| The Doctor Who Had Everything | | | | matter that he has been passionately |
| | | | interested in since he was a young adult. |
| While scanning the information on the | | | | |
| Titusonenine blog, I recently read a post | | | | If even more options were needed to satisfy |
| entitled "A Bout With Addiction, for the | | | | Dr. G's need for excitement, he could have |
| Doctor Who Has Everything" that captured my | | | | learned how to skydive. He could have |
| interest. According to the post, Dr. G. was | | | | researched a special topic in his profession |
| an anesthesiologist who became addicted to | | | | that he didn't have time for earlier in his |
| drugs. After entering a drug rehab clinic, | | | | career. He could have taken ballroom dancing |
| unfortunately, he never returned to his | | | | classes. He could have purchased a motor home |
| medical practice. | | | | and traveled with other sightseers to various |
| | | | locations throughout the country. He could |
| The Need for Excitement | | | | have become a "big brother" to troubled |
| | | | youth. He could have pursued political |
| Dr. G's story was interesting for a number of | | | | aspirations that he placed on hold for many |
| reasons, but at a very basic level of | | | | years. He could have created a special garden |
| analysis the problem was clear. To everyone | | | | retreat in his backyard. In a word, Dr. G. |
| else, Dr. G. had everything: power, financial | | | | could have involved himself in an unlimited |
| resources, prestige, position, and respect | | | | number of healthy activities that would have |
| and admiration from others. Apparently, | | | | added more meaning and excitement to his |
| however, there was one thing that Dr. G. | | | | life. |
| didn't have: excitement--something thrilling | | | | |
| that would add zest to his life. | | | | The Denial of Addiction |
| Unfortunately, Dr. G. looked to drugs to | | | | |
| provide the "high" his life was lacking. | | | | Instead of using his intellect and creativity |
| Apart from the unfortunate reality that Dr. | | | | to add "natural," healthy "highs" to his |
| G. never returned to his profession, there is | | | | life, Dr. G. took the course of least |
| something else that leaps out from this story | | | | resistance that eventually led to his |
| that needs to be articulated. | | | | downfall. Ironically, moreover, Dr. G. was a |
| | | | member of the one profession that is most |
| Healthy Excitement Boosters | | | | intimately associated with prescriptions and |
| | | | with the effects and side effects of drugs, |
| There is virtually an endless supply of | | | | namely medicine. Perhaps Dr. G. thought that |
| healthy "excitement boosters" in our society | | | | his "special" medical knowledge would enable |
| that Dr. G. could have sampled. He could have | | | | him to rise above and avoid the damaging |
| planned ahead and made reservations to go to | | | | effects of drugs. If so, then Dr. G. was in |
| the World Series, Super Bowl, Kentucky Derby, | | | | denial and out-of-touch with the realities of |
| Wimbledon tennis championship, NCAA college | | | | addiction. In the final analysis, however, |
| football championship, Masters Golf | | | | Dr. G. should have known better than to |
| tournament, Indy 500, or to the "final four" | | | | involve himself in the negative spiral of |
| in college basketball. He could have traveled | | | | drug addiction. |
| throughout the world visiting his favorite | | | | |
| places. He could have purchased a boat that | | | | Conclusion |
| would have allowed him to spend quality time | | | | |
| fishing or cruising on his favorite lake. He | | | | There are three main messages to be learned |
| could have learned how to play a musical | | | | from Dr. G's story. First, addiction to drugs |
| instrument. He could have gone "back to his | | | | or alcohol is an equal opportunity destroyer |
| roots" by visiting where his parents or | | | | that affects all races, people from all |
| grandparents came from. | | | | occupations, religions, nationalities, |
| | | | socio-economic groups, and from all political |
| To add to these "fun generators," Dr. G. | | | | parties. In a word, if an anesthesiologist |
| could have started a hobby that he has been | | | | can become addicted to drugs, virtually |
| passionately interested in since he was a | | | | anyone can. Second, whoever is not involved |
| youth. Based on his musical tastes, he could | | | | in drug abuse or drug addiction should |
| have made arrangements to see his favorite | | | | continue refraining from this destructive |
| groups or artists perform live and in | | | | habit. And third, whoever is abusing drugs or |
| concert. He could have learned how to snow | | | | addicted to drugs should get professional |
| ski, water ski, or ride a motorcycle. He | | | | help as soon as possible. |
| could have set aside time each year to attend | | | | |
| his favorite operas and performances by the | | | | Copyright 2007 - Denny Soinski. All Rights |
| best orchestras in the world. He could have | | | | Reserved Worldwide. Reprint Rights: You may |
| learned how to fly a plane. He could have | | | | reprint this article as long as you leave all |
| purchased season tickets for his favorite | | | | of the links active, do not edit the article |
| professional sporting events. He could have | | | | in any way, and give the author credit. |
| taken adult education classes for a subject | | | | |