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Another great one leaves us. RIP Philip Seymour Hoffman.


bomerrang
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I agree completely, both from my experience and that of one of my closest friends. I have been sober for more than thirty years, but every single day is a huge struggle. My friend, whom I met in Vietnam in 1968, has had it much worse. He's done some amazing things -- sailing around the world with his wife by themseves for seven years, for example. When he's not involved in an adventure like that, it's back to every drug out there. I fear very much that he will not make it through 2014.

 

I'm very sorry William to hear about your friend. It sounds like Hoffman's story in many respects. Between those years of sobriety and drug use, he did some amazing things also...

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I spent nearly four years dealing with a drug addict. It was one of the most gut-wrenching experiences of my life. I am about to make some statements here that will offend some but so be it. During that time of trying to help my friend I participated in therapy with his psychologist so I could better understand the addicted mindset and assist in his treatment. My conclusion after four years....drug addicts are selfish, uncaring, lying, scheming, weak-willed individuals who seek the easy solace of drugs rather seriously take responsibility for their issues or problems.

 

Unsympathetic you say? Damn right, my sentiment is based on my experience of uncountable relapses and emotional turmoil. We coddle the addict instead of truly helping them to face their issues. An entire industry exists to service them. A very expensive and profitable industry of counselors and treatment centers. There's money to be made not just dealing to the addict but treating them as well.

 

The devastation within my circle of friends caused by this addict still has repercussions three years since I moved on from the drama. Some no longer speak to each other and others have been burned just as I was trying to help. If I had it to do all over again knowing what I know now, there's no way I'd get involved in such a situation.

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No, sorry Unicorn I wasn't more clear. What I am saying is that a sober person, or someone who has never experienced addiction, does not have a clear understanding of the world that an addict lives in. It is impossible for him to understand what an addict is going through on a daily basis or what the reality is for the person suffering from addiction, and in many respects I understand those that tend to judge addicts, and think that addicts just can stand up and suddenly decide one day that they are going to be sober. Does that happen, sometimes, but the rate of recovery from addiction is dismally low. Just because someone is surrounded by money or friends or opportunity for help, does not mean he is any more likely to get sober than the junkie down on skid row. In many respects the reality that those two people, at far ends of the spectrum share, is the same.

 

Heroin, or meth is not prejudice, it doesn't care who you are or what you are, it knows no social or economic boundaries. It is an equal opportunity drug. From royalty, to the CEO of a company, to the suburban housewife, to the kid on the street, to the junkie down on Skid row, from the moment it enters your body, it has one goal, and that is to kill you...period.

 

As someone else mentioned earlier...."On many fronts this is sad".....My feeling is to let those who have lost their lives to this destructive disease, to just rest in peace. But yet, the reality is, it is difficult not to judge, I understand that, and having a discussion as to how or why a person took their life is one that needs to happen.

Well said. If you are a sober person, I also understand and accept the fact you will not understand my reality. Let me take the path of a chronic illness. All addictions, have been classified as such for insurance purposes and treatment for decades. My career has me dealing with a multitude of clients with chronic illness. From cardiac disease, end stage renal disease, and diabetes, and an array of neurology illnesses. Any of these, requires suggested compliance issues. Along with addiction, non compliance issues with other chronic illnesses will shorten a life by years/decades. JUST LIKE addiction, it's the time between diagnosis and death that can be a nightmare. What is imposed on family, friends, employers turns into sometimes a minute by minute drama. I think you got my point. Since I personally deal in the reality of a daily, struggling, addict, I understand non-compliance. In regard to "we all have our demon."

Sure, nothing to argue about that. However, my horrors and yours can be starkly different. So to imply that I just "get over it." doesn't fly with this one. Deaths due to non-compliance issues like I said, "sad on many fronts." Rand

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Well said. If you are a sober person, I also understand and accept the fact you will not understand my reality. Let me take the path of a chronic illness. All addictions, have been classified as such for insurance purposes and treatment for decades. My career has me dealing with a multitude of clients with chronic illness. From cardiac disease, end stage renal disease, and diabetes, and an array of neurology illnesses. Any of these, requires suggested compliance issues. Along with addiction, non compliance issues with other chronic illnesses will shorten a life by years/decades. JUST LIKE addiction, it's the time between diagnosis and death that can be a nightmare. What is imposed on family, friends, employers turns into sometimes a minute by minute drama. I think you got my point. Since I personally deal in the reality of a daily, struggling, addict, I understand non-compliance. In regard to "we all have our demon."Sure, nothing to argue about that. However, my horrors and yours can be starkly different. So to imply that I just "get over it." doesn't fly with this one. Deaths due to non-compliance issues like I said, "sad on many fronts." Rand

 

Dear Lord Rand, I'm confused, how in the world did you get the idea I felt like that? That you should just "get over it". I never said that, nor implied that, at least that was not my intention. It is difficult communicating in this fashion, but I would hate to walk away you thinking differently. Trust me when I say this, but I understand your reality. I worked with addicts for the better part of 20 years. I re-read your post, and as best as I can figure, I believe we are on the same page, no? Your line where you say, "Since I personally deal in the reality of a daily, struggling, addict, I understand non-compliance." That is exactly my point. A daily struggling addict has little if no choice in his/her life. Non-compliance as you say is a reality. Further you mention that, "JUST LIKE addiction, it's the time between diagnosis and death that can be a nightmare." I am saying the same thing, that an addict struggles with this nightmare his whole life. Anyway, I hope that is a little more clear. BVB

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Dear Lord Rand, I'm confused, how in the world did you get the idea I felt like that? That you should just "get over it". I never said that, nor implied that, at least that was not my intention. It is difficult communicating in this fashion, but I would hate to walk away you thinking differently. Trust me when I say this, but I understand your reality. I worked with addicts for the better part of 20 years. I re-read your post, and as best as I can figure, I believe we are on the same page, no? Your line where you say, "Since I personally deal in the reality of a daily, struggling, addict, I understand non-compliance." That is exactly my point. A daily struggling addict has little if no choice in his/her life. Non-compliance as you say is a reality. Further you mention that, "JUST LIKE addiction, it's the time between diagnosis and death that can be a nightmare." I am saying the same thing, that an addict struggles with this nightmare his whole life. Anyway, I hope that is a little more clear. BVB
OMG not you at all! I was going to point out something that occurred to me. The forum is a site for understanding, acceptance, and help, and the differences we have. HOWEVER, I have noticed at different times, it is not a site for at LEAST trying to understand the world of addiction. For those who live a clean/sober life: I TOTALLY ACCEPT AND UNDERSTAND YOUR INABILITY TO LOOK INTO MY REALITY. I will continue to survive, struggle, and completely savor my new evolving new gay life. Rand
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OMG not you at all! I was going to point out something that occurred to me. The forum is a site for understanding, acceptance, and help, and the differences we have. HOWEVER, I have noticed at different times, it is not a site for at LEAST trying to understand the world of addiction. For those who live a clean/sober life: I TOTALLY ACCEPT AND UNDERSTAND YOUR INABILITY TO LOOK INTO MY REALITY. I will continue to survive, struggle, and completely savor my new evolving new gay life. Rand

 

 

Whew...well I'm glad we cleared that up. I think what you say in all caps is a very powerful statement, which is the point I made in my first post on the subject, and that is that people who are sober, and many friends and family of mine, just do not understand the disease, and in the end that is fine. We have to let people believe what they will, and just go on about our lives the best way we know how....Best to you and your new gay life....BVB

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Whew...well I'm glad we cleared that up. I think what you say in all caps is a very powerful statement, which is the point I made in my first post on the subject, and that is that people who are sober, and many friends and family of mine, just do not understand the disease, and in the end that is fine. We have to let people believe what they will, and just go on about our lives the best way we know how....Best to you and your new gay life....BVB
Amen, and the best to you as well BVB....Rand..."and having the time of my life."
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My conclusion after four years....drug addicts are selfish, uncaring, lying, scheming, weak-willed individuals who seek the easy solace of drugs rather seriously take responsibility for their issues or problems.

 

Sometimes an a-hole is just an a-hole. It's interesting that I've often thought that maybe addicts are, in fact, just South Park-Cartman-like people who just do what they want to do and don't really care about the adverse effects on others or themselves. "I do what I want!" as Cartman would say. My patients are mostly low-income, so in their case, I sometimes rationalize by saying to myself that the patient doesn't have the resources or social support. I get it that maybe addicts (or former addicts, as in the case of PSH) get an especially intense reaction to drugs and/or alcohol, and maybe their problems are so much more important than the rest of the world's peoples' problems. But in the case of PSH, he was sober, and decided to do heroin again, when he had the world's best counselors, psychiatrists, methadone maintenance programs, etc., available at his disposal.

It's also interesting that addicts seem a lot more prone to being jerks in other ways, too. Some of the stuff, such as stealing, can be explained because they may need money to feed their habit. But they also seem to be more prone to violence towards spouses, for example. Sure, being under the influence may lower one's inhibitions, but why hit one's spouse anyways? Does it make the addict more intoxicated? Increase his pleasure somehow? How about Justin Bieber? Does egging his neighbor's house or doing other nasty things increase his high? No, he's just an asshole. He simply thinks that he's more important than other people and, above all, his needs are more important than anyone else's. I don't think he has any capacity to even consider anyone else's needs. And who was that movie star who recently got caught driving under the influence, and his spouse was sober and sitting in the passenger seat??!! He (and his wife) could have just as easily not been a-holes, but chose to go out of their way to be jerks, and put peoples' lives in danger.

It would be nice if we could find a big island to put all of these people in. We could call it A-hole Island, and they could all live their doing whatever they wanted, being complete a-holes towards each other and leave us alone.

 

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_v1QRTRLLst4/TUg0Lfv6wrI/AAAAAAAAACI/uL3BY65r1sc/s320/Cartman-WHATEVA-I-DO-WHAT-I-WANT.jpg

 

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Addicts, at some point, made a conscious decision to do drugs. Whether it was social pressure, an adventurous nature, youthful experimentation or a seduction by a "friend" who promises a life altering experience. Each and every time after that, a conscious decision is made to do drugs that time. Whether it is powerful physical pull of the drug, the mental anguish caused by not having the drug, the desire for the rush or the escape, each time the addict melts the crystals and loads the syringe and places the tourniquet around his arm and injects, each and every time, the addict makes a conscious decision to do that.

Saying sober people do not understand the struggle is an excuse for not taking responsibility for the conscious actions needed to procure, prepare and ultimately administer the drug.

Once addicted, it is no doubt a struggle to get and stay sober. It is easier to get high and avoid the withdrawal and the pain and the anguish and the nausea and the vomiting and sweats and pain that go with not having the drug. So there you are, the struggle and the conscious decision to face that struggle or the surrender and the conscious decision to continue.

You may dismiss this as oversimplification by someone poorly versed in the trials and tribulations of the addiction prone individual if you are so inclined, but it does not make it less true that the heroin or the crystal meth or the roxicet does not administer itself.

I sincerely hope that those with this kind of addiction find the help they need and the courage to change. We all have some type of addiction. We all have our own demons. We all face our own struggles to continue on. Accept responsibility for your actions and perhaps the next step will not be as hard. When I have won my struggles, acceptance of personal responsibility was always the first step. With those struggles I continue to battle, rationalization, denial and blame seem to be my method of choice in avoiding facing the fact that the ultimate decision to continue that behavior is mine.

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Judging someone's addiction is so hard. There are many in the general public who would see hiring escorts as being a horrible waste of money, depraved, hiding from real relationships, and so forth. How does it go, "judge not others".

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Just to make my earlier posting clear, I was just trying to point out that "choices" are not as simple as they may seem. I imagine that most of us on this forum (including me) are gay, and I believe that at least part of being gay is genetic, it's no more a choice than my height or hair color. However, there are plenty of people in the general public who believe that it is a lifestyle choice and believe that if we really wanted to we could be straight. There are those who believe it is a combination of genetics and imprinting and the list goes on and on, with studies claiming to support each of these theories. I certainly don't know what the real "truth" is, but I do know that countless numbers of gay people have committed suicide, been killed and treated like dogs because of those who think it was something they did on purpose or because they were evil. I just don't want to assume that because someone is rich and famous they could easily have avoided addiction. Maybe there's a genetic component, maybe they face their own demons that those of us who aren't rich and famous don't understand, or whatever. As a minority that has been and is still subjected to a lot of prejudice we have some obligation to not be willing to join the lynch mob that wants to denigrate someone else in need.

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Just to make my earlier posting clear, I was just trying to point out that "choices" are not as simple as they may seem. I imagine that most of us on this forum (including me) are gay, and I believe that at least part of being gay is genetic, it's no more a choice than my height or hair color. However, there are plenty of people in the general public who believe that it is a lifestyle choice and believe that if we really wanted to we could be straight. There are those who believe it is a combination of genetics and imprinting and the list goes on and on, with studies claiming to support each of these theories. I certainly don't know what the real "truth" is, but I do know that countless numbers of gay people have committed suicide, been killed and treated like dogs because of those who think it was something they did on purpose or because they were evil. I just don't want to assume that because someone is rich and famous they could easily have avoided addiction. Maybe there's a genetic component, maybe they face their own demons that those of us who aren't rich and famous don't understand, or whatever. As a minority that has been and is still subjected to a lot of prejudice we have some obligation to not be willing to join the lynch mob that wants to denigrate someone else in need.

 

 

I agree Newtothis, and it has baffled me also, that as a 'gay community' that is clearly a minority and has clearly struggled with prejudice and continues to do so, that we are often times the quickest to judge, and the most unwilling to understand. I have come to believe that perhaps it is just that the species is flawed...

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When the diabetic dies decades before his due date, we say,"Yes, he should have taken better care of himself. But is was hard for him." BUT, if it happens to be an addict, from an OD, we say, " His choice."

 

I think that's a good point. For those that have experience as a diabetic that doesn't take care of themselves, as someone who has (or is) addicted to alcohol or drugs or those who know others who are, what is the answer for society? I don't have that experience but my thinking typically turns to understanding what society including friends and families can do to be part of the solution. I'm not good with "there's nothing that can be done"; personality flaw I guess but throwing the towel in isn't on my menu of options.

 

Do we assume these people want help but their sickness doesn't allow them to know this and act accordingly? If yes, what do we do for them?

 

Do we have criteria that draws a line and says that help is provided until XYZ occurs (some behavioral line is crossed for example) and then the person is left on their own to whatever fate awaits them?

 

Mental illness should likely be added to the above.

 

We have so many smart people and for those issues we choose to focus on, seemingly endless economics. Whats the right path forward? I can say for myself anyway that if faced with a catastrophic illness (mental or physical) or addiction (thinking alcohol or drugs), I couldn't deal with the issues alone. And I couldn't deal with it without insurance. Sure, I have economic resources but for the right help the associated cost would make dents in my assets that (for me anyway) would exacerbate the problem given how my near constant concern over having enough.

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A few days ago I posted on this topic and hoped that the comments about how "tragic" or "stupid" or "senseless" or "whatever" would end, and Mr. Hoffman could be left in peace and his family could be given privacy to grieve.

The thread seems to have evolved into a more general discussion on addiction, and that is constuctive in some ways and yet frustrating. Addiction has been with us throughout recorded history, and I suspect even before events were recorded on walls of caves. Societies and cultures within societies have dealt with addiction in a variety of ways and yet addiction is still with us. Perhaps human brains are wired to be susceptible to certain substances and beaviours and those who do not succumb are the strongest, or luckiest or most removed from temptation.

I know that I have an addictive personality(at least that's what I call it) and this can be demonstrated through my addiction to cigarettes (for over 20 years and then I kicked the habit) and gambling (which I enjoy far too much and I am still trying to kick). Destructive addictive behaviours for me can only be conquered by total abstinence---can't have ONE cigarette or I would be right back to a pack a day; can't buy one scratch off lottery ticket or make one visit to the casino because I would be buying more and spending more. Something has kept me from even exploring the world of alcohol or drugs---it would have been disastrous I believe--and I am extremely grateful for that "something."

I don't have answers for others. I wish I did. Those who suffer from the consequences of addiction and their friends and relatives have my sympathy but there is very little else I can offer and that saddens me.

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I agree Newtothis' date=' and it has baffled me also, that as a 'gay community' that is clearly a minority and has clearly struggled with prejudice and continues to do so, that we are often times the quickest to judge, and the most unwilling to understand. I have come to believe that perhaps it is just that the species is flawed..[/i'].

 

Like you, I am very surprised as well. PSH started using as a teenager, which indicates to me that he had some major problems that were unresolved until the day he died. He did seek help as recently as 2013. The tone of many of the previous posts seems to be "up the will power" and everything will be alright. Amazing.

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Like you, I am very surprised as well. PSH started using as a teenager, which indicates to me that he had some major problems that were unresolved until the day he died. He did seek help as recently as 2013. The tone of many of the previous posts seems to be "up the will power" and everything will be alright. Amazing.

 

I see that also....but what many don't realize is that, it is not that simple, nor that easy. Drugs alters that part of the brain where you make rational decisions...In the end that is what many people ultimately believe, and that is fine, few people will have there minds changed by any limited discussion that occurs here. Addiction destroys many lives in the process of destroying the addict. Often times it is those on the outside looking in, friends, family, loved ones who are desperate for answers, and the reality is, there often aren't any.

 

Best friend of mine, clean and sober for 17 years, owned his own law firm, and lost everything to drugs, was watching TV one afternoon, and got up, got dressed, and drove into Hollywood to buy Heroin. They found him face down in his condo. At the hospital I asked him what happened, he just looked at me and said, "I don't know what happened. One minute I was sitting on the couch and the next thing I knew I was heading into Hollywood to buy drugs, like I was going to the store to buy a quart of milk."

 

That's enough sadness for one day.....

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Just to make my earlier posting clear, I was just trying to point out that "choices" are not as simple as they may seem. I imagine that most of us on this forum (including me) are gay, and I believe that at least part of being gay is genetic, it's no more a choice than my height or hair color. However, there are plenty of people in the general public who believe that it is a lifestyle choice and believe that if we really wanted to we could be straight. There are those who believe it is a combination of genetics and imprinting and the list goes on and on, with studies claiming to support each of these theories. I certainly don't know what the real "truth" is, but I do know that countless numbers of gay people have committed suicide, been killed and treated like dogs because of those who think it was something they did on purpose or because they were evil. I just don't want to assume that because someone is rich and famous they could easily have avoided addiction. Maybe there's a genetic component, maybe they face their own demons that those of us who aren't rich and famous don't understand, or whatever. As a minority that has been and is still subjected to a lot of prejudice we have some obligation to not be willing to join the lynch mob that wants to denigrate someone else in need.

 

I don't really have anything to add to the general discussion here; I think we've heard from both sides of the drug addiction issue. But I am a little bothered by the analogy raised in the post I'm quoting. Comparing being gay (nurture/nature, etc) with deciding to put a needle filled with heroin in your arm seems like muddy thinking to me.

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Am I truly the only person here who has had a long-time escort hire show up on two occasions high on meth. Both times we called off the 'date' and talked about what was happening in detail. It never happened again with that escort, and I am not claiming that our conversations were the reason.

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Well here's another analogy. There is a definite genetic basis to some races being more prone to alcoholism than others. It doesn't mean that every person with that gene will be an alcoholic, but if a person with those genes starts drinking, he/she is more prone to becoming an alcoholic due to their genetic makeup. Heroin works by increasing your brain's production of dopamine. If some people have a genetic makeup that allows heroin use to release even more quantities of dopamine it could be extremely hard for them to quit using the substance; much harder than it would be for most people. And yes, they made a mistake in using it in the first place, and maybe if they were very strong mentally they could stop using it, but I guess you could also say that many gay teenagers are bullied yet most of them don't commit suicide because they are able to stand the stress. But those who can't...shouldn't we be compassionate towards them? We have all made bad choices at points in our life, but for some of us it's harder to correct the mistakes we've made than for others, we may not be able to help them or change anything, but we can be companssionate. Anyhow, that's just my point of view. I certainly understand that others may feel differently.

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Gone too soon and for no reason... I'm sure it's been talked about before, but Hollywood has a short memory.

 

http://www.imisstheoldschool.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/corey-haim-1.jpg

 

http://static3.businessinsider.com/image/51e5b13c6bb3f7960d00001b/cory-monteith-cause-of-death-revealed-as-heroin-and-alcohol.jpg

 

http://www.celebitchy.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/11/annanicoledanielsmith.jpg

 

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/4f/Heath_Ledger.jpg

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While i do believe the addict has to take personal responsibilty for his addiction, let us not forget there is plenty of responsibility to go around. The gateway drugs to heroin these days are pain oral narcotics. Most oral narcotics are produced in quantities many multiples of the actual prescribed doses. Big pharma making big bucks there. The government could easily track doctors prescribing these drugs to excess and could set up regularions making it harder to obtain these drugs from doctors. Right now, in NJ you cannot electronically prescribed narcotics you need a written prescription. Why not both? in aiddtion, there are at least 4 doctors in my area who have been arrested for writing narcotic prescriptions. The money a doctor can generate from these prescriptions is remarkable. Many oxycodone addicts will gladly pay $500 cash for a 50 dose prescription. Lets see, 10 such prescriptions a day, yields $1.5 million dollars cash a year to the prescriber. Dont forget the addicts are coming for a 50 dose prescription many times a month, so all a doctor needs is about 50 addicts to make that kind of money. All the oxycontin users know who these doctors are, and they are supplying many more than 10 prescriptions a day.

And these are the small time players. The money involved in addiction is staggering and that is the main reason why it is so prevalent. That does not exclude the individual addict from responsibility. So I feel bad for Hoffman's family and friends, but as for him, he knew he was playing with fire, hard to feel compassion that he got burned.

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Well here's another analogy. There is a definite genetic basis to some races being more prone to alcoholism than others. It doesn't mean that every person with that gene will be an alcoholic, but if a person with those genes starts drinking, he/she is more prone to becoming an alcoholic due to their genetic makeup. Heroin works by increasing your brain's production of dopamine. If some people have a genetic makeup that allows heroin use to release even more quantities of dopamine it could be extremely hard for them to quit using the substance; much harder than it would be for most people. And yes, they made a mistake in using it in the first place, and maybe if they were very strong mentally they could stop using it, but I guess you could also say that many gay teenagers are bullied yet most of them don't commit suicide because they are able to stand the stress. But those who can't...shouldn't we be compassionate towards them? We have all made bad choices at points in our life, but for some of us it's harder to correct the mistakes we've made than for others, we may not be able to help them or change anything, but we can be companssionate. Anyhow, that's just my point of view. I certainly understand that others may feel differently.

 

This makes a lot of sense to me. In my opinion, the one time that willpower is sure to be effective is the first time. Depending on one's brain chemistry, it may or may not be powerful enough to overcome addiction after that. Not everyone's brain chemistry is the same.

 

I've tried coffee, cigarettes, alcohol, weed, and a few other lower level drugs in my time and was lucky enough to be able to put aside all of them. Nicotine was the hardest. I started smoking at seventeen because my friends thought it was 'cool'. It took ten years and three tries to finally walk away, and for many years after that the urge was still there. My willpower was sufficient sometimes but not all the time. Today I know how it will affect me, so I don't plan to try smoking a cigarette ever again.

 

A few decades ago, I was curious to know what a crack high was like. I toyed with the idea but realized that I had no way of knowing whether it would overpower me or not, as it had done to so many others. My willpower was easily sufficient to avoid it the first time but I don't know if it would have been enough the second time, after my brain chemistry had been modified by the drug.

 

I think so much depends on the way someone's brain is wired and how a particular drug affects it.

 

All I can do is try to make the best decisions I can and, as newtothis says, show compassion for those who made some bad ones.

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Judging someone's addiction is so hard. There are many in the general public who would see hiring escorts as being a horrible waste of money, depraved, hiding from real relationships, and so forth. How does it go, "judge not others".

 

No, it's not so hard. I hereby judge you guilty of make egregiously false comparisons!! Hiring an escort is simply engaging in a mutually beneficial transaction among two consenting adults. It's no different from hiring a housekeeper, having your car detailed, or going to a restaurant. If you think hiring an escort--or a housekeeper, or a car detalier or a restaurant server--is a waste of money, don't do it! Especially don't do any of those things if your budget is tight. Hiring an escort hurts no one, and certainly doesn't put anyone's life at risk (at least not the way I do it). I'm certainly not hiding from a real relationship, having been with the same guy for twelve years. We are OK with each other seeing other people as long as we don't see the same person repeatedly.

I find you Guilty, Guilty, Guilt and sentence you to three swift symbolic kicks in the behind!

http://www.jdnews.com/polopoly_fs/1.228884.1383355133!/fileImage/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/landscape_445/jdnews.jpg

 

http://nikkigsblog.files.wordpress.com/2010/04/kick_butt.jpg

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Like you, I am very surprised as well. PSH started using as a teenager, which indicates to me that he had some major problems that were unresolved until the day he died. He did seek help as recently as 2013. The tone of many of the previous posts seems to be "up the will power" and everything will be alright. Amazing.
Everyone keeps going back to his teen-aged use. But no one is talking about his 25 years of sobriety - at least from heroin. He relapsed after 25 years of NOT using? I don't know what he was running from when he ran back to drugs but in the intervening years, the years of his sobriety, he won an Oscar and had three children... pretty good professional and family life
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