this post was submitted on 29 Sep 2024
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Addiction is separate from circumstances.
Look at Heath Ledger, Amy Winehouse, Michael Jackson, etc etc etc.
Heath was young, successful, dating a billionaire, and had everything in the world at his fingertips. He decided to have a one man party with drugs and alcohol.
While this is true to a degree, there also seems to be indications that some people are more susceptible to addictive behavior than others, so some will only be inclined towards addiction if their circumstances are bad enough to make it more attractive.
I suspect this is similar to smoking causing cancer. Sure, it will likely shorten your life and cause cancer, or you can be like George Burns and smoke regularly for over 70 years.
Ultimately, it's hard to know how susceptible you are to addiction (or smoking-related cancer) until you've taken the chance.
I agree with you, but I'd call "circumstances" socio-economic status instead. A few remarks for everything else:
He didn't "decide" to use drugs. By definition, addiction is the compulsive use of substance a despite knowing they are harming you. As in: You want to stop, but you can't. You can't "choose", your way out addiction.
Being young and having money make it easier to be happy, but are not requirements beyond your basic needs. I agree with you 100% there. But to me this shows the issues in society go beyond money and basic needs.
These dudes don't kill themselves because their circumstances make them miserable, they kill themselves because DESPITE having "everything" they are still miserable.
Precisely because everyone is sold in the idea that the reason you're miserable is not the oppressive, violent system you live in and the lack of opportunities for free development and growth, but instead it's just that you haven't purchased enough stuff and don't go to the gym often enough.
When that doesn't work, boom: Addiction or death.