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/ choices.
We experience these in our mind, heart and gut and it is important to learn how to manage our reaction to them.
Feelings/ emotions
(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 way 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.
(1990’s) Singer of one of the most popular grunge bands in the 1990’s shot himself in the head in 1994 at the age of 27, addicted to heroin.
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 medical 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 be make us feel high, low and everything in between so it is important to be able to regulate these...
Moods
(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
Every bad choice we make can mean we have to face these later. Addiction can cause people to foolishly ignore these repeatedly.
Consequences.
The vast majority of people who use this legal plant use it as often as 10 or 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 most 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 on to anger and grudges.
Resentment.
(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 life 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 (or substance induced psychosis).
This involves all 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
(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