Addiction

 

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“It’s not going to hurt, I promise…” Jade reassured Dameon, stretching out a plate filled with a hard substance for him to inhale.

“Bro, I don’t need this stuff. I’m vibing at the party just fine,” Dameon resisted, brushing past Jake and the others.

“Oh, come on. Don’t be such a bore,” Nathan pressed.

“I said no, alright? I need to drive home.” Dameon stood up, ready to leave.

“Come on, Dame. There’s plenty of space here—just stay the night. Let’s get high. You’ll love the feeling, I swear,” Jade insisted, refusing to take no for an answer.

“Look, if you can’t respect my boundaries, I’m out of here.” Dameon brushed past Jade, heading for the door.

“You’re no fun. We’re all adults here, stop being a kid. Coward,” Nathan sneered.

“What did you just call me?” Dameon turned back, grabbed Nathan by the collar, his fist clenched tight.

“I said you’re a chicken-hearted coward.”

Nathan barely finished the sentence before Dameon’s fist connected with his nose. K.O. Nathan collapsed, wincing in pain.

Blood. He was bleeding.

The room froze for a moment; then erupted into laughter of varying pitches as the shock wore off.

Nathan smirked at Jade, then tilted his head toward Dameon.

“You’re gonna be back for this…”

“And you’re going to get more of this,” Dameon snapped, shaking his fingers, trying unsuccessfully to wipe the blood from his knuckles. He stormed out.

Where is the lie?

Dameon did come back—broken, petrified, distorted—when his girlfriend announced she was getting married to a senator. How could he compete?

Depression would have been the kindest outcome, but no. What followed was far more hellish.

He grabbed every substance he could get his hands on. Painkillers, alcohol, hallucinogens, antidepressants, stimulants. Weed became a constant.

His mother watched in horror and tried, to no avail, to send him to rehab. His siblings later learned the truth: his girlfriend was the cause.

Just like that, Dameon became an addict. And it didn’t stop there. He began spending recklessly on parties, picked up gambling as a hobby, and womanizing as a sport.

He lost his respect for women. He hated everyone, but her. Diane.

He couldn’t stop loving her, and that was what he hated most. She was his undoing, his weakness, the death of him.

He used to be articulate, focused, ambitious. Discipline was his anthem. He had prospects, a vision. Funny how it took one sentence to ruin him:

“I’m getting married, Dameon.”

He stared at her wide smiles splashed across the internet and wondered, Did she ever love me?

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ORATOR:

Pain does not come to break you. It comes to make you.

Fear, anxiety, and worry push people toward habits and addictions. Heartbreak can make one promiscuous. Worry can make one avoidant—seeking momentary escape.

“What’s my tomorrow going to look like?”

“Oh, nobody knows tomorrow.”

But I know tomorrow. It is certain.

No, I’m not doubtful. I’m not scared.

“What if I fail?”

No. There’s no room for that.

“Oh, she left me…”

That’s fine. It’s for the greater good. I’m going to become the best version of myself.

These struggles are not one-way tickets to destruction. Always remind yourself:

I’m tough.

I’m disciplined.

I’m focused.

Why allow random people access to your body? Why poison yourself with self-destructive substances? You aren’t fixing the pain: you’re destroying yourself.

Porn addiction, womanizing, substance abuse, self-harm; none of these will help you.

But fortifying your inner self will.

Pain amplifies growth and talent.

Watching a child, sibling, parent, or loved one battle addiction is never easy. Extend a helping hand. Be patient. Don’t be abusive, judgmental, disappointed, or indifferent. They are not a write-off. Don’t give up on them.

And if you’re the addict, don’t give up on yourself. Think of those who believe in you. Think of the people who look up to you.

What if one day you finally figure things out? You’re happy, settled, surrounded by family, but your health begins to fail. The mistakes you made twenty years ago now make your children cry every day.

You may not have a reason to live now, but when you finally find one, you might be fighting a battle you can’t win.

What about your parents? Don’t you love them? Bringing you into this world was a lifelong investment. You owe it to them to be responsible.

Fight.

Fight your addictions.

Love yourself.

Seek help.

Your family is there for a reason.

Don’t fear the future, plan for it. Nothing is permanent. People come and go. Accept the lessons, the love, the happiness they bring.

Accept the pain. Cry. Mourn.

But please, don’t ruin yourself.

It’s okay to lean on a shoulder. That feeling won’t last forever. It’s only a desert of transition.

Go to rehab if self-control fails you. It’s okay to say no to peers who pressure you into things that compromise your values. Let them call you a fool, a deadbeat... whatever they like.

No is no.

Hit the gym. Find a new hobby. Go out more. Eat good food. Delicious food. It helps. Make friends.

You will be fine.

Be strong: for your present self, your future self, and those who love you.

You can still build your home and make it One Big Happy Family.

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