Just what is “addiction” anyway? I mean, is “addiction” a bad thing? Always? In Columbia SC, is addiction synonymous with “law breaking”? Really?
Wikipedia defines addiction as, “a physical and psychological dependence on psychoactive substances (for example alcohol, tobacco, heroin and other drugs) which cross the blood-brain barrier once ingested, temporarily altering the chemical milieu of the brain”. But is this definition truly accurate? Must our addictions really be associated with a drug, law-breaking, or outright evil? Always?
Webster defines addiction a little differently stating “to devote or give oneself habitually or compulsively”. Webster’s definition offers a bit more latitude in conforming my on personal behavior into a certain mold.
When I use to drink, my behavior was often a slave serving my master… which was king alcohol. What I mean by that is my actions to obtain a drink of alcohol was often dictated by the alcohol itself. Looking back on my thirty one year drinking life, I often found myself “slipping” out of the house while the family slumbered. When cash was short, found myself sifting through my wife’s slender purse. In a rush, seldom did I care about my personal appearance.
These were the thoughts in my head early this bright Saturday morning in the waning hot days of a South Carolina spring as I rose earlier than anyone else in the house. I looked out upon the day, considered what I might write in this column, licked my lips as my minds eye locked onto what I really wanted, eased through my wifes purse to find her debit card and car keys, drove myself through the familiar "drive through window" a few blocks away at the neighborhood golden arches and with eyes as bright as any child on Christmas morning... asked for my “Frappe Mocha”!
Will I ever be cured?
If you enjoy this column, please click the “Like” button and also subscribe. If you would like to participate, submit questions or make comments, you may do so here or contact the author at: AnthonyEBaker@Hotmail.com or visit the author’s recovery and sobriety blog at Tony’s Sobriety Rack. If you or a loved one is suffering in Columbia SC with addiction issues or for further assistance with chemical dependence and addiction, please see: Columbia Treatment Centers. Additional addiction questions can be channeled through Columbia’s Alcoholics Anonymous Intergroup office located at:
AA Intergroup
3014 Devine Street, Room 103
ColumbiaSC 29205
(803) 254-5301
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