Ben Cousins documentary

[ScottH]

Such is Life

[Nico]

On radio yesterday David Schwarz said Collingwood had Cousins tailed when it was considering whether to draft him and didn't like what they saw.

[Jesse Richards]

Sam Newman brought up a very interesting point on TFS last night. He found it strange that Cuz could just choose to stop taking drugs in the 2 or 3 days leading up to the game in case he got tested. Drug addicts don't choose when they want to take drugs, they just take them whenever they want. And they can't control when they will feel the urge to take them. But Ben said a few times last night that he would take drugs early in the week after games and then stop in the 2 or 3 days leading up to the next game.

That is very very strange.

Not so strange, if you understand addiction. The stereotype of a continuously stoned crazy eyed syringe wielding dero in a gutter is just that - a stereotype. It's more about being at the mercy of, than out of control, 24/7.

Part of illicit addiction is cunning - you have to learn a myriad ways to hide your addiction from fairly early on to avoid being caught - by police, parents, family, friends, employees, employers, debtors or anyone else who might interfere with your ongoing use. Also part of the addiction is the plotting and planning and waiting for the next opportunity. This can include working all week to earn enough money just to sustain the habit on the weekend. Part of being an addict is the irrationality of the choices you make, hurting people you love, lying and deceiving, opportunities lost. It is much, much more than the insatiable desire.

While for all addicts there are times when out of control can mean indulging no matter what, mostly drug addicts can and do choose (otherwise there would be no point to rehab or any other recovery program). The reality of addiction is more a matter of choosing not to indulge many, many times a day. Of plotting and waiting. Choosing not to indulge can go on for days, weeks, even years, especially when driven by the desire not to indulge at all. It takes enormous discipline, focus and careful planning to sustain abstinence, whether for "recovery" or to get to the next "fix". It is why "recovering'" addicts say that they are still addicts - they are all too aware of the possibility of once more choosing to use, no matter how dire the consequences.

To me, the part about Cousins systematically planning his drug use is more an indicator of addiction rather than the contrary.

[Rob-bloods]

Ben Cousins what a joke. He did drugs for 10 years plus but did not do them the night Mainwaring died or before games! Well how convenient. One thing we know about addicts Benny...they lie. I feel sorry for the kids on the margin no money no hope families destroyed, Brian came across as a good bloke but if Benny had od'd and died after the 2006GF would Brian have been better served not covering up whilst they still had tilts at the flag? Apologists and liars all, a complete joke,

As for discouragement to youngsters, don't make me laugh, party hard with blonde footy bimbos, get a brownlow, a premiership a property portfolio and a role with the AFL...real discouraging.......