We the addicted, in our own particular way, have been psychically brutalised by the rejection of family and society.

We the addicted, in our own particular way, have been psychically brutalised by the rejection of family and society.  This is not easily overcome, and is much more easily internalised.  We can’t underestimate this trauma and its profound effect.  This explains why we act out in so many self-destructive ways.  To know the pain of the past and integrate its torture is terrible work.  Yet, not to get beyond our pain and instead simply to act out our traumas or sink into conformity, depression, our addictions, and conventional living destroys our gift as outsiders and truth seekers.  And we deceive ourselves when we call criticism of our bad behaviour junkie,addict,drunk.