Changing the focus to who you really are.

[tomkoop]

I find it an easier and softer way to approach an, addict/alcoholics, problems with change in their demeanor as far as how they see themselves off of the, drugs/alcohol.
How we see ourselves is a major factor in depression.
If I am Joe Shit the Ragman sucking down a fifth of Windsor a day while living in stench I am going to be that person. I am going to be a loser through and through with no where to turn but the bottle. The bottle whispers you are ok, you will be fine, drink more and see how I make you feel. Your troubles will go away if you drink more of me.
Bullshit!!
Your addiction, no matter what drug, or drugs, is encased in a world of denial. Having lived the life, using drugs/alcohol daily for many years, my life became full of disillusionment, anger at the world, depression, hopelessness, worthlessness, hate, suicidal thoughts and attempts, suicidal attention seeking, theft, DWI's, jails, psych wards, alleys, walking for hours and avoidance of those I loved all to get high, or so I thought. I ran away from me after years of addiction. The longer I used, the worse my depression became, and the harder it was for me to get out of the addict thinking. Addiction becomes in grained into your soul. The longer your actively feeding your addiction to drugs/alcohol, the more your every move is dictated by your addicted brain. You listen to your addiction and the quiet thoughts employing you to drink or to do some smack so you will feel normal. No pain. No depression. No emotions.

Killing the depression is on the tip of a needle and right inside a jug of 86 proof whiskey.

Or killing the depression is turning your focus away from the drugs/alcohol and focusing on what your most best at as far as your talents go. I know I am a damn good drunk and doper. I am a pro at it!!! Yeah Me!!!
I also know I am damn good at fishing, playing pool, socializing, working, music, writing, college studies (now a 3.20 GPA from a 0 on the streets for ten years), and a great grandfather if I must say so.
I get depressed because it is in my genes, and most of all it is because of my addiction to drugs/alcohol. I lived the life of a loser for years and with the label loser you are depressed. My addiction is ingrained into my soul and with that my depression is as well.
I keep myself out of depressed moods and the fuck it attitudes by focusing on what I am really like off of drugs/alcohol. I know booze and drugs will just put me right back into a deep depression so I use my other talents to be happy with who I really am.

I am not that drunk or doper today. I am a 59 year old recovering man with much to give to the real world I live in.