[A*O]

I think there's a lot to be said for Positive Thinking but I think it's drawing a long bow to apply it to a serious medical condition like cancer. My father was diagnosed with cancer in Dec 2004 and despite an entirely positive and proactive frame of mind it still chewed him up and spat him out exactly 16 weeks later............... Having said that there are lots of cases of seeminly hopeless terminal cancer where the patients make a 'miraculous' recovery for no apparent reason other than positive thinking and a stubborn refusal to give in.

As for addictions. I am absolutely positive that there is an 'addict gene' which is why some people quickly get sucked into serious addiction and others can behave in similar ways and not get hooked on whatever. But even if you are genetically predisposed to addiction, my point remains that you don't wake up one morning and find yourself a hopeless heroin junkie, anorexic or alcoholic. It takes considerable time and effort to get to that stage which is why I try hard, but often fail, to be sympathetic. I am sure that many addicts get into that state in order to 'escape' their problems or psychological demons but that does not change the fact that they make conscious, informed decsions to take that path instead of seeking medical or psychiatric support.