Goal

Today, I discuss people’s addictions and how far they will go to fulfill those vices. Then, we will discuss the best ways you can protect yourself.

Table of Contents

The Modern Man Is Addicted To Everything

child addicted to computer screen

We are a generation of addicts and slaves.

“Every form of addiction is bad, no matter whether the narcotic be alcohol, morphine or idealism.” – Carl Gustav Jung

To be addicted is to be “physically and mentally dependent on a particular substance, and unable to stop taking it without incurring adverse effects.” People are addicted to many things, from drugs and porn to sweets and safety.

Although many addictions have their roots in childhood trauma, they are no less damaging or dangerous. If you have enough money, charm, and manipulation, you can fulfill nearly any mental or physical desire regardless of its objective destructiveness. Additionally, modern man has all the moral, philosophical, and intellectual justification for partaking in his iniquities.

Because of access and excess, most people have a long list of addictions.

People Who Are Addicts Will Fall For Everything

Tolerate | Women smoking cigarettes'

If you are dependent on something, you will tolerate its flaws and abuses.

The identities, happiness, and physical wellbeing of addicts are tied to what they are dependent on. Virtue, sustainability, and responsibility drive a strong individual. Vices define weak individuals.

Most people are useful to the ruling classes. The elites control prescription drugs, pornography, fiat currency, and other things. People will defend and support the actions of the ruling classes as long as the elites provide the product. Once again, many addictions are not rooted in evil. Eliminating these addictions requires proper care, empathy, and help. However, our sympathy does not change the reality: when we are addicted to things, we are more likely to support morally suspect institutions, actions, and people.

For example, a porn addict will justify pornography despite its numerous societal and mental drawbacks. He will also defend the industry’s seedier parts, including its abuses, manipulation of victims, and connection to evident evils. He will protect and support porn because he needs it. This defense and support help the industry to continue without much pushback or challenge.

Addicts will hurt you to get what they want

main in pain

Weak individuals provide a narrative to themselves to justify the pain they cause.

“I admire addicts. In a world where everybody is waiting for some blind, random disaster or some sudden disease, the addict has the comfort of knowing what will most likely wait for him down the road. He’s taken some control over his ultimate fate, and his addiction keeps the cause of his death from being a total surprise.” – Chuck Palahniuk, Choke

Addicts will lie, cheat, and steal to satisfy their desires since their physical, mental, and even spiritual wellbeings are dependent on those addictions.

Let’s take a contemporary example. The government response to the COVID-19 pandemic was overblown and disastrous. The lockdowns have created economic instability, higher rates of depression, increased child and teen suicide, more domestic abuse, untreated health concerns and issues, higher rates of homelessness and hunger, and other social problems.

The response from the pro-lockdown side to these realities has been apathy, defensiveness, and arrogance. Despite the rising evidence lockdowns do not work and the virus is nowhere near as deadly as predicted, people still push the false narrative of effective lockdowns and world-ending viruses. Even though such lockdowns have ruined the lives of millions.

Why do these individuals keep pushing? Because pro-lockdown people are addicted to safety. Thus, they are willing to hurt others to achieve a level of security, even if this safety is false and unachievable. And they are eager to defend the institutions that promise them this safety.

The problem is not safety or the desire to help others. But the addiction to safety and the inability to acknowledge the realities of life or the damage one’s actions is doing to others.

As with all addicts, they are not interested in nuanced approaches. Addiction does not allow for a live and let live attitude. If the desires are strong enough, weak individuals will hurt innocent people to fulfill their needs.

Three Best Ways To Protect Yourself From Addicts

Drowning | Man in water

Do not surround yourself with people who will not help you while you’re drowning.

So, what should you do to protect yourself from addicts? Firstly, keep them out of your personal life. If a virtuous friend needs help with an addiction they are honestly trying to overcome, then help them. However, if someone is proud of their addiction, even though it ruins their lives and others, then keep them as far away from you as you reasonably can.

Secondly, take care of yourself and your finances. If you are healthy and have money in the bank, then an arbitrary lockdown or a burglary won’t ruin your life. Remember, addicts do not care if you need to feed yourself or care for your family. They will destroy you to preserve themselves. Thus, have a rainy day fund and a strong body, so you can survive any storm.

Thirdly, reduce your vices. We all have our “thing”: for me, it’s video games; for others, it’s sweet foods, recreational drugs, or television. We all have something that does not directly contribute to our health, wellbeing, and goals. Therefore, work on reducing your vices as quickly and sustainably as possible. The fewer addictions you have, the more control you have over your life. Take the one or two vices that remain and regulate them fiercely. Be your own tyrant, so you are not a slave to someone else.

Actionables

“I am, indeed, a king, because I know how to rule myself.” – Pietro Aretino

  1. What are your vices? Do you believe you are addicted to them?
  2. Are you able to go for three weeks without your vices of choice? Why not? How does it feel to try and fulfill this journey?
  3. Do you know anyone in your life who has an addiction? What can you do to help them? Are they serious about overcoming their problems?

Please remember that it’s important to do the actionables. You’re not on this earth to simply read but to do. To become an individual, you must act more than you consume.

*Image credit to Unsplash.