I'm thinking I might need to stop watching Intervention because it really disturbs me to see people who are so trapped in their addictions they can see nothing it is doing to those who love them. I find myself getting more and more angry as the show progresses. Why do people start using to begin with? It's not like there isn't a ton of information out there on how dangerous and destructive drug use is. Even though I know most people have the misguided idea they are "different" and in destructive, and playing around with getting high could never "catch them" in addiction, it still baffles me. (Just to clarify here, I am not talking about ACTIVELY RECOVERING Addicts who are getting help and NO LONGER USING)
Yes I tried marijuana when I was younger, and one time I even tried speed, both of which I did not like AT ALL! (I was an adult before trying anything by the way). I do not like feeling like I am not in control of my actions and behavior, and when a person is using, thinking they are in control is only an illusion!
I went through my "drinking period" from age 17 to 18. No I did not drink for a whole year, just want to clarify that..LOL However once I had kids drinking was a very rare thing for me. I realize I could have had the potential to become an alcoholic, in reality everyone does if you continue to push the envelope long enough. Alcoholism ran on my mom's side of the family. She had two or three uncles who died because of it.
Getting drunk just was not worth it to me. I always had the misfortune or fortune I should say, to remember every stupid, ridiculous thing I said and did the night before the next morning. That alone was enough to convince me it just isn't worth it. Not to mention feeling sick was not something I was fond of either.
As far as drugs are concerned, I had heard "one time could be the last time" and I took that seriously. I've never really been the kind of person to think I could do whatever and nothing bad will happen. Anything can and does happen and no one person is immune to the consequences in the end. You may not die or destroy yourself right way, but if drug use continues, it WILL HAPPEN!
Our society is partly to blame for drug abuse, I mean after all have you seen all the commercials for drugs that promise to make you "feel" better? Are you depressed, take a drug. Are you feeling unhappy, take a pill or have a drink. Can't sleep- take a pill- have a drink. Can't stay awake - take a pill -drink an energy drink! It's OK everyone needs a little help now and then. But in the end how much does it really help, it doesn't fix anything all it does is allow the person to cover up or dull the emotions people do not want to feel. Emotions and feelings are part of being human, we have those things for a God given reason.
Too many people today don't want to have to feel anything negative, or deal with the issues that are root causes of making them feel unhappy, unloved or fill in the blank! Yes I know there are some people who may need medication for emotional illness, however, that does not mean every person who is having a problem should or needs to be on something. But people today want a quick fix to everything, including problems or emotional issues. People don't want to "do the hard stuff/work" required in some cases to get better. I want it and I want it now...make this go away now...just give me something to make me feel happy.
Most addicts I know, and unfortunately I have had experience with too many, are in such denial they can't see anything other than what they want. There is always an excuse, they are always the exception, and it is never their fault! And they are very good at judging other addicts behavior as horrible yet not seeing themselves in the same light.
I know addicts who actually watch Intervention and agree how messed up the people who are on the show are, how horrible it is what they are putting their friends and family through, talking about how they aren't like that, news flash...yeah you are! What you see going on in the lives of those people on the show, others see going on in your life! The pain those people are causing their families is the same exact pain you are causing yours!!!
My ex-husband was and still is an addict. We were together 14 years and during that time he continued to use, whether it was alcohol, meth or weed, and usually all three together. In 30 years he has still remained in his addiction. He has lost his family, lost pretty much everything else and has not managed to keep a job more than a few months at a time. It is sad because he really has nothing to show for his life. Yet, he continues to use! It use to amaze me at the things he would say when he was using meth. Because he was snorting it, he would say it wasn't as bad as someone who used needles to shoot it up. Or when he was spun he would try to tell me he just "had too much coffee".
What really use to flabbergast me was when he would get upset if I sprayed bug spray in the house because all those chemicals were dangerous to breath in...REALLY???? You snort chemicals up your nose and you are worried about bug spray?? And I never understood the whole, lets use meth to get wired but then drink alcohol and smoke weed to mellow out? Now that makes perfect sense...NOT!
The lying part of addiction is what makes me the angriest. All addicts lie, yet all addicts deny they lie which is just another lie...lol Yet all addicts HATE to be lied to! It is completely ridiculous to me when you know without a doubt someone is using. They look different, they talk different, they behave different and it's very obvious to those who know the person well they are using, yet when confronted they lie! Saying things like "how dare you accuse me of using, I'm getting tired of being accused of using when I'm not". Alrighty then...! Another news flash...continuing to deny it or the more you say you are not using does NOTHING to convince others your not...LOL All that does is make you look like a fool for thinking no one can tell.
Every time I watch Intervention I see these things over and over in those who are struggling with addiction, and realistically if they are still using and not getting help to stop, it's not struggling, its a battle lost and if it continues it will be a war lost which will end in death!
I know addicts who just switch from one substance to another. Regardless of what the drug of choice is, those who finally understand the concept you can USE nothing...period are those who will successfully over come their addiction! And if you actually put your faith and trust in the Lord chances of overcoming addiction are even higher!
A drug is a drug and for someone who has an addictive personality using any kind of substance WILL lead to using again. It may not happen right away but it will progress and end will lead into being trapped in addiction still.
That is one of the things I have learned by watching shows like Intervention and Celebrity Rehab, using is using and if the addict truly wants to stay clean and sober they cannot use anything! That is something they stress over and over and over to the addicts in Rehab and recovery…The other behavioral change stressed in Rehab is choosing to seek help and understanding you cannot do it alone! It is the addiction that tells you that you can!
Of those I know who are addicts, the only ones that actually have maintained sobriety are those who are refraining from any substance not just their drug of choice and are “working a program”. Getting counseling, attending meetings, having a sponsor, etc., all of these things are needed for the addict to remain clean and sober. To think otherwise is, like I said, the addiction speaking and the percentages show substantially lower the addicts chance of remaining sober/clean!
I realize addiction is a disease, however it is the only disease that can be avoided because it is brought on by a person’s choice to use a substance to begin with. I also know there is hope for those who want to be free, the first and foremost being the Lord. All things are possible with Him...you just have to make the choice!
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