Last week I posted the following question on Twitter and FB: “At what point does passion degrade into an adrenaline addiction?” Here is a sampling of the responses I received:

“An indicator may be when we are unwilling to turn it off for necessary, non-adrenaline activities like prayer, family, study, and rest.”

“When it overwhelms your priorities: family, God, and taking care of yourself.”

“When it becomes selfish and destructive.”

“When you can’t stop regardless of potential consequences and dangers.”

“When what I’m passionate about replaces my love for Christ and people”

And then one person answered my question with a question: “Does our professional passion make room for Sabbath and rest? For simple moments of quiet?”

The line between passion and adrenaline is blurry and hard to detect… especially in ourselves. Passion gets us out of the bed in the morning, ready to take on the day. Adrenaline keeps us up at night, unable to let go of the cares of the day. Passion energizes us to carry out our assignment. Adrenaline propels us beyond our assignment and into responsibilities that belong to others. Passion produces an appropriate sense of urgency. Adrenaline makes everything urgent. Passion draws us… adrenaline drives us.

So how do we know if we’re passionate… or adrenaline-addicted? Let me throw a few thoughts into the ring:

If you are tethered to your smartphone and always check your email late at night… you might be an adrenaline addict.

If people praise you for your tireless efforts at work… you might be an adrenaline addict.

If your sense of value rises and falls on how busy you are… you might be an adrenaline addict.

If the organization you lead finds itself reactively running around in multiple directions simultaneously… you might be an adrenaline addict.

If you feel an uncontrollable urge to be doing something always… you might be an adrenaline addict.

If you have no time for a personal life… you might be an adrenaline addict.

So if you suspect you might be an adrenaline addict, what can you do?

Admit you’re an addict

“Hello, I’m [insert your name], and I’m an adrenaline junkie.” Simply acknowledge your current state with brutal honesty.  Drug addicts can’t begin the journey toward healing without admitting they have a problem. Adrenaline addiction is real… on the rise… and it often leads to health problems… both physical and psychological… not to mention the damage it inflicts on our relationships.

Acknowledge you need accountability

Adrenaline junkies can’t kick their habit alone. Healing is found in community. Surround yourself with a mentor or a coach or a good friend who isn’t afraid to tell you the truth in love. Submit your calendar to their review and give them permission to call you out when necessary.

Attack the actual root

Figure out why you run so fast. If you have the need for speed… ask yourself… “What is broken inside of me that drives me to live at such an insane pace? Attacking the root  of your addiction often calls for the assistance of a skilled counselor. And you may be thinking “Who has time for counseling.” I’ll let that question speak for itself.

Applaud your advancement

Celebrate wins such as taking a day off each week; regularly exercising; having energy for your spouse and children; enjoying a hobby; getting a reasonable night’s sleep (7-9 hours).

So for you and me… what motivates us? Passion… or adrenaline? Here’s the truth: We can be passionate without being reckless. Devoted to a cause without becoming devoured by it. And obedient without being obsessive.