Addiction
- Leona Monfee
- Jul 18
- 4 min read
Updated: Jul 19
Addiction
Addiction (There are two main forms of addiction: substance use disorders and behavioral addictions) - the fact or condition of being addicted to a particular substance, thing, or activity; one strongly inclined to do, use, or indulge in something repeatedly
Almost everyone suffers from some form of addiction, something that seems to have more power or control over us than we would like it to. This could be food, sugar, alcohol, drugs, approval, cigarettes, money, power, anything, …
There is no one reason why a person becomes addicted to something, only they can answer that question. We don’t know their situation or what they have been through to get to where they are. We don’t know what triggers them – it could be a phone call, a text, something they hear, someone they see, something they smell, it could be anything.
For many today, it is a problem with drugs and or alcohol. Addictions can’t be solved by others; it can only be solved by the addict; they need to find the solution to that which controls them.
The three aspects to addiction
1. The Craving – the thought, the image, I want that, I need that, I must have that
2. The Craver – the person, the body
3. That which is Craved (external to us) – the alcohol, the drugs, the sugar, the food, or whatever it is.
There is help for those willing to take it – “AA” follows a *Twelve Step program (not just for alcohol) to recover; although it not a religious organization, it has spirituality as its base – finding the solution to that which controls us, finding something other than that which is external to us - finding it within ourselves. Through spiritual awareness we can find the solution to that which controls us, finding something other than that which is external to us – finding it within ourselves – finding a new spiritual awareness.
Addiction doesn’t just affect the person who is addicted to something, it can affect family, friends, loved ones, co-works, and others.
It is heartbreaking to watch a loved one or someone you care about with an addiction. You try to help them, but if they think they don’t have a problem or aren’t the problem it can be challenging. Know that “It is NOT YOU!” You can’t force someone to see that they have an addiction if they believe they don’t.
There are the lies, blaming everyone else, the feeling of having to walk on eggshells, the financial impact, what if we ask the wrong thing, why can’t they see what they are doing to their life, why won’t they stop, why are they doing this, why can’t they see what we see in them, how do we deal with this, do we just abandon them like they do to us, ….?
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30
“Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.” Luke 6:37
“Until we have seen someone's darkness, we don't really know who they are. Until we have forgiven someone's darkness, we don't really know what love is.” Marianne Williamson
There is no one answer to any of these questions. We are the only ones that can decide what we do, no one is in the same situation. But just know that you are not alone. We cannot control what others think or do, but we can control how we react to the situation. Whatever choices we make must be our choices, not what someone else chooses for us. We are not alone; Spirit is always there for us.
“I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me.” Philippians 4:13
“He said to her, ‘Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be freed from your suffering.” Mark 5:34
“Being able to heal is nothing more than having an energy within you that is stronger than the person who believes they can’t”. Marianne Williamson
“Every ending is a new beginning. Through the grace of God, we can always start again.” Marianne Williamson
Freedom Comes from within, not without...Life was meant to be abundant...in all areas.
There is always something to be Grateful for!
I wish you peace, healing, love, happiness, prosperity, kindness, and positivity.
With Gratitude,
Minister Leona Jo
PS Join 21 Days of Empowerment Free Challenge. This challenge focuses on empowerment and bringing healthy positive change into your life. You will receive daily emails with an empowering activity that you can complete in a few minutes. These simple, but powerful activities are easily incorporate into your daily life.
*NA uses the application of the principles contained within the Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions of AA’s program, the word “addiction” was substituted for “alcohol,” thus removing drug-specific language and reflecting the “disease concept” of addiction. Therefore it is possible that AA's Twelve Step programs could be used for any addiction by substituting "alcohol" with other addictions.
If you would like more information about “AA” here are some links:
For more information https://www.aa.org/
Find an AA near you: https://www.aa.org/find-aa