Rip Rokken wrote:Ehwmatt wrote:Rip, it's not a coincidence that all of these celebs have drug problems. They have the money, the time, and most importantly, the job description to be able to do it. They make a conscious choice to get into drugs. It's a far cry from someone growing up in a poor drug-infested slum that gets hooked on drugs because selling and using are the basic social norms there. Whatever chemical addiction these celebs develop springs from the conscious, opportunistic choice to start doing the drugs in the first place.
I agree with most of what you say. I remember an article that talked about how celebrities often develop a specific type of super-narcissism that comes from all the attention they get. It has to be a surreal way to live. Also have read that most celebrities are actually HIGHLY insecure due to all the pressure to perform, be perfect, etc. Put those two things together and you have a great recipe for future addiction.
Yes, they definitely make the choice to start using drugs, get wasted, etc. AA teaches is that an addict always chooses to pick up that first drink every time, but that drink sets up a type of "allergic" reaction specific to the disease that results in a craving for more that is near impossible to control. Of course there are different levels of severity in a person's addiction -- not everyone drinks or drugs until they pass out every time they do it, but some do have it that bad. On the lighter end are the "functional" addicts, who manage to limit their use to restricted time (like non-working hours) and can hold down jobs, are responsible to some extent, etc. but they still have a very difficult struggle. Then of course you have those that carry a flask to work with them, or drink mouthwash for the alcohol to cover the smell, and those that end up losing everything and living on the streets.
I definitely agree that there is choice involved, for sure. But addiction is way more complicated than just an issue of morals, willpower or choice. Anyway, I'd never make excuses for an addict under any circumstances, but I do think there is hope for everyone who has the desire to recover.
So true that bolded part, and, believe me, it is hard for me to understand b/c I don't have an addictive bone in my body re alcohol, drugs, anything. But I have come to not be so judgmental just b/c I can't relate, and realize there is more to it for people that have addictions. But I couldn't imagine even being married to even a social alcoholic and looking at their blank, sloshed face night after night, slurring their words. Nothing more unattractive.