Certain interview with Dr. Drew Pinsky

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Maxirad said:
hlntv.com/article/2014/02/03/philip-seymour-hoffman-dr-drew-addiction

What should a faithful, orthodox Catholic think of addiction? Is it a “demon”?
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I can tell you what Fr. Emmerich Vogt, O.P. says in his book, The Freedom to Love: Recovery and the Seven Deadly Sins, which deals with addiction from a Catholic perspective, and it might likely apply to Dr. Drew:

“Popular modern psychology most often never broaches the subject of sin and dismisses vice as a remnant of the Dark Ages of Christian fundamentalism. Instead, many seek simply the physical and psychological aspects of addiction, but never the moral. Those who do not believe in Christian moral values are bound to be imperfect guides and will fail in some of the most urgent problems related to the human condition concerning moral evil. The secular culture isn’t interested in moral questions as such, and carries on meaningless debates about drug usage and addiction, failing to admit the unsustainable and ubiquitous effects of immoral behavior that prevent inner liberation for the freedom to love and be loved. Moral weakness is conducive to addiction and codependency.”

We are complicated creatures, and the roots of addiction can lie in either our own wounded nature or in outside influences, or in both. As Catholics, we are wise to consider the whole person: mind, body and spirit, when dealing with addictive behavior. The good news is, we are also a people of hope, and so with a comprehensive approach, we know there can be recovery.
 
Dr. Drew: The idea that addiction is something that’s “kicked” or is a “demon” – these are crazy notions in my world. The fact is, once the switch is thrown on addiction, it’s a chronic, lifelong condition that needs to be managed every day much the way a diabetic has to take insulin every day. And if they don’t take their insulin, their blood sugars go out of control and the same is true of addiction. If they’re not practicing their treatment and recovery and participating in that in a regular basis, they will use – it’s inevitable.
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I’m in a 12-Step program & I’ve known from the 2nd meeting that it’s for life. I don’t do the program, I fall off the wagon. We are not recovered addicts, we are in recovery. There is no cure.

Nor is it a “demon.” That, I think, is a Protestant idea - demon rum, the demon of drunkenness, etc. If that were true, then one could have the demon of whatever cast out & the person would never again have that temptation. But perhaps there would be 7 others! 😉
 
christofirst said:
As Catholics, we are wise to consider the whole person: mind, body and spirit, when dealing with addictive behavior. The good news is, we are also a people of hope, and so with a comprehensive approach, we know there can be recovery.
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That’s why I like the 12-Step program. At every meeting we read that it is a spiritual program. I think that those who don’t pray find following the 12-Steps much more difficult.
 
Bonnie said:
That’s why I like the 12-Step program. At every meeting we read that it is a spiritual program. I think that those who don’t pray find following the 12-Steps much more difficult.
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And Fr. Emmerich’s book is based on the 12 steps, which he enthusiastically endorses, in addition to his reflections on the 7 deadly sins and their corresponding virtues. I find it a most helpful companion guide for dealing with my own addictive behavior. 👍

His website; 12-step-review.org/
 
christofirst said:
And Fr. Emmerich’s book is based on the 12 steps, which he enthusiastically endorses, in addition to his reflections on the 7 deadly sins and their corresponding virtues. I find it a most helpful companion guide for dealing with my own addictive behavior. 👍

His website; 12-step-review.org/
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Thank you! It looks interesting.
 
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