Aug 1, 2023·edited Aug 1, 2023Liked by Diamond-Michael Scott
Good stuff. I'm for any efforts to eliminate stigma and reframe addiction so that those of us who are blessed/burdened with it can get real help with fewer barriers inherent to harmful societal norms.
I will say, however, that the twelve steps of alcoholics anonymous (and the fellowship and sponsorship) have afforded me the transformation - the psychic change, if you will - required for living sober. It'll be 12 years in December. While I do believe there is a need for reframing norms even within the various anonymous fellowship(s) due to the pervasive influence of harmful societal norms such patriarchy, victim-blaming, and white supremacy to name a few, I also do not want the 12 steps of alcoholics anonymous to lose their place in the broader formula for recovery.
Lastly, for those who simply can not or will not understand why/how addiction can be such an all-consuming and destructive force in a person's life, I will offer something I've heard which resonates as a profound truth. It is this: "Most people take [the first] drug or a drink and they get high or they get a buzz. Addicts take [the first] drug or a drink and they go to heaven." You can do with that what you will.
Thanks Jennifer. Appreciate you. By the way I have been practicing capturing shadows with my photography per one of your previous Substack articles. Having a blast with it.
Oh you have no idea how happy that makes me to hear!! I have to get better about using the "chat" function in substack to invite readers to share the photos they're making.
Good stuff. I'm for any efforts to eliminate stigma and reframe addiction so that those of us who are blessed/burdened with it can get real help with fewer barriers inherent to harmful societal norms.
I will say, however, that the twelve steps of alcoholics anonymous (and the fellowship and sponsorship) have afforded me the transformation - the psychic change, if you will - required for living sober. It'll be 12 years in December. While I do believe there is a need for reframing norms even within the various anonymous fellowship(s) due to the pervasive influence of harmful societal norms such patriarchy, victim-blaming, and white supremacy to name a few, I also do not want the 12 steps of alcoholics anonymous to lose their place in the broader formula for recovery.
Lastly, for those who simply can not or will not understand why/how addiction can be such an all-consuming and destructive force in a person's life, I will offer something I've heard which resonates as a profound truth. It is this: "Most people take [the first] drug or a drink and they get high or they get a buzz. Addicts take [the first] drug or a drink and they go to heaven." You can do with that what you will.
Thank you.
First of all Jon, congrats on your over 11 years of sobriety. Proud of you bro. And I love all of what you shared here. Thanks so much for commenting.
🙏 I thank you for saying so.
You're such a great writer -- thank you for sharing this from your personal perspective and beyond.
Thanks Jennifer. Appreciate you. By the way I have been practicing capturing shadows with my photography per one of your previous Substack articles. Having a blast with it.
Oh you have no idea how happy that makes me to hear!! I have to get better about using the "chat" function in substack to invite readers to share the photos they're making.