I am an addict…

This is an open letter to the world and myself, that I am an addict.  If you read through some of my other ramblings on this site, I make mention to a phrase, “Words Mean Things….”.  The term addict simply means that a person is addicted to something.  To quote my favorite online dictionary (thefreedictionary.com);

“1. To cause to become physiologically or psychologically dependent on a habit-forming substance: The thief was addicted to cocaine.“

Again, read between the lines and see the angle that our society spins on it.  “The thief was addicted to cocaine”, While the statement would be true (in the circumstance), our society tries to connect the dots between “addict” and “criminal”.  Is this fair or responsible? After reading a book called “Under the Overpass” by Mike Yankoski, his narrative and my thoughts are working to disconnect the connection between addict and criminal. While using an illegal substance is a crime, why are we so quick to judge and label this person as “Criminal”?

 

My goal here is to humanize others that have been thrown in the criminal addict trash can, by using examples that apply to myself and most likely yourself.  Currently, I am a tobacco user. While I do not smoke to extreme excess, I still smoke cigarettes on a regular basis.  While I enjoy the taste and the experience, the bottom line is, I am addicted to nicotine, and I prefer in in a smoke.  Since tobacco is not an illegal substance, I am not a criminal, but I am still an addict.

 

One of my other favorite substances is caffeine.  Speak to me in the morning before and after a cup of java, two totally different persons.  One of my favorite indulgences is to sit in the early morning at the lake with a steaming cup of coffee and a cigarette.  Damn, I am a double addict.  I was thinking about mentioning chapstick but I digress for fear of incrimination….

 

Back to Mr. Yankoski’s book.  He describes with good detail interacting with folks whom are recovering and experiencing addictions to substances much more potent and harmful than the items listed above.  This got me to thinking, what are the differences between myself and these addicts.  Self control, hardship, disappointment… we can think of comparisons, but the bottom line is a person that is suffering under a dependency is no less a human being than you or I. 

 

As I travel on my spirtitual journey, I encounter a phrase, “the body of Christ“. I wish to not put off anyone that is not “christian” by using that term (while I wouldn’t mind irritating a few that are “christian”), but it is a lovely term.  I have decided that I wish to follow the teachings of Jesus Christ.  I don’t do this because I wish to belong to any specific group, it’s just that I have read about what he stood for, and I wish to stand and serve under his ideals.  The “body of Christ” is people who are acting in his behalf since he’s not supposed to do all the work himself (doctor’s orders).  As an appendage of the body of Christ, we need to help these addicts as we can, for they are a person no greater or lesser than you or I.  The person we can label as an addict and toss aside has his issues, as so do we. 

We (that’s all of us kids) need to reach out an pull these folks out of the waste bin, or better yet, climb in and ask, “What can I do to help you?”

Much Love,

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