Addictions of one kind or another are sweeping through our population.

Some “addictions” do little harm to the person who is addicted and no harm at all to society in general. Examples include cheese dips and crackers (my personal issue), running, Sudoku, reading, television viewing, or automobile restoration.

The same claim of “no harm” to the individual or to society cannot be made for drugs and alcohol.

We read or hear reports of celebrities, politicians and sports figures who are addicts. Closer to home and more important to us are personal acquaintances, friends or family members who are personally addicted. Some reading this blog may be addicts. Still others have recovered after mounting a sustained effort to do so. Some of my friends are on the list of the recovered.

Recently, I attended a seminar where a short screening test was discussed. It is usually administered by a professional to determine whether a client has an addiction tendency or outright problem. See it at this link:   www.drugabuse.gov/nmassist

Consider taking the test as long as you are completely committed to being honest in your responses. If you are already plagued by drugs and / or alcohol, you need to know that those around you do care. We may fail to admit to ourselves that we have a problem. However, we cannot hide it from those who care most about us. They already know!