Topic: Addiction
Hosts: Milo Curtis, Dave Ambrose, Patty McCaulay
Episode Synopsis
Patty shares her story about being an addict. She shares about her life 6 years ago and how she has taken steps towards health. It’s a candid conversation about the need for safety, community, and honesty.
Resources Mentioned
- Website: Narcotics Anonymous
- Website: Alcoholics Anonymous
- Books: Return of the Prodigal
- Books: Ragamuffin Gospel
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Download the Podcast: Episode 26: Patty has a Meter
August 26, 2008 at 4:46 pm |
I was an addict as well. Cocaine. Last day of use, Easter Sunday 2003. God spoke to me that day. He was clear, compassionate and forgiving. I have remained obedient to him since my sobriety. It is the forgivness, the obedience to Him and all His love for me that has blessed me in so many ways today. I grew up in a Christian home, lived the Christian life and still fell into this lifestyle…no one knew until I came forward. They suspected, but I hid it well. I have used my testimony to help others. Especially women. Thanks for sharing Patty. God bless YOU, you are so special and important to our Father!!
August 28, 2008 at 4:53 pm |
This is a very interesting topic, and one I would like to continue to learn about. Thank you for sharing your story, Patty.
The one part of this that I want to “push back on,” as Milo likes to put it, is the definition of “addiction.” I think Dave’s definition is too broad. I agree that addictions are compulsive, but compulsion is not enough to make something an addiction. People who have to count all the holes in the ceiling tiles above their beds before they can fall asleep have a compulsion, but they are not addicted to counting holes. People have habits that are hard to break and people have default responses to stress or other situations that are based in their personality types. These things are not necessarily addictions either. They aren’t compulsive behaviors because they could do otherwise if they had to.
I think the missing element is that the compulsive behavior has to involve a foreign substance or destructive behavior. Addiction is an aberration–something unnatural. I wouldn’t put “talking too much” in the same category as drug addiction. It could be bad manners, or a coping mechanism, or nervous reaction, or maybe even a habit, but how can it be an addiction? If a person who talks a lot has to be quiet for a while, he (i.e. or she) might be uncomfortable, but would there be physical or psychological breakdown? Is it technically proper to say, for instance, that an introvert is addicted to alone time, or that an extrovert is addicted to being around people, or that we’re addicted to air, or human relationship, or food? I’d say no, those things are natural and normal. Isn’t the term meant to refer to something unnatural and unhealthy that compels us? Does the discipline of psychology provide a clear definition?
I’m looking at it from the angle of what constitutes sin, too, so I don’t want to cast this term around too widely. I would say that addiction is an inherently sinful condition because it strips you of self-control and obedience to God. It determines what you do rather than God directing you and being the master of your life. Being dependent upon food for survival is not sinful–it’s a God-given, good thing. But being dependent upon heroin is a different matter altogether because it’s an unnatural, foreign element that is destructive to life and wholeness.
Also, why does Patty still call herself an addict even though she’s sober and clean? If addiction must involve compulsion and she is clean, then she is no longer compelled (which means you can’t resist the desire) and is no longer addicted. Why not think of yourself as being a former addict, with the realization that you’d be addicted again if you jump off the wagon? I think I’ve heard this language used before, but I didn’t understand it then either. Do they tell you to always think of yourself as an addict in AA or something?
Alright, that’s all the questions I have. And by the way, I really don’t think I have any addictions or an addictive personality. I wonder what could I possibly be addicted to–even if I were to grant your broad definition? Milo, you know me . . . do you have any suggestions for my self-evaluation? (You might want to send them via e-mail rather than post them here if they’re personal.)
August 30, 2008 at 8:02 am |
Peach, Great comments! Thanks. Although I don’t think addiction has to involved a foreign substance becasue one could easily be addicted to food – which is good, but in excess is not good right? Maybe my definition is broader than most, but as any addict will tell you, once an addict, always an addict. The day I think I’m over my addiction, I’m trapped again. I have to depend upon God’s grace one day at a time in order to continue in my recovery. I have to be sure to continue to “work the steps” in order to stay clean from whatever I’m addicted to. I believe we all have an addictive nature. We may not be experiencing our addiction outwardly right now, but the nature is there becasue of our sinful nature whcih lives inside of us. Only by the grace of God can I conquer that nature. Only by the power of Jesus Christ can I be victorious…
September 1, 2008 at 10:36 pm |
Thanks for the clarification, Dave. And good job to you all for picking stimulating topics!
September 2, 2008 at 10:41 am |
Great podcast! I applaud Patty and Dave’s bravery for discussing topics that are so difficult. I believe that having open and frank discussions on our own ‘brokenness’ opens doors that can lead to helping others. Secrecy breeds acceptance by ignoring or “glossing over” a real and dangerous problem (like an addiction).
On a different note though- I don’t agree with Dave’s comment that “everyone has an addiction”. I believe we are all capable of addiction; however I don’t believe that means everyone HAS an addiction. There is a significant difference.
I believe we should recognize that everyone is capable of becoming addicted and with that realization-we should use that recognition of weakness as a motivator to help others. No one person is better than another. The person you help fight addiction today could be helping you battle a dependency of your own tomorrow.