EVERYONE AN ADDICT



Everyone is an addict of sorts. Well, arguably so.

To put it another way, everything and anything has the potential of being an addiction to people.

So everyone and anyone can be addicted to something (that is, strongly attached in a way that may be described as an addiction).

If you’re reading this, chances are high that you feel strongly about and are committed to one or more of the following: Christ, truth, justice, reading, personal growth and development, leadership, service, and the likes. 

This is positive passion—positive addiction. 

Of course the word addiction is mostly associated with a disorder or negative impulse.

However, a broader yet simple definition captures addiction as: a strong physical or psychological need or urge to do something, even when there may be detrimental effects, risks or consequences from doing that thing .

Commonly known addictions include: smoking, drinking alcohol, gambling, taking drugs, and using prescription medications.

Having said that, it is possible and also commonplace to be addicted to anything including productive, positive, good, useful and socially beneficial things such as phones, computers, work, altruism or philanthropy, etc.

This begs the questions: Is everyone really or likely addicted to something? If so, what would you say that you are addicted to, in a sense?

Some addictions are more obvious and more devastating. Others are less conspicuous and less impacting on the people engaged in them.

These two facts about addiction have to be clearly stated and understood: 

Not every addiction is a bad addiction.

Not everyone with a bad addiction is a bad person.

Do you understand that?

Being an addict is not synonymous with being a criminal. No, not at all. 

An addict may be a victim of circumstances, of other people’s malevolence, or of their carelessness, cluelessness or other complexities.

So, what are some of the reasons why addictions start in the first place, especially the detrimental ones such as nicotine, alcohol, drugs or porn? 

Some studies suggest that addiction is genetic.

Yet, environmental factors are also thought to increase the risk of becoming addicted.

Environmental factors include having a parent, carer or close contact with an addiction, who normalizes the behavior or activity.

An addiction can be a coping mechanism developed inadvertently for difficult issues.

Unemployment and poverty can also lead to substance abuse and addiction. 

Other emotional cues or triggers can be stress, relationships, work pressures, etc.

Instead of hurting identified or alleged addicts with our heartless ridicule, it would be more thoughtful of us and beneficial to them, to their families and to society at large to help with recovery options.

Remember it can happen even to the best of us.

It can happen to you or any of your loved ones.

If it does, how will you like to be treated?

Rather than stigmatization, provide solution.

Above all, before you judge anyone, judge yourself. Watch yourself and evaluate your personal addictive habits, behavior and actions.

Ask yourself: What am I addicted to?

If not psychoactive substances or stimulants, can it perhaps be any of these: talk, gossip, lies, pretense, pride, prejudice, anger, anxiety, fear, greed, comparison, competition, validation, borrowing, bragging, theft, vanity, pleasure, power, control, etc?

How about addiction to making money? Yes, is (almost) everyone not likely addicted to money?

Or, to someone like a love or romantic interest?

Or, even one or more of these: sugar, fizzy drinks, caffeine, food, football, fashion, fiction, fantasy, books, music, movies, drink, dance, sleep, sex, social media, comfort, celebrities, cars, houses, watches, shoes, sports or games?

Are you obsessed with any of these things?

How is it affecting your mental, emotional, physical and financial health?

What solutions or measures have you used and are you currently using to curb the menace?

Finally, do you think that you’re a better person (or a better soul) than anyone else with any other type of addiction which you don’t have?

Think about that. 

Best wishes and grace to you! 

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