Stubborn Addiction

Third Rock from the Sun actress Kristen Johnston is sharing her long term battle with alcohol and Vicodin. She reports in her book that her excessive use of drugs and alcohol led to stomach ulcers. She describes wanting to revive her acting career, but learned that a stomach ulcer exploded causing great physical discomfort which needed to be addressed. She entered drug rehab and has 5 ½ years clean. It is like a train has to hit an addict in the forehead before the realization occurs that addiction is killing them. Physical and legal consequences seem to be the most effective tool to break through denial. And even then, the disease of addiction can be too convincing and denial remains present. Excuses are found for consequences that blame external factors other than the addiction. Addiction continues to have a devastating impact on the addict. It is sad that someone has to suffer from an ulcer bursting to help influence a decision to get sober. However, anything that gets someone into recovery is great, but how much heartache could have been avoided if addicts just listened to concerned friends and family? If only it was that simple. Until then, the disease of addiction will continue to deteriorate health, relationships, and claim lives.   Thank God for celebrities, like Johnston, who make their stories known to help society understand the devastation of the disease of addiction and give hope that change is possible.