Isolation
Isolation does strange things to people. At the moment, here in the clinic, we've been isolated from society for a special reason and in an odd way we all have a bond with each other... we're here to get better and get our lives back on track so that the future will take on an improved meaning compared to the lives we've left behind us.
As I wrote a couple of days ago, there are a good number of sad cases who have been admitted, with histories of abuse stretching back for years and some who havae suffered numerous relapses. Many are physically damaged, with severe motoric and mental disorders, others are psychologically disorientated, unable to find a safe place for themselves within a social group and others are so socially handicapped they need special treatment and are usually transferred to a separate unit.
For many of the patients the isolation began long before they were admitted and much of their addiction problems are attributable to the loneliness and feelings of emptiness in a society they felt they played no meaningful part in. Others entered into dysfunctional relationships, clamping onto anybody and everybody who was willing to give them the attention and substances they needed. One or two whom I've spoken with in the course of the week have a history of abuse, some from as early as childhood, some damaged by partners and other important people in their lives and having felt so let down by the people they trusted and needed, that feelings of self-esteem and personal worth have been destroyed.
A society is a collection of totally different individuals who all have their own needs and who all contain their own potential, different to our own though they might be. A society that functions well is a society in which each and every member can feel safe, respected and valued on his/her own terms and not on the terms dictated by those who hold the reigns of power in the local community.
In a way it's a disgrace that all sorts of rehabilitation, correction and resocialisation units need to exist to heal those who are unable to function effectively under the rules dictated by an indifferent society. Addiction is not a choice one makes consciously, it's one that grows and festers as one grows increasingly lonely and unable to cope with the pressures of daily life.
My eyes have been opened since I've been here. There is so much work still to be done on my part, trying to identify the right questions and initially finding the right answers for myself. Once I've been able to do that, I can hopefully project the results on a wider basis in my immediate, local community. It's going to be a long and difficult journey, but one I feel obliged to take when I realise that we're all in this society together, what affects one individual affects the group as a whole and if we can help the individual to reclaim his/her own rightful place in their group we all benefit eventually.
Keep well and keep your eyes, ears and hearts open for those around you who are in need... in the end we're all winners if we try hard enough.
---------------
As I wrote a couple of days ago, there are a good number of sad cases who have been admitted, with histories of abuse stretching back for years and some who havae suffered numerous relapses. Many are physically damaged, with severe motoric and mental disorders, others are psychologically disorientated, unable to find a safe place for themselves within a social group and others are so socially handicapped they need special treatment and are usually transferred to a separate unit.
For many of the patients the isolation began long before they were admitted and much of their addiction problems are attributable to the loneliness and feelings of emptiness in a society they felt they played no meaningful part in. Others entered into dysfunctional relationships, clamping onto anybody and everybody who was willing to give them the attention and substances they needed. One or two whom I've spoken with in the course of the week have a history of abuse, some from as early as childhood, some damaged by partners and other important people in their lives and having felt so let down by the people they trusted and needed, that feelings of self-esteem and personal worth have been destroyed.
A society is a collection of totally different individuals who all have their own needs and who all contain their own potential, different to our own though they might be. A society that functions well is a society in which each and every member can feel safe, respected and valued on his/her own terms and not on the terms dictated by those who hold the reigns of power in the local community.
In a way it's a disgrace that all sorts of rehabilitation, correction and resocialisation units need to exist to heal those who are unable to function effectively under the rules dictated by an indifferent society. Addiction is not a choice one makes consciously, it's one that grows and festers as one grows increasingly lonely and unable to cope with the pressures of daily life.
My eyes have been opened since I've been here. There is so much work still to be done on my part, trying to identify the right questions and initially finding the right answers for myself. Once I've been able to do that, I can hopefully project the results on a wider basis in my immediate, local community. It's going to be a long and difficult journey, but one I feel obliged to take when I realise that we're all in this society together, what affects one individual affects the group as a whole and if we can help the individual to reclaim his/her own rightful place in their group we all benefit eventually.
Keep well and keep your eyes, ears and hearts open for those around you who are in need... in the end we're all winners if we try hard enough.
---------------
Labels: addiction, loneliness, personal politics, social perceptions
posted by bart | 06:17
1 Comments:
My eyes and ears will be open to anyone I can help. :)
Post a Comment
Links to this post:
Create a Link
<< Home