The Bondage of Addiction
posted in Health |A few days ago I spoke with a friend, I’ll call her Susie, who is considering starting the same health/diet plan that changed my life. I am happy for her not because I think she needs to lose weight, but because I know she will benefit from increased health.
The problem Susie is having is one that plagued me for years and kept me from taking control of my life. She loves her addiction, in this case food, more than she dislikes her current station in life. She is having a hard time letting go her emotional connection to food and even wonders if it’s possible.
It is possible.
However, as with any addiction be it drugs, alcohol, sex, television, anything, Susie has to decide that living the way she is is not working for her. This is the same realization I had to come to. I finally hit the point where I understood that if I kept feeding my addiction I would never obtain the life I wanted and I would never be free of the bondage of poor health.
I had to realize that my life was just not working for me. I was missing out on too much living and letting opportunities pass me by.
I have worked with, and lived with, people who are in bondage to various addictions and regardless of the vice, everyone is the same. As long as they are feeding their addiction they are, in essence, accepting life the way it is. They are willing to trade a healthy, vibrant life for the substance to which they are addicted.
Sound harsh? Maybe. But it’s true. There are numerous programs “out there” that offer help to anyone who is truly seeking. Help for every addiction. The addict just has to be willing to ask.
Addictions come in many forms and some are obviously much more harmful than others. Take for example, the drug addict. In time, the drugs will take over the addict’s life leaving nothing but destruction in its path. However, a person addicted to playing golf will, more than likely, be able to continue to live a “normal” life.
That being said, we need to be honest about our addictions, we all have them, and the impact they are having on our lives. If we are unwilling to give up the addiction we need to admit it. We owe ourselves and those who love us at least that much. But, if we are tired of living in bondage to our addictions we need to seek help.
On the other side of things, we also need to be willing to help those who are seeking our assistance. Letting go of addictions is not easy and we should be supportive by offering grace and accountability when possible -without sacrificing our boundaries (see earlier post about boundaries).
For Susie, I can only offer a listening ear and direction to possible solutions. I cannot make the decision for her. She must be committed to letting go of her addiction and to reclaiming her life for herself. It is possible, but SHE must decide she is worthy of Choosing a Better Life.
How about you? Do you have an addiction that is affecting your life? Be honest. Honesty is the first step in giving yourself the gift of a better life.