Understanding the Psychology and Spirituality of addictive behaviors

In language, addiction means the need or the strong desire to do or to have something, or a very strong liking for something (Cambridge Dictionary)!

In Order to define the concept of ” Addiction”, we will need to delve into the psychology of addiction which entails understanding the root of any type of addictive behaviour.  

A person with an addiction uses a substance, or engages in a behaviour, for which the rewarding effects provide a compelling incentive to repeat the activity, despite detrimental consequences. Addiction may involve the use of substances such as Alchohol , inhalants, opioids, cocaine, and nicotine, or behaviors such as gambling, shopping.

There is evidence that addictive behaviors share key neurobiological features: They intensely involve brain pathways of reward and reinforcement, which involve the neurotransmitter dopamine. And, in keeping with other highly motivated states, they lead to the pruning of synapses in the prefrontal cortex, home of the brain’s highest functions, so that  attention  is highly focused on cues related to the target substance or activity. It is important to know that such brain changes are reversible after the substance use or behaviour is discontinued.

When individuals engage in an activity that is pleasurable but cannot stop doing it, even to the detriment of everyday living (such as work, hobbies, family time, finances, etc.), and health and wellbeing suffer as a result, this behaviour would be considered an addiction.

While we know that addiction is a disease that is primary, chronic, progressive and fatal, with a describable and predictable course and  typical common, addiction affects all aspects of the person. When we think about the disease of addiction from the perspective of our spirituality, we can see that addiction is a disease that is born out of the human condition. There is deep hopelessness, meaninglessness and longing that the addict is trying to suppress with some substance or process, rather than finding healing through faith, and re-establishing the relationship with the higher self. The addict is seeking a greater depth of peace and fulfilment but only finds greater emptiness and pain. The separation from the divine and from healthy spirituality is intensified by an increasing pattern of actions that could be considered sinful for one reason only which is sabotaging one’s own life and purpose.

While ancient writers didn’t understand addiction in the same way we do, they certainly understood the nature of addiction. The Biblical writers saw the patterns of addiction and discussed it more as bondage, temptation and sin. Indeed, addiction is a disease that will drive/lead us into wrongful acts. However, if we look at it from a perspective of separation from the divine, then we come closer to understanding the spiritual dilemma of addiction. In the book of Genesis, we see that humans are caught up in an addictive process from the beginning. The “original” temptation in the Garden of Eden posed as the following:

• Good for food – it addressed a need
• Pleasing to the eye – it was attractive in some way
• Bestowed wisdom – a promise of something beyond ourselves, something we think would make us complete

Addiction sets up a trap for us: while appearing to address a deep need, we are drawn to its attractiveness and the promise of feeling complete in some way — an alternate “god” is introduced to rob us of true spirituality. We become spiritually malnourished, believing we have found peace, abundance and fulfilment in the very thing that will rob us of it. In addiction, we mistake:

• Numbness for Peace
• Indulgence for Abundance
• Gratification for Fulfilment
• Intensity for Intimacy
• Control for Safety
• Perfection for Competency

The Cure to Addictions

Because addiction causes changes in the brain, addicts experience symptoms such as impulsivity and cravings. which pushes people to crave instant kick of which even addiction they have, instant gratification, instant feeling good, which unfortunately does not last long, and make the circle of addiction grow tighter and faster! this can happen whether the addiction is for food, sex, porn, coffee, gambling, a person, a lifestyle, a drug, a behaviour…etc .These symptoms can make quitting more difficult, but choosing effective treatment options can improve your ability to succeed.

Quitting any addictive substance requires a process, both emotional and practical. in order to quit, one’s need to plan how to quit, how to deal with withdrawals and how to avoid relapses.

1. Prepare to Quit

Remind yourself of why you made an intention to quit, and how will you support this decision.

2. Consider your Environment

Eliminating everything that reminds you of your addiction, you will be surprised to realise that we are our environment, and you are the people you spend most of your time with, as social beings we get influenced by our social circle, no matter how strong our identity is. A change of routine, habits, and even friends or social circle will definitely give you the support and motivation you need.

3. Connect to your Spirituality

we are by default spiritual beings having this human experience, however, we tend to dismiss our nature and wander away from our connection with our spirit and higher self, which are the closest and deepest part of ourselves and we get busy with 3D matters, we follow the path of materialism, and we neglect our heart, our emotions and our deep connection to the higher power, to the divine. for these reasons a void is created within us, and we develop a deep feeling of nostalgia, and or emptiness that we try to fill with physical things (3D), or with addictions. So the key to let go of addictions, is to go back within and connect with your spiritual nature, this can be done, by dedicating some time for grounding, meditation, breath work, contemplation and journaling….the answers you seek are within …

4. Ask for Support

whether it is a professional support if you have major addictions, or a friend or a relative or a loved one support, we all need a good heart and ear to lean to, someone who can hold an unconditional loving space with no judgment, someone who is trustworthy and reliable.