Understanding Selfishness in Addiction

Addiction can narrow attention toward alcohol and away from relationships and responsibilities without reducing the person to a moral label.

Broken promises, secrecy or repeated attention to substances can feel deeply self-centred to the people affected. Addiction can help explain some of these patterns through impaired control, learned priorities and attempts to relieve distress. It does not tell us everything about a person's intentions, and it does not remove harm or responsibility. A person can be treated with dignity while others set limits or seek safety. No one has to accept threats or violence, wait for brain recovery or forgive in order to be understanding.

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