BY: Marc McMahon
To those who don't, won't, or can't seem to understand we are called many things. We are called addicts, junkies, dope fiends, and pill heads. We are even called liars and losers to name a few. But to those who know our nightmare, to those who have seen the demons we fight we are referred to as Soldiers, Warriors, and some of the bravest most resilient souls ever created!
The latter group, understands, that this " Is Just Not My War."
This war is similar to the other World Wars we have fought, but not the same. In those first two World Wars, the enemy was fairly easily distinguished from our troops. The battle lines were drawn and the objective clear. Troops had Commanders, Captains, and Corporals. There was even a standard-issue weapon given to the soldiers determined to be best suited by our military experts to do the job most efficiently. Neutralizing the opposing force. A.K.A. ( Killing the Enemy!)
Similar to the fact it is a war we are fighting, the biggest difference is the enemy we fight. For those who have survived their living nightmare of active addiction and embarked on a path of change, our enemy is very different. It has no face, no real name, just adjectives that describe it, The biggest difference I can see is the battlefield we fight on. Our War Wages within the fragile borders of our souls. With most of the wounds inflicted upon us being internal.
We are fighting a seemingly unstoppable force. Although it has been known to be beaten back into a time of remission where we can then live free from its attacks and begin to rebuild our lives. I have another thought on this as well. What if, I mean knowing what we know about addiction what if, during those times the enemy's attacks dissipated it was not because we have physically beat it down to the point it needed to retreat and regroup.
But. what if, our enemy is so cunning, baffling, and powerful that the retreat and regroup was a planned event on its part. What if, it was all a part of its plan to lull us into a state of complacency so it can come back and attack with a vengeance! Knowing the attack will be a surprise and will inflict the maximum amount of damage on us, our lives, and our recovery?
I almost feel bad for the ignorance of those people who cannot see that we never asked to be born this way, to suffer from this affliction, to have this disease. No more so than a parent with a baby being born with a life-threatening disease, asks God to make sure their baby is born with it. No way, so why do they judge us?
I believe there are a few factors at work, the first being fear. It is my belief that many who have never been afflicted fear those of us who have. The biggest reason I believe is that they don't understand, and they know it is a disease from which there is no known cure.
It is frightening to Normies, the monster WE fight
The research that is out surrounding this disease doesn't much clarify it for them either. Hell, those of us in the field all the way from the gutter most to the uttermost of scholars can't even seem to agree on what exactly addiction is, how it is contracted and what the hell we are going to do to stop it.
If those of us with the disease and those who study it to try and find a cure cannot agree on these things, how do we expect the general public to digest it? If every time the general public comes to us to try and see what the latest theory is on battling the enemy they see us arguing and fighting amongst one another as to what exactly is going on here. What are they supposed to think?
If we who suffer from this disease cannot come to terms with what ails us. Then how can we expect the general public to come to terms with it? Personally, I don't think we can. This war is not only between this disease and those who suffer from it but also between the families, loved ones, and friends of those who suffer from it as well.
This my friends is World War 3, and that is why; This is Just Not My War!!
About the Author: Marc is a 48 yr. old Author, speaker, and soldier against the disease of addiction. He resides in the beautiful Pacific Northwest. Marc’s hobbies include writing, Mt. biking, hiking, and drinking copious amounts of coffee. Marc is also the proud father, of one very outstanding young man. As Marc always likes to say “Be blessed, my friends.”
