I've had the debate before about whether or not people can really change? That's one major debate in itself but to be more specific, if someone is an addict, will they always and forever be an addict, even if they "get clean" for some amount of time?
A recent example is the homeless man with a Golden Radio Voice. According to reports, he once upon a time had a life until drugs and alcohol led him down the wrong path. He has now been given amazing opportunities to turn that all around. Do you think he will succeed or will the inner addict pull him back down eventually? Even if he manages to stay "clean" do you think the stigma of having been homeless will always follow him no matter what he was before, or after?
As a self-defined and accepted alcoholic myself who is now clean and sober, I do believe that alcoholism is a medical dis-ease that can be arrested and treated but not cured. "Former" alcoholics and addicts with significant "clean time" refer to themselves as "recovered" and many others in the rooms of AA, NA, and rehab will argue that you will always be recovering or in recovery but never recovered.
ReplyDeleteI think it is negative self-talk to keep calling yourself and alcoholic or addict but it is also important not to be in denial or get too cocky and arrogant in sobriety that you set yourself up for relapse. Most, if not all, alcoholics have a genetic or environmental predisposition to alcoholism and addiction and addictive personalities and behaviors exist before and after the actual drinking or drugging. So some treatment plan, program, or regime to get clean and stay clean is vital. ONE DAY AT A TIME!
Despite the many people cheering for The Man With The Golden Voice, just as many or more are against him and/or expecting him to fail. I believe Ted Williams deserves this chance and even if he screws up, he still deserves another chance, and another chance, and another chance!
Maybe not the SAME EXACT chances recently offered to him, but nevertheless, people are people and we all make mistakes. That's why they put erasers on pencils.