General Discussion
This is a topic I know hits hot spots for a ton of people. Most of us have been touched by addiction on some level or another, maybe not directly, but through family and friends etc. What do you think? Can people really change?
Okay I will start....I find this statement to be one of the most offensive statements I hear, not just regarding addiction but anything we as humans come up against. To say we have no ability to make change is not only defeating but also goes against everything Science has taught us about how powerful the mind is. I know there are many arguments out there, and depending on where you look , you can find a ton of research to support every direction you may want to lean towards. I also know that Addiction takes a toll on communities and families and an addict can cause damage to anyone in their wake. Trust me, I get it and it can at times seems very hard to try to love someone in active addiction. There actions can feel extremely selfish and destructive to the people that love them the most. There is no doubt about that, so when I say comments like these infuriate me, it's not out of a lack of understanding and or experience that I say that. My life has been impacted both personally and professionally by addiction and taken a fair share of peace from my family as well.
As hard as it can be for those of us loving someone in Active Addiction, I would ask you to consider for just a moment how incredibly hard it must be to be the person living with the addiction. Think about the last time you seen that person, did they look like they were enjoying life, like the high was so amazing and their quality of life was top notch. Did they look undeservingly peaceful or overly comfortable with themselves and their current situation. Were they surrounded by beautiful things and loving people. My guess is no...My guess is they had none of the things we all want in life. Which brings me to wonder, if by chance they have already lost enough to the addiction, it clearly comes with a huge price tag. To think anyone would wish no change for someone suffering with addiction seems far from human to me.
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