Ya know... in the defense of addicts, it can be awfully difficult to accept that you're an addict and that you just plain don't want to stop using. We're not the best parts of ourselves, we're the sum of all of our parts -- addictions included. It's the same kind of thing as being homosexual or any other personality trait that you get ostracized for.Let me qualify that: I'm not saying homosexuality and drug addiction are both equally genetic, though I think a good argument could be made for that (I'm not going to be the one making it though). Just that sizable portions of (US at least) society consider one or the other to be scum, criminals, or even genuinely evil. Sometimes it's hard to face who you really are, let alone learn to accept yourself when others don't.Let 'em call it their medicine until they can look in the mirror and not lie about who they see. Same thing as saying a loved one "passed" (I really hate that one for some reason) instead of accurately saying that they're fuckin' dead and rotting like we all will be one day. Please don't point out God. That doesn't change what's going to happen to our bodies.Just ignore their euphemisms; in the end it's their problem, not yours. If they're making it yours, then walk away. If they die without ever really looking in the mirror... well... then they'll die a self deluded fool. Either way, you can't force somebody to see what they're unwilling to see. And even though it pisses me off too, their life belongs to them. I mean who are we to fuck with the rose-tinted glasses they decided they need?By the way, I think some of us are misunderstanding the benefit of "handing your life over to a higher power." It allows them to shed some of the guilt and self-loathing that comes with being something other people despise you for. Optimism and positivity are always more beneficial to your success than vicious self criticism. Let me stress that: ALWAYS. If you think you'll fail, then you're going to fail. If you think you're scum, you're going to either stay or become scum. Belief and expectation are amazingly powerful things.If you give yourself over to "something higher," it allows you to forgive yourself. To bypass the expectations you have for your own actions. To see the possibility for something better tomorrow than you went through yesterday. Every addict has tried to stop and failed. They have evidence that they can't do it. So it's kind of necessary to let somebody else "decide for you." If you ask me, that's the reason it seems to help a lot of people.... on a personal note, I think it's complete bullshit and AA/rehab make me want to gouge my eyes out. I don't really mind being an atheistic junkie though, and if it helps some people, then I'm happy they're happier :)