Addiction: Drug Rehabilitation Facts

Question: What is the catholic's stance on drug addiction?

(Posted by: Pliot21 on 2010-08-12 15:40:45)

If you have confessed you take drugs, (but are addicted to dyhydrocodeine - for leg pain) is that okay? You arnt doing anything wrong because of the pain and the fact you have confessed, right? thanks!

Posted by: John S on 2010-08-12, 15:53:08

First off.. I'm sorry to hear you are in pain and that the drugs that your doctor prescribed have gotten you addicted. That is unfortunate and I feel for your situation. I pray that you have the courage to overcome this. Sorry to be harsh..but I'm going to be blunt, based on my understanding of the bible, reconciliation and addiction... Confession only works if you are contrite and intend not to ever do that again. You must at least intend to avoid it again in the future. You can not be in the midst of that sin, doing it and say.. "I'm sorry and I won't do it again, next time, but for NOW, I'm going to continue " No, you must REALLY HONESTLY intend to stop. Just wanted to clear that up in case you were unsure. So I can't ask for forgiveness about having sex with my girlfriend and intend to stop, as soon as we get married, but in the MEANTIME.. I'm going to continue to have sex until we are married.. then I'll stop and not do it again. NO, it doesn't work that way. Secondly, addiction is always an inherent evil. It makes our body, mind, and therefore Soul, a slave to an earthly object. It allows us to justify other actions which may be a sin in order to satisfy the addiction. We are NOT in control of our desires and our body.. the addiction is. So addiction is inherently evil. One can not justify addiction as acceptable for a time or based on the circumstances. If you weren't addicted.. that difference would be clearer to you. Sorry to say. HOWEVER, since there is a medical need.. that does complicate the situation considerably. I'd talk to a Priest about that as well as your Doctor. Addiction is not good, even temporarily as there is hell to pay later on, when you try and stop. The longer it goes on.. the harder it is to stop. But the Catholic church's philosophical stance is that one can not do evil, even if Good may come of it. Anotherwards, the ends do not justify the means. It seems as if you are trying to make the ends (severe leg pain) justify the means (addiction) Morally that is not OK, so you should confess. If the Pirest counsels you and after learning your specific situation... says you are OK... then you are. But you should offer it up and then get help. - medical help May God Bless you.

Posted by: Jennifer W on 2010-08-12, 15:47:09

I would also look at the Catholics stance on confession ..... to confess, to repent and to be forgiven for sins .... etc I am a catholic and I would not consider medicinal drugs to be a sinful thing. If it is something that is affecting you emotionally due to your faith perhaps prayer through mediation can help ? Ultimatly if you can get on with your day with such bad leg pain and still have the intention that what you are choosing to do by taking drugs, the drugs that are a pain reliever and still consider the impact as a catholic then I think thats really positive. Intentions are everything :)

Posted by: herstory on 2010-08-12, 15:47:40

Ah, the Catholic church..They frown upon everything except, celibacy, murder and the 10 commandments. Get yourself weaned off of the drugs, or you will be heading down a long road of chemical dependency, you will lose those you love, your job, your health, your dignity. Do you want to be alone? I know you are in pain, but if can avoid it, ask to be weaned off the drugs, now.

Posted by: Rudy on 2010-08-12, 15:48:56

Our bodies belong to God and we are obligated to take care of it just like any of His gifts to us.

Posted by: Pilgrim on 2010-08-12, 16:37:44

Exactly. As long as you arn't taking other drugs and don't 'tell'.

Posted by: Matt on 2010-08-12, 23:06:10

You have a medical problem and an addiction. Religion might help you find strength, but it is not evil that is causing you to be an addict. Get some help and use your faith to help you get clean. It is not a sin to have cancer or be a drug addict. It might make you commit some sins if you find yourself having sex with strange men to get money to feed you addiction.