Gaseous Emanations From The Front

[Kevin_Bacon]

Just read texanaddict's unfortunate tale, and got to thinking about a few things ... First of all: "Friends." I've known someone for almost 20 years. Interesting person; pre-Oxycontin days, didn't even dabble,  well-educated and we had similar interests.

Then this person got messed up. Ended up in rehab, but it didn't take, 'cause the love of opiates was too ingrained. Now, for all the armchair neurologists here, maybe -- no -- probably some people are stuck with faulty endorphin / enkephalin systems, much in the same way that psychopharmacologists blather about the catecholamine system (serotonin, noradrenaline, dopamine and GABA, for starters) ... and we get insidious "panaceas" like the Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors, The Tricyclics, the SSRI's and SSNRI's, not to mention "atypical" anti-depressants, all which are dispensed in a "shotgun" style until patients are so wired, they don't know if they're happy or stealing third base.

This person got really messed up, but functions highly, despite the copious amounts of opioids flowing through their system. How the heck can someone pay the bills and feed the beast on a fixed salary? They become pushers. Your pals are now relying on you and other victims, many who end up on Methadone for the rest of their lives, skimming profits to satiate themselves. As much as I feel for this person, any sympathy has been replaced with contempt and disgust. I'll be passing this message along personally, because I got screwed, and this person aided and abetted me every step of the way.

I have choices -- make some really bad decisions, for sure. But it's time to tell these evil little weasels what they are, and where they squat in humanity's hierarchy. Your telephone will be still. Do it.

The other point I'll quickly deal with (well, I'll try) is the various forms of so-called "aftercare" espoused by many. If you're a church-going person, by all means go. If you feel NA or AA is essential to your well-being, you know where to find them. If you have a competent therapist, you're really fortunate. Following a program is very important for those whose lives have unwound, devoid of structure. But it's not for everyone. Such blanket statements are inaccurate and unproductive. I've met many people who through some sort of sheer will or self-control have overcome whatever befalls them, and it is something to strive for: independence from compromising one's integrity and intelligence. If you don't "fit" into this group or that therapy, you're whistling through your nose. If you're looking for a fellowship and it strengthens you, and you truly believe in what you're doing, what are you waiting for? But if you eschew sociality, for whatever reason, you're not doomed to fail. You're just not doomed to fail.

And "I told you so"s don't help.

Regards,

-- KB

[Kevin_Bacon]

I understand completely. Shrinks and their ilk consider a person's indifference to sociality as a huge negative -- "You're isolating!" -- but some people need a lot of time to themselves. Serious relationships, of course, require like-minded types and a degree of compromise, but it's not impossible.

I should point out that I'm aware that humans evolved as highly social animals, but even this form of communication defeats sociality by anonymity, abstraction, and lack of real contact.

I never imagined such technology in my lifetime -- it's bewildering.

[hooklineandsinker]

You can get anything you want at Alice's Restaurant and NA meetings. :)

[leeisgettingclean]

i think you have to do what works for yuo. For me meetings and counseling works, but some this dont. Part of the reason i decided on meetings was to get myself back into public, as a user i isolated myself, so therefor going to meeting and socailing was a way for me to start back living

[leeisgettingclean]

all good valid points, thank you for that