Addicts In The Dark

Societal norms surrounding drug use and addiction continue to be informed by unfounded myths and misconceptions. This caller’s story exemplifies the harmful and unfounded belief that criminal prosecution effectively addresses a person’s addiction issue.

Web-based sex is not only addictive, it’s often free—in a financial sense. However, this caller explains how an inability to unplug can profoundly cost real-life relationships.

Dealing with an addict’s behaviour frequently means enduring their manipulative ways. This type of abuse does not happen because the addict is inherently a bad person, but instead, it’s often because they don’t live in reality and they may perceive threats that do not exist.

People who frequently obsess often develop addictions. These addictions are used as a coping mechanism for their obsessions. This caller's obsessions led to his indiscretions.

Despite all of the tragic losses that result from substance abuse, the most saddening by-product of substance abuse is the neglect, abuse and maltreatment of the children whose parents are addicts. Furthermore, addiction is not a spectator sport. Eventually, the whole family will get to play.

Today’s opioid epidemic now means that every user now plays Russian Roulette with their life. However this caller played the game in more ways than one.

Like a lot of obsessions, it began innocently for this caller. However, against all odds, he was quickly rolling the dice with his life.

Enablers are often thought of as the mothers, fathers, grandparents, siblings or friends of an addict. These people sometimes allow for the addict to persist in self-destructive behaviour by protecting them from the consequences of their addiction or by making excuses for the addict. Although, this caller’s enablers have little interest in protecting their "friend".

Addicts often prioritize short-term gratification over long-term consequences. That’s what makes it so easy to succumb to addiction. It’s even easier when your dealer accepts credit card.

All animals eventually shed their skin. That includes us humans. We do not only shed our hair and skin cells, but we also shed an old version of ourselves. This episode's caller explains how painful, yet satisfying that process can be.

Like many chronic diseases, addiction does not just spring up one day. The process of developing an addiction takes place in series of stages and, like other chronic illnesses, often turns into a cycle of addiction, treatment and relapse.

Over-thinking is a common trait amongst addicts. It can be a sign of self-absorbed behaviour that is rooted in a lack of confidence or low self-esteem. His overthinking led to his excessive drinking.

Addiction is often viewed as a defect of character. Society assumes that addicts possess a lack of will power or have poor judgment. It is true that addiction is a defect, however, it is not a defect of character, but a defect of the mind. This caller’s story exemplifies how society’s view of addiction can prevent someone form seeking antiquate treatment.

Stimulants will help anyone focus better. A lot of people value that feeling, especially if they suffer from attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. But Is it possible to over-value that feeling?

The more commonly used substances and activities can be amongst the most addictive-even when compared to some of the most harmful of habits.

People who deal with trauma often turn to substances to cope with the intense flood of emotions that they face. This caller’s traumas and subsequent addictions led her into what is considered to be one of the worlds most vulnerable lifestyles.

Some highly intelligent people lack the emotional strength needed to handle their traumas. Not to mention, highly intelligent people can easily spot the hostilities of our world. In this episode, we discover how an intellect can end up as a slave to a substance.

Perfection is unattainable for some addicts, especially when the monster is let out of it's cage 3 times a day.

Many substance abusers often escape into the only world in which they feel comfortable—the inner self. In this episode, the caller knows first-hand that very few people can live a healthy life with only themselves in their world.

Pain is at the root of all addictions. A person needs to find the cause of the pain so that it can be treated. However, as this caller explains, sometimes the treatment can be just as harmful as the pain that it's supposed to defeat.

When people talk about addiction, stereotypes are often mentioned. Many people imagine down-and-out or rock-bottom moments that we see portrayed in media. In reality, there is a very good chance that someone who struggles with addiction is a high functioning addict, much like this episode’s caller.

Just like a drug addict who chases a chemical induced high, this episode’s caller got high off of hormones.