Why Do Humans Get Addicted So Easily? A Piece of Wisdom from Founders of AA

Whether it’s alcohol, cell phone, chocolate, social media, stress, work, people, or adrenaline – if you have tried to break an addiction, you know that it’s not enough to just stop. Stopping is relatively easy. The hard part is not to start again.

Bill Wilson, a co-founder of AA, said when people stop one addiction, they often replace it with something else – very quickly.

How often have some of us begun to drink in this nonchalant way, and after the third or fourth, pounded on the bar and said to ourselves, “For God’s sake, how did I ever get started again?” AA’s Big Book.

?

What is at the root of addiction?

Bill Wilson pointed to a curious paradox – an addict will remain an addict for as long as they believe that they can stop at any moment. When you believe that you have power over whatever you are addicted to, you can’t stop.

The founders of AA discovered that the reason we go back to the same old self-destructive behavior is that deep down we believe that through it we can control life.

For example, I can become passive-aggressive and start pouting when I feel offended because I believe that this will induce the other person to meet my needs.

The reason I get addicted to work is that I believe that through overperforming I can control how good I feel about myself.

The reason I reach out for this next piece of chocolate against my better judgement is that I believe I can control my mood from outside in.

I believe in my own power. I believe I am God.

What is the best time-tested way get out of addiction?

There is an interesting story in AA’s Big Book about an American businessman who went to Carl Jung to help him get out of his addiction.

He finished his treatment with unusual confidence… he had acquired such a profound knowledge of the inner workings of his mind and its hidden springs that relapse was unthinkable. Nevertheless, he was drunk in a short time. AA’s Big Book

Going back to the doctor, he begged him to tell him the whole truth – why can’t I recover?

Carl Yung said:

“You have the mind of a chronic alcoholic. I have never seen one single case recover, where that state of mind existed to the extent that it does in you.’’ Our friend felt as though the gates of hell had closed on him with a clang.

Don't worry. The Big Book says this man recovered and lived a long and happy life. He didn’t need to lock himself up or have a bodyguard.

He could go anywhere he wanted to as long as he was willing to maintain one simple attitude: “I am powerless over my addiction.”

When he heard that he was a hopeless business he had a profound spiritual transformation which, according to the founders of AA, is THE ONLY SOLUTION.

What does it mean to go through a spiritual transformation?

Spiritual transformation happens when we come to the end of ourselves and accept that there’s a Power greater than us.

Paradoxically, the only way to break an addiction is to relinquish control. As long as I believe that I am in control, it’s not going to work.

The moment I give up my belief that I am almighty and acknowledge that there is a Power greater than me, I can let go of control. I can start trusting.

I don’t need to pout when offended, hoping that the other person will second-guess my thoughts and meet my needs. I can’t control others. I have no power here. I can rely on a greater Power to meet my needs.

And I can skip this piece of chocolate even though it feels like a little death. I don’t need to fill myself up from outside in. There is a Power greater than me – I will rely on it, and it will fill me from inside out.

Join my blog and be inspired by reading about psychology, spirituality, philosophy, and great literature!