Respectability

I need to write about respectability. I've met a few hard core addicts who were terribly concerned to maintain the appearance of respectability. The stereotype of the junky who has slipped the bounds of mainstream society isn't always true. I just had a client who really didn't understand that he was a junky, a dope dealer, a thief and a player in the criminal world. He honestly believed that he was a deeply religious person, a devoted father and a respected member of his small town community. He did seem like he was trying his best to act like a good father. Drugs can make that difficult though. He was genuinely indignant that he was handcuffed when he was arrested. After all, he played football with the chief of police in high school and he, not the chief, was the starting quarterback. More on this later.