Interesting development (Addictions)

[Monica]

To say that someone's behavior shows addiction doesn't mean that I hopelessly wash my hands of them. Instead, it is a sign that extra caution is needed. They are drifting towards the rocks. I don't need to show my love by jumping into the whitecaps so that I might go down with them.

If there is a way I can offer the service of light and love through my caring conversation, I will. If there is a way I can offer practical help, I will. I'm learning how to set healthier limits. Sometimes people want the thrill of knocking the lighthouse off its foundation, so that they and others can explore the meaning of painful shipwreck. As soon as this seems to be the situation, I won't make myself available for that service.

Maybe they mean well but I just can't reach them now - I think that's the kid's case. Maybe they don't and wish to enjoy the dark without distraction - as some other people I've known, who seemed to me to be highly STS focused.

Well said! You have summed up my point quite nicely.

I'm not trying to win a debate

Actually, the insistence on that point, several times in a row, can kind of come across that way.

So sorry! I think we were both a little insistent on our respective perspectives. Peregrinus, I honor and respect your experiences and your cautionary words. As I mentioned, I am simply trying to offer another perspective, and I tend to try to offer other perspectives whenever anything is stated as an absolute.

I just spoke with my former methhead friend, who happens to be my best friend of 29 years, so we're very close. Her experience was similar to mine, but with a stronger substance and for a longer period of time. She described quitting as having had her fill of it. She did hit rock bottom, and didn't climb out of it for 2 years, but the actual quitting itself was triggered by a feeling of disgust when her methhead friends were all groveling over a particularly large meth boulder. She got disgusted, gave them her stash, and walked out.

Interestingly, she also told me a story about a friend of hers, who was a heroin addict. While totally wasted one day, he was visited by a deceased friend, who told him he'd soon be joining him if he didn't quit. The guy quit at that moment and never went back. Now that's an interesting scenario I hadn't heard before!

Well I've said all I wanted to say, and I'm sorry if I came on a little too strong or too insistent. I guess we all have our hot buttons, eh? :-/

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Win if you like Possible, but improbable.

HA!!! We shall see! We just might have a moment of inspiration yet!