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Not-So-Obvious Addictions

When we think of addiction, we think of drugs, alcohol, pornography, and gambling. While these addictions may be the most severe and evil, they are not the only ones that can control our lives. Elder M. Russell Ballard said in Conference of October 2010, "Remember, brothers and sisters, any kind of addiction is to surrender to something, thus relinquishing agency and becoming dependent. Thus, video-gaming and texting on cell phones need to be added to the list." These activities are only two on a long list of not-so-obvious addictions:
  • Facebook, blogs, and any other online activity that monopolizes your time
  • Work
  • Shopping
  • Food
  • Exercise and dieting
  • TV and movies
  • Dating and romance
  • Games on your phone, iPod, tablet, or computer
  • Music
Anything can become an addiction if it takes over your time and willpower; it does not have to be overtly sinful, like drugs. Remember, there is opposition in all things, meaning everything can be good or evil depending on how you use it. Be aware of Satan's sneaky traps to get you to turn something harmless into something harmful.

Challenge: Assess your activities to see if there are any hidden addictions in your life and get rid of them!
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Comments

Anonymous said…
facebook and internet- music and ready mormonlight and nishimono letter- and food- my addictions-DAD
January 15, 2012 at 9:59 PM
Amy said…
While alcohol and drug addiction are more severe and can dramatically effect ones health, addictions to things like the internet, shopping, work, etc should not be ignored. They are just as serious addictions. I personally was addicted to shopping and because of this I accumulated a lot of debt. I have since learned to manage my addiction. The website http://onlineceucredit.com/edu/social-work-ceus-cs offers great advice for controlling spending. I have slowly begun to pay off my credit card debt. I guess my point is that even though it may not seem like that big of a problem because it is not a heavy addiction like drugs, you should still seek help for your addiction.
March 22, 2012 at 3:48 PM
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