Monday, August 30, 2010:
Here’s a simple little test you can give yourself if you’re wondering whether or not you have a drug or alcohol problem. If you answer “yes” to two or more questions, you probably have a problem:
- Have you ever ridden in a car driven by someone (including yourself) who was “high” or had been using alcohol or drugs?
- Do you use alcohol or drugs to relax, feel better about yourself, or fit in?
- Do you ever use drugs or alcohol while you are by yourself?
- Do you ever forget things you did while using drugs or alcohol?
- Do your family or friends ever tell you that you should cut down on your drinking or drug use?
- Have you ever gotten in trouble while you were using alcohol or drugs?
The only problem I see with this test is that addicts lie, more to themselves than anyone else. An addiction needs dishonesty to survive like a fire needs oxygen to burn. An addiction and honesty cannot exist together.
The first thing an addict has to do in order to start recovering is take an honest look at him or herself. It’s a very humbling step to admit that you have a problem and you need help. Pride, or rather false pride, prevents most addicts from ever taking this first step, and the false pride is rooted in fear.
The active addict lives a life of dishonesty, false pride, and fear. I know because I’ve been there.
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One of the biggest problems my group has isn’t convincing folks that they have a problem. It’s convincing them to address the biggest one first and then deal with the other stuff. Nobody seems to want to do that. Everyone wants a reason or an excuse. They want to worry about the big bruise on their arm when there leg is cut off and they are bleeding out.