Peter Hitchens in FIRST THINGS, February 2017 writes a provocative article entitled, THE FANTASY OF ADDICTION. He maintains that “addiction” describes a power greater than the will. “If it exists in the way we use it and in the way our legal and medical systems assume it exists, then free will has been abolished.” He argues that “the idea that humans do not really have free will is a contentious opinion, not an objective fact.”
Hitchens wants us to stop using the word because it relieves people of responsibility for harmful habits and desires by telling them that their body is to blame. They become involuntary sufferers. They accept that they are completely powerless over their addiction. Yet, although a person cannot choose for themselves to break their habit, many do. How is this possible?
Many supposed “addicts” give up their addictions. They are motivated by fears for their health or their professional standing. “Reason has overcome desire. In which case the whole idea of ‘addiction,’ as a power greater than will, is overthrown.”
“What sustains the continuing belief that ‘addiction’ is a physical disease is presupposition, based upon conventional wisdom, allied with desire.” Bad habits can be given up even when it is difficult but it requires the power of the Spirit. God gives us the will to choose to turn to him.
George Gallup Jr. admitted that he was an alcoholic. His father was also an alcoholic. “When I took my first drink, something happened to me. I was hooked and couldn’t stop. Even as a Christian, I tried and tried. I felt so defeated, and it was ruining my life. Then in a moment of quiet desperation, I heard Jesus whisper to me, ‘George, if you never lick this, that is okay. I died for this struggle in your life, and I still love you deeply.’ From that very moment I haven’t had a drink.”
What has been your experience?
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Thank you for this Ted!
As I’ve told you before, I was addicted to pornography. Before that, I was addicted to chewing tobacco. I also disagree with the notion that addiction is a disease, for the very same reason that it absolves us of responsibility. But God promises that he will not allow us to be tempted without offering at the same time a way out. 1 Corinthians 10:13. At its core, addiction is giving into temptation.
I quit chewing tobacco and it was exceedingly difficult and I relapsed a number of times until I finally quit for good 20+ years ago. I am no longer addicted to it. In fact, I would say that I am no more inclined to addiction to tobacco than any person; however, if I start using it again “just every once in a while” I will surely end up addicted as will most every other person.
I’m currently going through a Christ-centered 12 step program called Regeneration, put on by Watermark Community Church and it is an excellent program. I’m doing this because I struggle with anger, fear, pride etc. They use the term whenever one introduces oneself as “Hi, I’m Joe and I’m RECOVERING from…” I really don’t agree with that characterization either because I am RECOVERED from my tobacco habit. Same for pornography. But recovered does not mean that I am immune from temptation to do those sinful habits again, nor that I could not become addicted all over again if I indulge in them. I surely would. But as I sit here, I do not have any disease of tobacco or pornography addiction. Nor am I recovering from them. That happened years ago.
By the way, pornography addiction is more complicated than tobacco addiction. Food addiction would be a similar analogy. We must eat to survive. Therefore, curing a food addiction would surely be more complicated than addiction to tobacco because one can live by zero tolerance for tobacco. There is no good in it ever.
FYI I am part of a small group of men, all brothers in Christ, at my church. We meet weekly to confess sins and to pray for forgiveness for one another and for strength in the week ahead. I have resolved and I believe most in our group would agree that Jesus set the standard. Accordingly, we strive for zero tolerance of lust in our lives. The only place for the sex is loving intimacy with one’s wife. Apart from that my own practice and prayer every morning is “Dear Lord, help me when I encounter an attractive woman on the street driving to work, or in the elevator to my office or wherever, to very simply look away immediately. And when I cannot look away, to look at her as my sister or daughter. Help me to not lust, covet, desire, compare or consider.” And when I fail by taking a second look, or manufacturing a lustful thought during the week I confess it to my group via text right away. I think it is a discipline to follow what we believe God calls us to. Just as, if one’s struggle is coveting one’s neighbor’s house, then when he happens to be walking by and if he knows that if he looks at it long enough he may surely end up coveting it, then he should practice the discipline of looking away immediately.
These are my random thoughts Ted. Please share with anyone you believe might benefit.
In Christ,
James
Thanks for your witness. There is salvation in Jesus.
It may well be that terming addiction a “disease” is a misnomer. The reality is that some people are prone to become addicted – whether to harmful substance or harmful behavior – while others when exposed to the same experience find it easy to stop.
From my own experience and that of my family I have concluded that addiction is a genetic predisposition. This difference between people explains why, for example, the alcoholic takes one drink and continues drinking to intoxication – but the “social drinker” stops before becoming impaired.
There is much statistical data to back up this idea. The general tendency of Native Americans or those of Irish heritage (like me) toward alcoholism supports the genetic concept. I don’t doubt that some day a researcher will discover the genetic pattern that causes this effect.
Thanks Alan for your insight. That some people are more prone to do something due to genetic predisposition should make those who are not more compassionate as they realize that there but for the grace of God go I.