Rick Remender's Venom The symbiote was treated like an addiction in a way. Seemed like a prescription. He could only wear it for a certain amount of time before it fully took control. When he was without it, he went through subtle withdrawals. It was his fix. But flash was referred to as expendable in this comic because of his legs. He wants to feel useful again. To prove he's capable of more. You see a different side of him in this comic. And he reflects on his past of being a bully, he's starting to realize his wrongs. Its a great read if you are more interested in the character.