Does everyone battle addiction?

[TEPO]

I was just curious if addiction is a problem for many people or not. It seems that this topic is rarely discussed here on CAF, so I was just wondering if it was something we all don’t like discussing -because we’re in battle with it, or because we don’t face any problems with it because we’re beyond that…

So the anonymous question remains in the form of a poll. Does everyone battle addiction in some form of another or not?

 

[TEPO]

I voted yes. I think everyone must battle one or more addictions their entire lives.

 

[Mary_Ellen]

Hmm, I think it depends on your definition of “addiction.”

ad·dic·tion noun \ə-ˈdik-shən, a-\

: a strong and harmful need to regularly have something (such as a drug) or do something (such as gamble)

: an unusually great interest in something or a need to do or have something

If taken in a very broad sense I guess I could say I am ‘addicted’ to sin but the Church has a more specific word for that, “concupiscence.”

 

[TEPO]

Hmm, I think it depends on your definition of “addiction.”

ad·dic·tion noun \ə-ˈdik-shən, a-\

: a strong and harmful need to regularly have something (such as a drug) or do something (such as gamble)

: an unusually great interest in something or a need to do or have something

If taken in a very broad sense I guess I could say I am ‘addicted’ to sin but the Church has a more specific word for that, “concupiscence.”

I disagree. I believe concupiscence is an ‘inclination’ to sin, but not necessarily a repetition. Addictions include repetition of the same exact thing, over and over again.

Let’s go with wikipedias definition in full:
"Addiction is the continued repetition of a behavior despite adverse consequences,[1] or a neurological impairment leading to such behaviors.[2]

Addictions can include, but are not limited to, drug abuse, exercise addiction, food addiction, sexual addiction, computer addiction and gambling. Classic hallmarks of addiction include impaired control over substances or behavior, preoccupation with substance or behavior, continued use despite consequences, and denial.[3] Habits and patterns associated with addiction are typically characterized by immediate gratification (short-term reward), coupled with delayed deleterious effects (long-term costs).[4]"
en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Addiction

 

[Bob_Crowley]

I think we all have bad habits, if not addictions. Once a habit becomes established in our subconscious mind, it’s very hard to shift.

Take learning to drive - when we first start we have to think of every single stage - push in the clutch, put in first gear, slowly let out clutch while pressing down a bit on accelerator etc. Then we kangaroo the car, and it stalls. We start all over again.

But after years of driving, we get to work and can’t even remember driving there, as our subconscious did the whole thing. But it will also incorporate any bad habits, driving or otherwise, we have picked up. And that makes bad habits, and addictions in particular, very hard to change.

Added to that, we’re not always keen to change our bad habits, or addictions.

I’ve got some bad habits, if not addictions. Added to that, I’m not that keen on getting rid of a couple of them. So when I go to Reconciliation (not often enough), I find myself confessing the same old sins over and over again.

 

[TEPO]

For instance, my wife doesn’t appreciate me being on CAF when she wants my attention. But I enjoy the website.

She on the other hand enjoys going out for dinner, even if it might put us in a bind somehow.

The 3 year old is addicted to her sip-cup, which must be refilled every hour without delay.

The baby must have her blanket.

The teenagers cannot stop texting.

The clock keeps turning. All things remain the same.

 

[TEPO]

I think we all have bad habits, if not addictions. Once a habit becomes established in our subconscious mind, it’s very hard to shift.

Take learning to drive - when we first start we have to think of every single stage - push in the clutch, put in first gear, slowly let out clutch while pressing down a bit on accelerator etc. Then we kangaroo the car, and it stalls. We start all over again.

But after years of driving, we get to work and can’t even remember driving there, as our subconscious did the whole thing. But it will also incorporate any bad habits, driving or otherwise, we have picked up. And that makes bad habits, and addictions in particular, very hard to change.

Added to that, we’re not always keen to change our bad habits, or addictions.

I’ve got some bad habits, if not addictions. Added to that, I’m not that keen on getting rid of a couple of them. So when I go to Reconciliation (not often enough), I find myself confessing the same old sins over and over again.

Thanks Bob. Some really good observations there.

 

[christofirst]

Dr. Gerald May, in his book *Addiction and Grace *, wrote:

“To be alive is to be addicted, and to be alive and addicted is to stand in need of grace.”

I agree.

To the question, “Does everyone battle addictions?” I can only say, some more than others. Not all addictions are negative or so out of control that they need to be battled against.

 

[SuperLuigi]

It’s not a word I would toss around lightly.

I guess addiction issues may pertain to masturbation, pornography, gambling and drugs and even videogames.

I’ve noticed a lot of questions on here about masturbation as well as when and if playing videogames is ever sinful.

 

[thistle]

We should be looking at the Catholic definition of addiction.

Modern Catholic Dictionary:

ADDICTION. The state of being physically dependent on something, generally alcohol or drugs, but it can be any material object or experience. Addiction means increased tolerance, but also greater difficulty in withdrawal. In fact, the fear of withdrawal symptoms is the main obstacle even in persons who are convinced on moral grounds that they should overcome an addiction. The study of addiction has contributed to a major development in Catholic moral theology, through a better understanding of subjective guilt and a more effective pastoral care of persons with bad moral habits. (Etym. Latin addicere, to give one’s consent to a thing.)

 

[Judas_Thaddeus]

In one form or another, yes. Not everyone struggles with smoking, but a portion of such may
be addicted to alcohol. If it’s not drinking or smoking, it might be over-eating. If not that, then
it could be something else. I’m not sure what definition of “addiction” you’re using, but since
one is not provided, then it’s open to anything, which more or less applies to everyone.

 

[TEPO]

I know some people are addicted to shopping. Others to a craft or to reading. Maybe sweets or teas. Jewelry, or just hoarding in general… These are just some more basic examples.

 

[Zekariya]

It’s not a word I would toss around lightly.

I guess addiction issues may pertain to masturbation, pornography, gambling and drugs and even videogames.

Add social networking (via computer and/or cellphone) to the list. Many would experience withdrawal if they had no internet access and texting.

 

[christofirst]

We should be looking at the Catholic definition of addiction.

Modern Catholic Dictionary:

ADDICTION. The state of being physically dependent on something, generally alcohol or drugs, but it can be any material object or experience. Addiction means increased tolerance, but also greater difficulty in withdrawal. In fact, the fear of withdrawal symptoms is the main obstacle even in persons who are convinced on moral grounds that they should overcome an addiction. The study of addiction has contributed to a major development in Catholic moral theology, through a better understanding of subjective guilt and a more effective pastoral care of persons with bad moral habits. (Etym. Latin addicere, to give one’s consent to a thing.)

Again, from Addiction and Grace, Dr. May’s definition of addiction:

“Addiction is any compulsive, habitual behavior that limits the freedom of human desire. It is caused by the attachment, or nailing, of desire to specific objects. The word behavior is especially important for this definition, for it indicates that* action *is essential to addiction.”

This definition seems to complement, with a wider scope, the Church’s definition which you provided. Indeed, as stated above, the Church has grown along with psychology, albeit often slowly and cautiously, in coming to a better understanding of the nature of human behavior, especially concerning habitual sin and culpability. Even so, there are still too many of us who continue to insist that those struggling with addiction are just not trying hard enough to change, not applying their willpower sufficiently, and this attitude serves to drive people away in shame, rather than draw them back toward healing and reconciliation.

 

[Cricket2]

I have to say no.

I say this in part, as the result of a recent medical event. I had an allergic reaction that required hospitalization and various drugs to counteract the reaction. One of the responses I had to the medications made the attending physician tell me: “Well we can see you will never have a problem with addiction.” Apparently the way I reacted allowed him to make that assumption.

I have also never had a problem with anything that one could say I was addicted to. I have never had trouble coming off from pain med, or not drinking coffee if I decide to stop, gambling, anything. At least not that I recognize or anyone has ever pointed out to me. In fact I often find myself rather confused by the fact that people are addicted.

 

[TEPO]

I have to say no.

I say this in part, as the result of a recent medical event. I had an allergic reaction that required hospitalization and various drugs to counteract the reaction. One of the responses I had to the medications made the attending physician tell me: “Well we can see you will never have a problem with addiction.” Apparently the way I reacted allowed him to make that assumption.

I have also never had a problem with anything that one could say I was addicted to. I have never had trouble coming off from pain med, or not drinking coffee if I decide to stop, gambling, anything. At least not that I recognize or anyone has ever pointed out to me. In fact I often find myself rather confused by the fact that people are addicted.

That’s amazing. You see, I was under the impression, through another one of my own wild theories, that everyone had the same ‘addictive potential’ and that maybe people are able to pick and choose what they are to be addicted to.

Say for example I was a terrible over-eater and was extremely overweight, I could choose to ‘swap’ my addiction for an equal amount of another addiction-like say smoking for example. Either addiction is equally unhealthy, but say for example I chose a ‘positive’ addictive quality…? I’m wondering if there is a way to measure addictive potential to see if one horrible habit is worth the same as a positive and healthy one. Or if maybe a really bad one is equal to two small bad ones and one large good one.

Perhaps there is a way to create a chart that can measure and display ones own addictive potential and then create a brand new recipe of choice…

But after hearing your story, I’m left wondering if you just have unnoticed addictions, or if your addictions are all positive good ones so you don’t consider them addictions, or if your genes just have a lower addictive potential. In any case though, it’s refreshing to know that there are people like you out there. I’m also curious what the doctor noticed.

 

[landon13]

I was just curious if addiction is a problem for many people or not. It seems that this topic is rarely discussed here on CAF, so I was just wondering if it was something we all don’t like discussing -because we’re in battle with it, or because we don’t face any problems with it because we’re beyond that…

So the anonymous question remains in the form of a poll. Does everyone battle addiction in some form of another or not?

Everyone deals with sins and problems that can be considered addictive at some point in their life. Sometimes its more visible. Other times it is just quietly eating away at the recesses of their hearts.

 

[thistle]

Everyone deals with sins and problems that can be considered addictive at some point in their life. Sometimes its more visible. Other times it is just quietly eating away at the recesses of their hearts.

I don’t believe that at all. I, for one, have never been addicted to anything. The worst I can say is I had a bad habit of biting my fingernails when I was young.
I would opine that the vast majority of people have never had any addiction in their life.

 

[TEPO]

Everyone deals with sins and problems that can be considered addictive at some point in their life. Sometimes its more visible. Other times it is just quietly eating away at the recesses of their hearts.

The sins of my family are that in which my weekly pay of more than $3000. is usually squandered away in a matter of 3 days in which I’m flat broke several days before each weekly paycheck. My wife and 4 daughters spend money with no respect. Material possessions and dinners always take precedence over bills, and after repeated arguments over it, nothing can change because nobody has an ounce of will power.

…it’s either lay down rules and deal with the consequences of being verbally attacked or give in and be appreciated.

…so its just happening again. My misery begins now, after a fun family adventure at Disneyland, where money was once again flushed down the toilette with joy.

…we’re now off to visit family where the remaining portion will surely dissipate.

…bills are backed up and envelopes remain unopened and stacked. Nobody has the time or the will power or the patience to even open them.

…God help me direct my family out of addiction once and for all. I’m gone at work for extended periods of time, but even the time I am able to counsel them seems fruitless.

 

[TEPO]

I don’t believe that at all. I, for one, have never been addicted to anything. The worst I can say is I had a bad habit of biting my fingernails when I was young.
I would opine that the vast majority of people have never had any addiction in their life.

Ah , but thistle, you have over 18,000 posts here on CAF. Could that be a sign of addiction? Not saying it is -but it ‘could’ be. Couldn’t it?