loneliness

A popular doctor/tv personality/columnist recently had an article about substance abuse and addiction. One of the components he identified as primary as a person slides into addiction is loneliness. It made me think about the issues I identify as components of addiction in Broken by Addiction, Blessed by God. The components I identify are highlighted as STIGMA-S=self image;T=traditional roles; I=ineffective communication; G=grief and loss/guilt and shame; M=medical issues; A=anger and abuse.

 As I thought about loneliness as a component of addiction I agreed that it is a factor in every one of the STIGMA issues. If we have a negative image of ourselves, we withdraw and are lonely. If our traditional roles control our lives and frustrate us, we are isolated and lonely. If our communication with others is not open, honest and intimate, we withhold our true feelings and are lonely. Grief and loss/guilt and shame are probably the loneliest feelings in the world.  Medical issues include depression, anxiety and all mental health issues that make us feel like we don't belong. And anger and abuse lead us to lies and lonely, secret lives.

This loneliness is one reason self help groups work in moving people into recovery. It fills a void to talk with people, to connect with people who are struggling with the same issues we are. We feel less alone--less lonely.

And remember---as emphasized in my book Filling the God-shaped Void --"There is a God-shaped void in the heart of every man (woman) which cannot be filled by any created thing, only by God the creator made known through Jesus Christ." I truly believe that. The loneliness in our soul that we try to fill with booze and drugs and other compulsive behaviors, can only truly be filled in our relationship with God.

We are not alone. You are not alone.

Blessings-Penny