11th August 2006

Addiction

"Addiction" Dictionary description -

1. 1. Compulsive physiological and psychological need for a habit-forming substance: a drug used in the treatment of heroin addiction.
   2. An instance of this: a person with multiple chemical addictions.
2. 1. The condition of being habitually or compulsively occupied with or or involved in something.
   2. An instance of this: had an addiction for fast cars.

I've agonised a little over this blog today.

Was sitting on a bench mid afternoon on my break from work drinking a bottle of coke and eating a bar of mint chocolate and (like Worzel Gummidge) "put me thinkin' head on".

Some of the lads I look after have addiction problems. I'd go as far as to say that I have an addictive personality myself. I guess its a bit like being obsessive or compelled to do something. There are many types of addiction as far as I can see. - Illigal substances, gambling, alcohol, tobacco. Probably Obessive Compusive Disorder is a kind of addiction - I don't know. I'm not an expert as far as that is concerned. My list is not exhaustive, there are many more, some I have deliberately left off.
Depending on what level these incidences occur, it seems the results can at one level affect the individual alone and on a higher level affect others close to that individual and even those quite far away. The individual affected by the addiction can feel (I believe) a certain ammount of regret and remorse for doing whatever it is either out of some sort of guilt or because of the physical or emotional effects. Whatever, the compulsion to do so again with the full knowledge of the consequences cannot be avoided by that individual, it seems to me at least. Evidence seems to show that eventually, the addicted person makes a cry for help to overcome the problem. As I already stated, some others may have been severely hurt along the way. This brings me to refering to Wanderers blog about his "Angel" experience and how he forgave (not what had been done to him) but the person who did it ... forgave the person, not the act. As some of you know, it was a story that profoundly affected and humbled me.
So....... can those of us affected by an addicted person come to forgive the person but not the act? I don't presume to believe folk can neccessarily do this and I feel it would be disrespectful of me to think they might. Everybody's experience is individual and every individual has, to a certain extent the right to self determination on how they find their way through that pain.

I guess some of you (if you are still reading) are wondering why I posted on this subject and why I agonised about it. . Well, its because I'm thinking of someone I have come across and out of respect I want the details to remain confidential. One or two of you that know me better than some will know what I'm referring to. I will say no more on the subject.

Now..... Just to lighten up a little, and just before I do that. Has anybody experienced YouTube video's not play sound on their PC's? I get sound from other sources but not from thats site. I think there may be a prob. with my PC.
Anyway.....
This is just for Steph who has become a good friend very recently after a long chat on messenger. Steph, I wanted to make this "Ave Maria" but I can't here the video. I know this one coz I had it on my mobile phone once. Hope it works. Enjoy. Crikey, its nearly 2am!!!! Time I went to bed.