the truth about sisterhood: Lifestyle
Don’t Overdo It This Summer: Say No to Drugs!
J. Monique Gambles, LMFT
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08 June 2024
"We should all be open to new experiences, not ones that can take us off course."
As a young adult, I was not too fond of the summer months. Summer seemed to bring out the worst in people, or that’s what I told myself. Growing up in the inner city, the projects, and then moving to Texas at 16, I saw first-hand how summer ruined many lives. Summer loves turned ominous by fall, partying habits that led to mothers unable to buy school supplies or clothes for their children, with addiction being prominent and overtaking a once responsible adult and turning her into an unrecognizable character by the end of the year.
Summer is a time for vacations, family get-togethers, barbequing, and pool parties that last well into the night, and a time to rejuvenate the body with plenty of sun, water, and fresh air. The temptation to try new things is ever-present. We should all be open to new experiences, not ones that can take us off course. Say No to Drugs in other words.
Every summer, a new fad, drug, or cocktail promises a blissful moment. These experiences never come with warning labels. The supplier never tells you that you are gambling with your well-being, your future, or your family. And some of us can get so caught up in the moment that we forget that we have no money trees in our backyards, or that there is no endless supply of dollars to support a new habit.
Women do not handle substances as well as their male counterparts. A man can take off into a drug-infused haze for the entire summer without having to worry. He doesn’t have to think about who will care for the children or keep the home running smoothly.
And not that it’s okay that he doesn’t, but unfortunately, society always has a safe place for him to land: with another woman or family, or assistance with finding a job to recoup his losses. On the streets, it appears to be much safer for him than a homeless, female, addict.
In addition, women rely on others for jobs they once did independently. Other men see her as a target for easy access to her precious jewels. The lifeline that she provides to her children is cut almost unexpectedly leaving her offspring at the peril or mercy of others. Maybe I’m being too dramatic—but I’ve seen it with my own eyes, sugar turned to shit after indulgence in not just the devil’s lettuce, but an array of pills, powder, and a litany of other manmade poisons.
So before following an ill-informed friend, associate, or lover down the rabbit hole of drug euphoria, think about the consequences, the loss, and the possibility that you won’t bounce back. There are plenty of new healthy experiences that await you. Things like outdoor yoga, free museums, free concerts within most communities, reading a good book, learning something fun and new to showcase during the holidays, resting your body, or deciding to ease yourself into healthy food choices.
Any of these can be rewarding rather than a gamble to lose it all for the moments of bliss that come with the devil’s imps.