In his forthcoming book, "John Daly: My Life In and Out of the Rough," John Daly confesses how he has lost between $50 million and $60 million during 12 years of gambling. After going through and talking about how his life has been out of control, and admitting his addiction, he talks about the changes he is making. It would seem that he is on the road to recovery. Then he unbelievably says this:
I plan to go to the $25 slots in the casinos and "set a walkout loss number," which would tell him that it's time to leave. "If I make it a little bit then maybe I move up to the $100 slots or the $500 slots, or maybe I take it to the blackjack table," he wrote. "It's their money. Why not give it a shot, try to double it? And if I make a lot, I can ...
"Well, that's my plan."
Great plan, John. How about--STOP GAMBLING! (See the full story at: http://www.dfw.com/mld/dfw/sports/14477244.htm.)
Why is it that we live in such denial about sin and addiction?
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8 comments:
Addicted people live in denial because they think THEY are bigger and stronger than their problem. It is a lie Satan spoonfeeds them, AND THEY BELIEVE IT. The alternative to believing the lie means doing something about it..... something that is painful and slow. (Remember our society wants a pill to take or a quick fix without pain or effort.)
An addicted person has a tough time hearing the voice of reason...because the addiction talks much louder than reason and godliness.
A great AA definition: Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again, expecting different results.
Queen,
You are so right that our society wants quick fixes. Remember the two week intensive course I mentioned on prayer? Or my favorite--lose 50 pounds in two weeks without even trying!
James
If only you could take the blue pill and know everything is going to be ok when all goes awry.
And James, that 50 pound thing would be nice, but if it sounds too good to be true, sadly it generally is :/
-Matt
Matt,
Yes, we easily overestimate our willpower. God can help us overcome through prayer and the Holy Spirit, but he also tells us to flee temptation. There are certain things we can't handle.
James
James,
This is a subject I am very passionate about. Thanks for asking the tough questions and also to those willing to answer them.
Speaking as a man who not only has been delivered from addictions (yeah God), but also is in a Christian recovery program for accountability from them, I've always felt there are two kinds of individuals (on the topic of addiction).
First, there are those who are fortunate enough to have never felt the temptation of some of the bigger ones, gambling, alcohol/substance, sexual, etc, and many times can't understand how someone gets to the point where they have an "addiction." While I envy their strength, it's hard to convey exactly what an addiction does to someone.
Second, there are individuals who suffer from addictions, usually hit rock bottom and have to make a choice. Does one continue on in the destructive behavior, covering things up believing no one will understand, or, although difficult, does one come clean, face the fact that we're all flawed and nothing without the grace of God?
Sounds like an easy answer, however, it keeps athiests, Jews, Christians, politicians, waitresses, truck drivers, etc., from doing the right thing.
Satan tells us that even in a recovery program, we're the worst one and there's at least one thing no one will understand. It hinders and keeps us from healing.
Queen has some great points and hits it right on the head with "addicted people live in denial because they think THEY are bigger and stronger than their problem."
It's all about control, pushing the edge, that rush that goes with it. Eventually you're juggling too many aspects of live and lying to yourself. They come down and when they do some of these things break often times beyond repair.
I would recommend anyone who happens upon this post and is in need of recovery check out www.celebraterecovery.com, the program taken from Rick Warren's book, The Purpose Driven Life.
God understands and you're not alone.
Thanks again James, you rock.
Vasquez - thanks for the openness and sharing. You are right--Satan does not want confession. He wants us to hide in fear, which prevents true healing and help that we need to overcome sin (by the way, all sin is addicting, not just the "big ones" like drugs, sex, etc.). We appreciate the recovery link, too.
Miss you already, but this blog can help us stay connected and share experiences.
Young Ignorance,
You are right that God can help us overcome any addiction. Romans 6 speaks of God breaking the slavery that sin causes through baptism, in which God's spirit comes to live inside of us. We can quench the Spirit, so it is not automatic. But if we ask God for help, he will help. But we must be willing to ask.
Hi,
I read this article. This motivates people with low economic background to take treatment and get rid of addiction. Thank you
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detta
Comprehensive resources for those looking for recovery from addiction.
http://www.addictionrecovery.net
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