Wayne Gerard Trotman, a Trinidadian-British author once remarked: “Happiness is not to be found at the bottom of a bottle or from the tip of a needle; it is not to be found amidst a cloud of smoke or within a sugar-coated pill. If you look for it in these places, you will find naught but despair.” Galatians 5:19-21 reminds us: “Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.”
Addiction is defined as the fact or condition of being addicted to a particular substance or activity. It includes an excessive dependency or a constant craving that needs to be satisfied by the absorption of an item or performing a particular activity. It is often described as a bad habit that could be considered harmful. It may be detrimental to health or mind and could well be deleterious to the wallet. Either way, it is not usually considered viable by many. As Socrates once remarked: “Everything in moderation, including moderation.”
Addiction can take many forms, it can involve illegal drug abuse, alcoholism, smoking, gambling, uncontrolled spending urges and even becoming a hypochondriac with perhaps a dependency for previously prescribed medication for a minor ailment that is no longer needed. James 1:12-15 states: “Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him. Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God,” for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one. But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin, when it is fully grown, brings forth death.”
One of the primary causes for concern with addiction is that a person may lose self-control over the quantity needed or consumed to self-satisfy and not know when to stop. This particularly applies to alcohol abuse. Some people consider alcohol to be homogeneous to a narcotic. It can certainly have the same effect as drugs. Proverbs 20:1 reminds us: “Wine is a mocker, strong drink a brawler, and whoever is led astray by it is not wise.”
Addiction is regarded by many to be a human weakness or a failure in moral stature. It is deemed that everybody has a choice in life with consequences. However, research has revealed that this may not always be the case and that it can often be attributed to a chronic brain disease. Just as the human body requires food to survive, for some, addiction plays its role in providing food for contentment. Psychologically, for some, the stigma associated with an addiction problem can leave scars of guilt. They are forced to secrete their indulgence the best way they can to maintain their moral standing in life.
Life can often become difficult and addiction can furnish a source of comfort to a depressed or anxious person, however, it is linked to obsession. There is a strong correlation between the two vices which transforms the indulgence from a normal part of life to one of unnecessary desire. Norman Kingsley Mailer, an American novelist once remarked: “Obsession is the single most wasteful human activity, because with an obsession you keep coming back and back and back to the same question and never get an answer.” Addiction produces negative consequences which are often damaging. The harm caused to the body or brain as a result of the appeasement can have devastating effects. The temptation that is set before one is often difficult to resist. It may be considered by some as a personal reward that will make them feel good. The feat that has been achieved and needs rewarding, may be worthwhile in itself, but this particular process, in reality, accomplishes nothing except possible bodily harm and discomfort. Romans 6:12-14 confirms: Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, to make you obey its passions. Do not present your members to sin as instruments for unrighteousness, but present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life, and your members to God as instruments for righteousness. For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace.
Some people take comfort in constantly purchasing unneeded items, especially via the internet. This practice requires very little physical effort and is easy to implement. All that is required is a delivery address and a bank or credit card. The satisfaction is gleaned, not from actually receiving the goods and using them to good effect, but through the actual purchase itself. This provides a feeling of accomplishment, combined with the anticipation of the delivery of the ordered goods. However, when the articles arrive, they are often placed in a spare room unopened and left there untouched permanently. The addict then scours the various websites for the next prospective purchase to satisfy their desire.
Possibly one of the most prevalent issues that are faced in today's society is that of drug abuse. Many substances on offer are illegal and carry severe penalties if discovered. Using non-prescription drugs regularly can lead to both short and long-term health issues. The actual damage caused by the use of these items will largely depend on a person's current health and the substance used. However, drugs are known to be chemical compounds that can affect the body and mind in varying ways. They can instil feel-good factors that can remove gloom or depression in a person or even cause hallucinations.
Many drugs are prescribed by doctors to relieve pain in the short term and are considered beneficial to a person suffering from bodily disorders. But, even these can have their own individual side effects if an overdose occurs. If it is possible, we need to strive for a clean and drug-free body for purity within. Some religions such as Christian Scientists, Jehovah's Witnesses, Amish and Scientologists, discourage some or all of mainstream healthcare.
Addiction may be considered a temptation which, although in itself is not considered a sin, if we allow ourselves to be tempted, then that may lead to sin. Frequent use of the “Harder” known drugs which include such substances as Heroin, Cocaine, Amphetamine, LSD and Ecstasy may have damaging effects, not only to the body or mind, but in relationships. The user may experience euphoria or changes to their behavioural patterns. However, they may become aggressive, experience insomnia, change eating habits or believe that they can do the impossible, such as flying through the air under their own bodily power without any further assistance. On another pertinent matter, there may be disastrous consequences if an overdose is taken accidentally which may even lead to death. 1 Corinthians 10:13 states: “No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.”
The damage to the brain caused by addiction can make quitting difficult. However, help is often available to those who are determined to dissolve their relationship with a particular addiction. Courses or counselling can play an important role in the final desire to abstain. Professional or specialist help is often the only successful route to accomplish abstention. However, the addict has to retain the desire for abstention for it to succeed. In cases of drug abuse where bodily dependency still remains, sometimes the only course of action is to substitute another medication such as methadone which is considered a less damaging compound that attempts to replace the need for the original drug. 1 John 2:16 reminds us: “For all that is in the world - the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride in possessions - is not from the Father but is from the world.”
Amen.
