For A Priest - Confession And Full Consent

[Brother Adam]

Dear Priests,

In confession how to you counsel a penitent who confesses an addiction to drugs or to another sin, such as food, sex, or money? When do you tell the penitent that their sin is no longer mortal because of addiction, they no longer meet all three criteria for a mortal sin, especially that of full consent and that they should receive communion regularly even with this sin? And how do you do so, so that they do not see it as a "license to sin" because they are not "fully responsible"?

Also, would it be seen as a breach of your promise not to reveal anything from a confession to talk about generalities in confessions today? What types of people do you most often hear from in confession? Is it just devoted Catholics? What sins seem to be plaguing us right now? What are your greatest annoyances about peoples confessions that they are doing wrong that we need to give a better catechesis on?

Thank you for your insight into this pastoral matter.

[Lil Red]

this is interesting....could a priest answer?