The difference between an addictive mind and a normal one.

Perception I think. I'm sure that's the main difference, we (Addicts) percieve the world in a warped manner.

The Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous says "We are driven by a hundred forms of self delusion".

I believe this and have seen it time and again in my own life as well as others. I have my own insights that go a little deeper though.

For example, I think people with a predisposition to addiction are a lot more sensitive than the average person, their skin is a lot thinner for some reason, in most cases anyway.

I think that because of this fact they pick up a lot more vibes from people around them, they "instinctively" know when they are not liked or when people are talking about them.

This may sound a little looney I know, but I believe it's true.

What I'm trying to say is that they, "Addictive minded people", are more aware of the external world than the average person.

Here's an extreme analogy....Imagine if you could read everyones mind, you would go nuts, hearing all those thoughts, what people really thought of you....this is what it's like for addicts.....only to a milder degree I think.

I've been clean and sober almost ten years, but I am still hyper sensitive, I have learned to make it work to my advantage though, for me rather than against me.

I don't let things get to me like I used to.

On the downside though.

Because we are hyper sensitive, we have the ability to become master manipulators, often times we can predict (with great accuracy) what people want, and we can take advantage of the situation and get what we want, which usually isn't good.

Anyway, these are just my opinions.