Saturday, June 14, 2008

Addicts

In my line of work I see more than my fair share of addicts - from alcohol to marijuana, from cocaine to meth. I can tell you what prescription pills can be sold for the best price, how to melt meth to make it injectable and every "antidote" drug available to doctors today. Thats the sad part.

The sadder part is the more I lead therapy groups, get to know patients, I realize that the drug is not the worst of it. Most of them are doing the drugs to forget some kind of abandonment, abuse, or other aberration in their life. And I am supposed to teach them coping skills!

I was thinking last night as I read my 4th novel this week...we all have addictions. Some are just safer, healthier and more socially acceptable than others. When I have a stressful week (like this one - VBS and 40 hrs at work and the first full week of summer vacation) I tuck the kids into bed and immerse myself in someone else's story...and I don't stop until I'm done. I give up sleep, my chores, snacks, time with Todd, etc...because I am addicted.

So here is my honesty for the day: My name is LeShayne and I am an addict. My drugs of choice are Friends reruns, chocolate chip cookies, and good novels. I can teach "coping skills" but the reality is I am simply teaching people to give up one vice for a healthier one. So consider it research for therapy groups...what is your addiction aka healthy coping skill when you are stressed?!

2 comments:

Angelle said...

Definitely reading! Lately, being bummed out at being home all the time, I have lost myself in books all the time. I hate that it makes me use the TV as a babysitter more than I'd like. But hey, it IS an addiction.

Anonymous said...

Hi I'm Trina and I'm an addict. My drugs of choice are caffeine and the INTERNET.
Very good observation! I just happened to find your blog and was reading a few post and this one really caught my attention. I live in a major metro. city and see the easily identifiable "addicts" daily and wonder of the more "normal" looking folks what their addiction is? because your right i believe we all have one, to something. I knew i had a problem when everyone at my local 7-11 knew me when i came in the door, which is normally 2-4 times a day. And when you start ordering their coffee products online you really have a problem.
Thanks for allowing me to share. seriously.