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Remember Mindfulness – close eyes briefly

Understanding the obsession of addiction

JRR Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings has been cited by some as a metaphor for addiction. The Ring works its magic on all who seek it, rendering some hopelessly obsessed. The effect it has in particular on its custodian Gollum’s personality and physique are reminiscent of drugs such as heroin. Gollum is entirely consumed by his attachment to the Ring. Nothing else is as important and his mental and moral standards deteriorate markedly. Interestingly, the power of the Ring to corrupt the likes of Gollum was not equal to ensnaring the ‘good’ characters of Gandalf and Frodo. They seem to have won through largely because of the support, strength, and unity they found in each other’s company – a bit like AA. There is no evidence that Tolkien had drugs in mind. Am I ready to learn lessons of recovery from many sources?

I must never forget the corrupting power of alcohol and drugs. A glass of beer or a puff of weed can seem such a minor event but their potential for mayhem is immense. Regular drug use can impair a person’s ability to choose right from wrong. Empathy and the understanding of other people’s emotions are also found at reduced levels in drug users. I will remember that a small drink of alcohol does no harm to some people, but it contains the potential to change me from Gandalf into Gollum.