Skip to main contentAccessibility feedback
Background Image

Does Addiction Lessen Culpability?

Question:

If you become addicted to a sin, do you still give full consent to doing it every time?

Answer:

It is impossible to give a one-size-fits-all answer to this question, since each situation and person have their own particular set of circumstances. Generally speaking, to be fully culpable for a sin, a person must be freely choosing the sin. Addiction certainly lessens the freedom to choose and thus can lessen culpability. However, the person is still culpable for the free choice that led to the addiction and is also responsible for attempting to overcome the addiction.

Did you like this content? Please help keep us ad-free
Enjoying this content?  Please support our mission!Donatewww.catholic.com/support-us