POSITIVE THINKING IS THE KEY TO STOPPING ADDICTION

An addiction is a habit that a person abuses (Inside: Altogether Elsewhere,
March 20). To abuse something is to misuse it. To misuse is to use
something other than its proper purpose. What these three definitions fail
to tell you is that a person misuses something with the purpose of abusing
it. Say he has an addiction; the addiction is actually covering up feelings
that have led him to believe he needed something other than what he was
getting. A person's only addiction that he may ever have to face is just
that, that he can't face his inner demons that have been mislabeled as
addictions. Until that person can confront whatever or whoever made them
feel inadequate, he will continue to use "addictions" as a means to enter
treatment facilities for problems that don't even exist.

Time will tell who you are inside. It took me almost 20 years to find out
that my addiction wasn't present in my life; others wanted me to believe it
was. I stopped like I always said I would, by being totally honest with
myself, that I couldn't control my actions when using. I couldn't get high
like the next person and stop after a said amount of money spent, like some
can. I have to have it all, and there are many more people out there who
are just like that when they take their first hit. Any amount used will not
satisfy the craving, so why use any? Oh, because you're supposed to be
addicted? Yeah, right! Somebody's been lying! You aren't addicted; you're
simply confused. Wake up, man. You're needed out there, just like I am.

Now, you tell me how someone like myself can quit using crack after 11
years? You don't have to say a word; I already know. I am the same person
who said there is no such thing as an addiction or drugs or the need for
drug treatment therapy. Positive thinking, as well as the will to better
yourself, should give you enough encouragement to stay away from using any
form of drug or alcohol. You, the individual, have to make the distinction
between living life positively or negatively; no one else can do it for
you. Only you can!

Cody S. Boudreaux, Lafayette