Protestantism

» paper_turtle - What Part--If Any--

Addicts who have experienced intervention KNOW the score. Addicts who have reached the age of adolescence have been exposed to enough of the media to know about substance abuse. They--pretty much--know that the substance involved is not ggod for them under the conditions of their use.
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You are speaking from the position of one who has not been addicted. You don't know what goes on in the mind of an addict, or what their reasoning is. You do not know if they believe they have the power to do better even if they want to. You do not know what kinds of pressure they are under, once they return to their homes, to resume their former way of life.
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I think there is also a huge difference in motivation between one who takes drugs for the first time and one who chooses to return to addiction after going through recovery.
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What part--if any-- do you think resentments play in the cycle of drug addiction?
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I do not think people begin taking drugs, or keep taking them, because they feel resentment. I think that the resentment of those who must deal with the addict and his addictive behaviors (including how he supports his habit) can negatively affect the addicts ability to stay in recovery--because it reinforces his negative self-image.
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I think the resentment of society as a whole may, in some ways, be attractive to young people considering taking drugs for the first time. They think this resentment implies a certain outlaw mystique. Being slightly outside the bounds of normal society appeals to them.
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But I think the resentment of society towards drug addicts (and alcoholics, and people with addictions to gambling, sex, or food) has an extremely negative effect for those struggling with recovery.
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peace and love,
Paper Turtle

-- posted by paper_turtle