The first part of this series addressed the Good things about quitting an addiction. Part two of this four-part series addressed the GOOD reasons for NOT quitting an addiction (as perceived by the addict); this third part will address the BAD things about NOT quitting an addiction; and the final part will address ways for the addict to see themselves living a more authentic life through personal change. The personal costs to an addict can be huge depending upon the severity, intensity, and longevity of an individuals addiction. This four-part series will incorporate the physical, social, mental, and spiritual/emotional implications in each sector.

I would like to address a concern that Ive not yet addressed in the first two sectors, and that is the question, Where does a person draw the line between use and abuse in respect to addiction? For most people, there is no very clear line between abuse and addiction. The common indicator of someone being addicted usually shows up in their behaviors. Their normal way of conducting themselves would be compromised in serious ways; they would make use of poor judgment, make more risky decisions, or communicate differently (usually more aggressively) than they would when they are not under the influence. The more common indicators will show up in their lack of concern for other family members, or other people, in general (i.e., driving while intoxicated with family members in the car, putting the family and general population in jeopardy; or acting out aggressively toward family members). There would be indicators in job performance, failure to show up for work, and, for some, blackouts would be clear indications.

The clearest differentiation between abuse and addiction: abuse tends to be occasional, harmful consequences followed by reduced use; while addiction tends to have more harmful consequences as a result of use and there is no decrease in ones pattern of use (which can be different for each addict). And there is usually an increase in consequences in addition to many other behavioral signs as indicated above.

Bad Things about (NOT) Quitting Your Addiction

The Physical ramifications for not quitting your addiction are huge. Considering alcohol as the drug of choice, liver disease is high on the list of physical damage. Yet there are a host of other physical indicators that alcohol addiction is damaging your body, such as: ulcers, inflamed or cancerous pancreas, diabetes (which is becoming a serious health issue today), kidney failure, convulsions, hallucinations and voices, high blood pressure, low blood sugar, gout, lung cancer (alcoholism is probably the 3rd ranking killer after heart disease and cancer) osteoporosis, Vitamin deficiencies, brain damage, sleep disturbances, morning shakes, decreased lifespan, fetal alcohol syndrome in the offspring of women who drink during pregnancy, premature aging, impotence, inability to reach an orgasm, infertility, irregular periods, increase in birth defects and in miscarriages. Other implications might be eating disorders, obesity, and a conflict with the effectiveness of prescription medications. And alcohol often leaves an offensive body and/or mouth odor.

The Mental issues which are bad for NOT quitting an addiction begin with the damage that mood altering substances, such as alcohol, causes the nervous system, the brain. Denial is a huge mental issue with most addicts, driven by fear, very deep seeded fear that the addict believes he/she is not going to be all right without his/her thing, (which is not true). Paranoia is a deeper aspect of the mental fear that resides with many addicts. Memory loss becomes a mental challenge, and more problematic is the permanent brain damage that has become the legacy for many drug addicts. There is an increase in the addicts inability to stay focused, make clear decisions, problem solve, and communicate well. Mentally, many addicts become more aggressive verbally often resulting in more physical altercations.

The Social realities that are bad for NOT quitting an addiction have been documented in the countless divorces that result from drug addictions (as well as other addictions i.e. sexual addiction). Other social ramifications for not quitting can be the loss of the association with good friends and the admiration of co-workers; the loss of a long-standing job; financial ruin that affects creditors and community businesses, as well as financial security for the family; embarrassment for family members, especially spouses and children. Your self-integrity is put into question by others. The abusive and addictive combination in the use of alcohol and other drugs (i.e., cocaine) increases the potential of sexual indiscretion/promiscuity, resulting in failed marriages, increase in venereal disease, and moral depravity. The friends who remain will most likely encourage the addicts use because they will most likely have similar problems.

The Emotional/Spiritual disconnect is critical in an addicts inability or lack of desire to stop their addictive use. Emotionally, addicts are unstable; they use to stabilize their emotions; it helps them to deny their emotions, or it is believed to soothe them; as well they believe it can be a confidence booster in certain social situations, but it does not improve their sense of self or improve their sense of self-worth. In fact, it has the opposite effect. Spiritually, there is a disconnection with their core values and their behaviors. Life becomes more difficult because they lose the essential connection with something greater than themselves: their greater power, their God. This is one of the greatest issues I recognize when working with addicts in attempting to maintain their sobriety in whatever their addiction might be; it is their inability (or lack of desire) to connect with their spiritual nature, the core of their being that keeps them from reaching their fullest potential in self-worth to overcome their addiction.