Anyway, one paragraph in particular jumped out at me and I though it worth posting for discussion. It’s quite raw and opinionated, but it touches on many of the issues that have cropped up here in Maintainers. I’d love to hear everyone’s reactions and thoughts.
Quote:
Although genetics and a genetic link may be undeniable, everything about us is genetic, and everything about our physical selves is predetermined by a genetic link. If an individual is fat but wants to be thin, it’s not a genetic disease. If someone is stupid, but wants to be smart, it’s not a genetic disease. If a drunk is a drunk, but doesn’t want to be a drunk any more, it’s not a genetic disease. Addiction is a decision. An individual wants something, whatever that something is, and makes a decision to get it. Once they have it, they make a decision to take it. If they take it too often, that process of decision making gets out of control, and if it gets too far out of control, it becomes an addiction. At that point, the decision is a difficult one to make, but it is still a decision. Do I or don’t I. Am I going to take or am I not going to take. Am I going to be a pathetic dumbs**t Addict and continue to waste my life or am I going to say no and try to stay sober and be a decent Person. It is a decision. Each and every time. A decision. String enough of those decisions together and you set a course and you set a standard of living. Addict or human. Genetics do not make that call. They are just an excuse. They allow People to say it wasn’t my fault I am genetically predisposed. It wasn’t my fault I was preprogrammed from day one. It wasn’t my fault I didn’t have any say in the matter. Bulls**t. F**k that bulls**t. There is always a decision. Take responsibility for it. Addict or human. It’s a f**king decision. Each and every time.
pp 291-292Although genetics and a genetic link may be undeniable, everything about us is genetic, and everything about our physical selves is predetermined by a genetic link. If an individual is fat but wants to be thin, it’s not a genetic disease. If someone is stupid, but wants to be smart, it’s not a genetic disease. If a drunk is a drunk, but doesn’t want to be a drunk any more, it’s not a genetic disease. Addiction is a decision. An individual wants something, whatever that something is, and makes a decision to get it. Once they have it, they make a decision to take it. If they take it too often, that process of decision making gets out of control, and if it gets too far out of control, it becomes an addiction. At that point, the decision is a difficult one to make, but it is still a decision. Do I or don’t I. Am I going to take or am I not going to take. Am I going to be a pathetic dumbs**t Addict and continue to waste my life or am I going to say no and try to stay sober and be a decent Person. It is a decision. Each and every time. A decision. String enough of those decisions together and you set a course and you set a standard of living. Addict or human. Genetics do not make that call. They are just an excuse. They allow People to say it wasn’t my fault I am genetically predisposed. It wasn’t my fault I was preprogrammed from day one. It wasn’t my fault I didn’t have any say in the matter. Bulls**t. F**k that bulls**t. There is always a decision. Take responsibility for it. Addict or human. It’s a f**king decision. Each and every time.
This paragraph hit me like a punch in the gut. What’s your reaction? Are we just another kind of addict? Is it genetics? Or is it a choice? Talk to me!