"Filling that deep inner void"

Doctor Bob has thoughts on addictions and overcoming them:

The paradox about 12-step programs–which have the only reliable track record for successful recovery from addiction–is that they emphasize the disease as the problem, and honesty, integrity, and personal responsibility as the solution. They do not excuse the behavior while admitting the disease, and this blend of honesty and humility, acceptance and tough love, works like nothing else. It is, as recovering alcoholics are quick to point out, a spiritual program: the Catch-22 of a body which craves alcohol without limit and a mind which denies the resulting problems cannot be solved any other means.

But as any recovering alcoholic will tell you, the problem is not the booze; it is not even the obsessive, irrational mindset which drives the drinking. Both these problems are symptoms of an underlying decay, one of spiritual dimensions, characterized at its core by extreme self-centeredness. The pursuit of happiness by feeding this monster creates not the promised joy but rather pain and emptiness. Alcohol hides that pain for a while, until the monster, growing ever stronger by its constant feeding, kills its host spiritually, emotionally, and often physically.

But addiction is hardly alone as a symptom of this dark core. The list of destructive behaviors arising from its belly is endless: obesity, sexual promiscuity, compulsive overwork, materialism, computer obsession, gambling, the pursuit of beauty over character, the lust for money and power. Some may be biologically-driven; some learned behaviors or dysfunctional coping. All seek to fill a hole with no bottom, providing the wrong salve for the pain, and more of the same when the salve makes the wound fester.

The whole thing is worthy, especially for those who've walked (or are walking) down the dead-end road of addiction.

And as an aside, the good doctor has an uncanny resemblance to my pastor, giving credence to that old saw that we all have a twin somewhere out there.

Comments

[Jamie B]

We all know that alcohol makes things worse, no one offers a solution to the inner emptiness of this shit life. Follow your dreams is all we get, but that doesnt solve the amount of sheer boredom that is goin on.
Or "god" is the maigc word, no, that oesnt solve nothing either, it just magicifies it and makes things even less clear. why cant anyone offfer any concrete advice without mentioning GOD or other bullshit

[Michelle]

Hello,

I agree with your sentiments on the topic of addiction. I discovered a new book called, "In the Realm of Hungry Ghosts", by Gabor Mate, MD. It is on the topic of the inner void as it relates to addiction. I haven't ordered a copy yet, but have read intriguing excerpts. The author is surrounded by drug addicts in his work life. He also goes beyond the shady aspects of addiction into other less obvious void -filling tactics by so called "normal" people.