While a mind altering substance addiction needn’t always lead to frank demonic possession, it’s quite possible. The practice referred to in the New Testament as “sorcery” in English is “pharmakia” in the original Greek, which is usage of mind altering substances for an intended purpose of connecting with the world of ungodly spirits.
Other bad habits, e.g. sexual perversions, can also invite the devil, and to belabor the obvious, the devil can be very, very mean and will try to sell his victims on the idea of becoming mean like him.
Catholic churches don’t always take this as seriously today as they did in past centuries. Like Martin points out, some bishops may not want to cooperate with the spiritual warfare part of the mission of the Christian church.
Incidentally, many serious evangelical ministries have (re)discovered biblically based ways of dealing with such situations.
Is this the same Malachi Martin who wrote “The Final Conclave” ?
I hear that many churches are rediscovering this too. Doesn't it say in the bible that in the last days the devil will be loosed on the earth and his demons. It certainly does look like they are not even trying to hide these days.
I would think that over time, ALL substance abuse eventually causes possession to occur. Since there are MILLIONS of people who have seriously abused alcohol or drugs you can see what we are up against.
And just because they stop drinking and drugging doesnt mean the demons have left them.