[AnnieK]

Unless you have ever been addicted to something, addiction is impossible to understand. I know a lot of people believe you can just "stop" whatever it is you are doing - drinking, smoking, drugs, gambling etc but it is not that simple. I have encountered people in my life who are addicted to all the big things and they know it is killing them and on the whole want to stop but they are so conditioned to their problems that it climbing everest would be an easier task.

I have a lot of empathy for addicts, they don't all know where to turn to get help and need the stongest support network to help them.

Don't get me wrong, some addicts are selfish and have ruined their and many lives around them but you normally find there will have been a trigger to get them in that position in the first place and they and their family and friends network need help and support to assist them in recovery