Protestantism

» pink101 - Addict And A Recreational User

In response to Wooden Shoe? posted by paper_turtle:

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Now, I'm not here to support unauthorized substance use; but, I would like to point out that there is a difference between an addict and a recreational user.
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Recreational user may also be seeking release from some problem such as the stresses and strains of life--poverty, lost love, whatever.
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But, there is a distinct difference between the two.
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Over the years, I have known people who could smoke a single cigarette--maybe over the course of an evening--or a few just to be social; but, wouldn't light up again for weeks, months, or years. The same with alcohol. Maybe a sociable drink once in a great while--or maybe one every Friday night; but, very much only for recreational or social reasons.
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Addicts are different. Something happens in the life of the addict and they're literally thrown into a sequence of actions that leads them to substance abuse. They take a sip, a drag, or whatever, and they are gone. Wham bam!! Next thing they know, it might be hours or days later with no recollections of what happened to them. Some carry on what almost seems like a normal life style as they keep their habit fed.
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There ARE those addicts that have come to a place in their abuse where their addiction is creating serious problems for them as well as for others. It may be costing them relationships, jobs, and far worse. And, the ones I'm connoting, know that their addiction is the cause of their difficulties. The thing can be gambling, drugs, drink, smoke, pills, pornography, almost anything.
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Most of them will make an effort to curb their appetite along the way. Maybe they'll promise themselves they will only use under certain circumstances--and that fails. Then they promise themselves they will attend Alanon or some other program--and that fails. Then they get tossed in the can for some associated crime and are dry for a year or maybe more while they cool off incarcerated. They get out on parole, serve time on probation and are finally dismissed from drug court. Then SOMETHING happens and Wham Bam, they are back in the grips of the substance or thing that had them before.
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I don't know that resentment building is a part of every person's trip back into their addiction; but, I know it plays a part in the life of many dysfunctional persons. I am sure the Bible has some good words on the idea of anger.
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Resentment is a form of anger that a person actually creates by choice and the reason or purpose often is to act as permission to do something one would otherwise not do.
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-- posted by pink101

» redback - My Assumption

In response to My Assumption posted by pink101 & paper turtle:

"...the causes that drive an addict back to their dependency..."

The anticipated horrors of withdrawal and/or the fact they still see no solution for the escape from 'reality' the drugs give them in the first place??

I'm also unclear on the premise the addict actually left their dependency so as to be driven back to it.

...internalising an idea..."

It seems to me there is confusion between 'motivation' that deliberately drives a person to make the choices they do including staying on drugs...and a lack of insight that can be directly caused by the brain damage caused by drugs. Or related depression, low self esteem etc. There is nothing unique about this particular form of addictive behaviour that suggests it has only simple causes.

But there seems a 'blame' sting to your question, doesn't there? My sister's chronic heart condition hasn't stopped her husband from smoking in the house contrary to medical advice. Their son smokes marihuana which may play a part in his life...or maybe it was the death of his 2 younger siblings that put his life in freefall.

It's tougher to get sympathy and support from society with a non-judgemental approach to drug addiction. And society has pretty clumsy methods to deal with it. You suggest the Bible has some answers?

But my visit here is almost over.

-- posted by redback

» pink101 - My Assumption

In response to My Assumption posted by redback:

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You raise some good questions and points.
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-- posted by pink101

» redback - My Assumption

In response to My Assumption posted by pink101:

"You raise some good questions and points."

Let me leave you with: What is the stereotypical drug addict? The highly skilled surgeon about to operate? The successful children's entertainer, the well-dressed person who is the life of the get-togethers you go to...or the snot and vomit covered derelict?

I'm guessing poeple are greater than the sum total of their drug addiction...and its burden on society is a part of the compromise within a democracy.

-- posted by redback

» pink101 - My Assumption

In response to My Assumption posted by redback:

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My observations exactly.
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There are those who can afford their addiction on all accounts, economically, emotionally, physically, and in every other way.
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There are those who cannot afford their addiction on any account.
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I have commissioned magazine articles and associated illustrations on the troubles and costs of addiction.
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Why do our various media treat illegal substances as they do?
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-- posted by pink101

» paper_turtle - My Assumption

In response to My Assumption posted by pink101:

Why do our various media treat illegal substances as they do?
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Do you mean that they glamorize them, or that they use scare tactics? I've seen both approaches in the media.
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peace and love,
Paper Turtle

-- posted by paper_turtle

» pink101 - What I Mean

In response to My Assumption posted by paper_turtle:
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Here's what I mean about the media.
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Marijuana is not a dangerous drug in comparison to alcohol or most other substances. It can be seen as being a good thing. It is not addictive in the physical sense are most other substances. Yet, the media goes along with the hype that makes it the so-called gateway to all other substance abuse.
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Alcohol is a very dangerous substance and especially that is true in certain bodily functions such as the one that processes sugar. Maybe you know about the Krebs Cycle?
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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Citric_acid...
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Other drugs to which individuals can be addicted such as Crack Cocaine induce highly recognizable personality characteristics that can be profiled; yet, the media spends almost no time or effort exposing those characteristics.
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My point is that the media spends great effort finding fault with marijuana.that is such a harmless substance. Why? Why not put heavy emphasis on vicodin and other narcotic pain killers that are abused. I have heard that vicodin is the most addictive drug available next to cigarettes. The word is that poor and homeless veterans take public transportation to pick up prescriptions for vicodin and other narcotics at VA pharmacies. Later, they sell the drugs to users that have already givent hem standing orders for purchase.
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Are you familiar with any of this?
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-- posted by pink101

» paper_turtle - What I Mean

In response to What I Mean posted by pink101:

Marijuana is not a dangerous drug in comparison to alcohol or most other substances. It can be seen as being a good thing. It is not addictive in the physical sense are most other substances. Yet, the media goes along with the hype that makes it the so-called gateway to all other substance abuse.
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I'll probably get scolded for this by someone here, but I think marijuana should be legalized--at least for medicinal purposes. If I had glaucoma or a terminal illness you can bet I'd take it. Marijuana didn't have a bad rap until some time around 1920 (or maybe a bit earlier). Shortly after that the movie Reefer Madness came out--and the public really latched on to that. My take is marijana got a bad rap because of cultural/racial associations--jazz musicians and artists used it (and, she says with a wink, we all know what a bad influence *those* people are).
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Alcohol is a very dangerous substance and especially that is true in certain bodily functions such as the one that processes sugar. Maybe you know about the Krebs Cycle?
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I remember studying that way back in 1967 or so when I took anatomy and physiology, but I haven't used that knowledge since. A cousin of mine died from liver damage related to alcoholism and the son of an acquaintance of mine died from alcohol poisoning as a result of fraternity hazing.
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Other drugs to which individuals can be addicted such as Crack Cocaine induce highly recognizable personality characteristics that can be profiled; yet, the media spends almost no time or effort exposing those characteristics.
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My sense is that the media will keep ignoring crack until it realizes that the problem is not just confined to the ghettoes. The media didn't do much about covering AIDS until it was glaringly obvious that it was not just confined to gays and prostitutes.
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I have heard that vicodin is the most addictive drug available next to cigarettes. The word is that poor and homeless veterans take public transportation to pick up prescriptions for vicodin and other narcotics at VA pharmacies. Later, they sell the drugs to users that have already givent hem standing orders for purchase.
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Are you familiar with any of this?
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There are no veteran's hospitals in this part of Vermont. We are slightly behind the rest of the country with regard to the pervasiveness of drug addiction. Its still a problem, but on a much smaller scale than elsewhere.
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There are also no facilities for homeless people where I live. I know there are homeless people, but they are not out on the streets during the day time. (Its a samll enough town so I'd know who was homeless and who wasn't.)
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peace and love,
Paper Turtle

-- posted by paper_turtle

» pink101 - Hot Days & Chilly Nights

In response to What I Mean posted by paper_turtle:
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My sense is that the media will keep ignoring crack until it realizes that the problem is not just confined to the ghettoes.
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My sense is that the media will ignore the societal problem as long as its addicts continue to get their kicks.
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Cocaine is pervasive in our society.
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Marijuana is a weed and it grows like any weed--all over the place unless it is eradicated. It grows especially good in mountainous country and occurs naturally in every country where there are hot days and chilly nights. It cannot be controlled like alcohol or other hard to make and grow substances. The big alcohol and tobacco interests would lose out to marijuana in a short while were it released from government controls.
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Where have I heard that marijuana is the biggest cash crop in California's economy?
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Is that true?
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-- posted by pink101

» paper_turtle - Hot Days & Chilly Nights

In response to Hot Days & Chilly Nights posted by pink101:

Marijuana is a weed and it grows like any weed--all over the place unless it is eradicated. It grows especially good in mountainous country and occurs naturally in every country where there are hot days and chilly nights.
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Yuppers--even here in Vermont. There are a lot of back road places where no one goes unless they have a good reason. And in the winter there are always grow lights.
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The big alcohol and tobacco interests would lose out to marijuana in a short while were it released from government controls.
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You got that right!
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Where have I heard that marijuana is the biggest cash crop in California's economy?
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Is that true?
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I don't know, but it makes sense to me.
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peace and love,
Paper Turtle

-- posted by paper_turtle