Addiction Is A Treatable Disease
Addiction Is A Treatable Disease - Statement Of Intent
Having survived the despair of addiction, including a major aftershock, I aim to raise awareness of addiction as a treatable disease rather than a character defect and carry the message of hope to still-suffering addicts.
I use metaphors because objectifying addicts would reinforce prejudices I seek to overturn, and permission given in active addiction is unreliable.
Left in turmoil when my first wife abandoned me, I also abandoned fidelity before inexorably descending to Hell. A taste for forbidden fruit became insatiable, leaving me roaming a moral quagmire, obtaining my now essential ‘fix’ by mercilessly deceiving and destroying vulnerable women.
Weakened by internal conflict and suicidal thoughts a spiritual path seemed unattainable. Broken and burning I reached rock bottom then in despair entered rehab where I was held incommunicado, tearful from detox, rebellious, and still hurting.
Light slowly reclaimed darkness but Addiction still laid false and dangerous trails. Success and sobriety followed until I complacently stopped going to meetings and was soon on a slippery slope of deceit and make-believe. I became trapped by fear in an affair until my wife discovered it and drank herself to oblivion.
I was about to start treatment for Prostate Cancer with my wife planning to leave as soon as that finished.
I worked with a new therapist and rejoined a 12-Step program, starting a new group now helping 60 addicts recover. I discovered that my first wife’s infidelity was a survival mechanism and my future depends on relinquishing control to others, not making life choices based on make-believe and never stopping going to 12-step meetings.
I have regained my wife’s respect, and helped her through her own illness. We are on our firmest foundations ever.
(282 Words)
Left in turmoil when my first wife abandoned me, I also abandoned fidelity before inexorably descending to Hell
A taste for forbidden fruit became insatiable
Weakened by internal conflict
A spiritual path seemed unattainable.
Mercilessly deceiving and destroying vulnerable women
Suicidal thoughts
Broken and burning at rock bottom
Entering rehab in despair
Light slowly reclaiming darkness
Addiction still laying false and dangerous trails
Back on a slippery slope of deceit and make-believe
Trapped
in an affair by fear
My wife drinking herself to oblivion
Working with a new therapist and rejoining a 12-Step program
Staring a group now helping 60 addicts recover.
Avoiding complacency, make-believe, control, and judging others
My wife and I on our firmest foundations ever..
