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All of us engage in addictive behavior. Too much of anything can be harmful. It’s incorrect to believe that addiction relates only to harmful drugs. Webster defines “addicted” as being “devoted to a practice or habit or to something habit forming.”
What are you addicted to?
Personally, I am poly-addicted. My drug of choice is caffeine, a white powder when distilled from the berry. We identify it by its nickname: coffee. If we have the funds, we like to call it by some European name where the drug is all jazzed up, and the “bar” seems much like a comfortable living room. I drink instant at home—too much of it—and if I don’t get my daily fix, I know it.
Also, I can easily attach myself to positive attention—praise, recognition, commendation—for something I’ve done in public. I often place myself in situations where that might occur. Possibly, I’m also addicted to speed (that’s fast driving, not methamphetamine).
I am not addicted to any illegal substances, nor have I used them in the past. That includes nicotine, a legal behavior for those over 18. I consider “smoking” or chewing a monumentally stupid, disgusting and filthy addiction that is finally, gradually disappearing in the common culture of the United States. In most states, its use is greatly restricted. Alcohol holds no attraction for me. The cost/benefit ratio sinks into negative numbers so quickly that I have to ask myself, “Why bother?” especially when the cost factor leads to permanent and irreparable damage. People don’t drink it for the taste, anyway. It, too, is legal for those over 21.
Using hard stuff
The most dangerous addictions come from the use of illegal drugs. This frequently begins in the adolescent period, which I identify as ages 12-28, but most suggest is between ages 13-17. Its motivation is most often social and is justified by the imagined social gain within the peer group. Cigarettes and marijuana, along with alcohol, are the most common door openers to even harder substances. Most begin using and keep using to fill up some empty spaces in their lives, to close some painful gaps and stifle negative self-talk.
Heavier use continues depending on frequency, drug selection and body chemistry. Users begin to assume they need some kind of chemical support in order to feel at ease socially. They stay in their little addiction circles longer—experiment with more powerful drugs—most of the time alcohol plays a big part.
Drug “highs” vary. Many go through life chasing the first one. It never returns. As users experience stronger desires, they move to more powerful substances to make them high—like cocaine or meth—as well as some to bring them down—like heroin, marijuana or alcohol.
Surrender
Rarely do they realize it, but they are gradually surrendering themselves to a new lifestyle. Their thinking focuses on drug acquisition. Other responsibilities slip away in the dark. Their need seems more demanding. They play by a different set of rules. Their conscience lies dormant. Defects of character become more and more evident. They have initiated a seemingly safe process of fun, and suddenly, a few years later, find themselves consumed by the desire, the need, for the drug, with a life more and more approaching chaos. They have made themselves a gift to the drug, wrapped in tissues of torment and tied by a ribbon of social and financial debt. They have found full surrender—not to God—but now, the drug is the victor, and they have given themselves fully to it.
What to do?
First, one must be aware of what the drug is doing and recognize that they can’t break this hold alone. Then, the addict must move from the lifestyle of drugs into the lifestyle of sobriety. A support system must be found, and the new lifestyle must be lived, not just talked about.
The Army’s ARC program has very good success with this process. Based strongly on a plan of salvation found in Scripture and paralleled in the 12-step program, the beneficiaries recognize they have “hit bottom” and need help. The “work therapy” reveals to them the dimensions of their fall and helps support the program. Counseling services accompany spiritual confrontations, along with Bible study and 12-step work. Combined, the person learns to deal with negative feelings, irrational thoughts and low self worth. If they’ve gained acceptance at a nearby corps, they find a built-in support system.
Slowly, the addict changes addictions from chemicals to life itself. It sounds easy. It isn’t.
- Robert Docter, Ph.D., is editor-in-chief of New Frontier Publications.
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