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+The “New” Addictions!
المعاصر !االدمانSt. George & St. Joseph Coptic Orthodox Church, Montreal, QC
Family Meeting – September 25, 2015
Yousry Armanios, M.D.
Yearning for God!
"O God, you are my God, earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you, my body longs for you, in a dry and weary land
where there is no water.”(Psalm 63:1)
What’s Addiction?
• Addiction has been described or defined as "God-hunger directed to the wrong source of soul satisfaction."
• But often when our soul-craving need for God is greatest, he is the last place we turn for satisfaction!
• That’s why ALL addicts suffer!• And why those around them suffer too!
So, let’s try to understand Addiction:
What Does the Bible Say?
“All things are lawful for me, but not all things are helpful. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any.”
(1 Corinthians 6:12)
“All things are lawful for me, but not all things are helpful; all things are lawful for me, but
not all things edify.”(1 Corinthians 10:23)
What’s Meant by Addiction?
• It’s an Obsession:
Pre-Occupation with the addict’s behavior
• It’s a Compulsion:
Loss of Control over the addict’s behavior regardless of any negative consequences
What’s Meant by Addiction?
First:
It’s a Chronic Condition that negatively and seriously affects the addict’s life as well as the life of others.
What is meant by Addiction?
Second:
This Chronic Condition is about the Loss of Control over:
1. Using a pleasurable substance, and/or,
2. Doing a pleasurable act.
The “Traditional” Addictions
1. Nicotine!
2. Alcohol (Alcohol Abuse & Alcoholism)
3. Drugs (Abuse or Dependence):
(Marijuana; Cocaine; Opioids, like Heroin; Amphetamines; Benzodiazepines; Barbiturates … etc.)
The Old Testament
“Who has woe? who has sorrow? who has contentions? who has babbling? who has wounds without cause? who has redness of eyes? They that tarry long at the wine;
they that go to seek mixed wine. …”(Proverbs 23:29-35)
Addiction&
Self-Destruction!
Understanding the Addiction Cycle
Pleasure
Memory
Stress
Reward (Pleasure)
Tolerance
Depression & More Stress
(Repeat)
Seven Leading Factors!
1. Early Exposures to “Pleasure”
2. Stress & Trauma
3. Child “Spoiling” & Lack of Structure
4. Availability of Drugs & Alcohol
5. Escaping Reality!
6. Broken Homes
7. Absence of Christ
Tolerance & Depression:
• The Insidious Vicious Cycle
• Loss of Control: The Choice Factor!
• Dealing with the Consequences
• Dependence
• Depression & Anhedonia
• “Anhedonia” or “Without Pleasure” (See Ecclesiastes 12)
The Big Pleasures Today
1. Food
All Ages!
The Big Pleasures Today
2. Cell Phone Usage
More Tweens & Teens
The Big Pleasures Today
3. E-Mail Checking
Mainly Adults
The Big Pleasures Today
4. Shopping (eBay- Amazon)
More Female Adults
The Big Pleasures Today
5. E-GamesMore Boys
The Big Pleasures Today
6. Money & Gambling
Mainly Adults
The Big Pleasures Today
7. Internet Addiction (Facebook, Twitter, … etc.)
Many Teens & Most Adults
The Big Pleasures Today
8. Cybersex (Chat & Phone)
Mainly Young Adults
The Big Pleasures Today
9. Online Pornography
Mainly Teens & Adults
The Big Pleasures Today
10. Marijuana Mainly Teenagers and Young
Adults
The Big Pleasures Today
11. Shisha (Hookah)Mainly Young Females & All
Adults
The Big Pleasures Today
12. Prescription DrugsMainly Young Adults & Adults
Very Sad Facts Today!
• Marijuana has been legalized or at least decriminalized in Canada and many states in the United States
• 1 in 6 teenagers, and 1 in 11 adults become addicted to marijuana
• More young people than ever before lack awareness about marijuana’s dangers!
More Sad Facts Today!
• Less than 40% of high school seniors think marijuana use poses a great risk, down from 55% in 2003.
• More and more adolescents come to realize that cigarettes are dangerous, but they don’t believe marijuana is. (In fact, they’re both unhealthy.)
• Legalizing marijuana doesn’t change the sad facts about its dangers, especially for young people.
Prevention & Treatment:
• Childhood Balance: Love & Discipline
• Prevention: Home & Christ
• Motivation – Treatment – Spirituality
• Support: Family & Social Resources
• Church & Group Support
• Spirituality
• A Rewarding Life
Am I Addicted Myself?Dealing with the “Defenses”
• Denial
• Rationalization
• Minimization
• Procrastination
Professional Treatment
Whenever Needed!
“With God, all things are possible!” (Mark 10:27)
You Never Give Up!
Thank You
Q & A
