DR. WALLACE: I know that addicts become extremely upset when they can't get whatever they're addicted to. What I'd like to know is, what are some things people can be addicted to? — Terry, Newport, RI.
TERRY: Besides the obvious and well-publicized addictive substances — drugs, alcohol and tobacco — the most common addictions involve food. Some food addicts eat too much and become obese. Then there are those who are addicted to certain foods such as chocolate, ice cream or soft drinks. Paradoxically, you can also become addicted to NOT eating, or self-starvation: this is what anorexia is.
Basically, any addiction is the compulsive, repeated use of a substance or engagement in an activity despite adverse consequences. You can become addicted to work, sleep, dieting, shopping and sex, and the list goes on and on. You could put watching TV on the list. Almost anything humans do can be overdone and used as an escape from reality - and hence turned into an addiction.
Addictions are often so powerful the addict cannot overcome it without professional help. Many addicts never do.
SO BE IT!
DR. WALLACE: I think that my best friend is starting to use marijuana and I'm pretty sure she is getting it from her boyfriend. I happened to see a marijuana cigarette in her school locker and when I asked her about it she told me that she had tried marijuana with her boyfriend and she really enjoyed it. She begged me not to say anything to anyone about this so I told her that I wouldn't.
Now I am really worried because I care very much for my friend and don't want her to get involved with drugs. I know that smoking a few joints is not a big deal, but I think it could lead to the use of other drugs. I read in your column that marijuana is sometimes a gateway drug and that it's can lead to other drugs such as cocaine and heroin and I don't want her to take that kind of risk. Also, her boyfriend is a real loser and is heavily rumored (I heard this from reliable people I really trust) to sell drugs — and by drugs I do not mean marijuana.
I'd like to tell my friends parents about the marijuana use, but I don't want to be considered a squealer. What should I do? — Anonymous, via email
ANONYMOUS: Breaking a code of silence is one of the more difficult tasks a teen faces. In this case, covering up your friends activities may lead to other major problems for her in the future, especially if her boyfriend is found to be dealing drugs.
Tell your friend that you have given the matter much thought and that you feel compelled to tell her parents.
If you lose her friendship because of this, so be it. Better to lose her friendship for a while than having your friend to possibly become addicted to drugs and experience all the complications associated with this terrible habit.
Dr. Robert Wallace welcomes questions from readers. Although he is unable to reply to all of them individually, he will answer as many as possible in this column. E-mail him at rwallace@thegreatestgift.com. To find out more about Dr. Robert Wallace and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.
View Comments