If you’re a smoker, drinker, over-eater or frequent drug user – you know all too well how the arguments go. Usually – they start with an innocuous yet well-meaning observation: “You’ve had how many packs/drinks/servings? Don’t you know how bad that is for you?” which is frequently associated with the claim, “I’m just concerned about your health.” You, on the other hand, feel as though they’re just butting in and treating you like a child. You’re capable of making your own decisions without their intervention thankyouverymuch.
If you’re a non-smoker, non-drinker, non-user of an appropriate weight – you also know all too well how the arguments go. You watch someone you know and care about begin to slip out of control. They seem to get sloppy too much too often. Their waistline continues to widen despite proclamations of being on a diet, weaning off nicotine or not having had a drink in a while. They’re blowing more literal smoke than a politician’s figurative. It’s frustrating because it’s so obviously harmful.
Inevitably – both arguments boil down to key factors: genetics, environment, willpower or addiction.
And most of the time – the arguments never really come to a satisfactory conclusion. One side may submit (with an exasperated, heavy sigh) to change for the better, yet only for the short term. The other, may reluctantly retreat from the subject matter until a later date.
Psychology Today published a list of the seven hardest addictions to quit. While love topped the list (because swooning is a natural high) and cigarettes, alcohol, heroin and cocaine also made the list – the second most difficult addiction to break was food.
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