I'm always amazed when I hear stories like that one concerning your friend. I'm glad for him, and I wish him every continued success. For the other 49 out of 50, who don't do as well, I've gotten to where I shrug, shake my head and wonder at the taunting, miserable, impervious, unfathomable nature of addiction in all its forms, and why we haven't done better at finding a kink in its armour.
I know a lot of biochemistry, but I haven't a clue about addiction. It's one of those metaphysical paradoxes in which the more we learn, the more we discover we don't know. Bigger better brains than mine have devoted lifetimes to unraveling this "gordian knot" that besets man. And for all I've learned about it, one of the few things I'm truly sure of is that people who beat that demon for any length of time are due my undiluted respect.
I know a lot of biochemistry, but I haven't a clue about addiction. It's one of those metaphysical paradoxes in which the more we learn, the more we discover we don't know. Bigger better brains than mine have devoted lifetimes to unraveling this "gordian knot" that besets man. And for all I've learned about it, one of the few things I'm truly sure of is that people who beat that demon for any length of time are due my undiluted respect.