I don't know that shame does anything for anybody...except for the shame-er & their feeling of superiority.
Seriously? You want to drive someone away, make 'em dig in their heels, get a chip on their shoulder, discredit your own well intentions, & give 'em a reason to continue on their path? It's easy. Just shame & disown them. For the addict choosing to use is often easier than dealing with you.
No addict ever recovered with out a conscious choice to decide so for themselves. Oh, sure...Plenty got clean 'cause their choice of chemical got taken away or the opportunity to engage got removed. But recovery is a choice to accept one's self as is & move on.
Most reasons related to addiction have to do with an absence of meaningful connections & a sense of belonging. When this need is met, the reason for use is eliminated.
People tend to go where they are accepted.
People tend to adopt opinions they think their group thinks.
People tend to adopt actions & behaviors consistent with what they think people in their group approve of.
The answer, as always, is compassion, empathy, & friendship. I see little of that in this thread.
Ask yourself this: When was the last time you did a thing, anything at all, let alone change your whole life trajectory because some rando "out-group" person that you don't know or don't particularly care for told you to do said thing?
The OP didn't ask about drinking or commentary on his life choices; He asked about refueling during a ride.
Last edited by base2; 01-04-22 at 01:55 AM.