Yes, it's a psychological issue and physiologic syndrome as well, not a moral fault, but at the same time you still have to start using something to become addicted to it. That was one of my initial point. Just because you have an addictive personality doesn't mean that you will become an addict...just that you have a higher likelihood of it. So the argument that it's a psychological condition or medical condition to start with over which the patient has no control (like depression or schizophrenia) is not valid. Addiction is not just something that happens, it doesn't just occur, its stems from something that is done voluntarily. Does no one else see that?
I'm not any brighter than anyone here, but I do think that perhaps some of you lack a degree of clinical detachment which might cloud your ability to see the big picture.
Yeah, addiction's a hard thing to beat. I've not argued that point- I've been discussing not the treatment of the habit, but the development of the habit. Yes, once an addiction is established it's just like a cancer- it never really goes away, it's always there, you can just put it into remission. You're not going to find me arguing that people should just quit smoking, shooting up, or snorting. Why do you think I carry around business cards to the local addiction treatment center when I am at work? Because I know most people need help and I will do everything in my power to help them.
Why does the fact that I believe people should be held accountable for their actions and the outcome of those actions imply that I will be a horrible DDS or MD? Am I supposed to turn a blind eye and just smile, nod politely and pat them on the back with a loving "It's all gonna be OK." No, because that is not the responsibility of a doctor. It sometimes means saying things that are unpleasant, in order to protect the health of a patient.
Just as I believe that a lung cancer patient who smoked three packs a day for thirty years has no one to blame but themselves- despite nicotine being one of the most highly addictive substances known to man- and people need to be held accountable for what they do. But trust me, they try to blame everyone but themselves- their doctors for not catching the diagnosis, the tobacco companies for providing a dangerous product, the RT's for not being able to alleviate their shortness of breath (this is one of the things that keeps me up at night and makes me want to do something other than RT- it bothers me that I can't help these people; I sure sound like a heartless SOB don't I?), their families, the government, etc....the list goes on and on. The only person who doesn't appear on that list for 99.9% of people is the one person responsible- themselves. I've been an RT for 4 years, probably treated a couple hundred lung CA patients and I've only had two admit that they were to blame for their problems.
This is the same basic idea than a criminal pleading not guilty because of mental illness- I'm not responsible because of my schizophrenia, Twinkie addiction, because my parents beat me, or whatever the flavor of the day defense is. There is no
mea culpa because there is always some mental defect, chemical imbalance, childhood trauma, racial injustice, or other bull**** excuse as to why someone did something. Whatever happened to "I screwed up. Now I'm going to do my best to make up for it"? My GPA isn't a 4.0 because I didn't try as hard as I can, not because I have ADHD (which I do), because I drink too much (which I don't), or because the classes are just too tough (nothing in educational is unlearnable if you want to put enough effort into it).
I sincerely hope the OP is making the amends for his actions and does his best from here on out. As I said before, when he graduates if he gets back into dental school, I'll be the first person lined up to let him treat me. If he can beat a drug addiction, then I don't think I can question his dedication to anything. I was just saying he's going to have a very hard time of obtaining his goal. I've made my apologies publicly and privately already so I don't field the need to
By the way I am perfectly calm (if what I said said come across as angry, then I guess that's just because you can't see my face as I say these things), ZDaddy, and as a point of fact I don't drink anymore outside of an occasional beer with dinner every now and then.
) kill to do. Good luck in whatever you decide to do, but I do believe you're screwed.
But any how, I appreciate everything said here and I will be in touch with some of you.
