One night, I decided to watch a VH1 series on the self-destruction of rock stars. Each star’s rise to fame took a similar path. First, there was a major disconnect with family through absence, abuse, or tragedy, resulting in an early loss of innocence. Music became an outlet of creativity and expression. A sudden rise in fame was followed by a long and dark journey into drugs, sex, and basic self-destruction. The end result was near or actual death.
The pattern repeated with such familiarity that it became old. I kept thinking, “Why don’t these guys get it? They all make the same mistakes and end up destroyed.” Empty and searching for meaning, they tried to deal with the powerlessness of their lives. No amount of money, sex, or fame filled the empty spots in their souls. Yet, the “solution” was always the same -- drugs.
And then I thought, these rock stars are no different than most of us. In fact, they are “most of us” who get caught up in something bigger than we can control. They open themselves to wrong influences to fill a void. Can you relate?
The question is why, as harmful as these substances are, do so many people turn to them? Don’t they know drugs always lead to a dead end? Don’t they see the terrible destruction brought on by addiction?
Substance abuse isn’t exclusive to rock stars. It affects people you care about or possibly you. Most people think that substance abuse develops out of a need to escape problems, pain, or bad feelings. But our need to escape is universal, so there must be more involved.
While we know substance abuse may be predisposed by factors of heredity, interpersonal power helps explain the lure. Feelings of personal inadequacy, an inability to regulate emotions and cope with conflict are unpleasant to experience. Consequently substances offer temporary solutions -- immediate gratification, anesthesia, removal of inhibitions, and yes, power.
The desire for power led to Satan’s ousting from Heaven. He saw God’s glory, desired to be like Him, becoming His enemy. Power was one of the temptations Satan brought before a fasting Jesus in the wilderness. Satan offered Jesus the world if He would fall down and worship him. Satan tried to coerce Jesus into accepting immediate gratification and fame. He tried to thwart the plan of redemption. He tried to deceive and then destroy.
He uses this formula with all of us. The power he offers is for temporal things of the world. He offers importance, fame, control, money, sex, and more. But his power comes with a price -- ultimate destruction of the soul. Substance abuse destroys. It is not a long-term solution to anything.
In order to overcome any addiction, you must begin with the belief that only God can fix your feelings of inadequacy. Refuse to be tempted by anything the world offers as a solution to your emptiness. Don’t allow yourself to be deceived. The only real power is that of the Cross. Because of His great love for you, Jesus triumphed over deception, destruction, and death. In your weakness, He is made strong and that is why surrender is the first step in healing.
~ Dr. Linda
For more articles by Dr. Linda Mintle, visit her web site at www.drlindahelps.com and receive her free e-newsletter and twitter updates.