July: Appreciate and Celebrate
Not sure who was going to start us off this month, here I go though, Doc here, looks like the bird is on the wing. There’s a few of us who contribute to your monthly news briefs and hopefully you’ve been at least breezing through them. They contain a plethora of information for how best to deal with addiction disorders, especially homeless ones, as we’ve remained focused on researching that area extensively and globally. Yes, it’s not just your community, all communities across this country have their HADs (Homeless Addiction Disorders).
After half a dozen years of sitting at this sturdy wooden oak desk, a gift from Cousin Peter and his parents, today I reflect on freedom. What exactly is it? Those half dozen years were a half dozen years ago, 2012 through 2018. So many faces I looked upon and so many windows to their souls revealed a sincere genuine petition for freedom. “Doc, throw me a lifeline.” “Doc, what’s the use, where’s my purpose and meaning?” l, for some strange reason, cannot get Big Rob out of my mind today. Of all the hundreds of clients encountered over the years, he is the only person who learned and used my old nickname! It’s like my mom, who always addressed me by my full first name: Gregory.
He sprung it on me one day in the office, “hey Birdman, didn’t they used to call you Bird?” I couldn’t believe my ears. I had already loved this guy bunches and now he sent a real emotional shot right through my ribcage. I had some awesome times while being “Birdman” and, of course, took it a bit too far. Yep, sure did, landed in four-point restraints, I was having so much fun! That wakes you up to what a small measure of freedom consists of, believe me!
These folks visiting my office, many of them anyway, weren’t looking for freedom from shackles or cages, at least not those meant literally. They wanted a type of freedom unavailable to the human condition. They wanted to take flight like an eagle! Even then though, the bird on the wing remains enslaved by the currents of air and constant tug from below on their soaring freedom.
Do you know the origins of the word “addiction?” I see its root as very similar to what addiction consists of today. The following is quoted from an online source: Etymology of Addiction: A Deep Dive: “In the bustling forums and stern courtrooms of ancient Rome, “addictus” held a meaning far removed from our contemporary understanding of addiction. It referred to a person who, having failed to pay a debt, was legally bound to serve the creditor. This state of servitude was not permanent but lasted until the debt was settled or worked off. Imagine the weight of such a sentence – a temporary loss of freedom, a binding to another’s will.” (Neurolaunch editorial team, Sept. 13, 2024).
In their many attempts to escape or self-medicate a perceived miserable lifestyle, things got worse. Their methodologies, via trial and error, brought them down dark tunnels. Loved ones, unable to comprehend, sought to enlighten them of their bad choices, usually without other options or ways to better address those long grim faces. Big Rob died on my birthday, Kali died on my sober birthday, and Warren died on Kali’s birthday… how strange is all that? Are they free now? They’ve got wings now, I am sure!
William Tell here: Doc handled the reflection part of the post. I will add that once an ex-addict achieves extended sobriety (anything over 6 months?), noticeable individual growth happens. You will begin to be more self-aware of all of your feelings and emotions. This is a very gratifying feeling. It doesn’t mean that all of life’s problems magically go away. It does mean that life is easier to deal with. This is something that is indeed worth appreciating and celebrating. Have a great 4th of July!