Systemic issues or bad apples
Today I want to introduce the topic of labeling addiction as an individual rather than a systemic issue.
I, as is true for many in this country (and other countries) get very frustrated with the number of lives which are directly and indirectly negatively impacted by addiction. It is tempting to think of the persons addicted to alcohol, other drugs, food, and sex as different from those who are addicted to power, money, or possession. Yet the primary difference is that some addictions are socially acceptable and, in fact, feed the machinery of our economic machine and some not social acceptable and drain the machinery of our economic machine. In both cases, however, the addicted person(s) is obsessed with looking to something outside of him or herself to bring them happiness or to avoid pain of some sort. All of we humans need to feel a sense of purpose and of belonging. If we are unable to find that internally or spiritually we will look to something outside of ourselves. When that does not work we may try “more” of some other person, place or thing to fill that internal void.
It seems to me that if we, as a society, want to acutely reduce addictions of all sorts we could explore:
Some addictions kill the physical body very quickly while other does so much more slowly. Some kill the soul very quickly and some do so more slowly.
I have nothing against toys. In fact I love toys but no amount or type of adult toys – big house, expensive furnishings, expensive cars, boats or even motor cycles, technical gadgets, four wheelers, big trucks, guns, kitchen equipment or even books - are going to give me more than momentary enjoyment. None of these are going to give me a sense of purpose or worth.
The 12-step program is conceived as a spiritual program of recovery – not religious but spiritual. The program offers individuals an opportunity to reclaim them and to find a sense of purpose and community. Some religions may offer the opportunity to pursue the same sense of purpose and worth. Yet, many are not finding that sense of purpose. Many advertisements are designed to convince individuals that a certain product will give individual a sense or worth or internal peace. None of these methods address the systemic nature of addiction of our culture.
It is imperative that we offer children beginning very early in their education a chance to explore a passion, which gives meaning and purpose to their lives. Furthermore it is imperative that this process
Invite children to be connected to a whole, which is inclusive – which is bigger than any one individual or small group. We must all believe that we each have some creative piece to add to the whole.
The sense of purpose and the economic system must work together and not against each other.
Written March 19, 2018
Today I want to introduce the topic of labeling addiction as an individual rather than a systemic issue.
I, as is true for many in this country (and other countries) get very frustrated with the number of lives which are directly and indirectly negatively impacted by addiction. It is tempting to think of the persons addicted to alcohol, other drugs, food, and sex as different from those who are addicted to power, money, or possession. Yet the primary difference is that some addictions are socially acceptable and, in fact, feed the machinery of our economic machine and some not social acceptable and drain the machinery of our economic machine. In both cases, however, the addicted person(s) is obsessed with looking to something outside of him or herself to bring them happiness or to avoid pain of some sort. All of we humans need to feel a sense of purpose and of belonging. If we are unable to find that internally or spiritually we will look to something outside of ourselves. When that does not work we may try “more” of some other person, place or thing to fill that internal void.
It seems to me that if we, as a society, want to acutely reduce addictions of all sorts we could explore:
- Why so many people have a difficult time believing that they have a purpose other than just surviving until they die.
- How we create an economic system which works well, but which is not dependent on many people working jobs for which they have no passion so that they can buy more stuff which forces them to work more hours at the job for which they have no passion which disconnects them from loved ones which forces them to looking for more stuff or something to numb them which.
- Not acting as if addiction to power, money or things is different than addiction to alcohol, other drugs, sex, or food.
- Not acting as if those who traffic in illegal drugs are different than those who push and traffic in legal drugs.
- Not pretending as if incarcerating or even applying a death penalty to those who traffic in illegal drugs is helping or addressing the real issue.
Some addictions kill the physical body very quickly while other does so much more slowly. Some kill the soul very quickly and some do so more slowly.
I have nothing against toys. In fact I love toys but no amount or type of adult toys – big house, expensive furnishings, expensive cars, boats or even motor cycles, technical gadgets, four wheelers, big trucks, guns, kitchen equipment or even books - are going to give me more than momentary enjoyment. None of these are going to give me a sense of purpose or worth.
The 12-step program is conceived as a spiritual program of recovery – not religious but spiritual. The program offers individuals an opportunity to reclaim them and to find a sense of purpose and community. Some religions may offer the opportunity to pursue the same sense of purpose and worth. Yet, many are not finding that sense of purpose. Many advertisements are designed to convince individuals that a certain product will give individual a sense or worth or internal peace. None of these methods address the systemic nature of addiction of our culture.
It is imperative that we offer children beginning very early in their education a chance to explore a passion, which gives meaning and purpose to their lives. Furthermore it is imperative that this process
Invite children to be connected to a whole, which is inclusive – which is bigger than any one individual or small group. We must all believe that we each have some creative piece to add to the whole.
The sense of purpose and the economic system must work together and not against each other.
Written March 19, 2018
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