Just a Part of You
Frank stayed high on marijuana 24 hours a day, seven days a week. He would tell his friends, “I know I’m an addict. There’s no two ways about it.” Then he would casually fire up another jay.
Actually, there are two ways about it. A part of you can be addicted while another part of you can’t. In fact, a part of you remains non-addicted no matter how much you use.
This is very important. Why? Because most people label themselves one thing or another, as addicted or not addicted, but not something in-between. Then they act as if they’re stuck in their description and have no choice.
Even if you’re a heavy user, even if you stay high constantly, only a part of you can be considered “an addict.” Even though all your cells contain traces of your drug, and even though each cell craves that drug as soon as the drug level goes down, each cell still retains some integrity. This integrity is provided by the alternatives to your drug: the food you eat, the water you drink, the air you breathe. To be sure, a definite part of you doesn’t depend on that drug. In fact, this part dislikes the drug intensely and fights against it. This part works to preserve your body’s natural health.
Rhonda’s friends and family members could easily see both sides of her. They would say, “She’s okay…especially when she’s not using the tranquilizers,” or, “I know deep down in her heart she’s a good person…if only she wouldn’t take so many pills.”
Look inside yourself. Look closely, and you’ll see two opposing forces. One of them is an addict. The other is not.
The part of you that’s not an addict lies just below the surface, close at hand. But, as you might expect, the higher you are on drugs, the harder it is to get in touch with this part. Still, it’s there, and it’s very strong. This non-addicted part of you has a lot of character. It’s an interesting side of yourself that you probably don’t know too well. The drugs keep it hidden.
Yet it’s this non-addicted part of you that thinks you might be “addicted.” It’s there the morning after, shuddering and shaking at what you’ve done to yourself the night before. The non-addicted part of you knows that you have a problem.
It’s the addicted part of you that thinks you’re fine. This part keeps excusing the way you act when you’re high and keeps hiding your problems from you. This part will do virtually anything to keep you using.
It’s the non-addicted part that sees the problems that drugs are causing you. This part wants to quit using. This is the part of you that has decided to read this book. It is this part you need to get to know.
Why? Because the non-addicted part of you will win your battle against drugs. This whole side of you begins to grow as soon as you quit using. Best of all, this side will help you live a longer, healthier, and more fulfilling life than you can ever experience by living through your addicted side.
