"The Nature of Addiction" by Roget Lockhard, M.Ed. Which Addiction? While there are hundreds or even thousands of possible addictions, they can all be sorted into two forms, only one of which is my primary focus on this website. Here I will call them physical, and existential. (Some other writings on the website use the term “profound” to refer to the existential form.) Both are widespread, and inflict terrible damage on individuals, families, communities, and entire societies. The physical form of addiction refers to a physiological dependency, while the existential form involves a devastatingly intimate psychological and spiritual entanglement. The physical version grabs us by the throat and, if we are deprived of the substance upon which we have become dependent, provokes physical discomforts ranging from mild to agonizing. The existential form, however, takes our very sense of self hostage, inflicting dreadful emotional and psychological torment, and ultimately commandeering our very ability to choose. These two forms are often tangled together, and this makes things more confusing,1 but they are nonetheless quite distinct from one another. The physical form of addiction can be readily understood and effectively addressed through the use of common sense, will power and, if called for, medical attention. The existential form, on the other hand, by its very nature violates common sense, and is seemingly impervious to the exertions of will. Such addicts routinely speak of feelings of powerlessness; of feeling at the mercy of “another voice” within themselves that overrules the voice of their own resolute good intentions.
Posted on: Fri, 14 Jun 2013 04:35:45 +0000
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