The Psychology of Addiction

A distinction between two disease types:
Subjectively I think that it is in a sense a greater evil to suffer with a "disease" that subjects one to a slow and torturous death of addiction, that can last many years, rather than having to suffer for a short while with a more aggressive form of anatomical cancer, that at least puts ones end of suffering in sight. Though bad (and I am sympathetic and do not intend to downplay in any way the seriousness of all diseases as I watched my mother die a violent death from cancer) it seems as if there is a difference between the two. On the other hand, the addict still lives, though the quality of life for him and those around him is low. Do not miss understand me here. I am not opening a door for irrational and unethical behavior related to "quality of life" type issues that may lead to radical alternatives such as suicide (the path that many desperate addicts have chosen).
Objectively the difference is that diseases related to addiction are inseparable linked to behavior. If you have pancreatic cancer it is not your fault in the same behavioral sense as a sin related disease. The disease is an ultimate result of the cursed world we live in but by contrast the alcoholic is actively fueling his sin problem when he should not.

The Psychology of addiction as manifest in sinful behavior and consequences:
It is not that the addict does not care (usually they do) about what they are doing to themselves and how it effects others. Addicts are in a sense out of control of themselves. The hunger to satisfy the disease is so great that it takes over normal reasoning to the point that right decisions are made subservient to bad decisions. Especially in the case of the chemically dependent, this behavior places one's health at risk, creates financial problems, legal problems, brings humiliation and shame on themselves and family members, as well as causes harm to others that are not even related but suffer consequences such as drunk driving accidents, etc..
All that an addict's mind can think of is bringing relief to the disease by feeding it more and more, which ironically is not relief at all, but only fuel for the fire. It is as if the addict and the demoniac that kept throwing himself into the fire to be burned are one and the same. The addict throws himself into the fire, says to himself, "That burned!" but does not learn from the lesson and in a desire to warm him self again he throws himself into the fire again and again--and again.

The solution to the problem:
The solution to the problem is closely related to the source of the problem. Faulty thinking must become right thinking--regenerated thinking. We are to "renew our minds"(Rom. 12:2). "Be filled with the spirit." And "Make no provision for the flesh to fulfil it's lusts." God must become the addict's new addiction and sin must be mortified.