What Makes An Addiction
Physically addictive substances used daily can bring these uncomfortable physical symptoms
Withdrawal
The oldest known intoxicating substance used specifically for recreational purposes (even dating back to biblical times)
Alcohol
We make dozens if not hundreds of these a day with our mind and one of the best ways to improve our lives is to practice making good ones
Decisions
We experience these in our mind, heart, and gut and is important to learn how to manage our reaction to them
Feelings/Emotions
The essential inner drive, focus, and desire that brings about positive change and attainment of goals
Motivation
A strong addictive urge that can put you in a way you may not want to go if you are not careful
Craving
(2000's) This artist was referred to as the "King of Pop", died due to complications from prescription drugs in 2009
Michael Jackson
It takes more and more of a substance to get the same effect which often fuels the desire and need for using larger amounts
Tolerance
Class of drugs used medicinally for thousands of years to relieve physical pain but nowadays often abused to relieve emotional pain
Opiates/Opioids
This describes overall the we present and express ourselves. If we have a negative one we should want to change it to grateful and positive.
Attitude
It is important to learn to manage this uncomfortable mental experience that can occur when we worry or stress over things
Anxiety
This ability to look inside yourself honestly and truthfully: Self Awareness
(Hint: How to)
Insight
You may have went backwards a little but still you didn't completely relapse
Setback
(1990's) Singer of one of the most popular grunge bands in the 90's shot himself in the head in 1994 at the age of 27
Kurt Cobain
Failure to recognize the truth about a problem, particularly an addiction, is often referred to as this
Denial
Even though life may be spiraling out of control with dependency clearly increasing, some people may believe that they are not addicted just because they may be obtaining drugs this legal medicinal way
Prescription
This categorizes and includes all that is most important in your life and what you care about the most, and what has the most worth to you
Values
These changing temporary states of mind can make us feel high, low, and in between.
Moods/thoughts
Something just about everyone needs when overcoming a difficult challenge, because it is so difficult to do it alone
Support
Some people may try to deal with substance use issues by attempting to use less, or change to a less harmful substance. If that isn't working, you may need to consider this more basic option
Abstinence/Sobriety
(1980's) John Belushi was a legendary actor and comedian who shocked the world when he overdosed and died from mixing cocaine and heroin in 1982 at the height of his fame. He was on the original lineup of what longstanding TV show (still airs today)
Saturday Night Live
Consequences
The vast majority of people who use this legal plant use it as often as 10-20 times a day, despite knowing it is the number one killer of all addictive substances in the world
Tobacco
You can have ups and downs along the way but what matters is that you keep moving forward. If that is true then you are steadily making this
Progress
It is essential to learn to eliminate this negative emotion which stems from holding onto anger and grudges
Resentment
Building insight and motivation lead to this powerful experience defined by a strong sense of positive mental stimulation to try to make things better:
Inspiration
With more severe addiction, particularly opioid, if the withdrawal or cravings are overwhelming it may be wise to consider seeing a doctor for this
Medication or Medication-Assisted Treatment
(1970's) This iconic musician is one of the top earning dead celebrities today, still earning over 50 million/year for his music despite dying from complications of prescription drug addiction back in 1977
Elvis Presley
When you spend too much, use too much or too often and problems are steadily piling up, it is a good sign you have lost this
Control
Stimulants such as cocaine, speed, and methamphetamine, when taken for long periods can induce a mental state of hallucinations and extreme paranoid delusions called:
Psychosis
This involves all the things the people, places, and things that you surround yourself with and that you choose to be connected to
Associations
Sometimes addiction can be directly linked to deeply disturbing or distressing experiences that occurred earlier in life all of which is referred to as
Trauma/PTSD
If you find and discover this it can help you define your goals and add meaning and direction to your life
Purpose
They say relapse doesn't suddenly happen out of nowhere- it's often an event, it is much more of a gradual....
Process
(1960's) This world famous movie star shocked the world in 1962 from a barbiturate overdose which some say was accidental, some say was suicide, and others say was murder
Marilyn Monroe