Addictions

Addiction: Basic Definition 

 

Addiction is a pathological bond with a substance, process, behavior, relationship, or feeling. One can be addicted to sex, pornography, internet surfing, fantasy, pleasure, stimulation, alcohol, drugs, food, gambling, shopping, work, anger, love, relationships . . .

 

 

 

Addiction is escaping reality at all costs. Sober living is accepting reality at all costs. 

Take alcoholism for example: Alcohol is not the problem, rather it's the solution: IT'S THE SOLUTION THAT WENT AWRY! 
The alcoholic initially turned to alcohol to cope with life, to wind down after work, to function socially and loosen up. 

Soon, though, the alcohol starts producing it's own set of problems, that are called "unmanageability." Every addiction has its own flavor of unmanageability: Missing work, getting into fights, legal problems and DUIs, relationship issues, blackouts, financial difficulties, detaching from relationships, depression, emptiness, depletion, STDs,  jail, chaos, divorce, shame and guilt, homelessness, and so on  . . . 

Always turning to the solution in that bottle, whatever the bottle may be, prevents  the addict from developing healthy solutions to life's problems. When the addict hits bottom, it forces the addict  to engage in recovery

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There are 10 signs of addiction. If 3 or more are present, this indicates the presence of an addiction:

COMPULSIVITY

recurrent failure (pattern) to resist impulses and urges

LOSS OF CONTROL

frequent engaging in those behaviors to a greater extent or over a longer period of time than intended

EFFORTS TO STOP

repeated specific attempts to stop the behavior which fail

LOSS OF TIME

significant amounts of time lost doing and/or recovering from the behavior

PREOCCUPATION

obsessing about or because of the behavior or addictive object

INABILITY TO FULFILL OBLIGATIONS

the behavior or addictive object interferes with work, school, family, and friends

CONTINUATION DESPITE CONSEQUENCES

failure to stop even though you have problems because of it (social, legal, financial, physical)

ESCALATION & TOLERANCE

need to increase the intensity, frequency, number, or risk, in order to achieve the desired effect. Or a diminished effect at the same level of intensity, frequency, number, or risk

LOSSES

Losing, limiting, or sacrificing valued parts of life, such as hobbies, family, relationships, and work

WITHDRAWAL

stopping causes distress, anxiety, restlessness, irritability or physical discomfort

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Recovery from addiction is about choosing to go down new pathways. Instead of automatically proceeding down the default path (sex, pornography, internet surfing, fantasy, pleasure, stimulation, alcohol, drugs, food, gambling, shopping, work, anger, love), the recovering addict has to forge a new path, with healthier solutions to his problems. 
In recovery, the addict learns how to deal with life

Do you struggle with knowing how to forge this new path?

I'll tailor a recovery program for you 
and your particular needs

 

Begin your healing journey today!

Call 917-635-2479 to schedule an appointment