Addiction Simulation Exercise: Ice Cube Addiction Rationale: This exercise will

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Addiction Simulation Exercise: Ice Cube Addiction

Rationale: This exercise will allow you to experience, first hand (though nowhere near to the same extent as an actual addiction), some of the physical (thirst being analogous to the cravings for drugs), social, cognitive, and emotional experiences of a person who is actually addicted to a drug. Participation in this exercise is voluntary. You may choose to end your participation at any time during the exercise, though you will achieve a full benefit of the exercise if you choose to follow through to the end.

Protocol: You are to engage in this exercise for 48 consecutive hours sometime during the week. The more strictly you adhere to the guidelines, the more effective the exercise will be for you.

1. Drug. Your drug of choice is ice cubes. You used to be able to “get off” simply on water, but your addiction has progressed way beyond this. You now need specially processed water ­ ice cubes. This is analogous to progressing from powder cocaine to crack cocaine.

2. Craving. Thirst is your craving for the drug ice cubes. Every time you take a drink of any liquid, you must have an ice cube in the liquid. Yes, this will be difficult and will require much planning. Anticipate! This applies to all drinking situations including coffee, water from drinking fountains, cans or bottles of beverages, and even late ­night drinks of water after you have awakened from a deep sleep. [Make sure your ice trays are full before going to bed.]

3. Legality. Ice cubes are socially unacceptable and illegal. Do not let “regular people” see you or catch you using ice cubes. This applies to friends and family. The only people with whom it is acceptable to be open about your use of ice cubes are other “addicts” who are participating in this exercise. This will take some creative thinking at home, in restaurants, and other public places.

4. Obsession. To simulate the obsession aspect of drug addiction you are to keep an hourly log (waking hours only). Please obtain a notebook in which you can answer the following questions hourly: 1. Are you thirsty now? 2. Where is your next ice cube coming from? 3.What is your plan to satisfy your cravings? Think ahead.

5. Tracks. You will need to wear a rubber bracelet or rubber band at all times during the exercise. This bracelet is analogous to an addict’s needle tracks, so it is socially unacceptable to wear the bracelet. Try your best to keep “regular people” from seeing the bracelet because they might ask what it is about and this would put you in a difficult situation trying to explain it. Remember, you are trying to hide your addiction from “regular people.” The bracelet will also serve as a reminder that you are participating in the exercise. It will be easy to forget for a few hours so you will have to be diligent in your participation. Remember, addicts cannot turn off their craving at will.

6. Write­up. At the end of the 48 hour period, please write one to two pages describing your thoughts, feelings, and reactions to the exercise. This paper is free form, so write in any manner that you feel is appropriate

Explanation / Answer

Constantly chewing and eating ice causes damage to your teeth, tongue, throat and stomach. The damage to teeth can be chipping of teeth or developing cracks in the teeth that might not be detected for years. Some people report that their voice has changed because of all the ice eating. With some people, this can also include the compulsion to constantly drink ice cold drinks. Many reported having extreme gas, stomach bloating and stomach pain because of their being addicted to eating ice.

Those who are addicted to eating ice even prefer certain types of ice and places that sell just the right ice. Many prefer the ice that the Sonic drive-ins sell or a certain grocery store gourmet soft ice. They have cravings for it all day long and will get into bad moods if they don’t have it. Those addicted to eating ice will warn others to stay away from their ice trays and going as far as having a bucket of ice even with every meal.

I feel this addiction is a lot of torture to an individual.

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