Addiction and Infinity

Abstract

Abstract: Aims: To explore how the temporal dimension of infinity manifests as a psycho-social dimension of addiction. Results: While notions of infinity have existed for thousands of years, at the turn of the 18th century significant new ideas develop in mathematics and philosophy. Simultaneously, concerns about the use of alcohol are raised by prominent members of society, medical professionals and by the clergy. While previously infinity was seen as a feature of divine power, it starts to be seen as an aspect of human nature. What was previously external starts to become internalised. With an increasingly industrialised society capable of producing alcohol in greater amounts, addicts could consume without limits and imagine an unending supply of intoxicants. However, at the start of the 20th century, in both mathematics (Gödel) and philosophy (Heidegger) a turn to limitations begins. These reversions happen very close to the advent of Alcoholics Anonymous which also acknowledge the inherent limitedness of the human subject, denied in active addiction. Conclusion: Addiction as a form of internalised infinity, is one aspect of this complex phenomenon. The work of recovery is to reverse this internalised infinity and thus embrace human finitude.