Addiction,habitual lying, stealing and all other types of human on human predatory behaviour are extreme symptoms of a type of post-traumatic stress disorder so pervasive we don't often recognise it in ourselves or each other.
I call it refugee syndrome. Refugees have to steal and lie and make it through the night how ever they can in a war zone. The survival behaviours become habitual after awhile, then they become part of the self image. Then, even when these behaviours are no longer necessary for survival, many refugees will continue to lie and steal to get whatever they need to make it through the nights. Even when surrounded by people who love and care for and value them, many will take years to learn to trust enough to be honest even with their own families. Some will have residual patterns of dysfunctional behaviour for the rest of their lives. All will have some sort of scars, physical, emotional or both.
Rules of the road-
Tempt not, lest ye be lifted from
Locks don't keep out thieves, they help keep honest people honest
People who look out for each other works better than locks, but both together are better yet
Poverty both breeds thieves and teaches the value of cooperation.
A junkie may save your life, but he will rarely wash dishes unless he needs to steal from the kitchen to feed his habit.
People locked in both apathetic and predatory behaviour patterns are equally really suffering from depression. Caring and trust heal this kind of depression, but neither can be forced and both take time and patience that just might not be available for you with this person this time.
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