Apologies for my somewhat reactive post, but as you can probably tell, this is one of those issues that is personal for me. I was just a bit surprised by your "respect" comment because you are frankly pretty brilliant when it comes to amplifiers. I should have known the your comment was coming form a personal place.
It probably goes without saying, but I too have seen so much addiction close up in my short life it is absolutely ridiculous, and has even become quite normal and predictable (epidemic anyone?). I have been LUCKY to not have plagued by the malady myself, and that's just it, I don't believe in this pull yourself by your boots straps nonsense. It is just luck of the draw. We make the decisions we make for a reason, not just because we are good or bad people from the getgo. And yes, change can only comes when the addict wants to change and has the right support network, but that doesn't mean that you still won't end up dead. Not everyone can do it, and they are not the ones to blame. I'm sure you could imagine a million hypothetical situations were a person wants to get better, but just can't. You've seen it in real life, and like you said, it's NOT like the Hollywood endings. I also reject the idea that anyone truly wants to be an addict deep down.
Sure, there are good and bad people (a separate notion altogether I am skeptical of), but that really should be a separate matter. Here you have two individuals whom shared the same addiction, but one made a lot more despicable harmful choices. I think you showed that the act of someone killing themselves with drugs is not the actual reason for disrespect, but just a common denominator. I of course think people should be held accountable for their actions, but I am also the kind of person that is always looking for a bigger system to blame, not just the individual.
"Choose Life"? Would you say that to a dying person? I say "Choose Empathy".
Rant over, and of course, much respect to you Gnardo and your experiences.
Leo_Gnardo wrote:Fair enough shot Gaz. Perhaps it's because I've seen some cases up close, not just on TV or in the paper. People who I've worked with, some even lived in the same house. It IS an ugly scene. But I'm of the opinion that people CAN pull their socks up, get straight and keep it that way. Two examples, one bad, one good, and I could give many more but for brevity's sake I'll keep it to 2.Gaz wrote:Wow, you know nothing about addiction. It is literally a disease. Do you loose respect for people who die of cancer as well?
1. Just had an old acquaintance - def. not a friend - kick the bucket Jan 1. Must have been a helluva new years eve party. He was "proud to be a junkie". Total party animal. Purposely irresponsible. Not only that, he had a job in the local school district and claimed he sold drugs to kids and swapped drugs for sex. Somehow he never got caught. Respect? Fooey! Not for him.
2. Aging jazz guitarist, @ 77 years old. An amazing talent. And another old - this time friend. Late 50's to mid 60's he got on the junk. Because "everyone was doing it" in his talent circle. Plenty of name brand musicians who you would recognize in an instant. And by dint of will he got off and stayed clean to this day. There were no drug treatment programs then. It was go to jail or the grave and he did the right thing. Life is sweet and he's enjoying it. Him, I can respect.
There's all sorts of cases and I'm not 100% either way on the subject of this thread. However I AM very unimpressed by the shilly-shallying of the so-called authorities who claim they "still don't know" what killed the guy. Baloney to that. Also no respect to the law authorities in my area who know perfectly well who's dealing hard dope of all sorts and let them get away with it year after year. After all "ya hafta keep the game going."
What did it say on those T-shirts back in the 80's? In foot-high letters?
CHOOSE LIFE
We can find it within ourselves to do that. And reach out for help if you need it, it's there. Some of my customers got sorted out thru NA, some thru AA, and some both. How many times I've heard "I'd be dead by now if I hadn't." Those who think they're "bad ass" and that's their thrill, "don't tell me how to run my life," you know where they are headed.
Not just a matter of attitude, I understand addiction on a molecular level. Nerve cells set up receptors for opiates and other chemicals, and wreak havoc until they're satisfied. It takes a lot of will power to overcome that. A person who's trying to kick any of the 'bad habits' has to take the attitude of "I'm in charge", "I" being the prefrontal cortex, not every nerve cell in the body.
It's a complex problem and involves cultural acceptance as well as individual choice & control. Caffeine is "perfectly OK." Alcohol, definitely an addictive drug, not only accepted but taxed and a source of revenue for governments. Tobacco, slowly losing its acceptance but also taxed heavily.
With respect to YOU Gaz, you're entitled to your opinion and I'm happy you spoke up.
