My experience wasn't as intense as Exo's, but I think we both found that addiction literally makes someone into a worse person. They become closed off by their addiction, which makes them insular and self-centered, and combined with their growing need for drugs this makes them eager to jump at any opportunity to use someone else to get them, which is now much easier since they really only care about themselves at this point.

Addiction is a process that is far more complicated than this discussion can allow for. I whole-heartedly advocate for harm reduction as an approach, but there are definitely elements of personal responsibility and personal safety that affect the success of the solution. You can't change people for them. Nobody but you will put you first.

But addiction is a pathological misappropriation of the brain's prioritization circuits and socially, we make it very hard for people to seek, obtain, and maintain the help they need. The current strategies fail because they're not tailored to the individual's needs in most cases, and if they aren't, that person is not going to stick with the plan.

Addicts can only help themselves. You can "help" lean them towards a self realization and progressive action towards sobriety but until they are ready to accept their problem and accept their life, nobody can help them.

Does LiL particularly sound like someone who's had an epiphany and is trying to get her life back together?

Yeah, because talking down to me when I'm already down is the best form of advice. Everyone here has been wonderful in regards to helping me cope, but you feel it's better to kick me when I've already been kicked hard enough. I'm not trying to be mean, but god forbid I'm open about something when I usually never open about anything.

If you'd like, I can say **** it and let it effect me outside of here, but I'm in a bad place, and company is better than none.

Whaling?

You missed my edit when I said we all have moments when we are whiny pussies.

I had a time when I was a raging pussy like that, and I was called out on it. Those people I don't think are dicks for treating me like the whiny bitch I was being. They are just calling a spade a spade. Life never got better, I just learned to stop being a whiny pussy. It is what it is. Then again, I was much more aggressive and a bigger ass than Ki is. Personally, I appreciate the honesty and some those people that called me out for being a raging **** were the first ones to offer condolences or a hand when something fowl happens.

Also, how are people going to lay in on me for calling him a whiny pussy because he's going through a 'rough time' when he was going off on somebody with mental illness the same way? I offered him the option to PM me **** if he needs to talk when he went of on that tantrum about killing himself in the box below. He has not ever taken advantage of it. Instead he whines in here. Why is that?

On the topic of addiction, I've had to watch my older brother become a "living on the street heroin addict and dealer" kind of person, so forgive me if my current situation hits me pretty hard. Most people would never deal with one addict in their life, let alone i'm dealing with coping with 2. I know this doesn't make a difference, but maybe it'll help realize where I'm coming from.

TBH I think getting out of your parents house and back into an apartment would be a better help than getting laid. I imagine after all this your self-esteem is probably shot and getting back on track with a job and a place of your own would be a serious boost, while also getting you back into your old, self-sufficient mindstate. LiL losing track of you would be a bonus.

And yes, I fully realize the irony of me telling you this.

The point is, you have a terrible way of helping. I yelled at WD because he's done nothing BUT come here and complain. I come here to talk about music and whatever else. Sometimes I'm weak. Sorry.