Addiction, what is it?

Reflecting on the word addiction. Looking at this word different from the way its been presented and defined. Often when the word addiction is mentioned we think of drugs, alcohol, gambling, sex or something like that. I would venture to say or think the word relationship is appropriate.  It’s like we are in a relationship with who or what ever; allowed ourselves to be engaged to something or someone to use and abuse us. I am talking about THINGS outside of us. Then it affects us on the inside and outside, our bodies and minds. We are consumed. Lets continue to explore this word addiction. According to the center on addiction a research based site the following is the definition.

“Addiction is a complex disease, often chronic in nature, which affects the functioning of the brain and body. It also causes serious damage to families, relationships, schools, workplaces and neighborhoods. The most common symptoms of addiction are severe loss of control, continued use despite serious consequences, preoccupation with using, failed attempts to quit, tolerance and withdrawal. Addiction can be effectively prevented, treated and managed by healthcare professionals in combination with family or peer support.”as://www.centeronaddiction.org/addiction

So, we got that out of the way. We don’t have to claim addiction if we don’t want to. We can disown it if we want. How you say? By seeing it exactly for what it is; something, a relationship that we break up from and put out of our lives. We have the power to do that. We can notice the situations and circumstances of addiction and its adverse affect on our lives and recognize IT as an entity that we allowed to invaded space in our lives. Then we can focus, recognize the solution rather than the problem, addiction, not YOU. Sounds simple I know. I think more and more emphasis is placed on intervention, research of the problem rather the solution. The problem is not difficult to see. Its every where. We can identify all the negative affects, much like the definition above. Can we discern that addiction is a mind constructed idea that keeps us bound on the inside and acting it out on the outside. We can challenge all ideas in our mind and disown them. Some say I have an addiction. We can say we are challenged with addiction without owning it as our own. We can benefit from healthcare professionals and family members. Ultimately the choice is ours if we want to be totally free of addiction and everything that goes with it.