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