but ask me about ETOH...
I never had a drinking problem, but eating bad food can be just as much a sin -- the deadly sin of gluttony.
Confession can be very powerful for helping with temptations of addiction. Some priests will try to talk you out of confessing gluttony, but they are wrong. St. Thomas Aquinas was very clear that gluttony is a mortal sin in need of confession, and that means drinking or eating beyond necessity, or otherwise putting the stomach before the Lord.
I also find that, when tempted, it is very helpful to offer up the object of temptation and the suffering caused by the deprivation, to the Lord. This kind of suffering is redemptive and you can share the redemption with others, praying for their conversion, or healing, or whatever. I find that kicking a habit is much easier when my suffering is understood to be potentially redemptive for others, and not just myself. St. Therese of Lisieux is a power intecessory for helping with these kinds of struggles.
Sacrifice beads can be a helpful tool:
Also: the rosary and holy water! Keep the sacrifice beads, rosary, Bible, holy water, and the crucifix by all the triggers of addiction in your house. They are powerful deterrants.
God bless.
“St. Thomas Aquinas was very clear that gluttony is a mortal sin in need of confession, and that means drinking or eating beyond necessity, or otherwise putting the stomach before the Lord.”
“I find that kicking a habit is much easier when my suffering is understood to be potentially redemptive for others, and not just myself.”
It’s one of the seven deadly sins...Drinking like I do is the same thing. I’ll try the beads and offering it up. I’d given up ETOH for years and just went back on it thinking I was cured after so many years. One is never “cured” - I’ve got an addictive personality if there is such a thing...