What Makes an Addiction?
Physically addictive substances used daily can bring these uncomfortable physical symptoms
Withdrawal
The oldest known intoxicating substances used specifically for recreational purposes (even dating back to biblical times)
Alcohol
A strong addictive urge that can pull you in a way you may not want to go if you are not careful
Craving
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 creates a craving for 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
We make loads of these every day in our mind and one of the best ways to improve our lives is to practice making good ones
Decisions/choices
It is important to learn to manage this uncomfortable mental experience that can occur when we worry or stress over things
Anxiety
Failure to recognise 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 the may be obtaining drugs through the doctor through this legal medical way
Prescription
Some people use harm reduction by using less or switching substances. If this approach isn't working for you you might consider doing this approach instead
Something just about everyone needs when overcoming a difficult challenge, because it is so difficult to do it alone
Support
Every bad choice we make can mean we have to face these later. Addiction can cause people to 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
Building insight and motivation lead to this powerful experience defined by a strong sense of positive mental stimulation to try make things better
Inspiration
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 (Stimulant/drug induced psychosis)
They say relapse doesn’t suddenly happen out of nowhere – It’s not an event, it is often much more of a gradual _____
Process
If you find and discover this it can help you define your goals and add meaning and direction in your life
Purpose