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?!