We, human beings are dependent creatures. We are born dependent and need each other throughout our lives; but when our relationships don’t meet our dependency needs, we often turn to substances as a substitute. That’s why drug dealers never have to advertise.  Their clientele actively seek them out.  The point is addiction is not the problem; it is a bad solution to a deeper problem.

 

For example, Dave, a drug abusing group member,  boldly shared with us his delusional thought: “Cocaine is my friend. My girlfriend walked out on me, my family deserted me but cocaine is always there for me”.  One group member,  Sally was incredulous and sarcastically said: “Yeah, coke is your friend all right, until you’re strung out; then coke is the devil incarnate”.

Our militaristic-minded culture has us thinking of social problems in a monolithic, overly simplified notion of good and bad. Addiction is an example.  We’re at war on drugs; we fight disease, crime, poverty, the list goes on and on. Many politicians think the way to treat social problems is to make them illegal.  History has shown, time and again, that this approach doesn’t work but that doesn’t seem to stop the proliferation of useless laws. Prohibition was a case in point. Making alcohol illegal didn’t stop the consumption of liquor; but it did line the pockets of black market bootleggers and organized crime. Politicians and bureaucrats alike, just don’t  get it– Addiction is a disease of dependency.  It is an attempt to solve emotional conflicts with a substance. This can’t be legislated away. I believe group therapy can help with that.