A Moral Dilemma RE Homelessness

[Psykhronic]

My god, two hours worth of videos. Ever since the beginning of my psychosis, it's hard for me to focus on anything for prolonged periods of time - but I will try to remember to watch those, in chunks, when I have the motivation for the attempt. Thank you for sharing your own take on psychosis, too. I agree we should not simplify the issue, and I apologize again for doing so.

[Brakeman]

What's funny, Chad, is that he's extremely Christian. He has a lot of self-loathing because he's gay, and even though he kind of believes Jesus loves him anyway, he doesn't really believe it. He's struggled with this since we were kids. He used to want to be a priest. I don't know if he'd still be an addict if he wasn't religious, but I do know that he would have an easier time accepting who he is. I have a lot of anger at Christianity specifically over this issue with this man.

There you go! There is your solution. You just need to get CW, GC, Articus, and Drich, to pray the man's gay away. The crack addiction is probably just caused by the gay demon anyway. If they'll agree to use their mighty god power magic to change this man, we'll have a good lead story here on the forums.

[Angrboda]

My god, two hours worth of videos. Ever since the beginning of my psychosis, it's hard for me to focus on anything for prolonged periods of time - but I will try to remember to watch those, in chunks, when I have the motivation for the attempt. Thank you for sharing your own take on psychosis, too. I agree we should not simplify the issue, and I apologize again for doing so.

The first is a description of the question and learning about it. The second hour builds up to practical strategies for intervention. If you just want info, the first video is probably the main one to watch. And don't feel a need to apologize. I love hearing your point of view, even when I disagree with it. You're one of my favorite people here. I'm more than willing to listen to what it is you have to say.

[Psykhronic]

My god, two hours worth of videos. Ever since the beginning of my psychosis, it's hard for me to focus on anything for prolonged periods of time - but I will try to remember to watch those, in chunks, when I have the motivation for the attempt. Thank you for sharing your own take on psychosis, too. I agree we should not simplify the issue, and I apologize again for doing so.

The first is a description of the question and learning about it. The second hour builds up to practical strategies for intervention. If you just want info, the first video is probably the main one to watch. And don't feel a need to apologize. I love hearing your point of view, even when I disagree with it. You're one of my favorite people here. I'm more than willing to listen to what it is you have to say.

Aaaaw, thank you very much. I always love hearing your point of view as well, and I consider you to be among the smartest people I've met online. And I will try tackling that video after some smokes and coffee

[Doubting Thomas]

I'm guessing your friend probably has a lot of Christian guilt over being gay, which is why he probably internalized all that hatred society has had against gays, and now wants to use drugs not only to dull the pain but also to destroy himself. Addicts most often don't just take to drugs on their own, usually there's a reason for their hardcore addiction. Seeing as how he's been through rehab and relapsed, I'm guessing that he still hasn't completely let go of that guilt. Not to mention that crack is one of the most addictive drugs on the street.

I think you did the right thing, Zazzy, by offering to drive him to rehab or a shelter and nothing more. That he hung up on you showed that he didn't want help, and his survival is on him, not you.

[downbeatplumb]

It's freezing here now- about 26 degrees and falling (unusual for Texas). He called and asked if he could stay in my car tonight (the first time I've heard from him in almost a year). The shelters here are mobilized and ready to go. I don't know if they have enough beds, but they have a lot, and he hasn't even tried them, because you can't smoke crack there.

26 degrees is summer here.

He might feel a bit chilly because he's not used to it because you live in one of the warmest parts of the globe, but its not life threateningly cold.

He's abused your trust before.

I wouldn't help him with that history and given the fact its not THAT cold.

[Autumnlicious]

Certain classes of drugs with long term abuse fundamentally change the brain towards getting more of the drug.

It might not be too inaccurate to say "he's wired that way"

A strong will can break the hold. Just ask any ex-Heroin addict (there's at least one I know of but I'm not saying) - breaking the addiction is amazingly difficult.

But a weak will?

Never.

They're broken people who may be unfixable. Those who can be repaired may need life long management and a controlled environment. Enforcing such will limit human rights of the compromised addict and ex-addict.

Between the rhetoric of "punish the addict", defund societal help and "mah freedums!!!", comprehensive treatment and management of the deeply addicted will not happen.

[Autumnlicious]

26 degrees is summer here.

He might feel a bit chilly because he's not used to it because you live in one of the warmest parts of the globe, but its not life threateningly cold.

He's abused your trust before.

I wouldn't help him with that history and given the fact its not THAT cold.

26 degrees Farenheit (the default units here in the States when we don't specify it) is -3.33 degrees Celsius.

Perhaps you are in error. Units matter.

[Angrboda]

A strong will can break the hold. Just ask any ex-Heroin addict (there's at least one I know of but I'm not saying) - breaking the addiction is amazingly difficult.

But a weak will?

Never.

I was never strong before. I was one of the weakest willed persons you will ever know. Strength isn't something you have or don't have. It's learned.

I didn't start strong. But I became stronger, because I had to be stronger, and because I had support, n' shit.

[Autumnlicious]

I was never strong before. I was one of the weakest willed persons you will ever know. Strength isn't something you have or don't have. It's learned.

I didn't start strong. But I became stronger, because I had to be stronger, and because I had support, n' shit.

Of course. But you had to have the will to accept help to supplement your own deficiencies.

Will, like any other quality in a plastic brain, changes.

You can strengthen it. You can weaken it.

Part of being a hyper adaptive, over developed primate.