ROLE OF ADDICTION AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE IN THE NOVEL?
- lavellan
- Posts: 576
- Joined: 25 Dec 2017, 17:40
- Currently Reading:
- Bookshelf Size: 60
- Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-lavellan.html
- Latest Review: encoded by Richard Nedbal
Re: ROLE OF ADDICTION AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE IN THE NOVEL?
- bootsie0126+
- Posts: 284
- Joined: 11 Mar 2018, 19:36
- Currently Reading:
- Bookshelf Size: 285
- Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-bootsie0126.html
- Latest Review: The Reel Sisters by Michelle Cummings
- Reading Device: B01GEW27DA
Without a doubt. He is able to....ValBookReviews wrote: ↑25 May 2018, 13:28 Having lived with alcoholism and drug addiction within my own family, I certainly agree with your point of view. I've come to learn, if not broken, alcoholism and drug addiction is a disease that can be past down from one generation to the next, known as "a generational curse". "But, God is able."
I have also lived with alcohollism and drug addiction in my family. This is hard for all associated with someone suffering from addiction. A person who has not gone through any type of addiction are often unable to comprehend why those that are addicted to something are not able to simply stop. Only if it were that simple.
- bootsie0126+
- Posts: 284
- Joined: 11 Mar 2018, 19:36
- Currently Reading:
- Bookshelf Size: 285
- Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-bootsie0126.html
- Latest Review: The Reel Sisters by Michelle Cummings
- Reading Device: B01GEW27DA
However, the sad thing about this backward thinking is that control is never achieved. The individual may think that he is gaining control over the hurt and pain they feel, but the situation gets worse and eventually that person can spiral deeper and deeper out of control.
- bootsie0126+
- Posts: 284
- Joined: 11 Mar 2018, 19:36
- Currently Reading:
- Bookshelf Size: 285
- Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-bootsie0126.html
- Latest Review: The Reel Sisters by Michelle Cummings
- Reading Device: B01GEW27DA
Self-medicating for any type of coping mechanism in dealing with stress, abuse, or a traumatic experience never solves the problem. Unless a person addresses the root cause of their problem, often this must take therapy, and learn how to identify triggers that causes a person to use drugs or alcohol, a person will never be able to control substance abuse or events in their lives.Lolo Skyooz wrote: ↑16 May 2018, 15:18 I think that, partly, addiction was a reason why these characters found each other, but then it also became a reminder that you cannot run away from your problems. Substance abuse haunted Gary's home life and now it haunts his friendships and career, even though the circus is a symbol of escape, being whisked away to another life, etc.
- Jeyasivananth
- Posts: 238
- Joined: 07 Jan 2018, 18:17
- Currently Reading:
- Bookshelf Size: 191
- Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-jeyasivananth.html
- Latest Review: Heartaches 3 by H.M. Irwing
I agree with you. You have explained it so comprehensively.bootsie0126+ wrote: ↑13 May 2018, 12:52First, drug addiction is a chronic disease that affects not only your brain but your behavior. When you are addicted to drugs, you are unable to resist the urge to do drugs, even though you know what negative affect it causes. Being addicted to drugs changes a person thought process. Where something we would never do if not on drugs, would not even cause a second thought to do when on drugs is the thinking that most drug addicts have. Many people with addiction have addictive personalities which is why many compulsive personalities and often seek activities that produces that high effect they get from doing drugs.Jeyasivananth wrote: ↑07 May 2018, 09:22 In my observation addiction as a manifestation of a disturbed psyche is another important motif in the book.
Gary Robinson grows up as a helpless and powerless child unable to stop his mother’s drinking habits. Duke Reynold too extensively uses drugs to sustain himself.
An addictive action often creates a sense of being empowered, of regaining control against helplessness. Drugs are particularly good for this purpose because they alter one's emotional state, making them feel empowered and decisive. We see this in the protagonists. Both the protagonists hail from dysfunctional families and addiction helps them to cope up with this emotional scar and helplessness.
what are your observations on this?
Often it is extremely hard for a person to get off drugs. Sometimes it can take numerous attempts at rehab to get clean, if they do at all. People who are fortunate to have never been addicted to drugs, fully understand the rational behind the behavior of an addict. People think that all you have to do is simply stop doing drugs, only if it was that simple. You are unable to think rationally when you are on drugs, so the consequences of drug use is not a deterrent from doing drugs. Most people require professional help in getting clean and sometimes that does not work. There are also people who have quit on their own. Each individual is different, however only until the person is truly ready to get clean will any type of treatment work. It is only until a person is able to get to the root cause of their addiction, can healing begin. Knowing the triggers that will cause a person to pick up using will enable them to turn away from those triggers. It is a step process that must be followed in order to work.
- Jeyasivananth
- Posts: 238
- Joined: 07 Jan 2018, 18:17
- Currently Reading:
- Bookshelf Size: 191
- Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-jeyasivananth.html
- Latest Review: Heartaches 3 by H.M. Irwing
Yeah I felt the same. Although should we be calling them damaged psyches? I ask this because addiction has become a common problem today and isn't it a too strong phrase to use?holsam_87 wrote: ↑11 May 2018, 17:38I have similar views to what you are suggesting. By both of them using substances, it definitely shows them both to have damaged psyches of some kind. Plus their other attempts at getting high through adrenaline based acts or debauchery shows other ways at attempting to empower themselves and distance from emotional turmoil.Jeyasivananth wrote: ↑07 May 2018, 09:22 In my observation addiction as a manifestation of a disturbed psyche is another important motif in the book.
Gary Robinson grows up as a helpless and powerless child unable to stop his mother’s drinking habits. Duke Reynold too extensively uses drugs to sustain himself.
An addictive action often creates a sense of being empowered, of regaining control against helplessness. Drugs are particularly good for this purpose because they alter one's emotional state, making them feel empowered and decisive. We see this in the protagonists. Both the protagonists hail from dysfunctional families and addiction helps them to cope up with this emotional scar and helplessness.
what are your observations on this?
- Jeyasivananth
- Posts: 238
- Joined: 07 Jan 2018, 18:17
- Currently Reading:
- Bookshelf Size: 191
- Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-jeyasivananth.html
- Latest Review: Heartaches 3 by H.M. Irwing
That's a very valid observation that you have made. I completely agree with you. The victim syndrome is another pertinent issue we deal with here.kdstrack wrote: ↑10 May 2018, 21:59Another common thread is the "I am a victim" syndrome. Many addicts feel they have a right to their addiction because of their family situation, background, tragedy, etc. etc. Both Duke and Gary manifest some of this - their difficult home situations seem to be the accepted reason for being addicts (or alcoholics). Then, it becomes harder to change the person's attitude than overcome the actual addiction.Jeyasivananth wrote: ↑09 May 2018, 14:15I too agree with your observations. Alcohol and drugs may provide a temporary escape but slowly turn the person more helpless.kdstrack wrote: ↑08 May 2018, 23:12 "An addictive action often creates a sense of being empowered", - this is true. It "creates" something that is not real. While the addicted person may feel empowered, he is still perpetuating his own self-destruction. Alcohol and drugs provide an escape, a way to not have to face the painful emotions and memories of the past. It actually makes the addict more helpless. This is the difficulty of dealing with addicts. Leaving their drugs and alcohol behind faces them to face up to the memories and pain that torment them. In the book we see how Duke conquered alcohol but not drugs. Gary's coma was a blessing in disguise to eliminate his addictions.
- holsam_87
- Posts: 858
- Joined: 03 Feb 2018, 15:45
- Currently Reading: The Unbound Soul
- Bookshelf Size: 1691
- Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-holsam-87.html
- Latest Review: Herai by Aaron D Key
- Reading Device: B00IKPYKWG
I suppose so. Perhaps saying that their souls are damaged due to the events in their youth.Jeyasivananth wrote: ↑29 May 2018, 10:56Yeah I felt the same. Although should we be calling them damaged psyches? I ask this because addiction has become a common problem today and isn't it a too strong phrase to use?holsam_87 wrote: ↑11 May 2018, 17:38I have similar views to what you are suggesting. By both of them using substances, it definitely shows them both to have damaged psyches of some kind. Plus their other attempts at getting high through adrenaline based acts or debauchery shows other ways at attempting to empower themselves and distance from emotional turmoil.Jeyasivananth wrote: ↑07 May 2018, 09:22 In my observation addiction as a manifestation of a disturbed psyche is another important motif in the book.
Gary Robinson grows up as a helpless and powerless child unable to stop his mother’s drinking habits. Duke Reynold too extensively uses drugs to sustain himself.
An addictive action often creates a sense of being empowered, of regaining control against helplessness. Drugs are particularly good for this purpose because they alter one's emotional state, making them feel empowered and decisive. We see this in the protagonists. Both the protagonists hail from dysfunctional families and addiction helps them to cope up with this emotional scar and helplessness.
what are your observations on this?
“We’ve all got both light and dark inside us. What matters is the part we choose to act on. That’s who we really are.”
—J. K. Rowling, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
- [Valerie Allen]
- Posts: 698
- Joined: 17 Mar 2018, 23:24
- Currently Reading:
- Bookshelf Size: 784
- Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-valerie-allen.html
- Latest Review: Utopia Project by Billy Dering
My goodness! You're so on point! Thank you for taking time to reply, thus is why my prayers remain.bootsie0126+ wrote: ↑28 May 2018, 02:09Without a doubt. He is able to....ValBookReviews wrote: ↑25 May 2018, 13:28 Having lived with alcoholism and drug addiction within my own family, I certainly agree with your point of view. I've come to learn, if not broken, alcoholism and drug addiction is a disease that can be past down from one generation to the next, known as "a generational curse". "But, God is able."
I have also lived with alcoholism and drug addiction in my family. This is hard for all associated with someone suffering from addiction. A person who has not gone through any type of addiction are often unable to comprehend why those that are addicted to something are not able to simply stop. Only if it were that simple.
- Cristina Chifane
- Previous Member of the Month
- Posts: 2061
- Joined: 07 Jan 2018, 03:51
- Favorite Book: The Magic Mountain
- Currently Reading:
- Bookshelf Size: 898
- Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-cristina-chifane.html
- Latest Review: The Fold by Dennis Lee
- Reading Device: B00JG8GOWU
- librarian1
- Posts: 6
- Joined: 31 May 2018, 06:14
- Currently Reading:
- Bookshelf Size: 61
- Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-librarian1.html
- Latest Review: Serendipity Mystery by R.F. Kristi
- Zelinda
- Posts: 238
- Joined: 12 Jul 2017, 09:51
- Favorite Book: The Swallow
- Currently Reading: Of Illusions and Inkwells
- Bookshelf Size: 689
- Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-zelinda.html
- Latest Review: The Girl Who Knew da Vinci by Belle Ami
- Reading Device: B00JG8GOWU
― Anna Quindlen, How Reading Changed My Life
- Iemaixiong
- Posts: 6
- Joined: 28 Apr 2018, 17:00
- Currently Reading:
- Bookshelf Size: 0
-
- Posts: 510
- Joined: 25 Jan 2018, 21:47
- Currently Reading:
- Bookshelf Size: 88
- Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-lesler.html
- Latest Review: Confrontations by Donald J Williamson
- Reading Device: B00I15SB16
- Mely918
- Posts: 405
- Joined: 14 May 2018, 19:15
- Currently Reading:
- Bookshelf Size: 39
- Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-mely918.html
- Latest Review: I'm Going to Kill that Cat by F. Della Notte