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Friday, February 19, 2010

"How can we avoid addiction?"

-"Dependence or commitment to a habit, practice, or habit-forming substance to the extent that its cessation causes trauma."
That is the definition of Addiction by the Webster's American Family dictionary.
Addiction can come in any form; drinking alcohol and smoking are two of the most common.

Before talking about how to avoid it let us understand what causes it first.

According to an article written by  Miroslav Kis in a special issue of the Adventist review; several steps lead to addiction:
  1. Tolerance. A period of adjustment during which we become accustomed to the object of addiction...
  2. Self-deception. Our mind becomes inventive; justifying addictive behavior...
  3. Loss of Willpower. The conflicting message between wanting to become free and the craving for more create unbearable tension, which forces us to take the line of lesser resistance: we give in.
  4. Distorted attention. The addict becomes so preoccupied with the desired object that the rest of life and people around us suffer...
  5. Hiding. The feeling of shame and fear of being discovered drain the addict's energies even further.
  6. Collusion. Friends who share the same addiction often provide support and a feeling of normalcy.
  7. Capitulation. As time passes and we become more skillful at using our crutches, freedom from addiction seems too unrealistic, and we give up. (Adventist review: ADVENTISTS AND ADDICTION p. 4-5)
  Now truly, the best way to avoid addiction is not to start in the first place!!! we can never stress the importance of not taking the first step enough; and only our choices can make a difference because if we give in, the desire will be reinforced by repetition of the action and will then give birth to sin and we don't want that. 
No one is invincible when it comes to temptation, that's why we need to develop a close relationship with GOD throughout our entire life because we can do everything through him with faith:
" I am able to do all things through him who gives me strength." ( Philippians 4 : 13 Darby version )
It is important also to consider the impact the act would have on our lives should we give in to temptation;
the outcome could bring guilt and unwanted consequences:
" Young people, enjoy yourselves while you are young; be happy while you are young. Do whatever your heart desires, whatever you want to do.But remember that GOD will judge you for everything you do." ( Ecclesiastes 11 : 9 NCV )

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