This is the second in a series of blogs looking at the new book “Clean” by David Sheff. For those of you suffering from addiction, or know someone suffering from addiction issues, this book is a must-read!
Sheff has first-hand experience in dealing with the devastating effects of addiction. His son, Nic almost died from substance abuse issues. The 31-year-old Nic is now sober. As reported in www.nytimes.com.
Addiction as Illness
In “Clean” Sheff follows in the footsteps of many well-known counselors today which look at addiction as an illness that needs to be treated medically rather than through punishment and incarceration.
Addiction must be considered a disease, as devoid of moral overtones as diabetes or coronary artery disease, just as amenable as they are to scientific analysis, and just as treatable with data-supported interventions, not hope, prayer or hocus-pocus.
This perspective is easy enough to articulate but very difficult to sustain. The symptoms of this particular relapsing illness, after all, include deceit, denial and the betrayal of near and dear.
Perspective
Here is perspective - cardiac patients stop to rest halfway up a flight of stairs not because they want to, but because they have to. Similarly, addicts lie and steal, over and over again, not because they want to but because they must.
In the following blog I will take a more in-depth look at the content of “Clean” and hopefully we will be able to apply it to your life. If you or someone you care about suffers from addiction, I urge to seek help. If you prefer to maintain anonymity seek out an online alcohol and drug class.