Changing Your Addictive Behavior

Changing Your Addictive Behavior

OM Times Magazine | July 14, 2012 

By Maria Khalife 

Every form of addiction is bad, no matter whether the narcotic be alcohol or morphine or idealism.” ~ Jung

Addictions can take many forms, and each of them is detrimental. We are all ready to admit that drugs and alcohol are addictive and if you stretch your thought a bit further, you might also see some other addictions that affect your life in one form or another, like having to be in control, reading books, watching sports, amassing money, listening to music, etc.  I’m not saying that last group is all detrimental, but they can all create addictive behavior.

What is your addiction? What form does your addiction take and does it keep you from living a full life? Does it keep you from a full expression of all the forms that life assumes?

In the twelve-step (AA) environment, folks work to overcome their addictions. It’s a very interesting thing to do to attend a twelve-step meeting. Even if you don’t think you are an addict, you still learn something about yourself while listening to the others share.

Many business people are addicted to work. Folks call them workaholics. Some people are overeaters. Some are problem gamblers. The internet has made this kind of gaming much more accessible. Some have sexual and relationships addictions. Do you work obsessively to solve mathematical problems? Must you figure people out? It might be wise to ask yourself if you have any form of addictive behavior.

Have you made the effort to get rid of one addiction only to have it replaced by another?  You quit smoking marijuana but began drinking beer, for example.  That’s an addictive personality.

Behind every addiction is a raging desire for instant gratification so that you can be okay with yourself. “If I only know this; have this; feel this; etc.” Have you said that to yourself? It could be cigarettes, coffee, or Facebook, but you have to have it now.

And another key point about addiction is that it’s about running away from a fear. Any addiction is a  running into, a running toward, but more importantly, it’s a running away from.

Here’s the good part: if you have an addictive personality or behavior, you can choose whether you will run away from, or run toward, and you can specifically choose what you will run toward!  Decidedly cool. You can feel empowered and in control of your life, your destiny.

You can decide to do this on your own, cold turkey, or you can decide to join a group to get the support of the other people in it, and hear their ideas for best ways to work it out.  It doesn’t matter which way you choose; there is no special way, and the choice is yours.  I just want you to know you can walk away from any addiction and enjoy more harmony in your life.



The Warning Signs of Addiction
OM Times Magazine | November 1, 2011 | 0 Comments
by Maria Khalifé

A moderate addiction to money may not always be hurtful; but when taken in excess it is nearly always bad for the health. ~ Clarence Day

HOW DO YOU IDENTIFY ADDICTION?

Originally, addiction meant “devotion to” something good. Today, the meaning has changed to be the state of being enslaved to a habit or practice or to something that is psychologically or physically habit-forming, as narcotics, to such an extent that its cessation causes severe trauma.

ARE YOU AWARE OF THE WARNING SIGNS OF ADDICTION?

Addiction, in its broadest sense, can include enslavement to watching Soap Operas, drinking too much coffee, eating too much sugar, spending too many hours at work, obsessive dieting or exercising or shopping, too much sex or having an urgent need to always being in a relationship in addition to substance abuse.

When an individual is addicted, he will set common sense aside in favor of his addiction of choice.

WARNING SIGNS OF ADDICTION

Looking to something outside of ourselves to feel good is the reverse to looking inside ourselves to feel good. The latter is correct. The first is addiction. If something (a drug, a hot fudge sundae) makes us feel good, our brain releases chemicals. Feeling “high” as a result begins to be strongly anticipated, and pursuing this “high” makes us begin to avoid those who love us (parents, friends, even spouses.) Addicts begin to lie and cheat to obtain whatever it is that makes them high and some have said they get a strong “high” just from stealing to get the drug than they did when they ingested it. Here are some more warning signs of addiction:

Overly dramatized moodiness
Reversal of personal habits
Disinterested in things formerly interested in new group of friends (with bad habits) Problems with finances and the law, unexcused absences from work, vulgarity or profanity used, often keeping themselves hidden from others.

WHO IS MOST AT RISK FOR ADDICTION?

If you consider the four main elements in an individual’s life (physical, mental, emotional, and social) you will see these behaviors rampant in those who are typically addicted:

A genetic inclination due to history of addiction with an extreme sensitivity to drugs.
A psychological tendency toward low self-esteem or a history of depression and feeling like a victim.
An overwhelming sense of strong emotions, like grief or anger.
A feeling of aloneness in the midst of many family members or work associates.
ARE YOU ADDICTED? – Here are some questions to ask yourself to see if you’re an addict in any way. Honesty is strongly suggested.

Others have told you you’re an addict. Can you stop that behavior for a day, a week, forever?
Do you become uncomfortable at the thought of not doing the behavior others call your addiction?
Would you somehow feel “less than” if you didn’t do that behavior?
Have you tried stopping that behavior in the past unsuccessfully?
Have you lost friends or alienated family members because you won’t stop that behavior?

WHAT’S IN CONTROL – YOU OR THE BEHAVIOR?


The Warning Signs of Addiction
OM Times Magazine | November 1, 2011 | 0 Comments
Deep down inside you, would you prefer to keep doing the behavior? If there is any behavior you cannot (or will not) set aside, then this behavior controls you and not the other way around. If you’ve tried to break away from the behavior unsuccessfully but keep returning to it, it’s an addiction. When you are an addict, this is the cycle you’re going to repeat: feeling good, a loss of control, repetition and then a feeling of denial.

GETTING HELP FOR YOUR ADDICTION

The first rule for getting healthy is to admit you have a problem (look strongly at those Warning Signs of Addiction) and find a professional to help you. This person will help you to see what changes are necessary to break your habits. You’ll be working to develop new behaviors where the old ones were and you’ll have a plan of action with due dates on it to keep you on track. Recovery takes time so exercise patience – a lot of patience – and keep track of every forward step you take. If you fall off the wagon, forgive yourself and get back on.

Your individuality is blessed. Paying attention to the warning signs of addiction and cleaning up your addiction will strengthen your character and put you back on the road toward greater success. Wishing you well on your journey!

TAKE ACTION NOW

1.  I will admit to being addicted if I am. If I am not, I will be grateful.

2.  I’ll be in control over what now controls me.

3.  I will clean up my addiction and thus, strengthen my character.



For additional information on addiction and treatment, please visit:  Addiction Treatment Information