Originally Posted by
hydrogirl 
((((justsotired)))) I, too, have a chronic disease. I am an insulin-dependent diabetic. It's not my fault I have this disease. But, and this is a big old but.....
It is NO ONE ELSE'S RESPONSIBILITY to take care of me. I have to be vigilent about what I eat. I have to test my own blood sugar SEVERAL times a day, I have to make sure that I see the doctor regularly. NO ONE ELSE can do these things for me. Nor should they be expected to. If I expected that from someone else, then I am using my "disease" to hold someone else hostage.
Someone who suffers from addiction has the same responsibilities to themselves.
Hugs and prayers to you, HG
I've always had trouble with the comparison with addictions to diabetes.
Diabetes is a physical illness which only affects the brain if the disease is not maintained and addiction is a mental illness.
It's like comparing breast cancer to bi polar or dementia.
Harder to take responsibility for mental illness especially when it goes undiagnosed. And if you do not take your insuln, you will die. The disease of mental illness is not as dire at the onset
.