I’ve never claimed to be an addiction counselor, but I have seen and experienced the hurt and destruction caused by addiction. Addiction can ruin, dilute, disguise and even kill a person. It can do the same to friends and family. It can make a person and the people around them feel dark inside. It is not a good thing.

I can usually find good in anything, but not in harmful addictions. There are positive additions such as exercising, reading, or helping others, but I am not addressing those. I am writing about negative additions, those that alter logic. Imagine a person without a head—that’s the accurate picture of someone under the influence of an addiction.

Each addiction has its uniqueness, but there are similarities.

Addiction means you have given control of yourself to something or someone. You have given up your freedom. An addiction resembles a prison–one created by you.

Habits or daily routines can become addictions. What was once fun can become an urgent necessity. A Spanish Proverb states: “Habits are first cobwebs, then cables.” Addiction can start with innocent experimenting and then move to conscious choice; next, it becomes a secret activity, and finally, it takes total control. It’s like a horror movie where the monster catches the hero or heroine and then destroys the city.

A quote from an unknown source also explains how addictions are formed: “Many of us believe that wrongs aren’t wrong if done by nice people like ourselves.” That is one way we get hooked; we see friends or family doing something, and it becomes our norm. We hang out with people who support our addictions, so choose your friends wisely—they are your mirror. If they have no shut-off valve, you likely won’t either. Their addiction could become yours.

Another strategy to identify and control addiction is to set limits for yourself. Some examples are no more than one glass of wine; only three cigarettes a week or once a day; only one sugar product a day; one beer an hour on Saturday night; one piece of chocolate; no alcohol four days a week; no internet gambling except once a month. Balance, balance, balance, while you can. When thinking about addiction, a statement that makes sense: None is easier than one.”

If you can’t seem to limit your behavior even when you want to, get help; 12-step programs are proven very successful.

Please remember you are worth more than a sick addiction that lessens your quality of life or has you wishing you didn’t wake up with yourself in the morning.

Your life is yours, and this is a new day.

Until the next time: Live while you live.

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