News / Health & Wellness
We’re All Addicts
It’s an interesting idea, raised by the book Addict Nation, but is it true?
Headline News’ Jane Velez-Mitchell knows a little something about addiction. As someone in recovery for alcoholism, the newswoman is aware of its pull and its dangers. In her latest book, Addict Nation: An Intervention for America, Velez-Mitchell posits that the problem is far more widespread than most people acknowledge. In fact, she suggests that we’re a nation of addicts, each addicted to some substance or behavior.
“Virtually everyone in America is hooked on something,” she insists, adding,
“Americans are being lured into a slew of addictions that are supremely self-destructive. They're making us high. They're making us overweight. They're keeping us constantly distracted. They're trivializing our most important relationships. They're putting us in debt. And they're destroying our natural world. We're all becoming slaves to our worst impulses. We are giving up our freedoms.”
Some may argue that freedom is the choice to eat, do or even smoke what we want, even if it’s bad for us. But Velez-Mitchell knows that anyone in the grips of addiction is far from free – whatever that addiction may be. Instead, that freedom comes from being free of an inescapable urge to continue to do something we know isn’t healthy or helpful. Instead, Velez-Mitchell found freedom in sobriety.
“I no longer had to worry about what inappropriate thing I might do or say as the night wore on,” she explains in her book. “I knew that the next day I would remember everything that happened at the party. I knew I would not have to phone anyone the next morning for a ‘damage assessment’ nor would I have to apologize for anything I did or said. There would be no embarrassment or remorse or worry.”
While the DSM IV – the diagnostic manual that determines what does and doesn’t constitute an official addiction – might not classify your urge to text or exercise as a true addiction, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t a problem. Addiction, by definition, is being powerless to say no to a particular substance or behavior despite long-term pain or other negative consequences.
Addiction Treatment
For those struggling with alcohol or drug abuse, help is just a phone call away. If you or someone you love is battling an addiction, call La Paloma at our toll-free number. Someone is there to take your call 24 hours a day and answer any questions you have about treatment, financing or insurance.