Chapter 31

It is not a new concept that people with a predisposition toward addictive behavior seek purpose in their lives and feel disaffected and alienated from those unlike themselves; hence we see the openhanded, magnetic attachment to gangs, cults, drug cultures, and other forms of exclusivity. To a high degree of accuracy, one can predict the likelihood that cultural influences would help steer a person of this kind into destructive behaviors. It is important, however, to emphasize yet again that predisposition in this kind does not require future dysfunction. A good and simple illustration would be the NFL star that, though he had a crack-addicted mother and grew up in a ghetto, rose above all odds and made something out of his life.

Studies in clinical neurology indicate you can achieve almost any desired change from systematically altering the central nervous system, and addicts have mastered the art (so to speak) of chemical augmentation of the worst variety. It has been rightly said that using illegal narcotics for prolonged periods of time is biologically identical to performing brain neurosurgery with a rusty scalpel.

In treatment, initiation of the process of healing is difficult because most addicts act like grown-up, rebellious children who defy discipline and deny they have a problem. And to complicate matters, their very brains have been altered in such a way (this is where the disease aspect comes into play) so as to hinder recognition of the damaging aspects of their drug and alcohol abuse because they are only capable (at times) of remembering the good feelings produced by the “temporary chemical enhancement.” They have absolutely no idea of the severity of pain they have caused others and the general lunacy that surrounds the tornado-like damage addictive behavior causes everyone. In one sense, because of the brain and central nervous system damage an addict suffers from, he is quite incapable at times of controlling his compulsions or, life for that matter. But the sad truth is, addicts do this to themselves, unknowingly, on purpose. Once they have what in the realm of psychology is known as a “break-through,” and they are able to finally understand what’s going on, it is imperative to teach adherence to spiritual principles immediately, so as to assure the likelihood of future success.

Once the chains of addiction are broken, this is the beginning of the possibility of a brand new life with exciting opportunities. There is no cure for addiction though, and since relapse is always a dangerous potentiality, a life-long fight against these compulsions is required. The fight gets easier with time, but there will always be the danger, so one must stay on guard.

There is so much more to freedom than just being free. If a man was bound in chains in a communist country, fed next to nothing, thought he was going nowhere, and led a life of decadence (even unwillingly at times), suddenly was taken to a free country to do as he pleased… what would he do? What should he do? These are evidentiary questions that I think need to be answered by each individual honestly and openly.