Understanding Addiction

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Addictions come in all shapes and forms. Difficult to define exactly, it has become popular to think of almost any behavior that has a compulsive quality as an "addiction." But for those who have an addiction, or for those affected by the addiction of a loved one or close friend, it's clear what an addiction means in "real" terms.

An addiction is a dependency on a substance, an activity, or a relationship that pulls the addict away from everything else in the world. It's characterized by desires that consume people's thoughts and behaviors, and is acted out in habitual activities designed to get the desired thing or engage in the desired activity (addictive behaviors). And, unlike simple habits or consuming interests, addictions are "dependencies" with real life consequences that seriously impair, negatively affect, and destroy relationships, health (physical and mental), and the capacity to function effectively. Addiction is debilitating.

In the end, addicts are "dependent" on that thing which dominates their thoughts and desires and directs their behaviors, and the pursuit of that thing becomes the most important activity in their lives. In the advanced stages of addiction nothing is as important as the addiction itself.
How Do People Become Addicted?

Some people see addiction as a disease in which addicts are afflicted and have little power over the cause or onset of addiction. Others see addictive behaviors as a choice, and addiction as the frequent outcome of this choice.

Addiction is considered by some to be a pre-disposition (the "addictive personality"), where others believe it develops through exposure to the addictive behaviors of others (such as family members). In the case of "physical" addictions such as alcoholism or drug dependence, many believe that susceptibility to addiction is passed on genetically. Others believe that addiction is simply the result of repetitive behavior that, in some people, leads to a physical or psychological dependence. It is certainly true that although not all addictions are physical, (gambling for instance), they are truly just as addictive and destructive.
Understanding Addiction and Dependency

Defining exactly what is meant by addiction is not simple. People often associate addiction only with alcohol or drug abuse, but it's clear that addictive behaviors go far beyond. In fact, the key to "addiction" is an obsessive and compulsive need or dependence upon a substance, an object, a relationship, an activity, or a thing. Accordingly, it's both realistic and appropriate to say that someone can be addicted to almost anything. There are six clear indicators of an addiction:

1. An Object of Desire. There's always an object of desire. This is the substance, thing, activity, or relationship that drives the addiction, whether it be alcohol, food, sex, gambling, pornography, drugs, or anything else that sparks obsessive ideas and drives compulsive behavior.
2. Preoccupation. There's an obsession with the object of desire; a need for the thing that drives the addiction.
3. Driven Behaviors. There is a compulsion to reduce cravings and satisfy the obsession that drives the addict's behavior.
4. Lack of Control. Addiction always implies a lack of control over thoughts, feelings, ideas, or behaviors when it comes to the desired thing. Even when addicts try to stop or cut back on addictive behaviors, they fail. This is the hallmark and a central defining feature of addiction and dependence.
5. Dependence. There is a dependence on the object of desire, physical or psychological, so only that thing can satisfy the desire and fulfill (at least temporarily) the addict.
6. Negative Consequences. Addiction is always accompanied by harmful consequences.

The Continuum of Addiction

Addicts don't become addicted overnight. There is progression as people first engage in the behaviors and experiences that may later become addictions, and a risk of creating an addiction over time.

For most addictions "tolerance" is created through repeated use, in which more and more of the substance or activity is required to feel the emotional satisfaction that the addiction brings. Eventually the addict has to use (or engage in the activity) just to feel normal. This is what "dependence" truly means.

Accordingly, there is a continuum of addiction, ranging from pre-addiction to the advanced stages of dependence. The progression from use into addiction can be measured in two ways:

1. The effect that addictive behaviors have on effective and healthy personal functioning.
2. The intensity of cravings for the substance, activity, relationship, or thing.

When taken together, these two measurements can help people who engage in addictive behaviors gauge their progression into addiction.
Recovering from Addiction

Whether physical or psychological, we know that addiction can be overcome. Millions have been helped into recovery, and many millions remain in recovery their entire lives. God can/will help each one who humbly ask Him to relieve you of this behavior. He is willing, but you have to be willing to surrender your will to His will. For me, it was very hard. But since I do daily now; life is much more fulfilling and meaningful. All I did was say to my Lord, to please come into to my life and clean up this mess I made. He is faithful and I know He loves me more than I could of ever thought. The above statements are the scientific viewpoint of this behavior. Addiction is very much a spiritual sickness as well. We have to have hope and that hope is found in the power of God. I am a living witness that has experienced coming from darkness into the light. My prayer is for others may also seek His blessed will forthem Daily. Luv Ya. Real.

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In addition to, I want to say that this program and the steps can and will help the "normal" person as well. Since I started working these steps and applying them to my life each day, I have learned how to deal with life on life's terms with God's help. I have also observed many people who are not an addicted person who could find peace and serenity through this simple program. Everything thing comes from God and I have found that we have to truly want something and be willing to discipline ,sacrifice , and even go through pain to get to where He wants us to be.
My calling in life is to try to help people change from hopelessness to hope. I am here to share how I did it and how God worked. I am no expert nor to I have all the answers. But God gave me grace and love to come out of the mindset of misery into the state of becoming whole again.
If I can be of any help to any who struggle, feel free to contact me by PM and all conversations will remain confidential until you choose to share. Luv Ya. Real.

[splash]

Thank you, Real. As someone who went from one addiction to another all my life i can attest that you're right on target as always.

It's so true that we don't become addicted immediately and I wanted to talk a little more about the process of addiction. Although so obvious, yet we almost always think ourselves 'immune" to addiction and make ourselves vulnerable to addiction through high risk behavior.

Addiction almost always begins with experimentation. Now, it seems that it would be "common sense" to know that if many become addicted to gambling, porn or alcohol (just as examples) it's better to just avoid gambling altogether; not look at that first pornographic imgage, or not take that first drink.

If we could understand why people think themselves immune perhaps we'd have the key to overcoming addictions forever. However, most of us do tend to think of ourselves as being "stronger" than others or less vulnerable.

Following experimentation, there's usually a phase in which the behavior is used "socially"... or within self-set limits. "I'll only have one drink with dinner, or not drink alone, or only gamble a certain amount, etc.

Then without warning, that behavior or substance abuse becomes a daily preoccupation. We altar and break our own rules. It's become the center of our lives.

Then, we reach a point where we need the behavior or substance in order to feel normal. Instead of using it to feel different... we feel we need it to survive. We're out of control.

So looking at our lifes as a circle we can see that the addictive behavior begins on the outside and we gradually pull it in giving it more and more a prominent position in our lives. Many will try to push the behavior out... but that won't work because a vacuum always fills itself.

The answer is to fill that inner circle of our lives with Jesus Christ... with the Word of God...with the Holy Spirit. Bring HIM in closer and closer and every other thing will naturally be pushed out or into it's own place. We need to let Christ become our daily preoccupation and take over every other area of our lives.

Get addicted to Jesus!

James 1:14-15 "But each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. Then, after desire is conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death."

Lovin Christ,

Splash