The Curse of Addiction….

Some time ago I read a book by David Hieatt. It was about the power of purposeful brands. I enjoyed the book but what most stuck with me was a quote by Fred Wilson, who claimed the three most dangerous addictions were to heroin, carbohydrates and a paycheck. Ever sense reading it, I feel like I have been assailed by constant reminders of its providence. The most recent was at my annual detox retreat in the Austrian mountains.

Over the years of going there, I developed a friendly relationship with my doctor and enjoyed having inspirational conversations about a wide range of topics. This year, I was interested to find out how many people he believed continue to follow the strict routine at the resort. The routine means very little food, no sugar, no alcohol, no caffeine, walks, treatments, very limited social media and phone access and extensive medical tests. What shocked me was his belief that up to 40% of the guests secretly supplemented their detox with ‘forbidden treats.’

In my many years of detoxing I can’t remember cheating once. This I always considered a sensible choice as the resort is very professional and a very effective way to reset one’s body. It’s also a big investment. Why go through all that trouble and compromise the whole thing?

As I started reflecting on my wider circle of friends, I realized that most of them would find it hard to stay there and not cheat. Most of them wouldn’t even go there in the first place. It also occurred to me that I am actually surrounded by people with some sort of addiction.  Addiction, in its wider sense, has morphed into a global pandemic, wreaking havoc on societies.

Unlike the more traditionally recognized substance addictions, modern society grapples with a myriad of compulsive behaviors, ranging from food, social media, sex, to exercise and work. Jobs and its associated regular income are the fuel or oxygen that allows or even encourages people to indulge freely in their compulsions.

This insidious epidemic is particularly rampant in the Western World, where the confluence of technology, consumer culture, and societal pressures creates fertile ground for addictive behaviors.

This seems like a worrying trend. A trend destined to result in more burnouts, more mental health problems, and more existential crises.

Combatting this pandemic requires a multifaceted approach, with discipline and moderation at its core. On my way back from my retreat, I felt great. 5 pounds lighter, more flexible and most importantly appreciative of the fact that my brain demonstrated the capacity and strength to overcome the desire for short time gratification over the long-term benefits of moderation.

I also felt good about the fact that our upcoming book A Groundhog Career has a very important theme of countering addiction at its core – work, regular income and the seductive power of a glamorous lifestyle. And like in real life, Shey Sinope struggles with this vicious cycle of immediate gratification over long term purpose and happiness. But ultimately, ‘spoiler alert,' he will succeed.