Spiritual Living

            What is addiction? How does one become addicted, is it genetic or acquired? Addictions do not necessarily occur overnight, however it may seem to happen that way. Simply stated addiction is that event which drives a person to seek out what ever substance they are using at any cost. It is the “I have to have it to feel normal!” Here is one definition: “the state of being enslaved to a habit or practice or to something that is psychologically or physically habit-forming, to such an extent that its cessation causes severe trauma.” (Dictionary.com n.d.) There are several theories as to what causes addiction, for the sake of this article those will have to wait since it is extremely extensive. The purpose here is to inform and share a bit of insight into this phenom that seems to plague so much of the population.

            For the most part I do not believe that anyone would wish this dis-ease upon their worst enemies let alone set out to become addicted to anything. Alcohol, drugs (illegal and legal), tobacco products, caffeine, soft drinks, sweets, gambling, sex, the list is endless as to what one can become addicted to. Addicts cannot stop thinking about ways to get more of what it is they are addicted to, any means and any way to achieve the desired result. Sneaking around, hiding it, pretending it does not matter, depending on the substance, never sharing their last one or near last, being defensive when asked about it, and if they do not have it becoming irritable, withdrawn, defensive, and a host of other symptoms. As the definition above states, not having it causes severe trauma, this occurs in many ways, fear, pain, harming self in some way, again depending on the substance.

            There are those people who can be casual, social and recreational users, and then there are those who are not so addicted but get into trouble when they do use, the problem users. Take it or leave it, order a drink take one swallow out of it and leave it not touching it the rest of the time it sits there. Try this once and watch your friends reactions to this, or refuse a drink and when asked tell them you decided to quit, and then listen their responses. When I tell someone I do not drink because I did not like where I woke up, the responses are about the same, justifications and explanations about their drinking habits. I once went out with this guy who said he was not ready for A.A. (Alcoholics Anonymous), just A.

            How do you know if you are addicted? That my friend is a personal evaluation, but you can keep a journal, noting the times that you seek out/use, patterns, or cravings for what it is that you have questions about. Also not the motives, which mean to listen to your thoughts and feelings about it. Then make up your own mind. When the pain is bad enough one will always find a way to fix it, one way or another.

            As always, bright blessings on your journey. Please feel free to contact me, leave a comment and keep coming back.

References

addiction. (n.d.). Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/addiction