A Million Little Pieces Analytical Paragraph#2

Discussion Question: Analyze Lily's behavior toward James. Do you think she is trying to fill a void?

James Frey

  Lily is a girl in her mid-twenties that is in the rehab facility with James. At the rehab facility, communication with the opposite sex is highly frowned upon, and can result with the two individuals who are speaking, to be kicked out. As James continues his stay at the facility, he becomes more interested in the young girl Lily, and Lily becomes interested in James. Lily and James meet up in the woods off of the trails outside of the rehab facility, staying hidden among the trees and bushes. Lily tells James that she used to rely on men and their needs for her, to validate what she was worth and that she was happy. As an addict, Lily has a need for something. Without the drugs or alcohol to fill that void that something is missing, she turns to men. It is not only Lily that feels this way, it is every addict. Lily is trying to fill that void with James, and trying to make herself happy, and possibly, make James happy. However, the rule for the facility is in place for a reason. Being in a relationship with an addict is a hard one, that can cause many problems. Being in a relationship with two addicts is not healthy for a recovering addict. The chances of relapse are raised, and the individuals in the relationship will rely too highly on the other person for happiness, causing stress and tension. Lily is tired of being alone, and has turned to James to try and make her happy and to give her freedom. " 'Freedom. However we can find it.' 'And you think one of those forms could be each other?' 'Maybe.' "(214). Lily is no longer wanting to follow the rules. She thinks she can find happiness in another addict, which will never end well because of all the addicts needs and wants. Lily is setting herself up for a broken heart, disappointment, and possibly, a relapse.  

Essential Question Blog Post

Topic: Addiction 

A man drinking alcohol 

Essential Question: Is alcoholism a disease?

Claim: Alcoholism is a disease that requires medical treatment to be cured.

Reason (Physical Withdrawal): To have a healthy and successful recovery, an alcoholic must seek medical treatment to prevent dangerous and uncomfortable physical withdrawals. A withdrawal is when an individual becomes sober and experiences physical or emotional pain. A physical withdrawal is when one's body shuts down due to no longer having the substance of alcohol in the body, causing the body to go into shock, leaving the individual with cravings, fatigue, and pain. For a recovering alcohol, medical treatment is necessary. If one does not seek help after unhealthy drinking for a long period of time, the alcoholic may experience seizures, increased heart rate, the shakes, delirium tremens (DT's), anxiety, and fever. If an alcoholic does not seek help during one's recovery, they may die due to these withdrawal symptoms, which must be treated by a doctor. If a so called "addict" does not experience these symptoms, the individual was not abusing alcohol and does not need treatment because they are not addicted.