Causes Of Drug Addiction

QUESTION: What are some causes of drug addiction?

ANSWER:

One of the typical causes of drug addiction is the inability to cope with crisis. Loss, disappointment, feelings of rejection, loneliness, and failure frequently lead to physical and emotional symptoms. As symptoms of headaches, tension, sleeplessness, and depression increase, medications become a solution. Some will get prescriptions from a physician or try to medicate themselves.

In Zach’s case, drugs were readily available. “The divorce was hard on my mom, and she needed her pills to help her handle the kids and her two jobs. Sometimes we had to get Mom her medicine to help her feel better.” As a child, Zach became codependent, habitually covering up for his addicted mother. As a parent, Zach justified “using drugs in order to be a good dad who wouldn’t beat the kids.”Like Zach, most people deal with crisis according to their background.

Unique features and patterns direct individuals down a deceptive path of addiction. When Alyce was a child, her mother left the family. Her father’s alcoholism contributed to a dysfunctional environment. “By the time I entered high school, I was moved around to five foster homes. Sometimes, I was taken to Sunday school where I heard how God helped other people with problems.” Alyce’s life as a wife and mother began well. But, as the years passed, Alyce started drifting away from her faith. “Something was missing in my life, and I only wanted to deaden the pain.” When her habitual drinking failed to numb the hurts, she tried cocaine. The crack addiction stole her reputation, self-respect, and even her children. In seeking to escape her problems, Alyce was lured into deeper destruction. “They promise freedom, but they themselves are slaves to sin and corruption. For you are a slave to whatever controls you” (2 Peter 2:19).

Drug Addiction Terms

• A compulsion is a pressure that affects both the mind and the behavior. To the addict, this impulse to act, regardless of the rationality or consequence, appears irresistible. He will feel driven -- even forced -- to pursue a prescribed thought or action.
• A habit is an acquired behavior that becomes part of a person. It is not always compulsive or harmful. A habit, or inclination to perform an activity repeatedly, can be either beneficial (exercise) or detrimental (smoking).
• Addiction is derived from addict, a legal term meaning “to sentence or bind over” as a person is bound by a law or restraining order. The drug addict feels compelled, or tempted, to habitually use substances and to lose control.

Does the Bible address the causes of drug addiction?

• We are God’s exquisite creation, “fearfully and wonderfully made” (Psalm 139:14a, NIV).
• Drug addiction depreciates and destroys life. Satan uses deception (2 Corinthians 4:4) and doubt (Revelation 12:9-10) to degrade man who was created in God’s image (Genesis 1:27).
• Jesus, God the Son, is well-acquainted with temptation (Luke 4:1-13). While Satan tempts, he cannot compel us to disobey God or habitually sin (1 John 3:8-9). God never tempts us (James 1:13-15), and He will provide an escape from every addiction (1 Corinthians 10:13).
• Only God can meet our every need (Psalm 23).