This is so true, Kathleen. Most of us really don't understand the nature of addiction. I have heard addictions doctors explain that the need to use opioids can feel as strong as our need to breathe air, drink water when thirsty or eat food when we're hungry. We also tell ourselves it's just a choice. We tend to really minimize what a person goes through to get off drugs. From what I've seen, it takes real courage to choose detox, especially these days, when some have become co-addicted to medetomidine, and withdrawal from that is sometimes life-threatening.
Thanks, Grace. I think that’s exactly why “they don’t care” misses the mark so often. Most of the people I’ve known who struggled with addiction cared deeply. Many cared so much they were drowning in shame. What we see on the outside isn’t always what’s happening underneath. Recovery takes an incredible amount of courage. ❤️
This is so true, Kathleen. Most of us really don't understand the nature of addiction. I have heard addictions doctors explain that the need to use opioids can feel as strong as our need to breathe air, drink water when thirsty or eat food when we're hungry. We also tell ourselves it's just a choice. We tend to really minimize what a person goes through to get off drugs. From what I've seen, it takes real courage to choose detox, especially these days, when some have become co-addicted to medetomidine, and withdrawal from that is sometimes life-threatening.
Thanks, Grace. I think that’s exactly why “they don’t care” misses the mark so often. Most of the people I’ve known who struggled with addiction cared deeply. Many cared so much they were drowning in shame. What we see on the outside isn’t always what’s happening underneath. Recovery takes an incredible amount of courage. ❤️