"Your Weak...."

[Ric]

Man I love that line.

I was out with my cousins husband the other day who knows Im having trouble with sobriety and he starts to say that "Drug addicts should be killed, they are weak minded"

And as he said this he was puffing on a cigarette. His 6th in the past hour!

So I quickly told him that he's done more harm to his body with 30 years of smoking than I have with my opiates. I asked him why he doesn't quit smoking right here and now since your so "strong minded"

He got my point real quick. He wouldn't look into my eyes either which told me I really zapped his warped mindset on drug addiction.

I then told him HE was a drug addict too. The same for all the office folks who need 3 cups of coffee to start work in the morning, or even people who have problems with eating. They over eat because it ups the level of serotonin in their brains when they reward themselves with more junk food.
Drug addiction is drug addiction. I dont think one is worse or better than the other.
Its what it does to the person that's so bad. Im glad he saw and understood my point when we were done talking.

I guess I rather be "weak" than stupid.

Just thought I would share a funny story with you all.

[northbelle]

God lord that is pretty judgemental stuff!!
I would rather be a weak drug addict than not to feel compassion for others!! no matter what their "weakness"!!
Thanks for the post!!
love nroth

[Chris38]

Ric, when I was about 20 days clean, I met this guy at a meeting who was asking me questions, I mentioned I had a glass of wine with steak a few nights earlier and he told me I just became 0 days clean. He went off spewing about how I had to give up all my addictions, including sex and video games. VIDEO GAMES? Give me a flippin break.

He had 3 cigs while he was doing this.

I saw him the other day, (I'm 49 days clean today btw) and he asked me if I still had a drinking problem. I told him yeah, I like to have wine with steak, and I have a bailey's or 2 on a saturday when I shoot darts, and this fking guy who is in front of me passing along second hand smoke is giving me a problem when I tell him I drank something? I dont know why it didnt hit me the 1st time(his smoking), I said isnt that a drug in your hand? Isnt it addictive? Isnt killing you? (I kept on interrupting him, he got flustered and told me I was going to die)

The 12 step program is a wonderful thing for most people, for those it has helped, I wish them nothing but the best and applaud them for it. Some of these folks are so cult like its scary, but it did not scare me away from meetings and I do go to one once a week now with a cool bunch of folks.

Some people can not accept that while they may be succeeding in a 12 step program, this jerkoff, this chain smoker who is killing himself with cigarettes tells me I'm going to die cuz I dont follow 12 step. I think I scared him, because he was terrified his way wasnt the only way.

To this guy that said drug addicts should die, tell him that he's my hero. He's a drug addict and he's killing himself with them(cigs), so I guess he is willing to die for what he believes in. I'm not making a joke here, maybe it will make him think.

if www.thetruth.com doesnt convince him, I dont know what will. Sad man. - Chris

P.S. I have to disagree on the coffee part. I love mochachinos! But I get what you are saying, where do you draw the line if you are were a substance abuser? I never had a problem with alcohol or coffee, but vicodin was a problem, and I got rid of it. With stuff like coffee/alcohol, it's all about moderation. Some folks can do it, some cant.

[Ric]

Chris38,

Right on man. Seems like the logical part of your mind works much like mine does.
I smoke ciggs still (I'll quit those when Im a little more stable lol)
But I dont act like its not an addiction as so many smokers do.

Some peolle thinmk that just becuase a drug is legal, its okay.

Yeah Vicoden is a beautiful bitch isn't it?

[Spiritual Seeker]

It doesn't seem like there would be a heirarchy of addiction. Drug addiction is a disease of the brain and it alters who you are. Does cigs and food do that. I don't think any addiction can be good.

[Chris38]

Seeker, your right. No addiction can be good, because we do not control it. Anything you do that is not in moderation, that affects your life style is an addiction. During the OJ trial I read several people (housewives, unemployed) were depressed becasuse it was not on anymore. They were addicted to this trial that lasted a year and a half, and news shows offered tips on how to deal with the depression of not seeing the trial anymore, it blew my mind. People actually lost thier jobs to watch this media freakshow of a court room.

But it happened, google it, its out there. People are even addicted to thier jobs, and lose families. I had a friend who lost a job because he played everquest, which led him to meet guilds in person who smoked pot, and he went on to do worse crap.

I play video games, mainly sports titles and shooters, stuff I can play for a half an hour and move on to something else. I dont trust myself to install an MMORPG, because you need to be on contantlly to compete! Thats insane!

Ric, while you admit smoking is an issue, quit dude. Maybe this picture will inspire you.

And yeah man, Vicodin was the ****, I couldnt get enough of it. Until I had enough of it. I thank God every day for giving me the wisdom to quit before hitting rock bottom. - Chris

http://img.search.com/1/12/Csm2.jpg

Show that to that guy too. It will freak him out for sure.

[Gmoney]

Originally Posted by Chris38

I never had a problem with alcohol or coffee, but vicodin was a problem, and I got rid of it. With stuff like coffee/alcohol, it's all about moderation. Some folks can do it, some cant.

I remember getting out of rehab in 1986 telling myself that "only this" drug is my problem and those other drugs were okay because I used them in "moderation." After staying totally "street drug" free for two months, I eventually went back to getting high on weed and alcohol. Let me add that I was also a video game freak back then too. I hit my bottom in 1998 and got clean. Been clean since, but I still drink coffee, smoke cigarettes, use sugar, surf the net, and probably 100 other things outside of the realm of what would be considered moderation. Hell...I got over 100 pairs of sneakers!! LOL!!! I'm a true addict because I easily become addicted to anything I like. But the hit is that I try to keep the focus on what my problems are, instead of trying to diagnose someone else.

I don't even get offended when someone offers a ignorant opinion of addicts or addiction. All they do is reveal their bias or lack of knowledge, and I don't take it personal (anymore). Pointing out the flaws in others doesn't remove my own, nor does it change their point of view. They get quiet because they probably recognized they've touched a nerve or pushed a button.

To be honest...I was very weak because I couldn't stop and stay stopped by my own devices. I needed help.