The Power of Addiction

It's difficult to pin down what's meant by "addiction". Where, exactly, is that fuzzy, ill-defined line between heavy use and addiction? Professionals in the field discuss terms like "increased tolerance", "dependence", but the underlying question - where's that line? - remains hard to answer.

A lot of definitions include something like "continued or escalating use of a substance or process in the face of negative consequences." We know that we're hurting ourselves - killing ourselves - ruining our families and our careers. We know that every time we use the booze - the crack - the tobacco - we're placing ourselves and someone else in danger. We do it anyway. AA's definition of insanity - repeating the same action, expecting a different result.

We know we're driving too fast. We know there's a stone wall in front of us. We push the accelerator.

The form of addiction with which I'm painfully familiar is alcoholism. That phrase, "In the face of negative consequences" has implications:

It doesn't matter how much you drink. That's just an accident of how much your body handles. People who are edging toward the end often find that their tolerance breaks down, and two beers will knock them flat.

It doesn't matter what you drink - wine, harder liquor, beer. NyQuil (once popular among teens), after shave (if your significant other has hidden the booze). That's just an excuse, or an accident of what's available. In the maximum security prison I worked at, something called Hooch was really popular. Take some juice (usually orange), throw some bread crumbs in, seal it and let it ferment. The stuff will blind you. But if you're an addict. . .

It doesn't matter where you drink. That's only geography.

The question that matters - the questions that addicts have a terrible time answering honestly, is: What's happening to your life when you're drinking? or smoking?

So your family's in trouble. Your 14-year-old daughter has called your job again to advise you won't be in. Said 14-year-old then feeds her siblings and makes sure they get to school. All this because you're lying in a pool of vomit in your bed, or on the floor.How long do you think it will be before the 14-year-old breaks down? This should not be the life of an early teen. (Family studies are a very important field in the study and treatment of addiction. There's little point in treating someone, getting them off of whatever stuff they used, then sending them right back to the same setting.)

So you've lost a job. You've lost them before. You'll get another. But, they're not out there like they used to be, or maybe word's gotten around, and your inability to find work is a great excuse for a drink.Or a drunk.

So your kid's asthmatic. Addiction involves some form of rationalization, so you can rationalize doing anything - smoke in a different part of the house, smoking outside - you do anything EXCEPT the one thing that might matter - quit.

Meth addicts tend to forget they have kids.The kids don't get fed, they don't get cleaned up, diapers don't get changed. Mom and Dad seem to be on a permanent sleep-in.

Is marijuana addicting? "Process addiction" is a topic for another time.

By the way, is there such a thing as a GOOD addiction? My answer: a firm, unwavering, almost shouted NO!!!! Not jogging or exercise. Not eating salad for lunch every day. As habits - great. As addictions - awful.

Addiction can be a depressing topic, so when I write about it I want to put the word of hope at the end. There IS hope, there IS help. My last drink: 12/7/85. No praise to me. All praise to my Higher Power.

If you're caught up, get help. If you know someone who is in the trap, explore how to get them help. Don't stand by while someone points a loaded .357 into their own mouth.

Thanks for spending  a few with me!