The Multiple Faces of ADDICTION

Obviously, addictions come in a variety of forms and faces. Most of us would think of the 'obvious' when we hear the word addiction....smoking, drinking, drugs, sex, coffee, pornography, internet, gambling, shopping and eating...plus many more.
When reading the definition of 'addict' in the dictionary, it wasn't as specific in it's classifying of the habits...but gave the core meaning of the simple word....
'to give up one's-self- to ANY strong habit...to give assent'.

My thoughts went to certain friends and family members that have struggled with addictions for years and years. Most of the addictions they fight are that of smoking, drinking alcohol, coffee and possibly over eating. I do know a few others who have specifically one addiction here and there but not many. Their addictions have NEVER influenced my love or devotion to them as family or friends. In fact, some of them are my absolute dearest friends that I love more than any other people I know. My dear neighbor, Lisa, in Idaho was one of the best women I know of...and yet, she smoked daily..drank coffee, drank beer and was the best mom on the block. For 12 years, I would sit with her every day during the beautiful weather and as she smoked, drank and smoked some more, we would watch our children play from early in the morning until late late late into the summer nights. There was seldom a day, if ever, that I didn't carry the smell of cigarette smoke home on my clothing. Thank heavens I even LOVE the smell of cigarette's...ironic, huh?
Of course, there are some habits that I find more distasteful than others...drug use, gambling, sex and pornography and stealing. But there is no explanation as to why...just personal..
And of course, I can't overlook my own terrible addictions....those that I have known about for years and those that are just currently being 'brought to light' on my behalf.
I have always loved food...and eaten way too much of it. You combine that with laziness and no desire to exercise and you have Marlys struggling with weight issues her whole life. I have gained and lost probably over 100 pounds over my lifetime...mostly with pregnancies, but also with my desire to not pass up anything in the form of a Hershey's chocolate bar, a bag of potato chips or anything Italian, Mexican or American....pretty much covers everything, right? Yeah, I love food.
I have never had a Word of Wisdom problem...although I did, at age 3, have my first taste of beer, at age 5 smoked my first and only cigarette, and just recently had my first and last sip of wine....(don't ask). I LOVE the smell of coffee, cigarette's and you can quite often see me standing at the local 7-Eleven gas pump sniffing the gas nozzle with my eyes rolled back in their sockets. Addictions??? Um, no...but simple pleasures I try to keep under wraps.
Now...remember the definition of addict??? 'To give up ones self to a strong habit - to assent'.
My sister Elaine said something yesterday that set me back on my heels a little bit. I was expressing to her the affect that music has on me...that I am emotionally driven and/or melted to uselessness by any given song at any given time. She suggested I may need to quite listening to music for a little while. Hmm....
HUH???? HOW COULD I EVER DO THAT????!!! That's like asking me to not breathe ever 5 minutes and then start up again. Yes, I am addicted to love songs... It is such an intense part of my being that I really don't think I could not listen to ANY music... so I am considering an alternative. For a time, I may need to set aside all music that reduces me to tears...a puddle within seconds, and only listen to really up-beat and happy music that makes me want to dance. At least until I get my emotional inner balance back and can hold my tears at bay. Just a thought still in the process....
I am addicted to 'the past'...memories. Especially those that are sweet and make me smile. But in those moments, I am not living today, in the present. I am letting 'today' pass me by because I am reveling in the sweetness of all the yesterdays. So, I need to quit obsessing about memories...and make today be my 'addiction of life'. And I AM Marlys Lott...not Kylie, not Kathryn and not anyone else but Marlys. I have been addicted to living through my daughters lives. Not anymore...I am Marlys.
I still love food...but I have it under control finally. I've lost 37 pounds so far; need to lose 10 more ideally...but I am no longer addicted to certain foods. I can actually do without chocolate.
I do have other 'small' addictions right now... tanning, losing weight, blogging, and repenting...not necessarily in that order....but I'm working really hard on all of them...
One last thought...
Addictions are overcome in basically three different ways. One, cold turkey...give it up all at once all at the same time never to go back. Two, weening ones self from the habit little by little until you no longer need or desire the addiction. And three, replacing the undesired addiction with a new or better desire..'addiction replacement therapy'. All three approaches have been found to be successful in treating those with addictions. Some work better than others, depending on the person in addiction therapy.
I need to find which approach or treatment will be best for me.
Not what OTHERS think is best for me, but what I think I can endure and live through.
So, therapy starts...