See, that is levity. It was funny and I would've enjoyed that one.jwmorrice said:Guess I'll be the first to suggest Ray switch to PEPSI.
jwm
C O K E
- Thread starter RayFinkel
- Start date
Oddly enough, smoking is far harder to quit than coke.frankcastle said:
I have tried many times to quit smoking with no progress.
I think it's because it is socially accepted while coke is an absolute no-no.
A short time ago I would have called you an insensitive asshole....not the case today. I agree!AMWBT said:
I have lost too many people to drugs. One close friend of mine jumped in front of a train, one of my best friends is in jail...thank God. Another I can't even have a normal conversation with anymore....LSD.
At the moment I have two family members addicted to crack and a close friend knee deep in coke. All three have very little left and still maintain that they don't touch drugs. I've tried soft love, tough love, I've offered to cover for them in every way possible if they choose to get well and nothing. Fuck'em! I've passed the ball to another family member.
As for dear old Rayfinkle...we have spoken a thousand times through pm months ago. All I will say is that his problem is a crutch, with a relatively easy fix I might add. I offered him all that was needed with a fucking spoon and still nothing, no effort whatsoever....nada. Fuck him too! He'll be fine once he hits rock bottom.
ATT: Cokeheads!! We all have problems, just because we don't do blow doesn't mean that we haven't been there!! I have no time for you weak selfish pricks anymore.
Sometimes all an addict needs is someone they used to know to say "Hey you look like fucking shit! What happened to you?"
After I kicked my addiction I ran into an old friend. We led seperate lives and I had no idea he was also a coke addict. Unlike myself who kicked the habit a couple years before we crossed paths, he was still an addict. He looked like a skeleton because all he did was smoke or snort coke. Hardly ate and definitely did not shower or clean very often.
When I saw him I was shocked and asked, "What the fuck is wrong with you? You look like total shit right now!" It seemed to open his eyes. He replied "Oh yeah? Really?" Like he was completely oblivious to his condition.
From what I heard, two weeks later, he was 1 week clean and in a rehab. I haven't heard anything since, but I like to think he kicked it and is living well.
Just a FYI. To be a junkie doesn't always mean you lose weight. I had money and was well fed so even with my addiction, I ate well enough to look normal. Unless you looked at my sunken eyes.
After I kicked my addiction I ran into an old friend. We led seperate lives and I had no idea he was also a coke addict. Unlike myself who kicked the habit a couple years before we crossed paths, he was still an addict. He looked like a skeleton because all he did was smoke or snort coke. Hardly ate and definitely did not shower or clean very often.
When I saw him I was shocked and asked, "What the fuck is wrong with you? You look like total shit right now!" It seemed to open his eyes. He replied "Oh yeah? Really?" Like he was completely oblivious to his condition.
From what I heard, two weeks later, he was 1 week clean and in a rehab. I haven't heard anything since, but I like to think he kicked it and is living well.
Just a FYI. To be a junkie doesn't always mean you lose weight. I had money and was well fed so even with my addiction, I ate well enough to look normal. Unless you looked at my sunken eyes.
Addictions are a disease.
I and my family went 'round and 'round with a relative that was hardcore alcoholic.
After some research and some individual counselling we came to realize that his addiction was in fact a disease. Armed with that information, we were able to overcome the stigma and help him clean up. It was a lot of work. Much of the effort was required by his wife by not enabling but it was a family team effort.
Two years later he is clean and sober. He still wants to drink but doesn't.
He may sneek the odd beer, in front of us now, but he and we all know "one's too many and a thousand isn't enough" so it is kept in serious check.
He's stronger now, he's healthier now and he's smart like a whip again. The best thing is that it's great to have the great XXXXX back and he's happy to be back too.
Seek family, seek professional help. Look at yourself now versus the past and make a decision as to what kind of man you want to be.
It's like cancer Ray and you have to fight it every day to beat it.
I and my family went 'round and 'round with a relative that was hardcore alcoholic.
After some research and some individual counselling we came to realize that his addiction was in fact a disease. Armed with that information, we were able to overcome the stigma and help him clean up. It was a lot of work. Much of the effort was required by his wife by not enabling but it was a family team effort.
Two years later he is clean and sober. He still wants to drink but doesn't.
He may sneek the odd beer, in front of us now, but he and we all know "one's too many and a thousand isn't enough" so it is kept in serious check.
He's stronger now, he's healthier now and he's smart like a whip again. The best thing is that it's great to have the great XXXXX back and he's happy to be back too.
Seek family, seek professional help. Look at yourself now versus the past and make a decision as to what kind of man you want to be.
It's like cancer Ray and you have to fight it every day to beat it.
Puleeze. It's a sign of a weak person. Now he's trapped and guess what? We tax payers will foot the bill. Just do us all a favour and OD someday soon, will ya? There are more deserving people out there to help.blitz said:
I can fully understand your patience wearing out, but if an addict is close to you there will always be a strong compassionate side, especially if you have experience with extreme addiction yourself, but not restricted to. I can see why many people cannot relate and really you can't expect them to, but it only takes some thought and observation to get some grasp of what it's all about, given that it's something that gets a lot of exposure. Many people insist on viewing it as they see it or how they like to think of themselves [if they were in that position] rather than accepting how it is.AMWBT said:
Here we go with this self pity thing again. OK, maybe at some stages and initially, dependent on the individual, they do feel self pity, but it partly stems from the fact their perception of reality is skewed by the chemical roller-coaster drugs can create/compound in your brain. Facing reality after using a crutch for many years can be terrifying. In many cases they are consumed by an overwhelming, debilitating and literally crippling state of mind. Many do not have control - the drugs do - that is the bottom line.AMWBT said:
No doubt, it can be hell, but part of sympathising, especially with relatives should entail empathy toward the addict. Not many would appreciate such callous and insensitive judgments. However, honest, concerned and objective thoughts as a friend/outsider can lend valuable perspective.AMWBT said:
I don't mean to single you out, because there are other less thoughtful comments earlier in the thread.
It's true what Calloway stated earlier that giving an addict an aggressive wake up call may stir a positive reaction in some addicts, but for many it may push them further into oblivion. A delicate balance of cold hard truths combined with strong compassion is what is needed, and maybe even, for some, a dose of the ignorant/stereotypical perception much of society has of addicts. I mean what's the point in hitting rock bottom if when you get there you don't know it because there's no glimmer of hope to gauge it by.
I dunno, this subject hits a raw nerve with me, more than any other. Most addicts are essentially good people who were hurting and/or trying to fill a void and in the process of attempting "self medication" got caught in a viscous cycle, unfortunately created a bigger void. To place judgment on them as people isn't fair nor is it going to be accurate, because their actions are not always within their control. Trying to convey this feels much like talking to an addict - banging ones head off a wall. It's true you cannot trust a junky ( or many alcoholics for that matter ) more accurately though, you cannot trust the force that drives them.
I'd like to say I'm astounded at some peoples level of insensitivity and condescending indignancy, but I'm not - I wish people would surprise me some day. I just hope it makes ya feel better to boost yourselves at others expense. That's my view on it even though I think such "rhetoric" may have it's value at the right time and place.
This subject certainly brings out the best and worst in people.
I still find it odd that the song 'cocaine' was so popular at a time when it wasn't so readily available and made popular by people who had never tried it - something ain't right [and it's not that the JJ Cale version wasn't popular first].
That's a horrible comparison.blitz said:
Someone unfortunate to get cancer doesn't have anywhere near the say a drunk does when it comes to getting better.
If a drunk is serious about turning around his life it's 100% up to him. It's just a matter of being strong enough to quit.
I've read all the replies since I posted.
Got a few comments.
Fred...really disappointed you decided to not respond to my PM which was excatly the same as my post. Sit on the fence, ignore it if you want, but the adult industry and addiction are notoriously hand in hand.
To those that posted and said...I think it's a crutch. Well, thats easy to say. And I do understand how after a period of time dealing with people you care about, you will come to the conclusion it is a crutch. You are not wrong, but WHY it's a crutch needs to be addressed.
To those that say..fuck em..they're losers...well, no they are not. They have a problem most people cannot understand.
Addiction is an odd thing. It strikes people of every age and income, it strikes when you least expect it.
Addiction is a disease, but it is cureable. It takes time and perserverance. It also takes people who give a shit.
An addict cannot recover amongst people who have never been there. They need that honesty whether they believe it or not.
Get some time under your belt in recovery and then you can take advice from the "earth people". All the advice is well meant..but when you use..it doesn't mean a thing.
Just my 2 cents...I have been on both sides of the problem. I'm better now. I may not be tomorrow. THAT is the life of the addicted. MY life is spent focusing on forward motion. And, with that as my guide I succeed where some do not.
Never..ever..make fun of an addicted person. Before you know it, someone in your life WILL be addicted. Hopefully it will not be you.
Addicts are not low life's. The are Moms, Dad, Doctors, Nurses, Lawyers, Accountants...name the profession. It exisits more than you know.
M2
Got a few comments.
Fred...really disappointed you decided to not respond to my PM which was excatly the same as my post. Sit on the fence, ignore it if you want, but the adult industry and addiction are notoriously hand in hand.
To those that posted and said...I think it's a crutch. Well, thats easy to say. And I do understand how after a period of time dealing with people you care about, you will come to the conclusion it is a crutch. You are not wrong, but WHY it's a crutch needs to be addressed.
To those that say..fuck em..they're losers...well, no they are not. They have a problem most people cannot understand.
Addiction is an odd thing. It strikes people of every age and income, it strikes when you least expect it.
Addiction is a disease, but it is cureable. It takes time and perserverance. It also takes people who give a shit.
An addict cannot recover amongst people who have never been there. They need that honesty whether they believe it or not.
Get some time under your belt in recovery and then you can take advice from the "earth people". All the advice is well meant..but when you use..it doesn't mean a thing.
Just my 2 cents...I have been on both sides of the problem. I'm better now. I may not be tomorrow. THAT is the life of the addicted. MY life is spent focusing on forward motion. And, with that as my guide I succeed where some do not.
Never..ever..make fun of an addicted person. Before you know it, someone in your life WILL be addicted. Hopefully it will not be you.
Addicts are not low life's. The are Moms, Dad, Doctors, Nurses, Lawyers, Accountants...name the profession. It exisits more than you know.
M2
It is an excellent comparison and you are so very wrong.the rusty tromb said:
I have seen a man fight cancer and win.
I have seen a man fight alcoholism and win.
I have seen many men fight heart problems and win.
I have seen a man not fight cancer and lose.
I have seen a man not fight a coke addiction and lose.
Addictions are a disease. Your shallow opinion is less than helpful, very disrespectful and lacks obvious knowledge.
W
WhOiSyOdAdDy?
I agree.the rusty tromb said:
People do not choose whether or not they will get cancer. Addicts have made a choice to use drugs
another difference is that you may beat cancer.. but once an addict, always an addict.
That doesn't mean they're the same. A lot of times those with cancer have no control over their condition, where as a drunk or drug addict has ALL the control over their condition.blitz said:
Do you see the difference?
How exactly is an addiction a disease when all it takes to cure their so called
diease is some inner strength?
Wouldn't you be pissed if you actually had a potentinally terminal disease and a drunk or drug addict considered themselves to be in the same boat as you?
blitz said:
Blitz I have sadly seen both examples lose their individual battles.
Cancer is a totally different monster. People tend to approach cancer differently than addiction.
EVERYONE can relate to cancer....everything they say to you is more of a cheerleading section than actual advice. And, that is a good thing. Nothing wrong with having your close family and friends rally around you.
We all know a good attitude is excellent during the fight against cancer.
But, it's not the same as addiction. The cancer patient is facing potentially lethal consequences at that moment, the addict is not.
But I do appreciatte your support for those who are in recovery!
m2
Actually an alcholic does not have control. That's why he/she is an alcoholic. Someone who has control over a substance does not become addicted. See the difference?the rusty tromb said:
Addiction is a disease of the mind. An overpowering feeling of utter despair that makes you think that you cannot live without the substance or activity with which you are addicted to.
I beat my addiction, but I will always be an addict. I read somewhere that a cancer patient is no longer a cancer patient when they recover. Wrong again. Cancer has a nasty way of coming back. I lost a brother-in-law to brain cancer. The prognosis looked optimistic. The treatment seemed to have eliminated the tumor. Alas it came back and took his life. Don't pretend to know what you have never been through. If you don't want to show support that is fine. Just don't preach your higher morals because you've never succumbed. That doesn't help the person who needs the help.
Whether you wish to believe it or not, addiction is a disease. Disease of the mind. The mind is a very very powerful thing.
Peace.
Please. This alcoholism and drug addiction being a disease doesn't make sense. You don't need a doctor, medicine, etc, in order to "cure" alcoholism or drug addiction. All you need is will power.ruck said:
Doesn't exactly sound like a disease.
Rusty,
You ought to stick to sliding and watching marshmallow reruns on tv.
The American Medical Association, the American Psychiatric Association, the American Hospital Association, the American Public Health Association, the National Association of Social Workers, the World Health Organization and the American College of Physicians have all classified alcoholism as a disease.
Check Wikipedia.
You ought to stick to sliding and watching marshmallow reruns on tv.
The American Medical Association, the American Psychiatric Association, the American Hospital Association, the American Public Health Association, the National Association of Social Workers, the World Health Organization and the American College of Physicians have all classified alcoholism as a disease.
Check Wikipedia.
Rusty..you are a long time member here and well respected.the rusty tromb said:
But on this topic, you are wrong.
Will power is not enough. People need guidance from those who have walked the path before them.
This is not a personal slam against you...but there truly is a difference.
M2
