Forgetful dogs

Mikey called me as I was getting ready for basketball practice.  His sister-in-law Betsy had taken the money her family raised, gone to the casino, and made a bundle.  To my surprise Mikey told me his wife admitted giving her sister money was a mistake.

“I don’t get it,” I said to Mikey. “Betsy lost money at the casino, so Suzanne gave her cash to pay her bills.  She bet that money, and made enough to pay her expenses for the next several months.  Betsy losing money didn’t convince Suzanne she has a problem, but winning money did.  Am I missing something?”

“It was the amnesia.  Betsy forgot all her past troubles as soon as she won. She was high on winning.  She called Suzanne to give her financial advice.  She told their brother Sam he should grow up and get a real job.   It was like hitting the thing that was destroying her life made her forget what a mess her life was. Do you see that a lot?”

“When I was drinking I’d forget about all the things I had messed up while I was drinking.  I knew a guy who had affairs to forget the guilt he felt over having affairs.  I know several people who eat to comfort themselves when they feel bad about overeating.  It’s common for people to induce amnesia with the hair of the dog that’s mauling them.  The trouble is many people don’t recognize their addictions, or even just their bad habits, are the dog.”

Today I will beware of addict’s amnesia and hairy dogs.

Life on Life’s Terms II © 2015 by Ken Montrose

(Just a reminder: LOLT II is a work of fiction.  Any resemblance to anyone you might know is purely coincidental.)