I would really have loved to title this "Sex, Drugs, and Rock 'n Roll," but, alas, that's not exactly what I want to write about.
At the core of everything we do is "choice," whether we make our choice consciously and deliberately, or by default (just letting it happen). If we refuse to take responsibility for our own actions, we live by default. That can be treacherous and dangerous.
I would never advocate/disadvocate sex. I think every person must decide for him/herself what is "right." How we approach sex is complicated; it depends on our upbringing, our values, our hormones...so much influences what we do. One thing I will say is that, if you don't make conscious, rational decisions regarding sex, you might find yourself in serious trouble.
These days, you are the total of not only your sexual experiences, but also your partner's. If you don't ask the hard questions--how many partners have you had, have you ever had an STD, have you had an AIDS test (and you need to know if it was positive or negative)--you might have to deal with an infection/virus that will affect you for the rest of your life.
I keep thinking of a line from an Aerosmith song: "Never judge a book by its cover. / Who you gonna love by your lover?" It's something to think about.
As for addiction, I know what I'm talking about. Anyone who smokes can speak about addiction with intelligence. Telling someone that he/she should just quit "cold turkey" belies the hold that addiction has on people. Telling an alcoholic or drug addict to "just stop" isn't an adequate response. If you or someone you know has a serious addiction problem, seek help--when you're ready for it. One other thing I know--addicts have to WANT help before they will ask for it. And make sure you aren't harboring your own addiction as you point the finger at someone else. Many "addictions" aren't recognized as "addictions"; sometimes, we think of them as obsessions, but it comes down to the same thing. Does it run your life? Then you might have a problem.
The key here is "responsibility." You have to take responsibility for your choices. Know why you do what you do; if your behavior bothers you and/or interferes with your life, seek help.
