An Insatiable Emptiness

An Insatiable Emptiness

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The author is a recovered binging addict that was born in1970 and has a specialty in writing poetry and prose. The article appeared in one of her volumes titled The Georgia Straight. Evelyn Lau writes the article in the context of a family that aggravates her addiction instead of helping her to control it. She indicates that the family constraints contribute to compulsive behavior and that addicts require unconditional familial support to control their habits (Lau 495).

She purports that people fall into addictions in the quest to cope with stressful situations and are often unable to recognize its immoral nature. I agree with the view that addictions arise from the desire to regain normalcy away from stressful situations. Addicts are desperate in finding a quick fix to their stressors. They block all the opposing voices because the compulsive behavior feeds their cravings (Lau 495). I also agree with the view that they become detached from those previously close to them albeit unintentionally (Lau 496). They plunge deeper into their addictions in desperation when they are unable to restore their relationship with close family members.

I agree that the family requires taking a proactive role in encouraging addicts to control their habits. It does not pay when it bulldozes the addict out of the habits because they instead require unconditional social support. They often succumb to bitterness when those they expect to help them out of the sticky situations fail to make needful effort (Lau 497). I however disagree that family has the full capability of changing behavior of an addict. This is because the addict makes the ultimate resolution to change compulsive habits. The family should therefore wait for the cue from the addict before effecting changes. This way, the addict does not feel controlled into changing and therefore does not retaliate.

Indeed the family has a place in allowing the addict to recognize the possible consequences of their addictive behavior before it deteriorates to an irreversible and dangerous stage. It ought to manage the care in a supportive, proactive and loving way that affirms the addicts’ value. The family interventions must be anchored on principles of love and acceptance to be effective.

Work cited

Lau, E. "An Insatiable Emptiness." Reinking, J. A., et al. Strategies for Successful Writing: A Rhetoric, Research Guide, Reader and Handbook. Toronto: Pearson Education Canada, 2006. 495-500.