Author: Rev. Prof. Sorin Cosma (Caransebeș Faculty of Orthodox Theology)
Keywords: drugs, addiction, drug addiction, judgement, therapy, recovery, healing
Abstract:
The increasing awareness on the dangers represented by drug addiction to the physical, moral, spiritual, and social health of humans should be seen as an incenti ve for the general mobilizati on of law enforcement, healthcare, and the Church, the last being responsible for the redempti on of its believers. The purpose of the present study is to demonstrate that drug addicti on represents a behavioural disorder and a sin against human nature; therefore, aft er explaining the noti on, we present the manifestati ons and harmfulness of drug addicti on, together with its devastati ng physical, spiritual and social consequences. The initi al phase of pleasure is followed by morbidity, and then by the fi nal degradati on of the subject. The chapter „View on drug addicti on” analyses psychoacti ve substances by their eff ects on the conscience, behaviour, and mind, dividing them in the following categories: 1. Sedati ves or depressants: alcohol, barbiturates, minor tranquilizers; 2. Narcoti cs or opioids: codeine, heroin, morphine; 3. Psychosti mulants: amphetamines, cocaine, nicoti ne, caff eine; 4. Hallucinogens: LSD, mescaline, psilocybin, PCP (phencyclidine); 5. Psychoacti ve drugs: cannabis, marijuana, hashish; 6. Ethnobotanical drugs. By proving that drug addicti on represents a behavioural disorder and a sin against human nature, we emphasize the necessity of therapy, and especially that of spiritual therapy. The fi nal part of the present study is a plea for wisdom and judgement, for the culti vati on of the values of the human spirit under the grace of God.
Pages: 25-44