Are we Invincible?

When it comes to not overdosing or dying from alcohol many of our young clients act as if they're invincible.

A man in his early 20s was recently found dead of an overdose behind a building in downtown Mesa.  He'd been in more than one treatment program - including TLC's - yet he would leave within a few days of entry acting as if he didn't have a problem after all.  The day before he was found dead he'd encountered a friend of mine who asked how he was doing.  He said he was fine, but that he wasn't done yet.  He wasn't ready to quit using.  Then he passed away the next day.

When I was a user in my 30s I had sort of the same attitude - that nothing could kill me, so I used drugs and alcohol with abandon.  I'm not even sure that I thought that my lifestyle could kill me and fortunately it didn't.  

But the  situation today is different.  Exotic and potent new drugs are on the market.  And many of the pills addicts buy off the streets are laced with Fentanyl or animal tranquilizers that make them deadly. Yet, the hope of another high is so alluring that users ignore the danger.  Like many addicts - and people  in general - they have the idea that bad things only happen to others.

One thing that I've learned is that people don't respond to danger or fear of dying.  They respond more to the promise of a better life - one that gives a purpose for living.

And that's what we try to give the clients who come to us.  The ones who are ready will grasp the  opportunity for change.

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