If habits become addictions, is that good or is it bad?

6
1.5K followers

Does a habit always lead to addiction?

Should all habits that turn into addictions be viewed as negative outcomes?

Can a habit turned addictive become advantageous to others in society?

The definition of addiction is - the factor condition of being addicted to a particular substance, thing or activity. Prime examples of this includes,
drugs, tobacco and gambling which are usually viewed as negative.

According to Jeanette Swanson in an article for "the fix" on 10/14/14, She
stated: "Most of what we call addictions these days are simply behaviors
that get reinforced and lead to adverse consequences."

A 2004 JAMA Article stated that the leading causes of death in 2000, according to CDC mortality data, were tobacco use, poor diet, physical inactivity and
alcohol consumption. In other words, over 35% of all deaths could have been avoided if people had changed their behavior.

The correct response to Question #1 would have to be something on the
scale of "probably, but not necessarily. This reaction should be with the
caveat that with the individual's cooperation and a strong support system,
the chances are relatively good that a behavior modification would enhance
the chance for recovery.

It would appear to me that Question #2 is one that requires two trains of
thought:

(1) The individuals involved in the stigma of being viewed as people who
have a drinking or drug use problem with very negative outcomes expected
by society are many. Granted, there are individuals who are either not ready
to change their behavior or will not listen to advice from family, coworkers
or even medical personnel. However, the good feelings, even temporary,
are apparently so great that things like divorce, loss of job, loss of house,
and car repossession doesn't faze the individual at this point.

(2) Here, I want to relate several personal stories that fit this discussion
to a tee:

a. My step-father was an alcoholic and I can tell you some stories
that would curl you hair. He was the type that when he was sober, he was
as fine a person as I have ever been around. He was not book-smart,
by worldly smart. He only finished the eighth grade and his Mom and Dad
died and he was raised by his sister. He went into the Coast Guard during
World War II and made seven crossings of the Atlantic before being injured
during a storm. His injury was such that he had to be medically discharged
and left from the hospital with a suitcase filled with pain-killers and became
addicted. He switched from drugs to alcohol which placed him in greater risk.
Before leaving on my own after graduating High School, I got whipped, beaten with a strap and with his fists. This happened to my two brothers and my Mom
also. The next day he didn't remember anything that happened.

b. While I was in the Navy, I was stationed in Washington, D.C. and
served on the Alcohol Review Board with another Senior Petty Officer and
a Lieutenant Commander. We met weekly to review Service Records
of Navy Personnel suspected of Alcohol Abuse and decide whether to
order them into Rehab, mainly based on evaluations done by Medical
Personnel at Hospitals where they had been sent. I also, attended several
seminars and the horror stories told by recovered alcoholics would shock
a lot of people. As it happened, the other Senior Chief on the board was a
recovered alcoholic and he received a BA from University of Maryland with
a B+ average and drinking in secret all the time. He was discovered in
Japan one morning staggering down the center line of a super highway
where the traffic was driving 70-80 miles per hour. Very lucky he didn't get
hit.

Regarding Question #3, it should be pointed out that not all addictions
are bad. I believe that each of us have been programmed to think of
the term addiction as bad. But, by viewing it a different lens, it has so many
good qualities that counteract the negative connotation.

If and when, a positive outcome occurs as a result of any form of addictive actions, this is when the positive benefit appears. An example, would appear
to be when a parent uses words like "no" and "don't", there is a positive
outcome if the child minds. The main reason they are used is to hopefully
educate the child on safety precautions.

I would like to think that being a member of WA is in fact a habit and could
turn into an addiction. I know , in my case, that it is like a drug in pulling
me into a different state of mind, but in a positive sense. The burning
desire to succeed at WA and to help others also are the driving force
behind my actions. The only major drawback is that while the enticement
is great, I also have to mediate the time to devote to the business and
also have time for family.

While realizing the necessary actions required to become successful,
the moderation of all our overall actions have to be incorporated into
the grand scheme of things to ensure that we are not going off the
deep end!

In closing, I will leave you with this:

Two men were sitting in a bar at 10 AM discussing "social drinking" and
one man said, "I know it's early, but I think I will have a drink" and the
other man said, "SOCIAL I".

Until next time..................................................................................!



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Recent Comments

12

Ken you're an exceptional writer, and I am impressed.
I need a person like you to guide me through publishing my first ebook! Wow! This is awesome! Are you that partner?

Cheers, Louisa B

Hey Louisa,
I will do everything I can to help. but I am trying to get my first
ebook written. Maybe send me a PM and let me know what's
up and maybe I have some info in that regard.

Thanks for the glowing comments and I am just trying my best.

Your Friemd,
Ken

Ken, you never knows what little angel that is so helping and caring.

I will do so, and thank you!

Have a pleasant moment!

Cheers,

Hey Louisa,
You are so welcome and thanks for the great comments and like.

Your Friend,
Ken

Likewise!

Cheers,

Louisa B

Great post Kenneth, I really enjoyed reading this post and found it very interesting. I only hope that your step dad only ever hit you all once and only once before you got out of there. xx

Hey Michael,
That is so true, but too many times people look it the wrong way
an do not understand how complex it really is.
Cheers,
Ken

Depending on the result and benefits. Some addictions can be good Ken!

Hey Mike,
This is a real tricky maneuver and your corrective actions must
be on point. Care must be taken to handle the situation with
"kid gloves" so the person does not end up worse off.Thanks for sharing.
Cheers,
Ken

Great share and If you get addicted to something and loose focus on life, you could loose everything including your dreams,

For me addiction, also means something that causes neglect in other areas of life. WA, for example, would not be good if the desire for ranking caused someone not to pay bills resulting in the the loss of utilities. Addiction extinguishes some area of life to be satisfied.

Hey Jim,
Thanks for the comment. You are certainly correct in that
regard. Many times people want to help and get the total
opposite result they were seeking.
Cheers,
Ken

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