Addictions

Addictions come in many forms.  Some are obvious like drugs, alcohol, sex but some are not so obvious like food, work, adrenaline, people, work and religion.  It is not always easy to identify clear cut criteria but the following commonalities apply to alcohol and/or drug use but in many ways there is overlap in the other potential areas of addiction:

1. Tolerance. Has your use of drugs or alcohol increased over time?
   
2. Withdrawal. When you stop using, do you experience at least one of the following symptoms: irritability, anxiety, shakes, sweats, nausea, or vomiting?
   
3. Difficulty controlling your use. Do you sometimes use more or for a longer time than you'd like? Do you drink to get drunk?
   
4. Negative consequences. Have you continued to use even though there have been negative consequences to your mood, self-esteem, health, job, or family?
   
5. Significant time or emotional energy spent. Do you spend a significant amount of time or thought obtaining, using, concealing, planning, or recovering from your use?
   
6. Put off or neglected activities. Have you given up or reduced social, recreational, work, or household activities because of your use?
   
7. Desire to cut down. Have you repeatedly thought about cutting down or controlling your use, or have you made unsuccessful attempts to cut down or control your use?
   

What Addiction is Not

You don't have to use every day. There is nothing in the definition about how often you use. You could use once a month, but if when you use you sometimes have difficulty controlling how much you use, or you have negative consequences, then you have an addiction.

You don't have to crave drugs or alcohol. You can go for a whole month without thinking about using or craving, but if you break down and have difficulty controlling your use, or have negative consequences because of your use, you still have an addiction.

You don't have to go through withdrawal. Every person is different when it comes to withdrawal. Some people experience significant withdrawal, and others very little. There's little correlation between how much withdrawal you experience and the extent of your addiction.

You don't have to suffer major losses. If you've suffered major losses, then you already have a major addiction. If your family members have ever commented on your use, then you've already suffered significant losses. It takes all of their courage in the beginning to make even the smallest comment about your use. The look of disappointment in their eyes is a loss. Bigger losses are harder to repair.

You don't need a fancy definition to tell you if you have an addiction. There is a simple test. If you think you might have a problem, then you probably do.

Proverbs 16:17 - There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death