Things I’ve Heard Addicts Say
By: Michael Patanella
Tags: Mental Health, Self Improvement, Life Lessons, Health, Addiction

The falsehoods so rampant, it’s as if we’re speaking to a JOKER…

My life of addiction, has brought me through some of the most hellacious experiences that I could had never imagined to even be possible. I have had ups and downs, many times of great recovery, and many times of horrific rock bottoms that I never could had even thought was possible. I have heard it all, and I have associated with every type of addict, and every type of person there could possibly be. Addiction is something that had brought me down into the dark depths of hell that I never could have even imagined to be possible.

Throughout my life, the things I have heard addicts say are anything imaginable. Along any topic, and along all spectrums. They have said everything, and they had plenty of breath to say it.

I’ve heard addicts say “I’ll pay you back tomorrow” always seemingly because they are getting that big check, “tomorrow.” Or perhaps they already got that big check, but it needs a day or 2 to clear. That imaginary payment, that seems to disappear into thin air.

They have told me, if I gave them a bit of drugs today, they would have a few hundred bucks the next day, and cover a nice big purchase for me.

When addicts say, that they’ll be right over; don’t make any mistake. Do a trial and error practice one day. First invite them over, but make sure they know you don’t have drugs on you. They’ll say see ya soon, and never ever show up. Now invite them over, and tell them you got a nice stash….and watch and listen for your doorbell shortly.

Addicts have said, they didn’t steal any of your items. Heck, addicts are known to steal from you, and then help you look for it.

They have said they aren’t sick. They only use on Saturdays, or weekends, or just on Thursdays and weekends.Or they only use, when their anxiety medicine isn’t working. They can stop whenever they want.

There use doesn’t affect them negatively. They know how to handle their use, they use because they enjoy it. There are not consequences with their use. They don’t have any health issues from abusing drugs.

Addicts of said, that they don’t have a problem with heroin, because they only snort it, they don’t inject it.

I’ve heard addicts say, that they learned their lesson, when feeling the pain of withdrawals. And they know that they will never, ever, ever use again. This is it, no more no more, is what we hear them say.

They may make that claim again and again, each and every time they find themselves in a detox. Sick, broken and in pain.

Before I find myself scolded for saying these things I’ve said, let me first remind and admit, that each thing I said that I’ve heard addicts say, are the things that I myself said, every day of my active addiction. This article is not accusing, it is merely speaking what all of us addicts claim in the world.

We say these things, and we’re sick enough to believe our own words. In each and every rock bottom I’ve found myself in, I’ve struggled to face myself in the mirror, but eventually I knew I had to.

When I finally had the courage to see what my life had become, I finally spoke the truth when that happened. One of the things that holds down an addict more than anything else is the lack of honesty. For those around us, and even more importantly for ourselves. Self honesty is an invaluable tool, but sometimes the most difficult thing to grasp. Forever we move through our addictions numbing and blocking our problems, instead of working on finding solutions for the problems as a whole to begin with.

Choosing active addiction ruins friendships, relationships, our word, trust, our mental and physical health, and last, it ruins chances for a happy, and long future. Let that not be your path, because you deserve so much more.

The only value that it has offered me, is the priceless lessons that recovery and sobriety can give.

Thanks for reading….

Michael Patanella

is a Trenton, New Jersey Author, Publisher, Columnist, Editor, Advocate, and recovering addict, covering topics of mental health, addiction, sobriety, mindfulness, self-help, faith, spirituality, Smart Recovery, social advocacy, and countless other nonfiction topics. His articles, publications, memoirs, and stories are geared towards being a voice for the voiceless.