Glitterdiva I agree with this article to an extent. I do believe addiction is a disease....not so sure we will find the solution at a neurologists office...at least not at this moment. They would need a lot more knowledge and training.
Originally Posted by
KeepinItReal 
I agree that everyone needs something different. There is no one clear cut way to get help. I also think addiction varies in severity.
As people who love addicts, it makes it difficult. This why I need support. It's not easy.
I'm glad there are other people who understand that this is a life long struggle and that there is no clear cut correct answer. What works for me might not work for someone else, and that's okay.
Keepingitreal, I agree with you, there is no easy solution. And it does vary in severity.....even within the same addict at different times. Like you said yourself that you were able to get clean on your own....kind of a spiritual awakening....that happened to me too..to glitterdiva and bc's husband the first time around. But, there have been times that I needed someone to step in and save me from myself, lost my self will, like bc's husband the second time around. I guess that's why addiction is much more complicated than we probably know right now...experts are learning more each day but I think there is more to learn and uncover about addiction.
Congrats on your own recovery! 5 years is amazing! It gives us hope. Thank you!
It's sad to hear about anyone ODing and of course very sad that someone so talented has lost his life to this horrible disease, but since it did happen, I hope his celebrity life and tragic untimely death brings about more discussion such as we are having here....more research....and better treatments available for everyone who wants and needs it.
Hopeful, I can feel your frustration loud and clear....that you are reaching a point where you feel it necessary to let go and let God. I understand you....my husband reached that point too....but he took one more chance at sticking by me and helping me.
Everyone's situation is different and everyone will have to decide what's best for them. How long they can stick it out. Not an easy decision when their are no easy solutions.
Sometimes there is only support and other's who are on the same journey.
Thank God for this forum.
Chino My interpretation of this article was that addiction is a brain disorder and that sometimes free-will just isn't enough. If it were and what you said about an addict stops "when the consequences are greater than the reward" were completely true I doubt addicts would use to the detriment if their own lives. I know I did not want to die....was afraid of dying....but still there were times when I could not stop myself....like I said not always the case, sometimes my will was greater and sometimes not at all. I think that is the puzzle here....more research into addiction and the brain needs to be done. I also think that family support whenever possible and if it does not come with the heavy price of losing themselves or causing enormous stress / ruining their own lives can be extremely beneficial. Especially, in those cases when caught early in addiction or when addiction is not as severe as it could be if left untreated for years and years. The reason I come to that opinion is because of the many addicts on this site who have had family intervention and are working on their recovery.....does not mean they won't relapse...that's part of the disease....but to tell friends and family to backup and withdraw support for fear of becoming codependent or an enabler could be detrimental to their loved ones recovery. I think each individual needs to make their own assessment of the situation. There is no black or white....but instead, many shades of grey.