Counterpoint: The AA model that preaches “one day at a time” encourages us to always and forever think of ourselves as sick and broken. I remember the chanting and repetition really getting to me. Alcoholism and drug addiction are “chronic, relapsing” illnesses.

You rule. :-)

Thank you!!! OMG it’s so true I am really in a moment of transition in life! I am awaiting final notice on whether I can stay in the country I emigrated to and potentially a change in career, which is highly significant for me. I was afraid that the premature landing and not getting to destination was a bad thing but…

Hey! Sorry to bug you but I had a really good one last night... ad I am so curious!

Hot, sensitive AND compassionate?

Exactly! Where’s my extra dessert, NONNA!!???

This piece is getting a lot of criticism and I can see where it’s coming from - nevertheless, I think we can make a distinction between “running away from your problems” and what the author has done. True, not all of us have the means: emotional, financial, etc to pack it all up and go to Europe. However, what the…

Thank you! That’s really interesting! I often have dreams around shame and hiding some part of me so it makes sense. You should definitely do these threads more often :-)

I dreamt I had a rash the exact shape of a domino on my forearm (I think 3 dots on one side and 2 on the other). WHAT!

People in ugly, bald houses should not throw stones, Owen!

UGH... really? How many of those things are lethal?

I’m glad you have recognised my moral and intellectual superiority. You may proceed with your day, lowly human.

Yeah people took pics of me in India as well, and asked me to hold their (screaming) babies for good luck. I’m white and have tattoos so in parts of the world I am an oddity I guess.

Wonder where he got the idea that a white upper middle class male could do whatever he wants without any consequences?

No! No! Not “long story short”! We want the long version!! Please pretty please?

Didn’t offend me at all! :-) I hear you but I will be corny and say “It gets better” - You’re not fucked. You may be feeling the blowback from your time in active drug/alcohol misuse but most of that will slowly disappear. You are truly just at the very beginning and I urge you to be patient with yourself and the…

Thanks!

My point was that it doesn’t matter and we will never know how much of his problematic use was due to physical pain and how much to other symptoms, and we should have compassion either way.

That’s right, we do not know!

Not to nitpick, but what’s wrong with saying he was addicted? Addiction can be physical or psychological dependence and is more often than not a mix of both. I find it quite stigmatising how we have to clarify that Prince was not a lowly drug addict as if he were treating mental or emotional pain, he would be somehow…