Addiction
- Thread starter Srbo
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Srbo, this is sort of why I don't follow gossip, and I don't 'celebrity stalk'. It's easy to get judgy on people, but not so easy to realize that no matter how much PR crap or gossip we read, we know absolutely nothing about famous people--hell, we don't really know the people we're related to or interact with every day.
Addiction is a scary, life-long trap; in my family, it mainly manifests in alcohol abuse, and is closely tied with depression, but it can show up in other places. One brother is very proud that he deals with the depression I can't help but suspect is genetic without alcohol...but he's fixated on exercise and every morsel of food that goes into his mouth=a different addiction, but an addiction nonetheless. It's no fun. I've lost family members to their addictions, and I've cut ties with others. I don't judge, but I also don't feel guilty for being angry or feeling betrayed. I know them (as well as I can know anyone) and their lives. But to judge someone I've just seen, or read, or listened to? Nope. No idea what they're dealing with, or how they're trying to deal.
I do feel for the kids, though. They'll deal with this for the rest of their lives--that makes me sad.
Addiction is a scary, life-long trap; in my family, it mainly manifests in alcohol abuse, and is closely tied with depression, but it can show up in other places. One brother is very proud that he deals with the depression I can't help but suspect is genetic without alcohol...but he's fixated on exercise and every morsel of food that goes into his mouth=a different addiction, but an addiction nonetheless. It's no fun. I've lost family members to their addictions, and I've cut ties with others. I don't judge, but I also don't feel guilty for being angry or feeling betrayed. I know them (as well as I can know anyone) and their lives. But to judge someone I've just seen, or read, or listened to? Nope. No idea what they're dealing with, or how they're trying to deal.
I do feel for the kids, though. They'll deal with this for the rest of their lives--that makes me sad.
I see the subject of this conversation as about a fundamental aspect of humanity which I suspect exists in all of us, the faux need for the "scapegoat". I believe, due to human imperfection and its consequent guilt, in a deep, primal part in us needing atonement; a legitimate need which is nevertheless then twisted, due to the ever-present paths of least resistance, denial, avoidance of the truth, into an unspoken, or even spoken, community agreement to select out of the group an individual to pay for the atonement. How this concept applies to the death of Mr Hoffman is in that I believe there's a subconscious or unconscious feeling of gratification when the community sees the atonement extracted, when some individual pays the price for their own imperfections. It's not a coincidence to me that people in the limelight or so often the scapegoat, since the whole community gets to see the fall. It's built into the way human society works that celebrities pay the price.
Hence the popularity of The National Enquirer, and the endurance of such journalism despite its obvious, obnoxious negativism and heartlessness. It appeals to a primal, sensual aspect of human beings to see this law enforced. Deep down we all know we're inescapably part of this agreement, regardless of our best intentions. It's whence human sacrifice originally emerged, and why such stories as "The Lottery" touch us so deeply and scare us so successfully. What when the scapegoat is you?
Scapegoat - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Hence the popularity of The National Enquirer, and the endurance of such journalism despite its obvious, obnoxious negativism and heartlessness. It appeals to a primal, sensual aspect of human beings to see this law enforced. Deep down we all know we're inescapably part of this agreement, regardless of our best intentions. It's whence human sacrifice originally emerged, and why such stories as "The Lottery" touch us so deeply and scare us so successfully. What when the scapegoat is you?
Scapegoat - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
I do both. Of course I think of Morrison, Joplin, Hendrix and a host of others as "junkies." Sorry, I won't hide my head in the sand about this problem. But I also celebrate who they were artistically.
I grew up around alcoholics to the left and right of me in my family, as well as junkies living on my block. I cannot remove myself from the way I feel about this type of addiction just because someone is talented. As I said earlier, I will celebrate their talent and listen to their music, read their books, watch their movies, etc., but I WILL NOT ignore the fact that they were drug/alcohol addicted and abusers and condone or overlook this practice.
I can take a drink or two and stop, and take prescription pain relievers when needed, as last year after intense chemo treatments, without abusing them. No problem. Why? Because I'm not, thank God, an addict. Does that mean I'm better than addicts? No. It means I'm not hard-wired like they are. But I've got things I can't give an inch on. I think all of us have different weaknesses we have to be wary of. For some it's booze, pills, or heroin. For some it's porn, overeating, or even hatred, greed, or bitterness - things we just can't seem to stop once the ball is rolling. According to the article posted earlier, Hoffman was sober for 25 years, but something, or a series of somethings, happened that threw him off the tracks. Let it be a warning to all of us to live life, but be on guard against whatever addiction, vice, weakness, or attitude that rips into us if we give it half a chance.
Drug addiction is a public health problem and America refuses to recognize this fact. Biological factors that influence the disease of drug addiction have long been established. Only some people stay ignorant to medical studies that have tested theories using molecular probing and magnetic resonance imaging. Experts have produced scientific evidence that explains the biochemistry as well as the genetics behind substance abuse and Science and Nature have published such studies. Drug addiction is medical and there is no debating this fact. It is a classic example of nature over nurture. Therefore addicts are unable to choose because DNA determines their vulnerability.
Mr. Hoffman’s tragic death saddens my soul. I have read similar comments. The lack of respect for this man’s family is quite disturbing. But then again some people are trashy and have no home training.
I am truly sorry for his family and friends who knew Philip Seymour Hoffman the person and not the celebrity, the friends who loved him for his flaws, laughed at his jokes, and toasted with him during happy times.
I empathize with anyone who loses a friend to an overdose. An overdose that could have been prevented.
Until America accepts drug addiction as a public health problem and not a criminal mentality, the overdoses will continue.
Mr. Hoffman’s tragic death saddens my soul. I have read similar comments. The lack of respect for this man’s family is quite disturbing. But then again some people are trashy and have no home training.
I am truly sorry for his family and friends who knew Philip Seymour Hoffman the person and not the celebrity, the friends who loved him for his flaws, laughed at his jokes, and toasted with him during happy times.
I empathize with anyone who loses a friend to an overdose. An overdose that could have been prevented.
Until America accepts drug addiction as a public health problem and not a criminal mentality, the overdoses will continue.
When I was in my teen years, all I wanted was to be a musician. I was a singer for different bands, I made music, and I wanted people to hear me. However, I had a really bad case of stage fright, every performance was torture and I was never happy with my performance on stage. I found out that a beer or two before a gig helped me relax and do a better job. You see where I am going with this?
I grew up in a family where almost everyone on my father's side (except my father) were alcoholics, and I lost my uncle when he was only 35. He was an alcoholic, and at that young age, his body couldn't take more abuse.
Before I got real problems, I sat down and really considered my options, and chose not to pursue a career in music. Although I miss making music desperately at times, I don't regret my decision.
My point is that working creatively can be a tight rope walk for many people, and some fall into different kinds of addictions.
I am so grateful to the great artists who have brightened my life, made me smile or cry, and I will never judge them for their weaknesses.
I grew up in a family where almost everyone on my father's side (except my father) were alcoholics, and I lost my uncle when he was only 35. He was an alcoholic, and at that young age, his body couldn't take more abuse.
Before I got real problems, I sat down and really considered my options, and chose not to pursue a career in music. Although I miss making music desperately at times, I don't regret my decision.
My point is that working creatively can be a tight rope walk for many people, and some fall into different kinds of addictions.
I am so grateful to the great artists who have brightened my life, made me smile or cry, and I will never judge them for their weaknesses.
I don't think he was referring to anyone here. I've encountered comments on Facebook. But I just brush it off. Some people don't realize he is someones son or brother.
Speaking of weather Ms. Mod, are you'll buried in snow up there in Maine? We just keep getting hit with wave after wave of winter storms here, although I'm sure compared to Maine storms what we're experiencing probably seems minor in comparison but it doesn't take much to throw a monkey wrench in the works as far as getting around here. There isn't a flat surface in the area where I live, it's all hills here and there isn't very many salt trucks to go around. It's pretty much a demolition derby around here last couple of days...I've said this to several people that I've noticed a definite melting down of people and general crankiness that I think might be at least in part due to the severe winter weather those of us in the northern hemisphere have been experiencing. I love that example, Sunny, and maybe we all can take that to heart before we hit Post Reply with words we'll regret. Think twice, post once (or not at all).
A lot of the storms hit farther south or go out on the coast and so even though I'm in central Maine, we don't get as much snow as those in the southern areas do. I'd guess that at my house we got somewhere around 8" yesterday. A lot of what we'd had earlier in the year had melted off so didn't add much to what was already on the ground. There have been other years when we'd have 2 or 3 feet this time of year. It has been very cold, though. The low spot in our yard registered -9 this morning but once the sun came out it hasn't been too bad (up to a balmy 18) as there isn't much of a wind. We still have idiots here who think they can drive as though it's any other day.
The high temp so far today is 17 here, bitterly cold last night, -5. My animals are NOT liking this weather at all....
I was shocked and saddend to hear how Phillip Seymour Hoffman died. The world has lost a great talent and thats sad. His children will grow up without a father and thats sad. As Srbo said, no one else gets spit on for dying an addict, so why PSH?
Everybody is addicted to something, otherwise why would we be on this message board?
It all depends on what you're addicted to and why.
Some addictions are potentially lethal, some addictions make life worth living (SK books? Chocolate? Lovers?)
Some people just can't stay away from killer stuff.
PSH was one of approximately 38,000 Americans who die from drug overdoses, every year
CDC - Facts - Drug Overdose - Home and Recreational Safety - Injury Center
88,000 Americans have alcohol-related deaths, every year:
CDC - Fact Sheets-Alcohol Use And Health - Alcohol
But those are deaths that are recorded.
PSH is mourned by family and admirers, but how many other unknown people do we pass by every day, struggling with some chemical demon?
Perhaps we know people with addictions, but we don't know what to do or say.
Or we're afraid to get involved.
Perhaps we should try harder to be our brothers' keepers.
We can't save or even help everyone (or even anyone).
But we could always try.
It all depends on what you're addicted to and why.
Some addictions are potentially lethal, some addictions make life worth living (SK books? Chocolate? Lovers?)
Some people just can't stay away from killer stuff.
PSH was one of approximately 38,000 Americans who die from drug overdoses, every year
CDC - Facts - Drug Overdose - Home and Recreational Safety - Injury Center
88,000 Americans have alcohol-related deaths, every year:
CDC - Fact Sheets-Alcohol Use And Health - Alcohol
But those are deaths that are recorded.
PSH is mourned by family and admirers, but how many other unknown people do we pass by every day, struggling with some chemical demon?
Perhaps we know people with addictions, but we don't know what to do or say.
Or we're afraid to get involved.
Perhaps we should try harder to be our brothers' keepers.
We can't save or even help everyone (or even anyone).
But we could always try.
I just read this article by Russell Brand. Powerful insight into addiction, & worth reading: Russell Brand on heroin, abstinence and addiction » The Spectator
...addiction is never going away, I just tire of the fawning over the cult of celebrity, and the wailing and gnashing of teeth that accompanies the death of another celebrity...as I stated elsewhere, it's a tragic loss-but no more so on the human scale than the young fella across town that succumbed to the demons of his own addiction...we bring it on ourselves, and I won't cry over that...most of us who are addicted to something, didn't go in all doe-eyed and innocent...I know I didn't, and the cigarettes will kill me-I acknowledge it...and I have no interest in stopping, death-sticks or not...
And I will cry over you....because you are a fellow human, and because my heart will ache for your family who love you, and for the friends who know you and love you......those are the same reasons I cried for the family and friends of celebrities who passed so young and so sadly. I didn't cry for them because they are famous, but because they were real people who left loved ones behind who will hurt for a long time.....