Know something funny about drug treatment? Even though it is often the solution, we may not know what the real problem is. If we have a drug habit, those drugs are the most obvious problem in our lives. Sometimes we can’t see the forest (the real problem) for the trees (the drugs).

I’ve never had a problem with drugs. I’ve had problems with the police. ~Keith Richards

Drug TreatmentEven the poster child for “sex,drugs, and rock-n-roll” had a sense of humor about addiction.

When we find some way of dealing with the drugs…drug treatment, hospitalization, or white-knuckle will power the other problems seem to go away.

I was exposed to some drugs coming up…mostly marijuana. I knew a few people who dabbled in cocaine and pills. For the most part, alcohol was my drug of choice. So, I guess I was always a little naive about drugs.

Drugs Make Us Do Crazy Things!

When I finally sought treatment for addiction I ended up in an outpatient drug and alcohol recovery program. One of my “classmates” had a bad crack cocaine habit. One night we were all walking out to the parking lot I noticed several small, perfectly round, holes in the tailgate of her truck.

“What are those?” I asked. “They almost look like bullet holes”, I laughed.

“They are bullet holes.”

I stopped laughing and stared at her, waiting for the rest of the story. She explained that she had bought crack from a local dealer with wadded up paper.

“I didn’t have any money and was “jonesing” like mad. I backed my truck into the parking spot in front of his apartment and went inside. He knew what I wanted and handed it to me. I shoved the paper into his hand hoping he wouldn’t look too closely.”

“You’re crazy!” I gasped.

“Yeah…seemed like a good idea at the time. Anyway, I hurried outside and jumped into the truck. I had just gotten it started when he ran out the front door screaming at me. He pulled a gun and started shooting as I drove away.”

How many times have we incorrectly laid the blame for our drug problems in the wrong place?

I don’t have a problem with cocaine, I have a problem with the drug dealer!

I don’t have a drinking problem…my problem is with my boss!

Prescriptions pills are not my problem…the doctor is the problem!

Marijuana is not a problem for me, it’s the uptight cops that give me grief!

If You Are The Problem, Drug Treatment Might Be The Solution!

Every addict has to come to their own conclusion to the question of “what is your problem”. The solution for many of us is drug treatment. For me, I don’t have a problem with the police or with drugs…I have a problem with myself.

I self-medicated because I liked the way it made me feel. I was able to cover up the “yuck” inside of mel, but it always came back. Luckily, addiction treatment (and the support of loving friends) helped me kick many bad habits and find a new freedom that I never knew was possible.