for the cheap fish dinners. I guess he was a real asshole when drunk (which his buddies, and not his family, liked). He didn't last long after he quit. I may have heard his voice once but his voice remained in the vocal thoughts of his daughter and son-in-law. His body just couldn't survive without the booze.

 

[Deleted member 37064]

So the rich can get richer and the poor get poorer? No thanks, I'll pass on your highly regressive ideas for taxation.

What is there to disagree about this on? It is the fairest tax option there is. It eliminates any and all legal loopholes that the lawmakers may try and create, whether deliberately or inadvertantly. It also provides a higher tax base automatically due to those with higher incomes typically buying higher priced ticket items. The same holds true for if we went to a pure, flat tax with zero deductions. If everyone pays, for example, 20% of their income in taxes, the wealthy automatically pay in a larger tax amount. Again, exact same percentage but a higher dollar amount is paid in.

Additionally, it nearly eliminates one giant section of the Gov't: The IRS. Freeing up those resources can be used one of two ways: 1) Reduce taxes overall so people have more money in their pocket 2) Allows for the money spent on that BS Gov't arm to be diverted elsewhere that can be better utilized for things like Medicare, education, etc. Ever look into how much money the IRS wastes each year in terms of manpower, printed documents, etc?

If you want to pay more in taxes, by all means. Write a check to the Gov't saying you want to. But, don't speak for me on it. I prefer to donate my time, money and resources where I want to put them that I know does the most good and I can see it put to use: my local community. Not some nameless and faceless entity that is ripe with corruption, misuse and abuse of the system.

 

[IsabellaSnow]

A disease easily cured with a bit of self control and willpower. Sorry but I don't believe alcoholism or addiction are real diseases. Just an easy way to excuse poor behavior and a lack of discipline. I've also seen plenty of people switch from percs to heroin so while appreciated, a schooling on the subject matter was unnecessary.

Your post made me think of those hilarious rehab commercials, an episode of South Park, and a Mitch Hedberg joke. So thanks for that.

Addiction is actually genetic, so I would count it as an inherited disease. Those with addictive personalities become hooked to substances basically instantly and find it nearly impossible to stop. A lot of recovered addicts will state that they will always be addicts, they were born that way. Having watched many people becoming addicted to substances I can vouch for this, they will become addicted to various different substances or activities, and they often come from a family history of addiction. I do not have an addictive personality in the slightest, I cannot even imagine what it feels like. Whatever I do or take I never feel that urge to have more. It would be unreasonable for me to stand there and say that addicts have no self control when something about my body or my psychology cannot pick up addiction.

Proof that it is inherited comes when you go to countries where alcohol has been introduced to residents and they now have high problems with addiction, when those from northern countries have built up a tolerance. I will not deny that getting over alcohol addiction takes a high level of will power and self control, but that does not mean that those who have that addiction have less will power or self control than a non addicted person.
Addiction is much like any other mental or physical health condition. Addicts cannot stop being addicts anymore than you can tell a depressed person to just "be happy", just as an ill person cannot just "get better". It is a long process which takes a lot of work.

But hey, don't listen to me, listen to the medical experts and organisations which have specifically chosen to define addiction as a disease. Make a google search and you will find all the information you need as to why "will power" is not always enough.

People with addiction should not be blamed for suffering from the disease. All people make choices about whether to use substances. However, people do not choose how their brain and body respond to drugs and alcohol, which is why people with addiction cannot control their use while others can. People with addiction can still stop using – it’s just much harder than it is for someone who has not become addicted.

Also I disagree that you should get free healthcare if you pass a medical test. That makes no sense. Healthy people are often not the people who need free medical care as they are generally fit to work and need barely more than the odd check up. It's people who are suffering from ill health who then cannot earn and have to pay for medical bills as well as living who are the people who need help. IMO either you give people free healthcare or you don't.

I'm not American, but something that keeps coming up which is pretty shocking are some of the laws around women, rape and abortion. All laws that seem to be made by middle aged dudes. I would definitely have a straight up law for human rights aimed towards women that there wouldn't be able to be laws put in place which could take a woman's control of her own body from her. For example, in one state the law that a woman cannot revoke consent once given, even if the man starts beating her up or she's in pain. Something which has led to rapists being able to claim that at first consent was given (even if it wasn't). Also laws that require a man's permission for abortion even if it was rape, incest or an abusive relationship are fucked up.
Oh and obviously prostitution should be legal. All that making it illegal does is put the workers in danger of abuse and stop them from paying taxes.

 

[n_i_c_u]

Additionally, it nearly eliminates one giant section of the Gov't

That's more unemployment. I hate to say that, but, what else would the people that work for the IRS do if they can't mess with Americans? Wouldn't it be weird to see them homeless and out on the streets with a tip jar in their work clothes?

 

[Val Vega]

20% of $100,000 vs 20% of $30,000 is a hell of a difference when you're talking about personal income. That 20% means a fuck ton more to the person making less than it does to someone making more. Taxes are driven by people spending at the bottom on goods and services that are essential. You're just creating a system that punishes the poor and enriches the rich even further since most of their financial interests are in property, capital goods, and capital gains.

Taxes should be HIGHER. We should be taxing the rich, their property, their capitals gains, and capital goods harder and harder. They benefit inordinately from society, yet contribute very little to its upkeep. We need MORE services, like universal healthcare, to take care of our society.

 

[Deleted member 37064]

That's more unemployment. I hate to say that, but, what else would the people that work for the IRS do if they can't mess with Americans? Wouldn't it be weird to see them homeless and out on the streets with a tip jar in their work clothes?

While I know you're joking...

They'd do the exact same thing that others should do when their jobs are eliminated: retrain and get back into the workforce with a different job that pays more than the old one which could have been eliminated due to automation, etc. This has been occurring for decades. Look at textiles, manufacturing, etc that were lost to overseas markets due to lower labor rates, better tax laws and EPA regulation.

 

[Dan Epstein]

Addiction is actually genetic, so I would count it as an inherited disease. Those with addictive personalities become hooked to substances basically instantly and find it nearly impossible to stop. A lot of recovered addicts will state that they will always be addicts, they were born that way. Having watched many people becoming addicted to substances I can vouch for this, they will become addicted to various different substances or activities, and they often come from a family history of addiction. I do not have an addictive personality in the slightest, I cannot even imagine what it feels like. Whatever I do or take I never feel that urge to have more. It would be unreasonable for me to stand there and say that addicts have no self control when something about my body or my psychology cannot pick up addiction.

Proof that it is inherited comes when you go to countries where alcohol has been introduced to residents and they now have high problems with addiction, when those from northern countries have built up a tolerance. I will not deny that getting over alcohol addiction takes a high level of will power and self control, but that does not mean that those who have that addiction have less will power or self control than a non addicted person.
Addiction is much like any other mental or physical health condition. Addicts cannot stop being addicts anymore than you can tell a depressed person to just "be happy", just as an ill person cannot just "get better". It is a long process which takes a lot of work.

But hey, don't listen to me, listen to the medical experts and organisations which have specifically chosen to define addiction as a disease. Make a google search and you will find all the information you need as to why "will power" is not always enough.


Also I disagree that you should get free healthcare if you pass a medical test. That makes no sense. Healthy people are often not the people who need free medical care as they are generally fit to work and need barely more than the odd check up. It's people who are suffering from ill health who then cannot earn and have to pay for medical bills as well as living who are the people who need help. IMO either you give people free healthcare or you don't.

I'm not American, but something that keeps coming up which is pretty shocking are some of the laws around women, rape and abortion. All laws that seem to be made by middle aged dudes. I would definitely have a straight up law for human rights aimed towards women that there wouldn't be able to be laws put in place which could take a woman's control of her own body from her. For example, in one state the law that a woman cannot revoke consent once given, even if the man starts beating her up or she's in pain. Something which has led to rapists being able to claim that at first consent was given (even if it wasn't). Also laws that require a man's permission for abortion even if it was rape, incest or an abusive relationship are fucked up.
Oh and obviously prostitution should be legal. All that making it illegal does is put the workers in danger of abuse and stop them from paying taxes.

I hate to be annoying, and I have lots of respect for you, however would you deflate gambling, Cocaine and alcohol in the same genetic, and generic section? Would cigarettes require a 12 step program? Just asking. Is there a possibility that addiction is a subject broad enough to have diversity?

 

[Val Vega]

While I know you're joking...

They'd do the exact same thing that others should do when their jobs are eliminated: retrain and get back into the workforce with a different job that pays more than the old one which could have been eliminated due to automation, etc. This has been occurring for decades. Look at textiles, manufacturing, etc that were lost to overseas markets due to lower labor rates, better tax laws and EPA regulation.

Better tax laws? You mean tax laws that allow companies to skirt paying their fair share? And you mean being able to skirt regulations that protect human lives and the environment? Yeah, that's just swell.

 

[IsabellaSnow]

I hate to be annoying, and I have lots of respect for you, however would you deflate gambling, Cocaine and alcohol in the same genetic, and generic section? Would cigarettes require a 12 step program? Just asking. Is there a possibility that addiction is a subject broad enough to have diversity?

You're not being annoying. Remember that genetics are not just your physical ability to become addicted to something, but also your psychological predisposition to becoming addicted. People think of psychological and physical illnesses as being different categories, but really they are all part of the same body and have enormous effects on one another. Both cocaine and gambling are psychological addictions rather than physical (like heroin, alcohol or cigarettes), so yes I would put them into the same category, and genetics would make it more or less likely that you would become addicted to either of these things.

An example could be that people who are addicted to alcohol or heroin are often more likely to become gambling addicts, even though it is a completely different activity with a very different high. Though some people might have addictions to a certain substance or high, if I were to wager a guess, those people are addicted due to experiences in their life rather than a natural predisposition.
I have been addicted to sex/love because I have had traumatic experiences surrounding that, but I cannot become addicted to substances. And when I resolved my issues, the addiction disappeared. This addiction was caused by nurture rather than nature. This could be the same for a functional drug addict who hates their job and takes coke, MDMA or drinks alcohol every weekend. They don't necessarily feel the need for it every day, but they get addicted to the high that they expect at the weekend. These people could stop, but they don't want to, therefore it becomes a need. I would definitely class that as an addiction. Put that life experience with a natural predisposition to becoming compulsively addicted and it would be very easy to go from being functional to not functional.

For those in certain societies we have a certain immunity to becoming addicted, I guess because we drink alcohol. I have no idea if that causes something in the brain to be less likely to be addicted to other substances. I imagine it wouldn't discriminate as most drugs, sex and gambling tend to effect similar parts of the brain. I am not an expert in this, I'd studied it a bit and have observed addiction, but I am just speculating.

As for cigarettes requiring a 12 step programme, they are very addictive, but I guess with cigarettes you don't tend to ruin your life and relationships in the same way as more potent substances. If you overeat, gamble, drink, take heroin etc, you are likely to have a very physical difference in your life which you may not be able to talk about with friends. Smoking on the other hand has been normalised. You also don't really get a "high" from it, and it's unlikely that you'll spend your life savings over night. Medical issues tend to be invisible on the outside. I guess if you quit smoking you're more likely to gain support from friends and family, and if you fall off the wagon it isn't exactly the end to your life or career. So no, I don't think you need AA meetings for smoking, but that doesn't mean it's any easier to quit or that you don't need support from your loved ones and healthcare providers. Addiction is diverse because people are. Any situation where you are talking about human's, especially when it involves psychology, you can't just make broad "everyone is like this" statements. If I were to categorise addictions I would put them into physical- aka heroin etc. Psychological- aka cocaine, gambling etc. And I don't know what I'd call the last one, emotional? Experience based? Which could be anything. Anyone can become addicted to something, but genetics do seem to determine how easy it is to become addicted and how hard it is to quit.

Anyway, I will stop thread derailing. It just bugs me when people say ignorant comments about other people's experiences. It's so easy to sit on your pedestal and judge others, but at the end of the day, we all have our own mountains to climb in life. Some people's are just higher and taller than others. Criticising addicts and saying that have no willpower is like climbing up a hill and then gloating that you got to the top before someone else climbed a mountain.

 

[n_i_c_u]

Would cigarettes require a 12 step program?

I serriously don't know what my problem is but I have had a girlfriend quit just like that! ANNND I have a Romanian model that I would consider a friend who quit almost over night---and this is while her mom and all her real friends smoke.

In college I witnessed the 12 step program by going with a group of students to a drug/alcohol group (one student said his full name which he was immediately reprimanded for). I knew drugs weren't for me but most everyone there smoked. I do not understand what my problem is. I see these strong people quit and wonder what is lacking. I have had relatives that smoked way more than me and wayyy longer than me take take the chantix and quit, but I couldn't get my primary physician at the time (he has since gone away) to give a prescription for me.

Odd to me. But thanks all for the derail. Informative at the very least. Helpful.

 

[Dan Epstein]

You're not being annoying. Remember that genetics are not just your physical ability to become addicted to something, but also your psychological predisposition to becoming addicted. People think of psychological and physical illnesses as being different categories, but really they are all part of the same body and have enormous effects on one another. Both cocaine and gambling are psychological addictions rather than physical (like heroin, alcohol or cigarettes), so yes I would put them into the same category, and genetics would make it more or less likely that you would become addicted to either of these things.

An example could be that people who are addicted to alcohol or heroin are often more likely to become gambling addicts, even though it is a completely different activity with a very different high. Though some people might have addictions to a certain substance or high, if I were to wager a guess, those people are addicted due to experiences in their life rather than a natural predisposition.
I have been addicted to sex/love because I have had traumatic experiences surrounding that, but I cannot become addicted to substances. And when I resolved my issues, the addiction disappeared. This addiction was caused by nurture rather than nature. This could be the same for a functional drug addict who hates their job and takes coke, MDMA or drinks alcohol every weekend. They don't necessarily feel the need for it every day, but they get addicted to the high that they expect at the weekend. These people could stop, but they don't want to, therefore it becomes a need. I would definitely class that as an addiction. Put that life experience with a natural predisposition to becoming compulsively addicted and it would be very easy to go from being functional to not functional.

For those in certain societies we have a certain immunity to becoming addicted, I guess because we drink alcohol. I have no idea if that causes something in the brain to be less likely to be addicted to other substances. I imagine it wouldn't discriminate as most drugs, sex and gambling tend to effect similar parts of the brain. I am not an expert in this, I'd studied it a bit and have observed addiction, but I am just speculating.

As for cigarettes requiring a 12 step programme, they are very addictive, but I guess with cigarettes you don't tend to ruin your life and relationships in the same way as more potent substances. If you overeat, gamble, drink, take heroin etc, you are likely to have a very physical difference in your life which you may not be able to talk about with friends. Smoking on the other hand has been normalised. You also don't really get a "high" from it, and it's unlikely that you'll spend your life savings over night. Medical issues tend to be invisible on the outside. I guess if you quit smoking you're more likely to gain support from friends and family, and if you fall off the wagon it isn't exactly the end to your life or career. So no, I don't think you need AA meetings for smoking, but that doesn't mean it's any easier to quit or that you don't need support from your loved ones and healthcare providers. Addiction is diverse because people are. Any situation where you are talking about human's, especially when it involves psychology, you can't just make broad "everyone is like this" statements. If I were to categorise addictions I would put them into physical- aka heroin etc. Psychological- aka cocaine, gambling etc. And I don't know what I'd call the last one, emotional? Experience based? Which could be anything. Anyone can become addicted to something, but genetics do seem to determine how easy it is to become addicted and how hard it is to quit.

Anyway, I will stop thread derailing. It just bugs me when people say ignorant comments about other people's experiences. It's so easy to sit on your pedestal and judge others, but at the end of the day, we all have our own mountains to climb in life. Some people's are just higher and taller than others. Criticising addicts and saying that have no willpower is like climbing up a hill and then gloating that you got to the top before someone else climbed a mountain.

I agree with most parts, and the last one to criticize addicts is me, due to some firsthand experience.
I have one optimistic note, it's harder to remain an addict than to treat it. When you treat yourself you see an accumulative achievement eventually, and that's a world of a difference than the vicious routine.