OK, I admit it; I've been high before. In fact I've been high more than a couple of times, and more than a couple of things have gotten me high. Why, I have wondered more than often, do I enjoy this?
Perhaps the first thing that comes to a user's mind is: "Oh, I do this because I like it; nothing more, nothing less." Again, perhaps the first thing that could come to a non-users mind is: "Well, they're screwed in the head; they get high because the high controls them."
Who is right? I don't feel like I can answer it completely on the mark; but I feel both perspectives are accurate together. One way I have tried to solve this problem is by categorizing consumption possibilities: personal problems, partying, peer pressure, family tradition, etc. We all obviously have individual lives, experiences, perspectives and values that govern our lives; but, not forgetting that we all live in the same world and interact with one another, I truly believe that a large portion of us have more than a few things in common.
My example for this column is Johnny America. Let's look at a few characteristics and experiences that act as mental elements from which Johnny is constructed, keeping in mind that some of us have had similar experiences.
Starting young, Johnny's father perhaps didn't go light with "discipline" throughout Johnny's childhood. Like other children in similar situations, I imagine, this was a norm for Johnny. Throughout adolescence, Johnny had never confronted his ordeals, oblivious to his biological time bomb counting down -- on a scale of years rather than hours.
Teenage years came to pass, with Johnny always eager to try something crazy, or almost crazy -- preliminaries if you will.
Let me state this right now: If you enjoy getting high, no offense, but collective experiences have led me contribute some of these conclusions. Back to Johnny’s eagerness for fun, let's cut to the chase and say this Johnny: Johnny is an American kid from an "average" broken family. He has enjoyed altering his state of mind, just because it's fun. That's all, fun, no addiction, just good times. This column would be over right now, but because Johnny needed a solution to some problems, we can pray [sic], and continue.
At about the twenty-something age, knowing that something was wrong, Johnny sought help. After a couple of sessions with a damn straight, "mental-health" center, Johnny gained a new view on his experience, and on things related to this column's topic.
Johnny was made aware that he was quite depressed, and started on the goddamned rocky road to healing, Prozac intact.
After reading this column, here are a couple of nutshells of his response to getting high: Maybe you enjoy getting high, only for fun, you think. But maybe again you are running from yourself. From my own experience, if you have pain inside, go visit a licensed counseling and psychological kind of place. Fortunately, they’re almost always interesting to talk with. But I warn you, get ready to take a giant leap, for something new, exciting and thrilling. I'm talking about getting to know you. Be ready to cry, like a baby; don't worry; they always have plenty of tissue there. And be ready to start life as a new person. Johnny has; won't you join him?
