A Latter-day Saint Approach to Addiction: Aetiology, Consequences and Treatment in a Theological Context
Abstract
:1. Purpose of Life
1.1. Theology of the Body
The spirit and the body shall be reunited again in its perfect form; both limb and joint shall be restored to its proper frame, even as we now are at this time…Now, this restoration shall come to all, both old and young, both bond and free, both male and female, both the wicked and the righteous; and even there shall not so much as a hair of their heads be lost; but every thing shall be restored to its perfect frame, as it is now, or in the body.(Alma 11:43–44)
As well as prohibitions:And again, verily I say unto you, all wholesome herbs God hath ordained for the constitution, nature, and use of man—Every herb in the season thereof, and every fruit in the season thereof; all these to be used with prudence and thanksgiving. Yea, flesh also of beasts and of the fowls of the air, I, the Lord, have ordained for the use of man with thanksgiving; nevertheless they are to be used sparingly; All grain is good for the food of man; as also the fruit of the vine; that which yieldeth fruit, whether in the ground or above the ground.(D&C 89:10–12,16)
That inasmuch as any man drinketh wine or strong drink among you, behold it is not good…And, again, strong drinks are not for the belly, but for the washing of your bodies. And again, tobacco is not for the body, neither for the belly, and is not good for man, but is an herb for bruises and all sick cattle, to be used with judgment and skill. And again, hot drinks are not for the body or belly.(D&C 89:5,7–9)
Some have even used as an alibi the fact that drugs are not mentioned in the Word of Wisdom. What a miserable excuse...Can anyone doubt that the taking of these mind- and body-destroying drugs is an act of unholiness? Does anyone think that the Spirit of God can dwell in the temple of the body when that body is defiled by these destructive elements [9]?
1.2. Agency
And I, the Lord God, spake unto Moses, saying: That Satan, whom thou hast commanded in the name of mine Only Begotten, is the same which was from the beginning, and he came before me, saying—Behold, here am I, send me, I will be thy son, and I will redeem all mankind, that one soul shall not be lost, and surely I will do it; wherefore give me thine honour… Wherefore, because that Satan rebelled against me, and sought to destroy the agency of man, which I, the Lord God, had given him, and also, that I should give unto him mine own power.(Moses 4:1,3)
And there stood one among them that was like unto God, and he said unto those who were with him: We will go down, for there is space there, and we will take of these materials, and we will make an earth whereon these may dwell; And we will prove them herewith, to see if they will do all things whatsoever the Lord their God shall command them….(Abraham 3:24–26 emphasis added)
Wherefore, men are free according to the flesh; and all things are given them which are expedient unto man. And they are free to choose liberty and eternal life, through the great Mediator of all men, or to choose captivity and death, according to the captivity and power of the devil; for he seeketh that all men might be miserable like unto himself.(2 Nephi 2:27)
2. Addiction
2.1. Types of Addiction
Addictions can include the use of substances such as tobacco, alcohol, coffee, tea, and drugs (both prescription and illegal), and behaviours such as gambling, co-dependency, viewing pornography, inappropriate sexual behaviour, and disorders associated with eating. These substances and behaviours diminish a person’s ability to feel the Spirit. They harm physical and mental health and social, emotional, and spiritual well-being.([12], p. 5)
2.2. Aetiology of Addiction
We should avoid any behaviour that is addictive. Whatever is addictive compromises our will. Subjecting our will to the overbearing impulses imposed by any form of addiction serves Satan’s purposes and subverts our Heavenly Father’s…We can avoid addictions by keeping the commandments of God [13].
Satan and his minions have their lures all around us, hoping that we will falter and take his flies so he can reel us in with counterfeit means. He uses addiction to steal away agency. According to the dictionary, addiction of any kind means to surrender to something, thus relinquishing agency and becoming dependent on some life-destroying substance or behaviour. Researchers tell us there is a mechanism in our brain called the pleasure centre. When activated by certain drugs or behaviours, it overpowers the part of our brain that governs our willpower, judgment, logic, and morality. This leads the addict to abandon what he or she knows is right. And when that happens, the hook is set and Lucifer takes control [14].
Some people consider addictions to be simply bad habits that can be conquered by willpower alone, but many people become so dependent on a behaviour or a substance that they no longer see how to abstain from it. They lose perspective and a sense of other priorities in their lives. Nothing matters more than satisfying their desperate need. When they try to abstain, they experience powerful physical, psychological, and emotional cravings. As they habitually make wrong choices, they find their ability to choose the right diminished or restricted.([12], p. v)
2.3. Consequences of Addiction
[Addicition] allows the person to entertain desires that selfishly disregard the consequences visited upon not only the addicted one, but also upon his loved ones. Satisfaction of the addiction becomes the ultimate priority, yet surely a greater oxymoron does not exist. There is never final satisfaction in addiction of any kind, only temporary satiation…Relationships are devalued in the addicted person’s warped new world and become obstructional to acting out. Values change to accommodate the need to sate voracious desire, and spirituality is one of the first casualties. Honesty is disregarded; lies are rationalised as necessary to protect the innocent [19].
2.4. Overcoming Addiction
When we let go of our past and release the painful energy of alienation [and suffering], Christ experiences and receives into himself the pain that we have experienced to be transformed by the light of his love. If we refuse to let go of our past histories and the pain that arises from our sins, [sicknesses and infirmities] we will continue to experience that pain. If we let go of that pain, however, then Christ experiences the very pain we release, but we no longer have to. In his Passion we find compassion.([6], p. 236)
- Step 1Admit that you, of yourself, are powerless to overcome your addictions and that your life has become unmanageable.
- Step 2Come to believe that the power of God can restore you to complete spiritual health.
- Step 3Decide to turn your will and your life over to the care of God the Eternal Father and His Son, Jesus Christ.
- Step 4Make a searching and fearless written moral inventory of yourself.
- Step 5Admit to yourself, to your Heavenly Father in the name of Jesus Christ, to proper priesthood authority, and to another person the exact nature of your wrongs.
- Step 6Become entirely ready to have God remove all your character weaknesses.
- Step 7Humbly ask Heavenly Father to remove your shortcomings.
- Step 8Make a written list of all persons you have harmed and become willing to make restitution to them.
- Step 9Wherever possible, make direct restitution to all persons you have harmed.
- Step 10Continue to take personal inventory, and when you are wrong promptly admit it.
- Step 11Seek through prayer and meditation to know the Lord’s will and to have the power to carry it out.
- Step 12Having had a spiritual awakening as a result of the Atonement of Jesus Christ, share this message with others and practice these principles in all you do ([12], p. iv. This Twelve Step Programme builds substantially on the work of Bill Wilson, Bob Smith, and the Twelve Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous [23]).
3. Conclusions
Conflicts of Interest
References and Notes
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Holt, J.D. A Latter-day Saint Approach to Addiction: Aetiology, Consequences and Treatment in a Theological Context. Religions 2015, 6, 1-13. https://doi.org/10.3390/rel6010001
Holt JD. A Latter-day Saint Approach to Addiction: Aetiology, Consequences and Treatment in a Theological Context. Religions. 2015; 6(1):1-13. https://doi.org/10.3390/rel6010001
Chicago/Turabian StyleHolt, James D. 2015. "A Latter-day Saint Approach to Addiction: Aetiology, Consequences and Treatment in a Theological Context" Religions 6, no. 1: 1-13. https://doi.org/10.3390/rel6010001