Hypothetical Qs - Drugs

[DrPhil]

Originally Posted by cheerfulgreek

I didn't look at it like that. That makes sense. It's just that I was thinking addict as in meaning someone who's "gotta have it." Ya know what I mean? I guess I was just thinking that if someone is doing coke or crack, at work, they really wouldn't be able to function and would look a mess, and their work would suffer. With coffee, people can drink it at work, function, and look normal. But, I never thought about the high as being the way you pointed it out to be. Makes sense.

"Intervention" has people thinking that addicts have to look and act a certain way to people who don't see them in intimate settings.

One of the points of addiction is the ability to hide it and suffer in silence. People can be alcoholics for years until it begins to impact their professional lives. Their home lives may have suffered for a long time. An example is bigtime corporate execs and politicians who are celebrated in the public eye--while their families know they use cocaine and drink alcohol everyday. Some call this "functional/recreational use," but I don't believe that anything that you "need" is "functional/recreational use."

[cheerfulgreek]

Originally Posted by DrPhil

"Intervention" has people thinking that addicts have to look and act a certain way to people who don't see them in intimate settings.

One of the points of addiction is the ability to hide it and suffer in silence. People can be alcoholics for years until it begins to impact their professional lives. Their home lives may have suffered for a long time. An example is bigtime corporate execs and politicians who are celebrated in the public eye--while their families know they use cocaine and drink alcohol everyday. Some call this "functional/recreational use," but I don't believe that anything that you "need" is "functional/recreational use."

DrPhil, thanks for posting this. This is really interesting and it's amazing how society can make people believe things that aren't necessarily true. Sad, but true. It's like whatever is socially acceptable is o.k.

[33girl]

Originally Posted by DrPhil

"Intervention" has people thinking that addicts have to look and act a certain way to people who don't see them in intimate settings.

One of the points of addiction is the ability to hide it and suffer in silence. People can be alcoholics for years until it begins to impact their professional lives. Their home lives may have suffered for a long time. An example is bigtime corporate execs and politicians who are celebrated in the public eye--while their families know they use cocaine and drink alcohol everyday. Some call this "functional/recreational use," but I don't believe that anything that you "need" is "functional/recreational use."

I think the only reason it's referred to as "functional" is that people are still functioning in what society considers a socially acceptable manner - going to work, getting to appointments on time - rather than spending all day drunk in a bar or sitting in the living room doing coke.

[Drolefille]

Originally Posted by 33girl

I think the only reason it's referred to as "functional" is that people are still functioning in what society considers a socially acceptable manner - going to work, getting to appointments on time - rather than spending all day drunk in a bar or sitting in the living room doing coke.

Yeah, it's a clinical/recovery term, not something that's supposed to imply that the addiction is working for them or healthy.

[Drolefille]

Originally Posted by DrPhil

Yes and the problem is that people buy into the idea of it being functional/recreational.

Sure but if you called it something else they'd still buy in because that fits into their world view. Anything that supports the addiction.

[DrPhil]

Originally Posted by Drolefille

Sure but if you called it something else they'd still buy in because that fits into their world view. Anything that supports the addiction.

Yes. Different language, same sentiment.

[33girl]

Originally Posted by DrPhil

"Intervention" has people thinking that addicts have to look and act a certain way to people who don't see them in intimate settings.

One of the points of addiction is the ability to hide it and suffer in silence. People can be alcoholics for years until it begins to impact their professional lives. Their home lives may have suffered for a long time. An example is bigtime corporate execs and politicians who are celebrated in the public eye--while their families know they use cocaine and drink alcohol everyday. Some call this "functional/recreational use," but I don't believe that anything that you "need" is "functional/recreational use."

I think the only reason it's referred to as "functional" is that people are still functioning in what society considers a socially acceptable manner - going to work, getting to appointments on time - rather than spending all day drunk in a bar or sitting in the living room doing coke.

ETA: I just peed my pants laughing at your signature.

[KSigkid]

Originally Posted by DrPhil

"Intervention" has people thinking that addicts have to look and act a certain way to people who don't see them in intimate settings.

It also has people thinking that interventions are easy events which can be handled in a matter of minutes. They're not easy, and they're not always lead by professionals.

Plus, they're not always the best idea. (I say that as someone who has helped out in a friend's intervention)