Addictions

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dianaballein

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I saw that a new member posted about an eating disorder and was it a sin, and most of the replies indicated that an eating disorder is more akin to a mental illness and therefore, the actions are not intentional and knowingly done.

How would that work for other addictions? Sexual addiction, for starters…an addiction not unlike an eating disorder where no alcohol or drug is part of the equation but it is an action, nonetheless.
 
The addictive or habitual nature of some sins could be considered a mitigating factor with regards to gravity.

This is due to the fact that the addiction or habit may inhibit the free will of the individual and thus not constitute “full consent of the will”, which is one of the factors needed for a sin to be considered a mortal sin.

This, of course, depends on the specific circumstances surrounding the individual and should be discussed with a priest.
 
I think that it needs to be distinguished that there are different terms being used here. For example, in the case of the eating disorder, this is a compulsion. Compulsion is by definition “An irresistible impulse to act, regardless of the rationality of the motivation.” This means that the person is not exercising the free will necessary for this to be a sin.
On the other hand, it was asked how addiction would apply to sexual sins. This is a habit, something that one willingly has consented to, and through use has developed a “need” to have it. Reason will tell them that it is wrong so they are responsible.
 
I just visited the website for Sexual Addicts Anonmymous. They define a sex addict as a compulsion, not a habit. Here is the official definition:

The essence of all addiction is the addicts’ experience of powerlessness over a compulsive behavior, resulting in their lives becoming unmanageable. The addict is out of control and experiences tremendous shame, pain and self-loathing. The addict may wish to stop — yet repeatedly fails to do so. The unmanageability of addicts’ lives can be seen in the consequences they suffer: losing relationships, difficulties with work, arrests, financial troubles, a loss of interest in things not sexual, low self-esteem and despair.
 
I just visited the website for Sexual Addicts Anonmymous. They define a sex addict as a compulsion, not a habit. Here is the official definition:

The essence of all addiction is the addicts’ experience of powerlessness over a compulsive behavior, resulting in their lives becoming unmanageable. The addict is out of control and experiences tremendous shame, pain and self-loathing. The addict may wish to stop — yet repeatedly fails to do so. The unmanageability of addicts’ lives can be seen in the consequences they suffer: losing relationships, difficulties with work, arrests, financial troubles, a loss of interest in things not sexual, low self-esteem and despair.
Again, sounds like something that affects free will.

All I can say is the best bet is to discuss with a preist and a Christian (preferably Catholic) therapist knowledgeable in these areas.
 
Overeating is the sin of gluttony, condemned as capital (but not mortal), lust is the sin in sexual addiction- if you’ve confessed it, confess it again, many fast, or self mortify (e.g., hand under hot water, while remembering their sin (Whipping etc, I would not rise to, nor advise, but I have not tried such, though I often advise people to go less drastic), smelling something which makes one feel ill, while thinking of it etc) in order to make use of psychology to conquer lust, or overeating (no serious damage is ever good, which is why there are safe ways to do any method, even warm water reminds of purgatory, or other woes), as to habit, well- many people are in habits (but habits are sometimes vices, which need confession, and habit is no excuse to give into sin), but we still should confess, arrange to confess weekly, bi-weekly, or three-weekly, or monthly, but confess anything that could be- yes, addictions,compulsions, homosexuality (included because of previous mental illness stamp, put away by political protest campaigns), lust, well- there are strong, sometimes mental forces in action- but mental illness must be cures, all sin is insanity, though all insanity is not sin, is how I view every sin, and so we can say- yes, less responsibility(do you enjoy purgatory, I don’t), but hell is real enough to also say- well, how sure am I, surely, confess every grave sin if viable, and pray to saint Philomena about your sins via the novena, and about everything, ask her for forgiveness, and guidance, and eternal companionship (often it is needed to fill the gaps of the heart, to have a best friend in her) as your personal intercessor, she is awesome for her chastity, Aquinas also, but I pray allot to Philomena (as my personal devotion), and attend confession about all sins(especially venial sins), or past sins if I cannot remember any (Mind you venial sins pile up), in any case
 
Thank you Marc. I am not the addict. I am merely posing the question because it surprised me that so many members would tell someone who has an eating disorder that he is not hurting his body willingly (even though he is making the choice to not eat or to make himself vomit) but that when it comes to any other labelled addiction, that is not the case. It helps me to understand when I can see a rational argument present itself.
 
Control of us to such is wrong, and as to telling them this- I think they do need help, but also to stop- but more, isn’t it to the priest to tell them if they are sinning, but to them to tell the priest, pray, and do right- absolving of any fault- can prevent the law from aiding a victim of such things, even if entirely free of guilt.
 
To be answering via Catechism’s original stance, which still must realise grave material in most cases-

"**2352 By masturbation is to be understood the deliberate stimulation of the genital organs in order to derive sexual pleasure. "Both the Magisterium of the Church, in the course of a constant tradition, and the moral sense of the faithful have been in no doubt and have firmly maintained that masturbation is an intrinsically and gravely disordered action."137 “The deliberate use of the sexual faculty, for whatever reason, outside of marriage is essentially contrary to its purpose.” For here sexual pleasure is sought outside of "the sexual relationship which is demanded by the moral order and in which the total meaning of mutual self-giving and human procreation in the context of true love is achieved."138

To form an equitable judgment about the subjects’ moral responsibility and to guide pastoral action, one must take into account the affective immaturity, force of acquired habit, conditions of anxiety or other psychological or social factors that lessen, if not even reduce to a minimum, moral culpability.** "
vatican.va/archive/catechism/p3s2c2a6.htm
 
N.B. pastoral action for (I mean for) those who desire to see excuses to sin 🙂 😃 :o 😦 👍 :cool:
 
Thanks, yes, it is good to hear, I also am free from such disorders, but have often struggled with lonliness, even if with no reason, but prayer to the saints aided me with any hardship as to sad emotions,

in any case, when other read, they can see the response- yes, both are sinful, but it is up to the pastor of souls to determine culpability. if I am correct, God bless… 🙂
 
All very interesting, although I am not sure why you are using such big font…it almost appears you are angry or yelling at me. Does it say anything about anorexia or bulimia? 🙂
 
No, not shouting, emphasizing 🙂
" Clearly one who uses food or drink in such a way as to injure his health or impair the mental equipment needed for the discharge of his duties, is guilty of the sin of gluttony." OCE
newadvent.org/cathen/06590a.htm

But that is if it is consential, and knowing, and so- it could even be mortal sin, but is often accredited to psychological causes, and much of these cases probably need both prayer and a psychologist (I think it is largely psychological, but the original guilt may remain, in which case confession may be both aid and requirement in the matter)

for a look at some sources, it seems a sign of internal workings, fears, or desires, which are improportionate, but perhaps so from mental illness:

"In order to help us to understand the psychology of scruples it is important to make certain distinctions about the notion of guilt. There are really four types of guilt. First there is theological guilt. This is the condition of a person who has sciens volens violated the law of God. Secondly there is rational guilt. This is the condition of a person who has sciens volens violated the natural law, even though he does not explicitly advert to the element of transgression of the commandments or the law of God. Thirdly there is the condition of normal or healthy emotional guilt. This is the state of emotions, which is experienced when a reasonably balanced person, who is neither hardened to sin, nor pathologically cold, commits a serious sin or transgression of the moral order. It is perfectly healthy or normal for a youth, for example, to feel something of this if he commits a sin of impurity, or for an adult to feel this if he commits a serious violation of positive law. This is the state of feeling, which most people feel at some time or other in connection with confession. It is not itself “real” guilt, but is a natural concomitant of real guilt, and serves as an “indicator” that something is wrong in the moral order. Finally there is neurotic guilt. This is a complex state of the emotions, involving dread, anxiety, fear of punishment, desire for punishment, a sense of horror, depression, self-loathing, etc. It is neurotic if it is out of all proportion to the apparent cause, or if it exists without apparent cause, and is usually protracted through time and of such magnitude that it interferes with one’s normal adaptation, or produces physiological consequences (e.g., insomnia, loss of weight, morbid suicidal ideas, sweating, anorexia, gastric symptoms, etc.). "
catholicculture.org/library/view.cfm?recnum=3338

In any case- it is complex, for instance, of gluttony, which is the sinfulness of disordinate eating Aquinas states:

"I answer that, Gluttony denotes, not any desire of eating and drinking, but an inordinate desire. Now desire is said to be inordinate through leaving the order of reason, wherein the good of moral virtue consists: and a thing is said to be a sin through being contrary to virtue. Wherefore it is evident that gluttony is a sin. "
newadvent.org/summa/3148.htm#article1

domestic-church.com/CONTENT.DCC/19980901/HEALTH/ANOREXIA.HTM
And the encyclopedia says
“Gluttony
(From Lat. gluttire, to swallow, to gulp down), the excessive indulgence in food and drink. The moral deformity discernible in this vice lies in its defiance of the order postulated by reason, which prescribes necessity as the measure of indulgence in eating and drinking. This deordination, according to the teaching of the Angelic Doctor, may happen in five ways which are set forth in the scholastic verse: “Prae-propere, laute, nimis, ardenter, studiose” or, according to the apt rendering of Father Joseph Rickably: too soon, too expensively, too much, too eagerly, too daintily. Clearly one who uses food or drink in such a way as to injure his health or impair the mental equipment needed for the discharge of his duties, is guilty of the sin of gluttony.”
newadvent.org/cathen/06590a.htm

but as to anorexia, well, it is the result of other factors, yes- the body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, but, as with many things, we must not try to say that this is necessarily mortal sin, in that it is caused by psychological imbalances, but then again- all sin is insanity, but must be chosen and knowing insanity, to be mortal, and so we must question if this is consential, to even be venial sin, if not- then it is not sinful, but the workings of a unstable mentality, and word view.

The problem lies in generalization- the fear, anxiety, and wrong world view is itself sinful matter, and confession frees one from the forces that manifest in anorexic diseases, but there is also the purely psychological disease, which also needs curing- so- such people should see both confessor, and anyone qualified to aid them.

as the Summa state, but not of the gluttony (though this seems connected)-

"Yet in this case some might be excused from sin, when they do this not through vanity but on account of some contrary custom: although such a custom is not to be commended. " 169 modesty of outward apparel
newadvent.org/summa/3169.htm#article2

therein, their actions could fall also into sinful ideas, or vanity- but still, should not be commended-
rather- it should be seen by those who are to deal with these problems, and every effort should be made to end such disruptive temporary insanity- for to harm one’s own body s to act against sound reason, and therefore either slight insanity, or sin,

the guilt is not to be over or underestimated- rather- help must be given in conquering this often fatal disease, and part of such is grace, if it is their fault that they fell there, or even if it is not.

In the end, it is up to the confessor, the psychologist, and those involved to insure that the party receives the help needed, physical, spiritual (priestly aid, prayer, reason), and psychological.
 
Not to be confused with legitimate self mortification, which the church endorses, but which has noble purpose in mind, and should be careful in avoiding wrong use, or injuries, which are not of benefit (mortification often does take form as fasting, but not for vanity, and in proportionate amounts) It should be legitimate with pure desires, so long as health is maintained, so far as sane mentality requires 🙂

good enough explanation ?

As to the eating diseases, they are both symptoms, and issues, to act insanely, when not insane, is of course sinful, as is damaging one’s self for vanity, or the like, but this is not uncomplex.
 
I just visited the website for Sexual Addicts Anonmymous. They define a sex addict as a compulsion, not a habit. Here is the official definition:

The essence of all addiction is the addicts’ experience of powerlessness over a compulsive behavior, resulting in their lives becoming unmanageable. The addict is out of control and experiences tremendous shame, pain and self-loathing. The addict may wish to stop — yet repeatedly fails to do so. The unmanageability of addicts’ lives can be seen in the consequences they suffer: losing relationships, difficulties with work, arrests, financial troubles, a loss of interest in things not sexual, low self-esteem and despair.
I think the “official definition” is inaccurate. Sex addicts are not powerless, and they have a free will. The temptations can be mighty powerful but ultimately the person must decide to give in. Unless there is something wrong upstairs, the “compulsive behavior” does not hold water. Compulsion implies the ability to act irrationally.
 
I think sex addicts do believe they have something “wrong upstairs”.

btw Marc, I am sorry to hear you suffer from loneliness. You can bend my ear anytime…as long as you don’t emphasize/yell in big fonts. 👍

What about gambling addictions? Same thing? It not something you ingest…
 
Temperance is a virtue, which we are called to- gambling, or any such thing violates it- any addiction is incorrect- as it controls us, and prevents righteous action- we may only be utterly reliant on grace, and perhaps medication, and don’t worry, it is not lack of people that makes me lonely sometimes, just a horrid sense of things, and the world. It is why the saints are so much to me, even with a million friends, I still would be lonely without praying to my dearest Patron Philomena, and dearest Mary, it is a loneliness God Gave me 🙂

but yes, all insanity is not sin, but all chosen, knowing insane action is sin, therefore all undue addiction is sin, especially gambling, sex addiction, or damaging the body outside of self mortification, or healthy uses. (Benefit other than vanity or sin):cool:
 
"2288
Life and physical health are precious gifts entrusted to us by God. We must take reasonable care of them, taking into account the needs of others and the common good.

Code:
Concern for the health of its citizens requires that society help in the attainment of living-conditions that allow them to grow and reach maturity: food and clothing, housing, health care, basic education, employment, and social assistance.
2289
If morality requires respect for the life of the body, it does not make it an absolute value. It rejects a neo-pagan notion that tends to promote the cult of the body, to sacrifice everything for its sake, to idolize physical perfection and success at sports. By its selective preference of the strong over the weak, such a conception can lead to the perversion of human relationships.


2290
** The virtue of temperance disposes us to avoid every kind of excess: the abuse of food, alcohol, tobacco, or medicine. Those incur grave guilt who, by drunkenness or a love of speed, endanger their own and others’ safety on the road, at sea, or in the air.

2291
The use of drugs inflicts very grave damage on human health and life. Their use, except on strictly therapeutic grounds, is a grave offense. Clandestine production of and trafficking in drugs are scandalous practices. They constitute direct co-operation in evil, since they encourage people to practices gravely contrary to the moral law.**"
usccb.org/catechism/text/pt3sect2chpt2art5.htm
 
Hi I’m the new person who started a thread about eating disorders and wanted to add to this post… (NOT Seeking sympathy just trying to explain a little about it!!!)

If I had cancer nobody would ever think twice (even myself) as to whether I was committing a sin but because it’s a mental disorder it makes the situation more difficult to discern.

I can never remember a time in my life that I have not had trouble with eating and my anorexic problems started when I was 12. Unfortunately food is something we must have to sustain life so I battle with this every single day of my life with no escape. With most sins and temptations if you avoid the occassion of sin you’ve conqured most of your problem. I can’t do that with food.

The best way that I could explain this to somebody who doesn’t have OCD thoughts is to tape a message on a tape recorder and have that same message play over and over and over again 24 hrs a day, 7 days a week, 365 a yr and NEVER being able to turn it off regardless of what you’re doing. Trust me it wears on you!!!

I’d venture to say that most people can fix them a plate of food, eat it and not give it another thought but with eating disorders it’s NOT that simple!!! I can’t tell you if I’m undereating, overeating, eating the right amount or what I’m doing since every bite of food that goes into my mouth seems sinful to me. That’s why I’ve been in treatment forever!!! I can’t tell you if I’m underweight, overweight, or the right weight since I always see myself as severely obese and sinful. (People who suffer from eating disorders always look at themselves as severely obese regardless of what others tell them.) What I determine as gluttony to the average person may be a normal amount of food or not even enough-I don’t know.

Sometimes, I purge because I feel that I deserve to be punished from my eating problems and would rather be punished now than in eternity.!

I do suffer from both anorexia and bulimia and trust me if I could stop I WOULD!!! (Many prayers have been sent above from myself and family to be freed from this and ask for your prayers also.) I Don’t want to offend the Lord EVER!

I’ve talked to priests MANY times about this with some saying absolutely NO sin and another saying venial but I always get the same response from the priests that they are not educated with this and don’t really know how to help me!

I honestly feel that this is my cross in life and pray that at my death MY MERCIFUL JESUS will have mercy on me…I have to keep this hope or I couldn’t make it through another day.
 
Dear 2BCatholic,

My posting was in no way against what you face on a day to day basis, not in the least. I know people who suffer from this, and I pray for them constantly. The reason I brought up the other instances is that I, personally, was surprised that most of the posters did acknowledge it was a mental disorder and not a willing one…so I was curious how they saw other disorders that people seek treatment for…disorders that can ruin their families, their livelihoods, their lives at times. I have work acquaintances who are gambling addicts…they live for their next card game or their next casino visit and they don’t care that their wives have left them (well, they do care but not enough to stop) or that they have lost their homes. They literally feel like they are crawling out of their own skin if they don’t gamble.

The same with sexual addiction. I have a friend who has sought treatment for this for years. She can’t stop. If she doesn’t have that act, that satisfaction, that level of touching, 4 to 5 times a day, she too feels like she will go insane…yet it seems that everyone is easier to label these as habits and not compulsions. This is so very interesting to me.

Yes, one will not die if they don’t gamble or don’t have sex, but they will if they don’t eat. Those poor souls don’t see that, though. I pray for everyone that has a hardship.
 
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