Dallas Bragg describes the "Intermittent Ivan" who claims to use meth only on weekends while keeping a job and relationships. Bragg argues this is a dangerous illusion: meth gradually dominates your life regardless of how you start, and Ivan's bragging convinces others to try it, usually escalating to job loss within a year.
Today's Tina archetype is Intermittent Ivan. We've all met him along our Tina journey. He says he only uses occasionally on long weekends or when he's on vacation. He holds a job, relationship, he's a public figure, and he brags about how he can stop whenever he wants and return to his life. What Ivan doesn't realize is that he is at one point along his journey. Sure, right now on the outside he has it all under wraps and he can manage his use and be highly functioning. But that he will find is not sustainable. Meth isn't a drug you can negotiate with. It will sink its tentacles into your life and slowly and maliciously take it over. Ivan is also giving other guys this false notion that they too can use recreationally. Hey, Ivan can do it, so can I! Fast forward 6 months to a year and you're boxing up your desk at work. If you feel you are Ivan, I want you to take a serious look at your use. Examine, is it slowly or subtly affecting your mind, your sex life, your relationships, your thinking? Be aware at how slowly the frequency of or the severity of your binges are increasing. Be very cautious about this and please stop bragging about it to others.
