An Essay on Addiction and Causes Therein (was for class)

One subject the book pays mind to is the fact that many people can become addicted to things that stimulate their brain without taking a psychoactive drug into the body.

Some of the behaviors discussed are the following addictions: compulsive gambling, sex and love, internet (5-10% population), and compulsive spending/shopping. 

What I find interesting is that those I know who have experienced some of these addictions (compulsive spending/shopping and gambling) have also had other more serious addictions (alcoholism). 

So, I suppose the question I have to ask is this: is it the activity or the substance that is more dangerous (in this case) or is it the person, them self?

For you see, those "addicts" aren't addicts because they simply "can't control themselves" on the greater part... 

To me, it seems they let themselves fall into the snares of addiction so that they can escape the emptiness of a life that is not full. 

Rather than trying to lead a more fulfilling life, they give up and give in to something that will allow them briefly to forget and have a sort of fleeting happiness.

So, then, when we look at a community or a nation and say, "Why is there this drug problem?  How do we stop it?"

Should we answer only by trying to keep the drugs away from the people?

Won't there always be some cheap way to get a high and forget about life that doesn't involve a pill or some leaves?

Shouldn't we then seek to go to the root of the problem?  Head to the source? 

And what is that source?

Well, in my book, it could very well be a society that advocates and idolizes perfect looks, lots of money, promiscuity, and violence.

What happens then when one ages, has a bad financial loss, gets an STD, isn't born beautiful?

Then doesn't one feel broken?  And wouldn't one feel broken anyway in a society where one's existence isn't explained?

When the deepest questions in one's heart:  "Who am I?"  "Where did I come from?"  "Why does it all exist?"  "Why am I here?"

When these deepest questions aren't answered, how can one lead a fulfilling life?  And when one doesn't lead a fulfilling life, what does one do?  One tries to find that fulfilling life and the truth therein, or one tries to forget there is any trouble at all.  The latter is usually the choice advertised and taken up.

And who is to blame?

Obviously, the people who make the choice, but they are not alone in the cause.

Those given the responsibility to lead what a nation sees and to determine what is allowable on the air and in the advertisements make it an awful lot easier for those people to forget the great questions of life and to sink into a less than meaningful existence.

This is a long post, but not a pointless one.  If you are reading, understand me well: there is such a thing as truth.  Life isn't a meaningless pursuit we all should just try enjoy while it lasts because it'll all just end and we'll all just die like an old dog and that'll be that.

Human beings have souls.  What are they?  And where did they come from?  In fact, where did the whole Universe even come from?  Ever wonder that?  Well, try.

Try to wonder!  Try to think!  Don't lose that curious, hopeful part inside of you! 

There is more to this Universe than a random explosion somewhere in the dark for no reason at all.