<p>wlev1618: I know what you’re trying to say, and in my discussion with my son, we left that out, because we have enough conversations about it. My family has a history of addiction going back several generations, so my children have grown up being educated about substance addiction, risk factors, etc. Yes, it’s true that we’re not talking about physical addiction. On the other hand, when I’ve done peer education about this issue, I often mention that if the police have gotten involved, there’s a problem. It may not be a physical addiction, but it’s a problem. It’s one of the big red flashing lights that should motivate one to do something differently. </p>
<p>So, here’s the deal. I’m not the least bit interested in whether or not the OP self-identifies as an addict, or in recovery, or whatever. My concern is that the OP be able to recognize the narrative as one that calls for doing something differently. If you act like a jerk when you drink, you’re negatively impacting people around you – and that’s one of the big warning signs. If you smoke pot and you’re a jerk, same thing.</p>
<p>Trin, you seem to have quite a reasonable stance. Regardless of physical addiction, I am in full agreement that the experience should be seen as a catalyst for change. and that is exactly how I am moving forward in this whole ordeal.</p>
<p>TrinSF: I understand your stance, that makes sense. I guess I was just thinking of treatment as a more rehab style sort of thing, which I thought Pea’s post implied. But I agree with you; if police get involved in the situation, there is most likely a problem that needs to be addressed. And it seems like doinschool is addressing it, or at least analyzing the issue carefully to come up with what needs to be done to address it.</p>
<p>I wondered from the beginning if it was necessary for you to report your legal troubles to Reed, but as the others have pointed out, it’s the best thing to do, even if it isn’t necessary. </p>
<p>I don’t think addiction is the problem here, and I think Reed will not view you as an “addict”, but yes, like I said earlier, some people cannot experiment with drugs beyond a point, and it’s good you’ve learnt that maybe tripping isn’t for you. To be honest, what you did, while tripping, could be done by someone under the influence of alcohol, and it can’t be tabbed down to the substance in question itself and I don’t blame/judge you for it, and nor should any one else. However, you have to tread with more caution, in any case.</p>
<p>Just got off the phone with crockett. He is a real cool dude. He commended me for commitment to the honor principle preceding attendance at reed, but made it clear that nothing is certain at this point. Reed’s national headlines regarding drug use along with the new dean of admissions (who is going to have to set precedents) are unlikely to work in my favor. I expressed to him my deepest sentiments about willing to work/bargain with Reed to the maximum of my ability. He recommended drafting a letter to the Dean of Admissions and discussing whether to send it with my teacher adviser and lawyer. He said to call him again on Monday.
I know I belong at reed. so does my therapist (who cringed at the thought of my being rescinded) and every teacher at my school I’ve discussed my acceptance with. Hopefully they will let me prove it.</p>
<p>DoinSchool: When I read your original post, I confess my initial reaction was something along the lines of “this is NOT the type of student Reed needs right now.” But you’ve managed to cause me to revise this opinion; I think the student body could benefit from having more people willing to deal with drug issues responsibly and constructively.</p>
<p>You’re awesome. I hope everything works out for you, regardless of where you end up.</p>
<p>DoinSchool, your actions are remarkable and show a maturity that many should admire. I hope Reed will be sympathetic toward you and regard the course you have followed in recent weeks as a demonstration of the type of person you are. I wish you the best of luck as you await a decision, and I hope it is in your favor.</p>
<p>I am surprised no one has called me out for the fact that “rescindance” is not a word! Perhaps an amendment to Websters is in order, considering how surreptitiously it evaded you (aspiring) academics.
Admittedly, I only discovered this after an intense, and embarassing confrontation with Firefox’s spellcheck. So, if “rescindance” is indeed coined, I only ask that you all credit me with its discovery…or would that be invention?
<em>ahem</em>, sorry for that little intermission…off to drafting my letter to the Dean</p>
<p>The subject of your thread was of a serious nature. To have focused on anything else would have been inappropriate. The word is unlikely to enter any lexicon if only because its Latin root almost certainly has an infinitive which ends in “-ere”, not “-are”, and thus would not end in “-ance”.</p>
<p>I hope you are ok in all this, DoinSchool. Your stress level is completely understandable. Just because we could have been snide about your neologism doesn’t mean that we would have been. Remember that knowledge is power, but should not be used as a weapon. You’ve given Reed knowledge which can be used against you, and you’re feeling vulnerable, I expect.</p>
<p>By the way, I’m writing all this from a hotel in a small town on the French/Spanish border. I have to send small installments; otherwise, text gets lost.</p>
<p>I think it would be a great shame if Reed allowed its own current problems to get in the way of responding to you in a way that encompasses all you have shown us here.</p>
<p>You are an admitted student, not a prospective one. For Reed to revoke your admission would be the equivalent not of birth control but of abortion. Reed will have to consider whether it would be willing to expel every student who freaks out publicly on a hallucinogen and has marijuana in his/her room.</p>
<p>Thanks Prairie, I appreciate your comments. I was just joking in the “rescindance” post…I don’t actually expect to coin it lol :D. I am actually handling the stress pretty well right now. I worked pretty hard in my letter to show that I am channeling this event into positive outlets (such as meditation). I hope you are right.</p>