The first description of addiction in the dictionary explains that addiction means a formal award by a magistrate of a thing or person to another person (as the award of a debtor to his creditor); a surrender to a master; "under Roman law addiction was the justification for slavery"
We probably understand addiction better today as an abnormally strong craving or dependence on drugs, alcohol, sex or gambling. It’s interesting the origin of the word coming from Roman law & how it was a justification for slavery. It’s possible to understand the connection with slavery as an addiction makes us slaves. It takes away our free will, our freedom to choose.
An addiction is very difficult to break free from & in particular if there is a part of it that involves taking or viewing something physical either drugs, alcohol, cigarettes or pornography, it seems to compound the addiction. One of the things that happens when you attempt to break the cycle is that there is space created in your life. Unfortunately, it’s not a comfortable feeling, the addiction makes this space an uneasy place. The risk is that you can’t stand the space created & you return to the addiction.
One of the very effective ways of dealing with the space created is to mediate on the Holy Face of Jesus. By spending time in front of the Face of Jesus you allow Jesus to accompany you during this very difficult time.
John 8;34-36
Jesus said to them, I am telling you the truth: everyone who sins is a slave of sin. A slave does not belong to a family permanently, but a son belongs there for ever. If the Son sets you free, then you will be really free.
Jesus assures us that he can free us. Sitting with Jesus acknowledging that we cannot free ourselves from addiction is the step required to allow Jesus to lead us to freedom. No matter how many setbacks, always return to the Holy Face of Jesus. Miracles will happen.