What is it like to be an addict, caught in the seemingly endless cycle of using, recovering, shame and failure? The non-addict might think an addict is having fun, doing whatever they want and indulging themselves at everyone’s expense. In the beginning stages, there is some truth to this. But as abuse continues, it becomes a prison for the individual as well as others. No non-addict can ever understand the death-like paralysis that grips the addict’s heart and life as they are compelled by an unseen and impossible to understand force to use even though they know that using will be followed by a shame that is so deep it can make living unbearable. The compulsion to use is sinister, sneaky and powerful. It knows the addict’s fears, insecurities and vulnerabilities and lays traps to get them loaded and hold them in the addictive pattern of using and unsuccessfully quitting. Family and others are powerless to stop the addict who traps them in an enabling relationship; damned if they do, damned if they don’t. Nothing seems to work and it becomes impossible not to feel angry if you’re a loved one and like a failure and a disappointment if you’re the addict. Feelings of failure make you want to give up; just what your addiction wants you to feel and so it preys on that feeling and forces you to use again and again and again.
A common saying is that you can’t force an addict to get help until he’s ready. I disagree. There are so many ways to intervene. Addiction is a tough adversary and we have to get mean and dirty and tough ourselves if we want to beat it. Addiction is a 400-pound gorilla, but a good plan can be an 800-pound gorilla if we are willing to fight with every resource and take control of the process without apologies. I’ve GPS’d people’s cars and dragged them away from using, confiscated drugs, put them under lock and key – whatever and whenever – we must fight to save someone’s life. Never think there isn’t more that can be done; there’s always more we can do if we’re willing to try again.
Scott Spackey is a California Registered Addiction Specialist, Interventionist, Life-Coach Hypnotherapist and Bio-Feedback Technician. For more information, please call 661-299-1966, email Scott@Life-Mind.com or visit www.Life-Mind.com .