The Logic of Addiction

Paul:"Adjustment disorders are simply asking the question: Who held you when you were young? Who held you that wanted to hold you? ... In my case, there was no one. Mom and Dad were workaholics... Dad was often angry... Mom came from a family where nobody held each other.

So I grew up feeling, at a very deep level, disconnected... So when I had my first candy bar, it was easy to fall in love with that. It was something that made me feel good. And from then on, I got addicted to everything that ever made me feel good. After food came touch... then I found cigarettes, then booze, then weed... then work. And I got addicted to it all.

I’m 79 years old now, and I’m realizing... of course I became an addict. It was the most logical next step... to find some way to not be lonely.

All of my addictions... have all worked to make me not need addiction. And any addictions I have today are positive, healthy ones. Things like Tai Chi and Qi Gong and meditation... having joy in my life and bringing people into my life that I can love and be held by."