January 06, 2026

Season 9: Episode 97 - What is Addiction?

45 minutes

Click here to read the episode highlights.

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In this new season, “What is Addiction” we will focus on three main aspects of addiction:

what addiction is

how addiction operates

what recovery entails

What is addiction?

Addiction is a counterfeit substitute for the normal desire for fulfillment and relief-seeking.

Addiction actually robs us of the legitimate fulfillment and relief that we seek.

Addiction prevents us from seeing who we are made to be and blocks us from doing what we are made to do.

Addiction is a thief that steals, kills, and destroys.

Addiction defined

Addiction is a set of behaviors that eventually result in negative outcomes and yet the person continues in the behavior, without admitting that the problem is beyond their own control to change it or stop it.

Addiction as a sickness:

In 1957 the American Medical Association concluded that addiction fit the categories to be classified as a disease, not a moral, intellectual, or will power failure. Alcoholics Anonymous had been operating under the conclusion that addiction was a sickness that required a relational and spiritual “cure” since 1935.

The AMA stated that addiction, like all diseases, is a morbid process, with a characteristic set of symptoms, of known or unknown origin, that is chronic, progressive, and often fatal.

Addiction is specifically marked by denial, blame, and projection. Ultimately, a self-diagnosis is required for recovery to a normal life and lifestyle.

Addiction is not:

An intellectual problem. Everyone who is addicted to any substance or process uses “artful” logic to continue and justify their actions.

A will power problem. Everyone who is addicted is able to continue to operate, usually like “normal”, while being burdened by the “secrecy” of what is actually going on.

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By Dr. Chip Dodd & Bryan Barley

4.9

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