I find it easy to give up ______; I’ve done it countless times. In fact, I consider myself a non-addicted ______ because I have been using _______ on and off for 25 years without ever getting hooked. What saves me from being a _______ junkie is that I recognised early how easy it would be for me to get hooked on _______, and, knowing that if I did get hooked, I’d hate myself, I’ve always been very careful to keep my ______ under control.
-37 year old female, home duties

Five years ago, hoping to kick a _________ habit that was significantly affecting my life, I enrolled in a treatment program at the Centre for the Control of Addictions. I couldn’t remember the last time I’d managed to get through a day without _________, usually in quantities most people would regard as excessive, if not appalling. My behaviour was so compulsive and out of control that the best I think I can hope for is a slight, temporary reduction of the cravings I suffer constantly.
-Social worker, female 38

I like ______. It is a powerful drug and, God knows, for some people a hellish one, but if used carefully, it can give great pleasure. After a long hard day, the splendid warm glow that ______ provides is one of my favourite feelings; it starts in the pit of my stomach and then spreads to my limbs and brain…the fascinating complex flavour of good ______ can be profoundly sensual.
-Psychoanalyst, male, 62

I watched my roommate and best friend become addicted to ______. Greg took up ______ in his first year at uni and quickly got into it big time. I think he didn’t have a lot going for him then – no girlfriend, no great interest in study – and the feelings resulting from using ______ gave him a real sense of purpose and accomplishment. When he couldn’t go ______, I’d find it almost impossible to be with him then. He climbs the walls, just like someone trying to kick a cigarette habit…he has no insight into that and won’t listen to anyone who tries to talk to him about it.
-Photographer, male, 26