Addiction is a bad bargain with imaginary gains (euphoria) and real losses (sickness). Euphoria is a false, fleeting sense of well-being that makes addicts feel “high” and masks the sustained sickness of addiction. The euphoria and sickness of addiction are polar opposites that reinforce each other and trap addicts in a vicious cycle of Jekyll & Hyde mood swings that are unique for each addiction. For example:
1. Sugar creates the euphoria of feeling sweet, but the sickness of being bitter.
2. Chocolate creates the euphoria of feeling love, but the sickness of being lonely.
3. Vanilla creates the euphoria of feeling happy, but the sickness of being sad.
4. Cola creates the euphoria of feeling hydrated, but the sickness of being dehydrated.
5. Caffeine creates the euphoria of feeling energetic, but the sickness of being lethargic.
6. Alcohol creates the euphoria of feeling relaxed, but the sickness of being uptight.
7. Tobacco creates the euphoria of feeling aerated, but the sickness of being suffocated.
8. Opioids create the euphoria of feeling painless, but the sickness of being painful.
9. Hallucinogens create the euphoria of feeling wise, but the sickness of being confused.
10. Gambling creates the euphoria of feeling lucky, but the sickness of being unlucky.
Addiction is a deadly paradox. The more you know it, the more it fools you; the more you use it, the more it controls you; and the more you enjoy it, the more it hurts you. In short, addiction is hell you enjoy. To quote Virgil's Aeneid, "The descent to hell is easy."
BEWARE OF ADDICTION
Linking addiction with affliction, and craving with raving, addiction is a poison pill that makes us ill with sinister sequelae that go right to our belly, turn our mind to jelly, and make us silly willy-nilly.*
*Craving is the hallmark of addiction, and the most common addictions are a slippery slope of sweets, alcohol, tobacco, and drugs. The best way to quit alcohol, tobacco, and drugs is to first quit sweets. The sweet treats of childhood are the bedrock of deadly, adult addictions.
