Addiction is a bad bargain. The addict pursues imaginary gains, but suffers real losses. The imaginary gain of addiction is euphoria, which is a false heightened sense of well-being. The real loss of addiction is sickness. The gap between the euphoria of addiction and the sickness of addiction creates insatiable cravings, frustration, anger, and violence.
Each addictive substance creates its own unique type of euphoria and sickness. For each addictive substance, the unique type of euphoria and sickness are polar opposites. For example:
1) Alcohol creates the euphoria of relaxation and confidence, while at the same time, alcohol creates the sickness of anxiety and despair.
2) Tobacco creates the euphoria of aeration and relaxation, while at the same time, tobacco creates the sickness of suffocation and desperation.
3) Coffee and tea create the euphoria of mental energy, while at the same time, coffee and tea create the sickness of mental lethargy.
4) Cola creates the euphoria of hydration and energy, while at the same time, cola creates the sickness of dehydration and apathy.
5) Chocolate creates the euphoria of feeling loved, while at the same time, chocolate creates the sickness of feeling love-starved.
6) Honey and sugar create the euphoria of sweetness and peace, while at the same time, honey and sugar create the sickness of bitterness and anger.
7) Marijuana and hashish create the euphoria of knowledge and wisdom, while at the same time, marijuana and hashish create the sickness of confusion and paranoia.
8) Methamphetamine creates the euphoria of energy and strength, while at the same time, methamphetamine creates the sickness of exhaustion and weakness.
9) Pain medicine creates the euphoria of feeling healthy and pain-free, while at the same time, pain medicine creates the sickness of being fragile and hypersensitive to pain.
The imaginary gain (euphoria) and the real loss (sickness) of addiction reinforce each other. Euphoria lures you into and blinds you to sickness. And sickness increases your craving for euphoria. Ironically, addictive substances cause and aggravate the very sickness they seem to cure. For example:
1) The sickness created by alcohol (anxiety and despair) increases your craving for the euphoria created by alcohol (relaxation and confidence).
2) The sickness created by tobacco (suffocation and desperation) increases your craving for the euphoria created by tobacco (aeration and relaxation).
3) The sickness created by coffee and tea (mental lethargy) increases your craving for the euphoria created by coffee and tea (mental energy).
4) The sickness created by cola (dehydration and apathy) increases your craving for the euphoria created by cola (hydration and energy).
5) The sickness created by chocolate (love-starvation) increases your craving for the euphoria created by chocolate (feeling loved).
6) The sickness created by honey and sugar (bitterness and anger) increases your craving for the euphoria created by honey and sugar (sweetness and peace).
7) The sickness created by marijuana and hashish (confusion and paranoia) increases your craving for the euphoria created by marijuana and hashish (knowledge and wisdom).
8) The sickness created by methamphetamine (exhaustion and weakness) increases your craving for the euphoria created by methamphetamine (energy and strength).
9) The sickness created by pain medicine (being fragile and hypersensitive to pain) increases your craving for the euphoria created by pain medicine (feeling healthy and pain-free).
The euphoria of addiction is a false heaven. The sickness of addiction is a real hell. Addictive substances are a deadly paradox. The more you know them, the more they fool you. The more you use them, the more they control you. The more you enjoy them, the more they hurt you.
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Food is live medicine. Medicine is dead food.