Addiction as False Worship

This chapter explores the similarities between addiction and worship, framing addiction as a deceptive form of worship that replaces a higher power in a person's life. It discusses the need for a holistic approach to recovery that combines faith, community support, and compassion, while advocating for a shift in societal attitudes towards addiction. Through personal stories, speakers emphasize the importance of recognizing one's intrinsic value and the role of spirituality in overcoming addiction.

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The Impossible Prize In this episode, we explore The Impossible Prize: A Theology of Addiction, a forthcoming book that examines addiction not just as a habit or illness, but as a form of misplaced worship. We discuss how addiction draws us toward false gods, demanding our devotion and shaping our lives in ways we barely recognize. More than a personal struggle, addiction weaves itself into families, communities, and churches—warping trust, distorting love, and hollowing out the soul. How can we reclaim what has been lost? How do we confront addiction not just physically and mentally, but as a deeply spiritual battle? Join us as we dig into these questions and consider a way forward, one rooted in truth, grace, and the renewal of the whole person.

SHOW NOTES:

The Impossible Prize (1517) https://shop.1517.org/products/9781962654708-the-impossible-prize

The Impossible Prize: A Theology of Addiction https://amzn.to/4h8SD44

A Theology of Addiction with Donavon Riley (Outside Ourselves) https://www.1517.org/podcast-overview/a-theology-of-addiction-with-donavon-riley

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