Life is almost saturated with addictions, many of which go unnoticed. Yet there's an almost impossible variety of them.
Starting with the classic addictions, like countless drugs or the socially tolerated ones such as alcohol and nicotine, there are also the more inconspicuous ones: addiction to money, our relationship with sugar, or the attempt to escape our emotional world with various aids.
So, which addiction is the worst? How can we fight them, and how do we break free?
I'd say the impact of an addiction determines how bad it is.
But that's not easy to classify, as addictions always have both internal and external effects. The damage varies accordingly.
To understand what I mean, here's a quick example.
Internally, heroin is highly destructive. Externally, family members are affected. Ultimately, the addiction impacts a limited circle.
The addiction to money, at first glance, has no negative internal consequences. Externally, however, many people are affected. Depending on how the addict behaves, thousands might be living on the breadline while the addict fills their pockets, wallowing in wealth and success. They might even be admired by society; no one seems bothered that this person exploits others daily to satisfy their craving.
Ultimately, the harm caused defines the danger.
The addiction to power is far worse; it has brought humanity much misfortune and a very bad reputation. History is full of such people, and currently, things don't look good in the East. In the West, democracy is becoming a show; in the East, digitalisation is used for control. It's enough to make you anxious about what else might be possible. I always find it perverse: one person, or a handful of people, making decisions for millions.
The perceived danger of an addiction also contributes to its overall threat.
Sugar is a good example. Children are practically hooked on it, and any company wanting to sell a lot of its product simply adds an extra portion of sugar to its offering, and off it goes.
The result of this addiction is now visible everywhere, worst of all in children who, by age 10, have liver values like alcoholics and obesity beyond imagination.
However, this problem has become visible in society, and it is hoped that measures against sugar will continue to grow steadily.
As with all addictions, not everyone reacts to them in the same way.
Those fortunate enough to have a less reactive addiction centre in their brain can practically do everything in moderation. Others would perish if they did even a fraction of the same.
Why is this so? It's probably genetic, much like depression, though different mechanisms are at play there.
How do you break free from addictions?
The best way, as with depression, is with the help of specialists who, through conversations and guidance, can help you adopt a zero-tolerance strategy to overcome the addiction over time.
Addiction understands only one language: no, not today. "A little" or "just today" is doomed to fail with addictions, or it can only exacerbate the problem.
I myself have left alcoholism and a very strong nicotine addiction behind. I used to smoke three packs of cigarettes and drank heavily three times a week. It took me a long time to become free again.
Breaking free from nicotine addiction took me three attempts and ultimately over two years until I realised my mind was finally clear.
It's also important to remember, if you're the "addictive type," that once you've truly left an addiction behind with a zero-tolerance strategy, an "addiction memory" remains as a lifelong "gift."
A few glasses of red wine, a few relaxed cigarettes, and the whole shebang comes back, stronger than ever. Your brain will then say, "Great, the mega-stuff is available again; grab it before it's gone!"
This is also why you ultimately have to adopt a zero-tolerance strategy. It's easier to find the strength for a clear "no." A "yes, but" doesn't free you from the addiction, and "a little" or "less" is a constant battle with the addiction that someone who says "no" doesn't have to fight as hard.
My tip! Separate your environment from your addictive behaviour and try to get to zero as quickly as possible through reduction. After that, it's about enduring until your brain sheds the addiction memory.