I was checking out at the grocery store the other day when the man behind me said something I couldn't help but overhear. It took everything I had to restrain myself actually. I was with my girls and he was with his wife and child so just felt the kiddos didn't need to hear the boiling thoughts in my head.
He was looking at the tabloid headlines and saw one I had noticed that said "Lindsey Lohan fighting to stay sober" His comment was, "I just don't get it. It can't be that hard to stay sober. Just stop drinking the alcohol or doing the drugs. Done. Sober."
Seriously? I wish it were that easy. I've been the child of an addict, the addict, and am the wife of a recovering alcoholic. I have seen every side of that issue. I know how it feels to wake up and crave, to eat a certain meal and crave, to stress and crave, to hurt and crave. I walked my path due to my pain. I hurt and no one believed me so I turned to using to cope. I lied to people. I manipulated. I did a lot I am not proud of and all before I was 17.
I wish it were easy. I wish you just made the choice and then poof....done. But people don't become addicts because it is glamorous and fun. They do it because they need the escape for some reason. They don't want to face something. The using is what is easy. It's the fight to stay sober that takes desire, a day to day effort and choice. It takes a lot of support from loved ones and community.
Sunday, November 10, 2013
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Amen. You are stronger than you know, not just for surviving and growing through it but for the courage to share it.
ReplyDeletelight years behind you but I thought I'd offer up a single point of view. " I wish you just made the choice and then poof....done." When "you" decide to quit, it is doable. When others "decide" you should quit, "you" have not decided. The i in you stands for intent. It has to be your very own intent to quit because otherwise it's a charade you play with yourself and others.
ReplyDeleteOther people, as you say, need all the help they can get. This was simply a personal observation.