Hating addicts for being addicts, is a bad thing. They’re still people, with full lives, and can be wonderful humans. They may also need help, or they may choose not to get help. The point being, we shouldn’t judge people based on whether or not they’re an addict.
Noone said they were hating him for his drug use. Being a drug addict is a bad thing by definition. If it wasnt a negative for the person we wouldnt call it addiction.
Unfortunately drug addicts are “judged” because they are simply riskier to associate with than a sober person. I’m not sure how many sober people are actually left though, and most people won’t disclose their drug addictions.
Where did you get the idea I hate/judge addicts? You made it up. You’re willing to wash away the ugliness that the disease of addiction is, and that’s a pretty bad thing to do.
I think they were ignoring the nuance which is that a good person could be a victim of a bad thing without it being their fault. Otherwise why say “it’s not a bad thing”?
Yes exactly. “It’s not a bad thing” to me sounds like “hey man drugs are cool (which I either believe or am so desperate to sound accepting, I don’t care how it comes across)”
It expanded my understanding of their socioeconomic plight, psychological suffering, and physiological vicious cycle, exacerbated by ineffective draconian punitive measures implemented by government. It’s a truly excellent and compassionate book, I found the discussion on brain chemistry fascinating as well, and should be easy enough to find with Libby or at a local library.
Hating addicts for being addicts, is a bad thing. They’re still people, with full lives, and can be wonderful humans. They may also need help, or they may choose not to get help. The point being, we shouldn’t judge people based on whether or not they’re an addict.
Noone said they were hating him for his drug use. Being a drug addict is a bad thing by definition. If it wasnt a negative for the person we wouldnt call it addiction.
Unfortunately drug addicts are “judged” because they are simply riskier to associate with than a sober person. I’m not sure how many sober people are actually left though, and most people won’t disclose their drug addictions.
Where did you get the idea I hate/judge addicts? You made it up. You’re willing to wash away the ugliness that the disease of addiction is, and that’s a pretty bad thing to do.
I don’t believe they were projecting, so much as clarifying their original position.
I think they were ignoring the nuance which is that a good person could be a victim of a bad thing without it being their fault. Otherwise why say “it’s not a bad thing”?
I think you hit the nail on the head here. Addiction is the bad thing. Being an addict (victim) is not.
Yes exactly. “It’s not a bad thing” to me sounds like “hey man drugs are cool (which I either believe or am so desperate to sound accepting, I don’t care how it comes across)”
Correct
In the Realm of Hungry Ghosts by Gabor Mate was pivotal in reframing my perspective on addiction and addicts.
Sorry, could you summarize how?
It expanded my understanding of their socioeconomic plight, psychological suffering, and physiological vicious cycle, exacerbated by ineffective draconian punitive measures implemented by government. It’s a truly excellent and compassionate book, I found the discussion on brain chemistry fascinating as well, and should be easy enough to find with Libby or at a local library.