An Equal Opportunity Destroyer
As I travel… and as I teach on the subject of addiction, I am often asked about the importance of environment, and the impact it has on an individual becoming addicted to the substance or behavior of their choice. For example, do doctors and attorneys have a higher rate of alcoholism because of the extreme stress in their careers? Are inner-city minorities more likely to abuse street drugs than their suburban counter-parts? Do single moms struggling to make ends meet have a higher incidence of gambling? Does a place of seclusion like Martha's Vineyard have a higher per capita rate of addition than other places? Some say,yes. How big a role does education or income play in food addiction and the eating patterns of our population? What about the Internet and pornography?
Well… there's good news and bad news.
The good news is that such questions suggest a new page is being turned in the search for information and answers about addiction. This creates awareness… and with awareness, comes the possibility of recovery. You see, until recently, addiction was not a subject respectable people spoke much about. Yes, of course we knew there were problems, but we figured they were limited to the poor, the violent, the rebellious or the criminal… and certainly, confined to neighborhoods far from ours.
The bad news, of course, is that everything we thought we knew… turned out to be wrong. As awareness has been raised, addiction… along with all its behaviors and consequences… has been exposed in our own homes… and in our families. It has made front page news in our places of work… and our houses of worship. We see it in the conduct of our politicians… and the lifestyles of our rich and famous.
No… addiction does not discriminate… it is an equal opportunity destroyer.
I was born into a fantastic home… and yet I became addicted.
I had loving parents, and every advantage growing up. I married into a powerful family… had influential friends and associates… met fabulous celebrities… sports legends… and we were all addicted.
The fact is that the alcohol… the drugs… the gambling… the food… the sex… aren't impressed with your title. They don't care if you're rich, poor or in between. They don't care whether you are black, white, red, yellow, or green. Christian, Jew, or Atheist… yup, all are fair game.
Furthermore, left alone, the outcome is always the same… ruined health… lost potential… destroyed relationships… broken bones, hearts, and homes.
It's time to destroy the destroyer… and that's exactly what we're going to do. It's what we NEED to do. Because the truth, you see… is an equal opportunity healer.
Moreover, please understand… I know the risks… I know the fear. I know that when families shun help… when they look the other way… it's not that they don't care… it's that they don't know what to do. They don't want to crawl blindly out on that limb… and fall… again. It's just too painful.
But you must. Together… we must.
For addiction cannot live in the open… it can't survive without secrets and denial and those close friends or relatives who enable it to continue. In over thirty-five years of practice, I have NEVER seen AVOIDANCE improve the condition of a patient.
However, here is hope… for you… for your family… for your loved one. In that same period, I have never seen an addict who could not recover when the family… or the friends… got the help and tools, they needed to PROPERLY reach the addict. And therein lies the answer. Yes, you… are the solution… but only if you know what to do.
Shelly Baron
Shelly Baron
In private practice for more than 35 years, Shelly Baron has successfully treated over 9000 patients. His unique approach guides families through the minefield of addiction recovery… eliminating critical mistakes often made in the highly-charged environments surrounding addiction. He also maintains a significant tele-practice for those at a distance. Call Shelly at (920) 339-9177 for immediate help, or visit www.shellybaron.com.
Steve Buelow
Integrating Leadership and Marketing, Steve Buelow teaches small business professionals and individuals to increase their influence, impact... and profitability. A successful husband and homeschool dad, Steve is an entrepreneur with a focus on growth, relationships and teamwork, whose start-up companies have grown to over 14,000 employees through repeat and referral business.
Reach Steve at (888) 886-0121 or visit www.stevebuelow.com.
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