Addiction

[GraceFull]

Because I'm so passionate about this subject, I'm posting on the Tentmaker and the Every Knee Will Bow forums.

Addiction is the only disease people get mad at people for having - and I used to be one of them. Over the years, I periodically get into doing serious research on addiction (particularly alcoholism), and I always read anything that happens to cross my path on the subject, and I've learned that addiction is, in fact, a "brain disease," and this is not just the "opinion" of the psychiatric community as many believe, but is based upon "medical evidence," so that addiction is now also recognized as a disease by the medical community. Last September (I remember the date because I took notes), I watched "Strictly Dr. Drew" on the Discovery Health Channel (Dr. Drew is an M.D.), and the topic of his program was "Addiction." What I learned that I hadn't previously learned from any of my reading or research is that there is an "ALCOHOL GENE," and a test is available to determine if one has this gene. The alcohol gene also applies to other substances, such as cocaine, meth, heroin, etc. - since the same part of the brain is involved, but this program mainly focused on alcoholism. One young woman on Dr. Drew's program had 2 alcoholic parents and was concerned that she could have inherited their alcoholism, and if so, EVEN THOUGH SHE DOES NOT DRINK, could this disease be passed on to any children she may have. She was tested (by swabbing the inside of her mouth), and she was found to have the "alcohol gene," and even though she doesn't drink herself (therefore, she's not enabling or feeding her disease nor is her disease visible to others), the results of the test revealed that because the alcohol gene was present that it could be passed on to any children she might have, proving that the disease of addiction is, in fact, genetic/hereditary. Addiction is still viewed by so many as being a personal weakness even though there's evidence to the contrary. One could take the self-righteous position, "Well, if ya don't drink or do drugs, it won't be a problem" - but I doubt that there's very few among us who haven't consumed alcohol and maybe even experimented with or "done" drugs, and for those with the disease of alcoholism (addiction), that first drink can be the catalyst of an eventual ongoing hellish battle. I've known for some time that 1 out of every 10 people who drink will become alcoholics, and I've often wondered how the 9 escape and why the 1 doesn't? This "alcohol gene" confirms that alcoholism is not a character flaw, but rather, a genuine, life-long chronic disease with its primary symptoms being (1) continued use in spite of the most dire and destructive of consequences, and (2) relapses. And while there may still be some who view addiction as being the result of lifestyle choices, that can also be said about obesity, heart disease, diabetes, sports injuries which lead to the development of arthritis, some cancers etc., etc. - and yet we don't seem to condemn those who suffer from those diseases. I guess the bottom line here is that those with addictions are entitled to the same love and concern that we so freely extend to those with other diseases. And do you know anyone who ever aspired to grow up to be an addict? "There but for the grace of God go I."

[Redkora]

While I do think that people can overcome their addictions through prayer and professional help, the disease is highly destructive and can overtake a person, sending them into a different mental reality in which logic is skewed.

*hug*

[dboutwell]

And do you know anyone who ever aspired to grow up to be an addict? "There but for the grace of God go I."

There ya go, Gracefull. God, help them all. :HeartThrob:

[Kratos]

My father is an alcoholic and I followed in his footsteps. I was saved 24 years ago and have been both clean and sober for the last 23 of those years (surprisingly to me, drugs dropped off right away, but it took a year until I was totally free of alcohol though my use diminished immediately).

One truth in the Word that really helped me as I was involved with AA and the whole "alcohol is a disease" debate.

Psa 103:1  <A Psalm of David.> Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name.
Psa 103:2  Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits:
Psa 103:3  Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases;

Notice that two of the benefits of the Lord that we are not to forget is that He forgives ALL of our sins and that He heals ALL of my diseases. I realized that it really does not matter to a believer like me whether it was sin or a disease for me to drink, He had either forgiven or healed me in either case.

I know that confession and the power of the tongue to control and direct our lives is controversial to some, but James taught that we could change the direction of our lives through changing what we said like a ship is steered by a rudder and a horse is steered by a briddle. Since my first church when saved was "Word of Faith", I had a hard time continuing to confess that I was an alcoholic. So, I thought I was just being faithful to the Word when I went to AA meetings and said that I used to be an alcoholic, but Jesus either delivered me from this sin or He healed me from this disease though I wasn't sure which.

If you have ever been there, you can understand that I was not so kindly asked to take my Jesus elsewhere and not to return.

My point is that we should be equally kind and understanding to others whether they are still suffering under the power of a sin or suffering under the effects of a disease. One is a lack of wholeness in the soul and the other is a lack of wholeness in the body, but through Him we can be made whole in either case. God sees them the same way and delivers us out of both when we trust Him.

John

[fire walker]

Some people refer to visable addiction as someone who is "hooked" now why the social status quo of any time period single out certain addictions as worse than others I have never understood, as an individual we may very well understand addiction of many kinds as heredity genetically, did this person or their parents sin for the person to receive this heredity genetically? a revelation of truth in this matter answers us with a proved and reproved NO, no more than those born visably blind are these that are so medically found to be through genetic heredity.

My Mother battled alcoholism mixed alternately with barbiturates, God, by his grace abounded my mother, she has been free of alcohol for well over fifty years, her overcoming time was hindered and made difficult by those who said " well, if ya don't drink or do drugs it won't  be a problem" and you know what? just like a parrot that same self righteous spirit that spoke through the people in my moms day is still speaking through many today, in fact "self righteousness" is only the half of it the other half is "hypocrite"


That same spirit of self righteous hypocrisy
is silent with the socialy accepted behaviour of the status quo of the time when someone is "hooked" on Soda pop, food, sports, gambling, religion, politics, fame and lust for vengeance and a host of many more, the same spirits at work in those who still desire to be seen of men setting in the best seats of their religious and political institutions of this world.


Peace,
Fire Walker    

[Gabe Grinstead]

I think we all battle addictions... I think that often people trade one addiction for another.  Many times I see people trade alcohol for gluttony.  Some people trade smoking with chewing.  Some people chew gum as a habbit, a lot of it.  Many people are addicted to sex.  Many people are addicted to gossip.  Addictions... All around us!  Take your pick!

[Kratos]

It is all "missing the mark" of God's best for us and only He has the power to deliver any of us. It is only when we admit that we are powerless, but there is one who is able and willing to deliver us do we get free. At least this has been my testimony in all things.

John

[GraceFull]

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