I witnessed the insanity of addiction play out over the past couple of weeks. And it wasn't pretty, because people close to this addict were insisting he hadn't relapsed. Instead, they swore he was experiencing a psychotic episode due to his bizarre behavior.
He had a responsible job he'd held for going on 20 years. He was involved with his church on a deep level and carried the word wherever he went - almost to the point of sometimes irritating those around him with his proselytizing.
Then he started exhibiting bizarre and erratic behavior. He'd leave home early, returning late at night. At some point he left his long time job. He depleted the family savings and purchased a new automobile a few levels above his income grade.
Still family members were doubtful he was into drugs - even though he'd used them when he was much younger. Since he has a large family there was a lot of buzz as to where he was and what he was doing.
His car was seen at a hotel. He was spotted sleeping behind a convenience store. He'd declare that whatever he needed the Lord would provide.
At some point - convinced that he was going crazy - the family petitioned the court to hospitalize him. And when the police caught up with him they took him to a hospital for observation. However he was released shortly after because he apparently convinced the staff he was okay.
Whatever the case, he ended up at a different hospital a few days later and is still there at this writing.
The part of the this story that fascinates me is how family and friends insist he must be going crazy, rather than looking first at the obvious: a relapse into substance abuse.
They may be a bit more open to the idea of a drug problem once they learn that drug paraphernalia was found in his car when he was arrested.
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