The Refuge Ministry
The Refuge Ministry
Addiction: Habit or Disease? (Episode 1 - Archive)
Addiction: Habit or Disease? (Episode 1 - Archive)
Addiction: Habit or Disease? (Episode 1 - Archive)
Wednesday 8th October 2025
Explore the complex nature of addiction with insights from Matthew Des Moines on 'Relational Recovery'. Habit or disease? Find out more in this engaging episode.
7 minutes
Informative
Honest
Compassionate
Engaging
Eye-opening
About this podcast
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The Refuge Ministry
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Categories:
Religion & Spirituality
Recovery from Trauma
Healing Relationships
Creative Recovery Journeys
Innovative Treatments & Recovery Paths
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Get the buttons here!Is Addiction a Habit or a Disease? A Fresh Perspective
Episode Overview
- Addiction is described as 'spoiled goodness', affecting dignity and ambitions.
- Debate whether addiction is a habit or a disease.
- Addiction causes physiological changes in the brain affecting rational thinking.
- Addiction is often an unhealthy search for connection.
- Understanding addiction requires acknowledging its impact on relationships.
"Addiction to me is the robbing of not only your human dignity but your ambitions, your goals, and essentially your life."
Ever wondered what it takes to understand addiction beyond the typical drugs and alcohol narrative? The 'Relational Recovery' podcast episode titled 'Addiction: Habit or Disease?' offers a refreshing perspective on this complex issue. Hosted by Wes Thompson and Austin Hill, this episode features Matthew Des Moines, who shares his candid thoughts on addiction's impact on human dignity and personal choices. Matthew's insight that addiction is like 'spoiled goodness' challenges the notion that people choose to do bad things.
Instead, he paints addiction as a parasitic force that distorts one's ambitions and relationships. The conversation touches on whether addiction is a habit or a disease, with Matthew eventually embracing the disease model after years of skepticism. He reflects on how addiction compromises one's humanity, leading to actions that would otherwise be unimaginable. The hosts and guest explore the science behind addiction, including its physiological effects on the brain, particularly the areas responsible for rational thinking and emotional control.
This episode doesn't just stick to the science; it delves into the emotional and relational aspects of addiction. The hosts discuss how addiction is often a misguided attempt to seek connection, resulting in harmful behaviours. With a blend of humour and honesty, they unpack these heavy topics in a way that's both enlightening and engaging.
If you're curious about how addiction can be understood as more than just a series of poor choices, this episode offers a compassionate look at the issue. So, how do you view addiction? Is it merely a series of choices, or is there more to it? Dive into this episode to challenge your perceptions and gain a deeper understanding.