In reality and this is just a guess but so e of his charges will be withdrawn after discovery and he can plead down to avoid serious time. Probably County for 6 months then 2 to 3 years probation
Edmond Ruth
- Thread starter Str8DBLz
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Nothing makes that more clear than a good book written 30 years ago Homicide - a year on the streets by David Simon. Pretty sure nothing has changed since
The juxtaposition of this thread and the OTT thread(s) makes the obvious seem so obvious. Why anyone would get into drugs nowadays, when information is so available, is incomprehensible to me.
For the addict there is no choice. The disease chooses you.
Johnson City? I grew up in that area (Kingsport); went to church camp (Banner Elk) and learned to ski (Sugar Mt.) in Avery County. Absolutely beautiful country.
I am trying to be understanding and not a jack a$$, but don’t you have to chose to try the drug first? It isnt as if the drug is waiting to ambush you and force you to try it. While I understand people have addictive personalities that don’t respond well to moderation if you never try it wouldn’t it channel some other way?
As I stated, I am looking for info and not trying to infer it is not a disease. Hopefully I phrased this is a way that does not come off wrong.
Complicated subject, one that is better left to read about from experts. There's plenty of solid info on the internet, and lots of books. Here's one of dozens (maybe hundreds) of hits;
Understanding Drug Use and Addiction DrugFacts | National Institute on Drug Abuse
Provides an overview of drug use and addiction, including what happens in the brain during drug use, why some people become addicted while others don't, and the importance of prevention.
I am a layman that has seen it firsthand. Like Roar says, it's more complicated than that. A lot more complicated. It would be simple if people with addictive family histories could abstain from doing drugs/alcohol/gambling but it isn't that simple. Anxiety, feelings of hopelessness, a need to escape, and even abuse can be the first step to addiction in a person with addictive tendencies. Yes, they have to take the first step and use a drug/alcohol but more often than not they are not in an ideal state when the first time happens. They are in a crisis of some sort and try to relieve the stress of whatever they are going through. Sometimes it's just peer pressure to fit in with the crowd. Most people have no idea they have addictive tendencies, and if they do, they believe they can stop. Most people lack self awareness on their inability to control this monster. Once the stress is relieved, the mind takes over and produces chemicals that produce a positive memory of the experience, and in an addictive person, more becomes better and so the path downward can begin. It's insidious.
No that is typical for a response and it has been debated forever. However how addiction starts is different for everyone for some it's peer pressure and others it's an environment where drugs and alcohol are prevalent. Where it doesn't become a choice is when addiction progresses to a point where the brain needs the drug to feel normal. Complicated topic the goal is to get people to see it's not a moral deficiency when it gets to a point. Great example is most addicts wouldn't do what they do if they weren't high or under the influence.
My son had OD three times. Once while in the ER. These situations often start small and progress quickly. That old saying of who you hang around with sometimes determines your path is somewhat true. We were fortunate that he hit his rock bottom and lived, two of his buddies were not as fortunate. The sad thing is all the love in the world does not help until the addict is ready to accept it. They are just not themselves while going thru this. I feel so awful when I hear of a family going thru this, it can tear a family apart. it does not help that addicts are the best liars. They often can convince you that they are getting better and staying clean and as parents you so desperately want to believe it and will take the most hopeful sign and hang on to it. Any time I get a call late in the evening I get chills wondering if this is the call I have been dreading. I do not sleep like I use to. Prayers to anyone dealing with addicts, love them but understand your heart will be broken many times thru the process.
My oldest is “on the spectrum,” as they say, and he’s a rule-follower to the nth degree, but my middle son acts so much like me it’s funny and scary at the same time. I was pretty out of control as a kid and caused myself a lot of problems with my substance abuse, so this was/is one of my biggest fears for my boys. My heart goes out to you, Raslen.
Our farm is over on the Virginia side not terribly far from Johnson City, TN. Mrs. Tobacco Farmer and I keep a second home up in State College to support our 50+ year addiction to wrestling, football, Lacrosse, and volleyball. If you are up State College way you should ring my bell. We have a small group of wrestling nuts who gather at the Ale House to talk shop.
Maybe he enjoys concussions.Can we still hang out with you if we don't wish to ring your bell?
This is NOT a great example if we’re trying to get someone to empathize, lol
Grundy - that place is a hoot! The government moved the whole town across the river to avoid annual floods. Yes, I go up into the coal fields to watch hard nosed HS wrestling. Grundy is one of the few HS in VA that takes wrestling seriously. They occasionally put a kid into D-1 and as I am sure you know, Kevin Dresser was their coach before heading off to VT.
I didn't realize Dresser was at Grundy before Christiansburg. Years ago I had a short work stint out of Big Stone Gap and passed through Grundy. Not an easy place to get to. Flying out of Tri-Cities Airport was interesting.
While I find the personal stories heart wrenching I was responding specifically to this comment that seems to take all responsibility away from the addict.
"For the addict there is no choice. The disease chooses you."
I still say there was personal choice involved, and actually Roars link from drugabuse.gov pretty much confirmed that, though they hedge slightly. Now the person might have issues with how they made that choice, or have compromised decision processes, and have personality/behavior issues that make it harder to say no to that choice, but I stand by my original post. And I also stand by not wanting to be an a$$ about it.
Luckily none of my immediate family have suffered from this particular disease, and I thank God for that everyday. As a father it must be heartbreaking to deal with. Prayers for all that are dealing with it personally or with a family member.
"For the addict there is no choice. The disease chooses you."
I still say there was personal choice involved, and actually Roars link from drugabuse.gov pretty much confirmed that, though they hedge slightly. Now the person might have issues with how they made that choice, or have compromised decision processes, and have personality/behavior issues that make it harder to say no to that choice, but I stand by my original post. And I also stand by not wanting to be an a$$ about it.
Luckily none of my immediate family have suffered from this particular disease, and I thank God for that everyday. As a father it must be heartbreaking to deal with. Prayers for all that are dealing with it personally or with a family member.
I think you're taking the quote too literally.
You're very lucky you have no direct experience w/addiction. If you did, I can't help but think you'd see things a bit differently? Maybe not.
That’s definitely a thing, where people don’t honestly try to understand a situation until they are actually in said situation, then they become, like, super advocates, lol
I agree with some of what your saying but we differ on choice. There has never been an addict who chose to be an addict. Over 80 percent of addicted people start using before age 15. Ego and false pride along with the confidence of youth contribute more to the outcome then we want to give credit for There is no way I believe that any 15 year old ever aspired to be an addict Saying someone chooses to be an addict is like saying someone chooses to have a heart disease. It never happens that way How one lives their life can lead to problems down the road. Poor eating habits can lead to heart disease poor coping skills can lead to drug addiction The point is nobody chooses this life. I've been working in this field for over thirty years and it never gets any easier looking at someone who has lost their freedom behind bars swear to their mother they don't have a problem. Horrible disease and it's a shame based disease where most don't seek help because of that shame
Thoughtful, compassionate dialogue where each can express freely and inform/learn, while understanding others may have a conflicting viewpoint, is not normal on internet message boards... let alone those dedicated to sports fandom.
I want to tip my hat to ya'll, but that's kinda off-brand.
I want to tip my hat to ya'll, but that's kinda off-brand.
I think it can be somewhat helpful to reexamine what "personal choice" really is in the first place. Every choice we make is constrained by our circumstances. I guess the idea is that you choose the best option available given your circumstances and that leads to better future circumstances in the future and better possibilities. But in the moment it's hard to see the big picture like that and you can very easily get caught up in the flow of life making "bad" choices without realizing you're even making choices at all.
For a personal example, I went through a (fortunately very minor) struggle with opioids in college after a bad accident. After my surgeries, I was given oxycontin. At first the pills weren't enough to handle the pain. Then when they were, I was so afraid of the pain returning that I just kept taking them long past the time when they were really necessary. They became a normal part of my daily life. At no point did I feel like I was consciously choosing to take pills and get addicted to them. It happened without me even realizing it. After several months, my prescription wasn't renewed and I ran out of pills and went through withdrawal in my dorm room. Luckily, I was pretty immobile and my gf was there to take care of me because all I wanted during that period was more pills to make it stop. In a different set of circumstances, it could have ended much worse.
Like District four said, I don't think anybody really chooses to be an addict.
I will put this out there. I am a recovering addict. It does not matter the substance.
Poor life choices lead me down the road to addiction. It is a progressive disease. Starts off fun, then leads to unmanageable circumstances. When I had enough, I sought help and recieved it and more than I could have ever imagined.
And PSU Paul what?? I'm not family?
🤣
If anyone knows someone that needs help, feel free to tag me. Or message me on the Facebook. I'm Wayde Post and I'm an alcoholic.
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HL you are my brother and I love ya! Always there for you but we have never discussed that part of your life. Maybe we should some time! I am there if you ever need anything.
How cool is that though!
We have been friends for a few years now and It never came up. You and others here have helped me more than you will ever know. I am living a life now beyond my wildness imagination.
Thank you, hlstone/Wayde! So, I guess we can just think about drinking. People start drinking because they think they can handle it. And harder drugs probably start the same way, except with less and less margin for error, depending on the drug. I never really knew how to think about it before. You really helped me think about it.
Who would have thought that Edmond Ruth through his struggles would bring this board closer together. Life is strange.
Thanks for your service and I know you know what I mean by that
Thank goodness there are dudes like you who pay it forward. The one thing I mentioned to my son was just think of all of the kids out there who may relate to you and take a step towards a drug free life. You never know who a person is going to connect with. Could be a family member, friend, coach or someone they have never met.
