"La adicción no es una elección que alguien haga, es una respuesta al dolor"
— Gabor Mate
Simplified Meaning:
When people become addicted to something, it's not because they just decided to. It's usually because they're trying to cope with something very difficult or painful in their lives. Imagine someone feeling really sad and empty after losing a loved one. To escape that sadness, they might start drinking a lot of alcohol. Over time, they rely on the alcohol to feel better, which leads to addiction. This happens because their pain drives them to find a way out, not because they wanted to become addicted. For example, many soldiers who come back from war have seen and experienced terrible things. They might start using drugs to forget those memories and feel normal again. This isn't a choice they make lightly; it's a way to deal with their deep-seated pain. If you know someone who's struggling with addiction, it's important to understand that they're hurting inside. Helping them means addressing the pain they're trying to escape, not just the addiction itself. Providing support and understanding can be more effective than judgment or punishment.