It may seem at first glance that the addict is more culpable, since he “enjoys” his behaviour as compared with the OCD patient, who suffers from it. In reality, the addict’s temporary enjoyment makes it all the more difficult for him to give up his habit, whereas the obsessive-compulsive would be only too glad to do so, if shown how. When it comes to choosing recovery, this momentary but highly enticing pleasure experience puts the addict at a disadvantage—even if what we call “pleasure” is, in addiction, little more than an evanescent sense of relief from mental distress or spiritual
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