Addiction is Dehumanizing

Crack addict Jackie Wilridge and at least two others beat and robbed Patricia James after she mentioned the large sum of cash she was carrying. This by itself is a sad tale, but what followed afterwards is absolutely barbaric. After the assault and robbery, Wilridge went back to the kitchen and returned with a pot of boiling water and poured it onto James. James died two days later.

The tenant, Charlotta Jackson, said she saw the water come to a boil over a stove, and watched Wilridge throw it onto James, according to the police report. “Jackson saw the skin on James’ arms fall off and knew she had been severely scalded,” police said. “Wilridge then left the apartment.” ~ Fox News

There are several aspects of this story that remain a mystery. Why did James mentioned the money to the unsavory characters she was smoking crack with, why did she hang around after the crime, and why did she not seek medical attention until it was too late?

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What is all too clear about this incident though is that addiction is dehumanizing. Once the affliction sets in, alcoholics and addicts can become uncivilized beasts. When drugs and alcohol become priority- morals, values, and even common decency are characteristics that are shed in the pursuit of perverted sustenance. It’s the classic tale of the werewolf with a realistic twist- how do you put down the beast for satisfying its animalistic needs without destroying the trapped human host? What if they deserve now deserve it?

For some it is easy to overlook the disease, especially for those not directly affected, but I know the insanity; the depths I sunk to as a practicing alcoholic that would be unthinkable to me now in recovery. Ask anyone with a loved one suffering from addiction… and they will tell you about the monster who has taken his or her place.