Paul Gascoigne

[2Ameobis]

I grew in in Benwell and Scotswood in the 70's and 80's and I'm sure there are people on here who have similar backgrounds. Chuck in an alcoholic father and to say it was tough was an understatement so I have first hand grade A experience of dealing with people like him.

 

In any other walk of life, this bloke would be branded a disgrace but because he's 'good 'ole lovable Gazza' who used to be a canny footballer 30 years ago, this somehow warrants him an endless bottomless bucket of sympathy. He has had more chances, more rehab, more cash spent on him than he deserves.

 

As mentioned by one or two others, these people are not the personalities you think they are. They are selfish and destructive. He's been clean many times and he doesn't like it. He likes being pissed and likes being an alcoholic.

 

I you think he needs saving again I'm sorry but you are wrong.

 

There’s a huge difference in wanting to stop yourself and being able to stop yourself. If you think he ‘chooses’ this then you’re wrong, first hand experience or not.

 

My first hand experience also includes social workers, addiction specialists, domestic violence experts and other professionals in this field. You mistakenly think he has no personal responsibility or choice. With all due respect mate, you are 100% wrong. 

[2Ameobis]

"Likes being an alcoholic"

 

 

Yes mate. And?

[ToonArmy1892]

And you are another who hasn't a clue about mental illness.

[2Ameobis]

And you are another who hasn't a clue about mental illness.

 

Seriously fella, did you not read my initial post and the one to LV?

[Guest chopey]

I don't think journalists leaving bottles of spirits outside his door helps like

[ToonArmy1892]

And you are another who hasn't a clue about mental illness.

 

Seriously fella, did you not read my initial post and the one to LV?

 

To say someone likes being addicted to something is just utter madness.

[LV]

I grew in in Benwell and Scotswood in the 70's and 80's and I'm sure there are people on here who have similar backgrounds. Chuck in an alcoholic father and to say it was tough was an understatement so I have first hand grade A experience of dealing with people like him.

 

In any other walk of life, this bloke would be branded a disgrace but because he's 'good 'ole lovable Gazza' who used to be a canny footballer 30 years ago, this somehow warrants him an endless bottomless bucket of sympathy. He has had more chances, more rehab, more cash spent on him than he deserves.

 

As mentioned by one or two others, these people are not the personalities you think they are. They are selfish and destructive. He's been clean many times and he doesn't like it. He likes being pissed and likes being an alcoholic.

 

I you think he needs saving again I'm sorry but you are wrong.

 

There’s a huge difference in wanting to stop yourself and being able to stop yourself. If you think he ‘chooses’ this then you’re wrong, first hand experience or not.

 

My first hand experience also includes social workers, addiction specialists, domestic violence experts and other professionals in this field. You mistakenly think he has no personal responsibility or choice. With all due respect mate, you are 100% wrong. 

 

I’m absolutely not saying he has no personal responsibility but I am saying despite that he is unable to stop and is not choosing this on a deep level. I’m not trying to minimise your personal experience in any way I promise. But the guy absolutely does not choose this.

[Rocker]

And you are another who hasn't a clue about mental illness.

 

Seriously fella, did you not read my initial post and the one to LV?

 

I lost my Dad to alcoholism when I was eighteen. He was forty four.

 

To say somebody likes being an alcoholic is ridiculous. It's like saying someone 'likes' having cancer. It's nonsensical.

[2Ameobis]

And you are another who hasn't a clue about mental illness.

 

Seriously fella, did you not read my initial post and the one to LV?

 

To say someone likes being addicted to something is just utter madness.

 

No it's not mate. To think all addicts are somehow 'fighting an internal battle against demons' is madness and to be frank, utter crap. A myth. Some are but he's not one of them.

[2Ameobis]

And you are another who hasn't a clue about mental illness.

 

Seriously fella, did you not read my initial post and the one to LV?

 

I lost my Dad to alcoholism when I was eighteen. He was forty four.

 

To say somebody likes being an alcoholic is ridiculous. It's like saying someone 'likes' having cancer. It's nonsensical.

 

I'm sorry to hear that mate and it must have been terrible. Not all addicts are the same though. And that's what people think. If that was the case, not one of them would ever beat it.

[Bimpy474]

As someone who is watching this unfold in my own family with my brother and his wife, you still have sympathy and love for them but you get worn down. You start focusing on the kids and the loved ones who are getting hurt around them, rightly or wrongly.

 

It does start to become 'i can do no more' not because you don't love them, it's because it starts to affect your own health and well being but when you can see your own Mum and my Brothers Mum-In-Law (in our case) starting to suffer pain and unbearable stress, it starts to kill the love you have for them, but it's far more complicated than trying to explain it in a few words on here, and every situation is different.

 

All i know is i wouldn't wish it on anyone, ever.

[Hanshithispantz]

If someone likes being an alchoholic then they deserve more sympathy if anything

 

You would have to be severerly unwell to like being cripplingly addicted to something which has ruined your life.

[2Ameobis]

I grew in in Benwell and Scotswood in the 70's and 80's and I'm sure there are people on here who have similar backgrounds. Chuck in an alcoholic father and to say it was tough was an understatement so I have first hand grade A experience of dealing with people like him.

 

In any other walk of life, this bloke would be branded a disgrace but because he's 'good 'ole lovable Gazza' who used to be a canny footballer 30 years ago, this somehow warrants him an endless bottomless bucket of sympathy. He has had more chances, more rehab, more cash spent on him than he deserves.

 

As mentioned by one or two others, these people are not the personalities you think they are. They are selfish and destructive. He's been clean many times and he doesn't like it. He likes being pissed and likes being an alcoholic.

 

I you think he needs saving again I'm sorry but you are wrong.

 

There’s a huge difference in wanting to stop yourself and being able to stop yourself. If you think he ‘chooses’ this then you’re wrong, first hand experience or not.

 

My first hand experience also includes social workers, addiction specialists, domestic violence experts and other professionals in this field. You mistakenly think he has no personal responsibility or choice. With all due respect mate, you are 100% wrong. 

I’m absolutely not saying he has no personal responsibility but I am saying despite that he is unable to stop and is not choosing this on a deep level. I’m not trying to minimise your personal experience in any way I promise. But the guy absolutely does not choose this.

 

Genuinely mate, I'm not saying my experience trumps all but why is mine regarded as such a left field view? What is it about Paul Gascoigne over the last 30 years that somehow says he is in a constant battle to stop being who is is?

[Greg]

And you are another who hasn't a clue about mental illness.

 

Seriously fella, did you not read my initial post and the one to LV?

 

To say someone likes being addicted to something is just utter madness.

 

No it's not mate. To think all addicts are somehow 'fighting an internal battle against demons' is madness and to be frank, utter crap. A myth. Some are but he's not one of them.

 

I know you said you've had experience of such addiction but I am struggling with some of what you've said. Of course there are different levels of addiction, but addiction is a psychological and physical inability to stop consuming drink (or drugs in other cases etc.). So yes, if you are an addict, you are fighting those psychological demons, addiction and misuse are different.

[Shearergol]

And you are another who hasn't a clue about mental illness.

 

He has a post history proving he hasn’t a clue about many things tbh

[2Ameobis]

As someone who is watching this unfold in my own family with my brother and his wife, you still have sympathy and love for them but you get worn down. You start focusing on the kids and the loved ones who are getting hurt around them, rightly or wrongly.

 

It does start to become 'i can do no more' not because you don't love them, it's because it starts to affect your own health and well being but when you can see your own Mum and my Brothers Mum-In-Law (in our case) starting to suffer pain and unbearable stress, it starts to kill the love you have for them, but it's far more complicated than trying to explain it in a few words on here, and every situation is different.

 

All i know is i wouldn't wish it on anyone, ever.

 

I'm so sorry to hear this as well mate., My heart absolutely goes out to you.

[Rocker]

And you are another who hasn't a clue about mental illness.

 

Seriously fella, did you not read my initial post and the one to LV?

 

I lost my Dad to alcoholism when I was eighteen. He was forty four.

 

To say somebody likes being an alcoholic is ridiculous. It's like saying someone 'likes' having cancer. It's nonsensical.

 

I'm sorry to hear that mate and it must have been terrible. Not all addicts are the same though. And that's what people think. If that was the case, not one of them would ever beat it.

 

I just can't fathom an alcoholic likes slowly killing themselves. Part of the illness, surely, is not having the mental capacity to fight the addiction.

 

I appreciate your kind words.

[2Ameobis]

And you are another who hasn't a clue about mental illness.

 

He has a post history proving he hasn’t a clue about many things tbh

 

Seriously pal? Christ. Go back to bed.

[2Ameobis]

And you are another who hasn't a clue about mental illness.

 

Seriously fella, did you not read my initial post and the one to LV?

 

To say someone likes being addicted to something is just utter madness.

 

No it's not mate. To think all addicts are somehow 'fighting an internal battle against demons' is madness and to be frank, utter crap. A myth. Some are but he's not one of them.

 

I know you said you've had experience of such addiction but I am struggling with some of what you've said. Of course there are different levels of addiction, but addiction is a psychological and physical inability to stop consuming drink (or drugs in other cases etc.). So yes, if you are an addict, you are fighting those psychological demons, addiction and misuse are different.

 

What I'm saying mate, is sometimes there is no 'fighting'. It's fully possible to be an alcoholic and not be in constant turmoil about it.

[Bimpy474]

And you are another who hasn't a clue about mental illness.

 

Seriously fella, did you not read my initial post and the one to LV?

 

I lost my Dad to alcoholism when I was eighteen. He was forty four.

 

To say somebody likes being an alcoholic is ridiculous. It's like saying someone 'likes' having cancer. It's nonsensical.

 

Sorry to hear that mate, and agree with you on the 'likes'. That's the one thing I've never seen, if anything they hate themselves for being what they are, have become and what they put their family through.

[Dokko]

Addiction is one that splits opinion, and generally provokes a strong reaction in most, especially those who have had dealings with it in their lives. It shapes you and your reactions to addicts and their situation.

 

Take away the extremes of each side on this and there isn't much i could disagree with.

[Bimpy474]

As someone who is watching this unfold in my own family with my brother and his wife, you still have sympathy and love for them but you get worn down. You start focusing on the kids and the loved ones who are getting hurt around them, rightly or wrongly.

 

It does start to become 'i can do no more' not because you don't love them, it's because it starts to affect your own health and well being but when you can see your own Mum and my Brothers Mum-In-Law (in our case) starting to suffer pain and unbearable stress, it starts to kill the love you have for them, but it's far more complicated than trying to explain it in a few words on here, and every situation is different.

 

All i know is i wouldn't wish it on anyone, ever.

 

I'm so sorry to hear this as well mate., My heart absolutely goes out to you.

 

Thanks mate.

[RS]

Alcoholism is where the person values alcohol more than their health. Alcoholics can’t see further than their next drink. It’s an awful disease and watching someone slowly kill themselves is awful to watch.

 

Some people just can’t see how strong addiction is and the fact that stopping really isn’t an option. Even when an alcoholic stops drinking they’re not “cured”. It’s a daily fight

 

Unfortunately some people will never understand that alcoholism is a disease and not an option.

[Hanshithispantz]

And you are another who hasn't a clue about mental illness.

 

Seriously fella, did you not read my initial post and the one to LV?

 

To say someone likes being addicted to something is just utter madness.

 

No it's not mate. To think all addicts are somehow 'fighting an internal battle against demons' is madness and to be frank, utter crap. A myth. Some are but he's not one of them.

 

I know you said you've had experience of such addiction but I am struggling with some of what you've said. Of course there are different levels of addiction, but addiction is a psychological and physical inability to stop consuming drink (or drugs in other cases etc.). So yes, if you are an addict, you are fighting those psychological demons, addiction and misuse are different.

 

What I'm saying mate, is sometimes there is no 'fighting'. It's fully possible to be an alcoholic and not be in constant turmoil about it.

Aye, being an alcoholic in many cases makes people cunts. And Gasgoine is maybe beyond saving. But your original post is still pointlessly combative.

 

Like I just don’t get the point, the majority of people already couldn’t give a shit about addicts (including Gazza), I don’t see why we need to be telling people to care even less about them. The average opinion of gazza will probably be that he’s a ‘disgrace’ and it’s probably been that way for about 2 decades.

 

 

[Interpolic]

Alcoholism is where the person values alcohol more than their health. Alcoholics can’t see further than their next drink. It’s an awful disease and watching someone slowly kill themselves is awful to watch.

 

Some people just can’t see how strong addiction is and the fact that stopping really isn’t an option. Even when an alcoholic stops drinking they’re not “cured”. It’s a daily fight

 

Unfortunately some people will never understand that alcoholism is a disease and not an option.

 

 

Heartening to read this as a recovering alcoholic when so much else of the thread is ill informed, insulting, heartless and brainless bullshit. Honestly it's been a painful read, seeing some of the very strong "opinions" that we're up against, as well as an exasperating and often crippling mental illness.

 

I'm 3 and a bit years sober but often the easiest way to stay that way is to disengage with much of the world, as there are judgemental people all over just dying to tell you their "opinion" on stuff they know nowt about. My sobriety doesn't make me any better than Gazza, I could drink any day but if I did I wouldn't have to put up with knackers up and down the country pointing their finger and making their judgement on my situation.

 

And this is not a pop at people like Bimpy who have had a real life experience of alcoholics close to them being destructive and putting their next drink, i.e. Feeding their addiction, ahead of everything else. I know that's what happens as I was getting to the stage of doing the same to everyone around me before I was lucky enough to be able to draw on various resources and stop.

 

But anyone trying to make this a black and white issue without any understanding of the illness that I and many others live with can absolutely get fucked.