The toughest discussion about addiction is identifying the line between personal responsibility and addiction itself.
Addiction is often thought of as something that is all about choice.... After all, anyone is not usually compelled to take the first drink, place the first bet, smoke the initial cigarette, or spend hours on social media... From that perspective, addiction appears to be the result of a series of personal decisions.
I believe there's more to it than that, though.
Starting addiction is just like people usually start to enjoy something, but once the addiction actually sets in, it takes on another form, beyond the will of the people. If it were as simple as deciding to quit, we wouldn't have millions of people trying to break bad habits that they actively don't like for years at a time. We would not have to witness people giving up their relationships, job, money and even rtheir health trying to break free.
This is what I just realized—addiction is not the problem with willpower.
I do not think that personal responsibility is totally eradicated in addiction, however. Addiction is not a decision: it is not the same as saying that a person has no responsibility for his own recovery. There comes a time when the person has to make multiple attempts at seeking help, avoiding triggers and making a commitment to change.
That's why I believe addiction is a struggle between choice and control.
It may be a choice that begins the process, but over time the addiction takes over and begins to control the individual's rational thought. It's a conflict between the person and the mind and body that has become accustomed to their desires.
I have witnessed it in my everyday life, even when it's not about substances such as alcohol or drugs.
A lot of people have become addicted to social media, gambling, unhealthy relationship or even work and They are aware that their habit is causing them harm but They gripe about it. They vow to quit.... However, they tend to repeat the behaviour over and over again.
If it were just a matter of choice, that's enough.... but, typically it is not.
Hence, I feel that each addict requires accountability and empathy.
The more accountability, the less compassion.
When there is too much compassion and not enough accountability, it becomes excuses.
Neither of these methods can lead someone to get better.
As a person from Africa I have seen that the concept of addiction is also not well understood in our community. People are sometimes encouraged to simply ‘be strong' or ‘pray harder', but without taking into consideration the psychological and physical hurdles....
Things like Support systems, counselling and sometimes professional treatment are essential to many addictions, while faith, discipline and personal determination can go a long way.
Don't be afraid to ask for assistance because admitting the need for assistance can be one of the most courageous things one may do.
The other is that there are people that go through the same events as you and they don't become addicts... Two people can try some substance or behaviour and one person ends up becoming addicted and destructive... How vulnerable a person can be may be influenced by factors like environment, trauma, mental health, stress and even genetics....
Ultimately this should not absolve of responsibility but should remind us that each person's journey is different.
I think that addiction starts with choices and as time passes it can become more of a thing that a person can't control by themselves. Recovery is then a series of decisions: decisions to get help, decisions to engage in another attempt when it doesn't go as planned, decisions not to quit when it seems like it will never work out.
That is why I don't consider it just a choice or just a disease.
I view it as a hard and personal struggle between the personal responsibility and human vulnerability.
But sometimes winning that battle isn't enough, it takes support, understanding, and courage to continue fighting.
Image Generated with Chatgpt
