Join the Peaceful Revolution Against the Tyranny of Addiction

Portugal has become well known for its drug decriminalization policy that encourages heroin addicts to seek treatment. Although I have lived in Portugal for almost 28 years I never gave this progressive drug policy much thought until I read Johann Hari’s book Chasing the Scream: The First and Last Days of the War on Drugs , in my second year sober. In reading Hari’s book, I became fascinated with the drug war in the United States, and how we have learned through public policy to focus on illicit drug use while ignoring the ever-increasing epidemic of alcohol addiction.

If you are curious about the decriminalization of drugs in Portugal and how it has influenced culture, the article linked below from the Guardian, gives an excellent perspective on the history of that:

Portugal’s radical drugs policy is working. Why hasn’t the world copied it?

Alcohol is of course perfectly legal to use and abuse not only in Portugal but in the United States where I was born and raised. My addiction was to that mundane, everyday drug that we can buy in the grocery store and serve at our family dinner table. What I have learned in over 6 years alcohol-free is that it was community and compassion, not a strict authoritarian penalization, that freed me from my addiction –

Today is the anniversary of the bloodless revolution in Portugal.

Red Carnations in the barrels of the guns of the military,

placed there by the people,

who then celebrated together

on Avenida Liberdade

April 25, 1974

It’s a beautiful

peaceful

joyful image

Tyranny overthrown quietly and joyfully by a people united

But there was bloodshed of course and torture and the imprissonment of people’s hopes and dreams for many years before the peaceful overthrow of Salazar’s Dictatorship

And of course for many years after the overthrow of the dictatorship people had to learn a new way of life

Freedom after years of mind control can be uncomfortable

When I moved to Portugal in 1993 there were still people who missed the false security of the dictatorship

It is a challenge to live free

To be responsible for your choices and the fulfillment of your dreams

to be responsible to your community

but I don’t want to live any other way ever again

Now that I’m free from the mind control of active addiction

Dia 25 de Abril in Portugal

A day when tyranny was overthrown by hope

and an awkward but essential freedom returned to a people who came together

at the sound of this music coming over the radio

If you’re controlled by alcohol

Bullied

Unable to stop once you start

no matter how much pain and shame that supposedly soothing liquid is causing you

Pour it out and stick a red carnation in the top of the empty bottle

turn on this music

then join hands with your community and learn how to live free

Go to a meeting if you have a group in your world that works for you

or

open the link and come Talk to Us in BOOM

Alcohol was My Bully

Community was the Cure to the Addiction

ReThink the Drink

Private, Independent, Anonymous, Free On-Line Community

Fight Back!

April is Alcohol Awareness Month. Have you ever asked yourself the question To Drink or Not to Drink? If you ever wonder if you have a problem with alcohol, or if you ever considered taking a break from the booze just to see how different your life might become chat with us a bit and see where it takes you – BOOM Rethink the Drink – Here are some thoughts from members of our community :

How is Your Relationship With Alcohol?

How do You Know You Have a Problem With Alcohol? Is It Time to Stop Drinking ?

But I can’t be an alcoholic! I didn’t hit rock bottom!

What is the Life Expectancy of an Alcoholic

Don’t let the shame of the stigma keep you from saying