Does everyone battle addiction?

[TEPO]

They are NOT the same thing.

They ARE the same thing.

 

[Cricket2]

Hello.

Wish there was a “maybe” category in the poll. I couldn’t answer the question with only a simple “yes” or “no.”

When I saw the thread title all I could think of was that addictions really didn’t get proper labeling/attention/methods of recovery until AA became recognized and popular along with recovery programs and the 12 Steps. Kept sort of thinking that addictions weren’t really recognized as addictions until all these various 12 step programs came about.

Glad they’re around, that’s for sure, because I doubt I’d be posting here if it weren’t for these 12 step programs.

So -->just my opinion–> I don’t think there were any addictions, at least labeled as such, until the 1950’s.

Oh well… just my :twocents:

I too think that a lot of things are now called addictions that are not really addictions. They may be obsessive behaviors, bad habits, but not truly addictions. Thanks for the chance to express this idea via your post.

 

[clem456]

Well, without having solid definitions that everyone can agree on, it’s kind of pointless to go back and forth about it.

I would say this…everyone without exception is helpless before almighty, omniscient, and all loving God. Some know it, some do not. What I fear is going through life without realizing this.
Addiction can be a blessing, because it can drive a person to his knees, to cry out for help from the only true source of help, almighty God. Everything else is dust.

 

[Skye_Ariel]

I had a friend who was addicted to talking on the telephone. She would call me and we could spend 3 hours each night for years and years. She would pop a beer into her husband’s hand and my husband would be watching ESPN and we would just gab. It got to where I got tired of her putting everyone she could think of down. Speaking of all their faults. Then I told her stop talking about everyone and take a look at yourself. End of friendship. I guess I got addicted to the phone ringing at 7 pm every night. I had other things to do, but thought it was my duty to ‘be there’ for her. What a waste of time. She has since found others to call.

You did the right thing, she clearly had a mental problem and all the while that you talked to her for years while she berate everyone she knew, she probably hung up with you then called other friends to talk about and berate YOU to them. I don’t like to talk to people who put everyone down all the time because it makes me wonder what they say about me behind my back. Never trust someone like that.

 

[Deus_tecum]

In the '80s I read a few books about dependence and codependence. One in particular was by Dr. Stanton Peele called “Love And Addiction”. In it he says that many people do not have much true love for one another, but instead develop emotional dependencies on each other. Much of the book rang true to me. We see it often with young couples feeling “in love” then quarreling a lot, then experiencing withdrawal pangs when they are briefly separated. We see it too with the parents or grandparents of drug addicts who house and feed the young addict in order to feel needed, but actually help enable the addiction.

Anyway this brings me around to suggest that any sort of emotional dependence is a bit like addiction. The person gets an emotional lift from whatever activity, whether it be shopping, eating, drug use, or whatever. If in seeking this lift, they neglect important issues in their life they may be crossing the line into addiction.

I have watched 2 kids raised spoiled by their parents. They got whatever they wanted when they wanted. Discipline was neglected and self discipline never taught. Both grew up thinking they had a right to feel good all the time regardless of their actions. Instead of working steady, and becoming successes as husbands and fathers, they both developed heroin addictions.

As for the fellow whose family is blowing $3000 per week, he needs to take charge of his household and put the brakes on that. Of course it will cause controversy in the home, but it will be healthier for all in the long run.

 

[pnewton]

I think we could say that just about everyone suffers from one of these in one form or another:
Lust
Greed
Gluttony
Envy
Anger
Pride
Sloth

That was my thought. Sin, by its very nature, is addictive. I know of no one that does not have some sin that they keep repeating and struggle with. That is one thing that keeps us dependent on the grace of God.

 

[Cricket2]

I had a friend who was addicted to talking on the telephone. She would call me and we could spend 3 hours each night for years and years. She would pop a beer into her husband’s hand and my husband would be watching ESPN and we would just gab. It got to where I got tired of her putting everyone she could think of down. Speaking of all their faults. Then I told her stop talking about everyone and take a look at yourself. End of friendship. I guess I got addicted to the phone ringing at 7 pm every night. I had other things to do, but thought it was my duty to ‘be there’ for her. What a waste of time. She has since found others to call.

I too had a friend like this. I finally advised her of limited hours for calling me, especially since I cared for my ailing grandmother. Calls at mid-night? Are you kidding? The friendship soon ended. I hate being on the phone and am very strict with people about how often they can call and at what hours.

 

[TEPO]

As for the fellow whose family is blowing $3000 per week, he needs to take charge of his household and put the brakes on that. Of course it will cause controversy in the home, but it will be healthier for all in the long run.

Yes, there are surely going to be ‘withdrawal’ issues, and it will cause stress and high emotion -but for New Years, it’s going to be back to basics… Making meals at home, saving all leftovers, doing productive things and keeping busy to occupy time.

Keeping better track of goals, setting and keeping appointments. Following through on all commitments, etc.

 

[TEPO]

It seems that habits or “addictions” tend to revolve around the easy-way-out… But whatever is ‘simpler’ is not necessarily better. Discipline and hard work are the keys to life, religion and true happiness.

 

[TEPO]

That was my thought. Sin, by its very nature, is addictive. I know of no one that does not have some sin that they keep repeating and struggle with. That is one thing that keeps us dependent on the grace of God.

 

[TEPO]

My two new mottos for 2014 are:

1.). Food is gold. (Save every morsel as if it were gold)
2.). Stay on your feet. (the couch is where you go only when you’re exhausted)