Is It Me or the Addiction?

Addicts are told a set of conflicting information about just what drives their addiction. 12 step groups will focus on the spiritual aspects and the disease element, while treatment facilities will tell them about chemical changes in the brain because of a substance. We are left wondering whether the drug is at fault or if there is something inside of us that is damaged. In other words, if there were no such thing as alcohol on the planet, would alcoholics find something else to abuse?

The questions comes up when we hear about pseudo-addictions. Those behaviors that don’t have a drug involved. Things like sex addiction or video game addiction – we wonder if they are just as powerful as my addiction. Is someone faking it to get out of responsibility? Or do they really feel all the cravings and emotions?

There’s an old case out of Lorain County, Ohio that springs to mind. Then sixteen, Daniel Petric was convicted of killing his mother and wounding his father. There was no question he did the deed. At issue was whether or not he was in his right mind when it happened. His lawyer claimed that he was influenced by violent movies and specifically, by the video game, Halo 3. In fact, Daniel was described as being addicted to the game. The murder occurred after his parents refused to let him play.

Was it a sixteen year old with a propensity for violence or a young man temporarily insane? The same question came before the judge deciding the case – flawed child or tragic result of addiction. While the judge didn’t rule on that exact issue, his sentence was less than it could have been. Instead of life in prison, in 2009, the judge gave him 20 years. The difference came after a psychological examination.
Still, it’s a fine line. How much is me and how much is the drug? One thing is for sure though – me + the drug is absolutely a nasty mix.