July 31, 2011

"Rehab, Relapse...then despair"

I just ran across this article and read the whole thing hoping for a happy ending.  After I was done I wondered --- how many happy endings are there?  I hate the feeling of being hopeless but today, I worry.

Here is the article if you want to read it, I assure you it will be familiar to many:  Dana Reisman's story. 

UPDATE:

Holy crap....I didn't read the comments to the above article, but thanks to Bristol pointing it out, I will share the comment here.  I know from my own newspaper's recent comments that THIS IS THE MINDSET of many people out there.  Its pretty sad that they see it this way, its absolutely no help to anyone.  There is some truth to what this person says, but what they don't realize is that its human nature for people to do things even though they have been warned against it.  Drinking and driving, driving too fast, eating the wrong foods, not exercising, the list goes on.  Most addicts start in high school and sure - they hear the lectures about lecture, just like they hear the ones about safe sex, safe driving, etc.

The problem is, in their youthful belief that they are invisible, bad things happen to other people.  Its naive thinking but they are young people that are still maturing.  I don't blame the addicts.  They may have chose to use, but they did not choose the addiction that ruined their lives and devastates their families.

Comment:  "I spent several years as a proprietor on the west coast. The west coast was flooded with Black Tar Heroin, and consequently the neighborhood I worked in had several overdose deaths. It is sad that all of those people died needlessly. There is so much information, and so much indoctrination thru education on the downfalls of Heroin, that it puzzles me why someone would use it. I have no sympathy for those that use it or become addicted to it. Once addicted, they become animalistic creatures that pursue the drug, and will do anything to get the drug. Sometimes that involves stealing from family, and friends.Sometimes it involves acts of violence, and even the murder of people that stand in their way of committing crimes. Addicts are not victims and should not be referred to as "victims". They made poor choices, disregarding all warnings of imminent disaster. The victims are those that have to pick up the pieces of their shattered lives, and the survivors of the carnage the addicts wreak. Resources should be spent on helping the real victims., not the addicts."

Peace, Hope and Love, Barbara

7 comments:

Bristolvol said...

Thank you for sharing this, Barbara. What worried me was the second comment to the Article :(

Bar L. said...

Bristol, thank you for pointing out that comment, I did not see it before. :(

Lisa said...

Before my son became addicted to heroin, I'm pretty sure I thought that way as well. Before my niece became a severe drug addict, I'm sure my brother felt that way as well. If you are not directly exposed to the horrible world of addiction and how it claims our loved ones, and how hard they work to fight it, it truly is difficult to understand. And I admit that I truly don't know how to change the view of the world about drugs and drug addicts. I wish I did. And I agree that it doesn't help anyone to see these thoughts in writing...but until you are forced into it, you simply have no idea.

Tori said...

What a sad story. The comment is just that of ignorance and what addicts and POA's have become used to.

Momma said...

This is so very sad... and the Comment is sad. It makes me so sick. We must continue to stand up, and go on even though this feels like a slap in the face.

Anonymous said...

i would like to mention that i was friends with dana and her less than perfect homelife could have been what caused her to turn to drugs. her uncle died from alcohol, her father wasn't around and her controlling mother could all have been reasons. it is NOT an excuse, but her mother should have not sold her story. this story makes her mother sound like she is the victim.

Bar L. said...

Anon, thanks for sharing this. Its always helpful to hear from someone that knows the person being spoken of. Did her mother really sell this story?

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