Approximately ten months ago I had dinner with a thirty-seven-year-old man named Benjamin who experiences acute depression, has relationship problems, and who is dependent on drugs and alcohol. As explained by Benjamin, it is his alcoholism and drug addiction and his intense depression that has had the most to do with his recurring relationship issues.
As declared by Benjamin, he is so overwhelmed by his relationship problems and by both of his medical problems that he basically has no reason to achieve much of anything. What is especially sad about this is that earlier in his life, Benjamin completed one semester of graduate school in natural resources.
Benjamin's condition makes me question if he is an illustration of an individual who can look in the mirror and see his drinking problems and drug addiction and do something constructive about these issues. Or, conversely, if he is an individual who has to hit the bottom of the barrel before he gets alcohol and drug dependency rehabilitation that leads to long lasting recovery.
It may be asked how rehab would help his drug and alcohol addiction. First of all, there are more than a few recently created doctor-prescribed medications that can help Benjamin avoid a drug or an alcohol relapse, help him through the drug and alcohol detox process, and help him through his withdrawal symptoms. Second, in treatment he could also learn more about his
alcoholism symptoms and also about the various stages of alcoholism.
Third, Benjamin would learn to accept the fact that there is entirely nothing affirmative about drug abuse and hazardous and abusive drinking. In a similar way, he would also learn that messing around with one or both of these unhealthy circumstances is the route to legal problems, financial difficulties, poor work and school performance, shattered relationships, a premature death and deteriorating health. Fourth, treatment for his depression and for his relationship difficulties might help him cope with these mental health difficulties more successfully and help create less of a need for him to involve himself in addictive behavior. And finally, in rehab he could also learn more about the various symptoms of alcoholism that he has exhibited.
Since Benjamin doesn't have the determination to succeed at doing much of anything in his life, it is clear that he urgently needs a little hope for a healthier existence. And the sad thing is that hope is all around Benjamin if he could only get to the point in life to get the therapy he needs for his acute depression and addiction and remain in his treatment program.
Benjamin is simply too young to be beaten in life. He doesn't realize this right now but if he can learn how to stay away from alcohol and drugs via alcohol and drug therapy and get the counseling he requires for his intense depression, he can turn his life around and begin living with self-respect, direction, and passion.
More meaningful relationships, a wonderful life, self esteem, and beneficial change are clearly a reality for Benjamin. But only if he can get motivated to obtain the professional rehabilitation he requires, follow through with his therapy protocol, live his life in an alcohol and drug-free and healthy manner, and learn how to acquire a more positive attitude about his existence.
