The Crisis of Addiction

Addiction is one of those topics we just have to address. We are seeing such tragedy with respect to drug or alcohol abuse and addiction, and it seems to be spreading like wildfire. Are any of you fortunate enough that you never knew anyone struggling with addiction? Do you, like me, feel like it is almost reaching epidemic proportions?

I believe it was during Lent this year when I first heard a theory by Matthew Kelly of Dynamic Catholic (found here), about our current problems with addiction. He proposed that as popular culture promotes instant gratification and self-serving strategies for life, it is no wonder that addiction is on the rise. He further warns that it is likely to get much worse.

As I thought about his theory, it became so clear to me. I have received too many messages about former students who lost their lives to overdoses and similar tragic events. It was beginning to feel hopeless. But the first step to fixing a problem is understanding its cause. I am energized by the possibility that this is it! Of course, when a young person has been taught about morality with the advice to “do whatever feels good in the moment,” it isn’t a big leap to rationalize that it’s okay to use drugs or alcohol, just to feel better, and maybe to ease the burdens of life. Combine that with the increasing sophistication of the drug trade, with their “advances” in the potency and delivery of their products …and we get to this place.

Okay, so here we are. The question is, what are we going to do about it? What is the remedy for the distorted reality of a popular culture? Do any of you have ideas?

Reading about St. Monica and her struggle gives me inspiration. Monica was devastated about the society that her son experienced in Carthage. Well, I think was are all living in Carthage today. But Monica and Augustine were led to St. Ambrose, who changed their lives forever. Yes, I believe that God guides us to those people who we need to meet, and He guides them to be who we need them to be. This means we also have a responsibility to accept when God wants us to fill the role of St. Ambrose in someone else’s life.

So, following St. Monica’s lead, we certainly start with prayer. With the grace of St. Monica’s intercession, we might begin to hear God guide us to real solutions. If we learn to listen to God speaking to us, He will help us find the way, even in such a daunting task as trying to change the trends of popular culture.

Lord, we know that You have a plan for us, and we want to do Your will. Please guide us to be St. Ambrose for all the Augustine’s in our lives. Help us to follow St. Monica’s example and persist in our efforts to bring those we love back to Your fold.