When Is It Too Much?

It's a common belief that as long as someone hasn’t gambled away or drunk through the family’s possessions, isn’t abusing their household, hasn’t been fired, isn’t lying in the gutter, and isn’t drinking methylated spirits or birch water, they fall within the bounds of acceptable behavior in Poland—and everything is fine. You’re not sure if your worry is justified, thinking it might resolve itself. After all, there are stretches of weeks or even months when he avoids falling back into the habit, and he still promises to change…

Unfortunately, he rarely keeps those promises. And when he doesn’t, you wonder whether he has a weak will, doesn’t love you, or is intentionally trying to harm the family. The truth is, if he’s addicted, the addiction itself is the sole reason behind his behavior.

It’s impossible to pinpoint the exact moment when a habit turns into an addiction, as falling into it is often a slow and years-long process. It happens subtly, without clear signs. There’s no single symptom—like a urine test for kidney disease—that definitively proves it’s an illness. However, there is a general rule that can help you assess the situation.

When, in life’s choices—between addiction and work, addiction and love, addiction and family well-being—addiction always wins.

PS: This course is directly connected to the issue of alcohol addiction, which we address in the Alcohol Addiction course—you can explore that option after completing this one.