Chapter 5 – Four Stages to Break the Habit
Sunday, November 3nd, 1985
Dr. Sarah Adelson's Office
3:30 P.M.
"Your parents say you've been experiencing some memory loss." Adelson says, flipping through her notes to something scribbled in red. I glower at her, refusing to lie down like some psychologically disturbed child. She stops to look closely at me. "Is this correct?"
"No." I say automatically, and stop. This is ridiculous. I shouldn't even be here. "Listen, Ms. Um,"
"Adelson," She responds curtly. "Sarah Adelson."
"Right. Ms Adelson. Listen, my parents only brought me here because they think I'm doing cocaine. I found a stash of it in my brother's room and they don't believe me when I tell them that it's Dave's."
"Call me Sarah," She says, with a smile, leaving my reasoning unaddressed. Geez, first Dad now this Dr. Adelson? What, am I speaking Swahili?
"I'm fine with Ms. Adelson," I say, irritated she dismissed my comments so quickly. Well, two can play at that game, Missy.
"Now, Martin, when did you start—"
"Marty." I interrupt.
"Marty." She amends, "When did you start doing cocaine?"
"We've been having some nice weather lately haven't we?" I say. She looks mildly pissed off. Hah! See how you like it.
"Marty, would you like me to diagnose you with Attention Deficit Disorder? I'm trying to help." She says sourly. Oh, well when she does that face, she almost looks like she means it. I scowl at her.
"Now, when did you start doing cocaine?" She asks again, trying to switch back to the innocent façade of No-I-do-generally-care-about-you-I'm-just-also-getting-paid-for-this-shit. I'm not falling for it.
"I didn't." She frowns.
"You were forced?" She asks critically. I blanche.
"No! God, I've never done cocaine in my entire life and I never will. No, no thanks. Not interested." She nods as if I've said blue is a nice color and works well with her curtains.
"Marty, you've got to understand. We can't get anywhere if you keep lying to me." She says, speaking to me as if I were a child.
"I'm seventeen, you don't have to talk so simply." I say with a glare.
"Eighteen, I believe. According to the papers." Oh right. This damn alternate timeline. Wait, really?
"In that case… I'm legally an adult. I don't have to stay here." Of course now I sound like a child, but I don't give a damn. I stand up, making my way towards the door when Adelson speaks up.
"I wouldn't do that if I were you." She says and I glare at her, daring her why. "You're committing a crime against the law. I'm willing to keep this under wraps only if you come to me under your parents knowledge and supervision." I hesitate.
"I'm not doing coke." I say, letting my hand linger on the doorknob a moment longer.
"Humor me." She says. I think of Dave. I could leave now, we could both be drug tested. They would find out it was him and I would be off the hook…I turn around and sit down again, putting my head in my hands.
"It's complicated," I mutter. I can't let Dave get fired. We need that money. Adelson reaches her hand out, probably to pat my arm sympathetically, but thinks better of it and draws back.
"Alright. That's okay, dear. If you don't want to talk about it, I'm going to go over the four stages of breaking an addiction." I don't say anything, just keep my head bent low.
"Stage One, as I'm sure you're aware you're in, is Resistance to Change," God, somebody shoot me. "It's characterized by feeling dependant on the substance, and unaccepting of alternative lifestyle choices." I snort.
"What is so funny, Mr. Mcfly?"
"Nothing, nothing." I say, looking up with a little smirk. Just sounds like you're trying to convert me to homosexuality, but please do go on. I'm riveted.
"You are doubtful you are in this stage?" She tries again.
"I'm not doing coke. So yes." She looks at me sadly.
"Denial is not a healthy place to be, Marty. Admitting you've got a problem is the first step to recovery." I stare at her for a moment longer before taking a breath. God, Dave, you owe me a fucking house for this.
"Alright, fine. I'm a crazy coke-addicted teenager easily influenced by the media and peer pressure. Happy?" Ironically, Adelson smiles.
"That wasn't so hard, was it?" She says with a toothy grin. This woman is an idiot. I bet these sessions cost less than the specials at Burger King. "Back to the stages, then. After Resistance comes Bargaining Attempts. You'll most likely want to take smaller douses of cocaine in exchange for personal self-satisfaction." I nod, feigning some attempts at honest concern. "Then comes Acceptance, followed by Preference. Now these stages are quite tricky when…"I think my eyes might be glassing over, but Adelson doesn't comment, seeing as I'm possibly just playing my part. I give the appropriate nod and grunt whenever she tries to clarify herself.
"Well I feel you've learned a lot in this session, Marty, don't you agree?" I'm thinking about Jennifer and sex.
"Marty?" I really want to write a rock song.
"Marty!" I blink, staring back at Adelson and remembering I'm not with beautiful girlfriend at a Huey Lewis concert. Yeah, far from it.
"Sorry, Ms. Adelson, I…um, was just coming to terms with all the steps you know? This stuff is pretty heavy." I make a concerned face at her and hope she buys it. She pats my hand sympathetically.
"That's quite alright, I understand. You should probably get home now, I'm sure your parents are waiting for you outside. I'm so glad we had this talk." That makes one of us.
"Uh, okay." I get up, and she waves cheerfully as I head towards the door.
"See you on Tuesday, Marty!" I leave as fast as I can. Linda is outside by the Toyota, and Mom and Dad are nowhere in sight. All the better for me anyway. Not that I really want to talk to Linda either, but she's better than walking.
"Hey," She says hesitantly, and I give her a half wave.
"Hi," I say, as I climb into the passenger seat. She gets inside and starts the car, neglecting her seatbelt completely.
"I'm sorry you have to go through this," She says, trying in vain to start a conversation with me. I don't say anything, just lean against the window, staring outside as she pulls out of the complex. She glances at me nervously. "Come on Marty, you tell me everything. I know you can't have been doing this for long." I raise my eyebrows. Since when do I tell her everything? I think, but God…remembering what Doc said…. Research. Opportunity! Ugh, family.
"I'm not doing coke." I say, still looking out the window. I see her nod through the side-mirror, expecting her to come back at me with something nasty like, "Really? 'Cause it would explain your stunted growth."
"I believe you. I didn't think you were. It's Dave's, isn't it?" I bang my head against the window as I turn around to look at her.
"You…do? I mean, yeah it…it's Dave's." Hey, who knew alter Linda wasn't an asshole? She smiles at me.
"Yeah, you're a good kid, Marty. You've helped me through a lot. I don't see any reason to doubt you." I feel the corners of my mouth tug into a smile.
"Thanks. That really means a lot to me." I say and lie back in my seat fatigued. Well, I think lazily as I let my eyelids drift close, at least I have one ally in this crazy Mcfly family.