Faulty Logic

The idea that we can adequately or

romantically address the needs of the average

addicted person by 'treating' them with

the volatility and parasitically dire

source of addiction

is like using a chainsaw

to perform brain surgery.

In our affected, unclear, craziness of

choosing active addiction, of listening to the

"This time will be different" or

"I don't have a problem" lies that

we tell ourselves in order to get what we

think we want,

we can overlook all reality, signals,

and lessons in favor of self-destruction.

The 'cure' is truly worse than the pain.

If we start out from a place of being whelmed,

 hypersensitivity, vulnerability, pain

resounding endlessly, too much of this world

weighing down on us, pressures and stress and

fear, sensory overload, and all the rest

that can lead us to want to check out for a

while and avoid responsibility...

what can we possibly think we will gain by

opening up Pandora's Box and adding

fuel to the fire?

Using is a way of turning over our life's reigns

to catastrophe.

When we learn to care about ourselves

and our lives, we realize that active addiction

is not a harmless, victimless crime.

***

The Center of it All

After all the declarations, all the decisions to do better, all
the fear of losing loved ones or freedom, what is the one thing
that will truly save us in the end?

We must truly decide to Love ourselves.

This consists of many related decisions we have to make.

A true and abiding desire to care for self.
To do what will ensure better health and happiness.
To love self in a nurturing and devoted way.
To sacrifice instant gratification and past methods in favor of
    growing up and metting our own needs.

That's the only lasting and meaningful dedication I know
of that will make a difference.

There is much talk of doing for others in this country,
often to the detriment of self. All this codependency, all this
viewing of self as incomplete unto itself, all of the neediness
and dependence and need for others' approval is par
for the course, but it's dangerous and it's ultimately
unfulfilling and futile.

If you can't care for your self, you can't do for others.

Likewise, if you are dependent on others for esteem
and worth, you will ever be at the mercy of circumstance and
whims.

Self-sufficiency is the key.

Knowing and being true to self.
Being dedicated to mental and emotional and social and
physical health.
Putting one's own needs ahead of others' and not being a
doormat any longer.
Meeting your needs and doing what it takes to survive.

There is no morality required to quit drinking and drugging.

You need to know that you're worth the effort.
If you were never told, it's nonetheless true.

You are the center of your own universe, and there's
responsibility required to run that show.


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