Addiction

You’re only as strong as you are honest with yourself.

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The Cycle of Temptation

1. Thought

2. Imagine

3. Justification

4. Choice

A couple of years ago, I thought I was at my strongest. In reality, I was at my lowest—addicted to Adderall and trapped in the cycle of being a professional people pleaser.

I believed that relying on a pill to work longer and harder would make me a more valuable business partner, a better boss, a sharper consultant, and a more attentive partner to my significant other.

It’s no big deal, right? Everyone I knew was coping in their own way—whether it was drinking, smoking, mindlessly scrolling, or talking to someone they shouldn’t have.

My choice was different from theirs. My cycle produced significant, profitable results and reinforced my value to my peers—but did it for me?

You are going to be tempted.

"And remember, when you are being tempted, do not say, ‘God is tempting me.’ Temptation comes from our own desires, which entice us and drag us away. These desires give birth to sinful actions. And when sin is allowed to grow, it gives birth to death." — James 1:13-15 (NLT)

God does not tempt you. God tests you.

Your addiction reveals your vulnerability.

You are most vulnerable to temptation not only when you're weak, but also when you think you're strong.

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Close The Door!

Brick by brick, I believed I was building an impactful empire alongside others—trusting fully in the vision we were creating together. Little did I realize, I had let my guard down to my own thoughts. The choice to consume Adderall was justified by my imagined belief that everyone around me was building with the same integrity, not deception, especially considering the significant monetary and intangible value I had brought into their lives.

“Watch out for your great enemy, the Devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.” — 1 Peter 5:8 (NLT)

He wants to devour your marriage.
He wants to devour your finances.
He wants to devour your testimony.
He wants to devour your peace.
He wants you to devour you.

Temptation often comes through a door that’s been deliberately left open.

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The Spiritual Void

Why can’t we change to overcome temptation and conquer our addictions?

In my experience, true change requires help. Asking for help isn't a sign of weakness—it’s a sign of wisdom.

While help might come in the form of an individual or by following the well-known 12-step process, I believe the first step in fulfilling your true desires and filling your spiritual void begins with granting yourself grace.

Like many, before addressing my spiritual void, I lived in a victim mindset, trapped in blame and shame. I allowed external circumstances and people to dictate my outcomes. While not everything that happens in life is our fault, filling the void we feel is our responsibility.

The root of the problem often lies in trying to fill that spiritual void with harmful habits, rather than with gratitude and grace. Easier said than done, I know.

From the outside, self-medicating before or after a long day—whether it's the stress of the office or the pressure of supporting your family—can seem logical and even rational. But this approach only deepens the void.

Over the years, I’ve come to recognize that many seem to be disconnected from “religion” as it often focuses on strictly outward actions to fill inward emptiness. Such as going to church to then drive home and gossip about your peers or worrying of your neighbor’s opinion of you, more than the opinion of yourself. But true change requires focusing on the inward first.

For me, I had to replace my natural grit mentality with grace. Where religion might emphasize outward appearances, grace emphasizes an inward transformation.

Although we may think our addiction isn’t our fault, it remains our responsibility to endure the process of breaking the cycle of temptation.

Through my personal journey, I realized that it wasn’t just the effects of Adderall I was addicted to—it was the false belief that those effects would increase my value, if only others would see it too.

I feared that quitting the addiction would feel like disobedience to my partners, that I’d let them down by not operating at my best and jeopardize financial success. Excuses are easy to blame and then before you know it, you’ll be shaming yourself to then repeat the cycle in fulfilling a false desire.

Don’t be surprised when you're tempted; be grateful you're being tested.

Stay Blessed.
- Tyler Bossetti

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