This photo on the right describes a position I take on any addiction problem. Alcohol, drugs, overeating, pain killers, smoking, sex, and vaping are problems unto themselves however, all reflect an attempt to escape both reality and unwanted emotions. If you don’t want to feel some unpleasant emotion, try an addiction, it works fast and is quite effective. What to do? Well, therapy will help. Quit the addicting behavior and look deeper to explore what you are truly trying to escape. Notice and realize the solution and impact is temporary. The “drug” may distract or ameliorate the mood or emotions at that moment, but they will be repressed, stored and become ever more prevalent.
- Develop a plan or strategy on what to do instead.
- Understand that the emotions will not go away, but become more intense and remain unresolved.
- Identify triggers and stressors that induce or contribute to the addiction.
- Find the courage to confront the feelings and address them.
- Develop a support network to redirect your emotions.
- Liberate yourself from the addiction and emotional prison.
- Get support and help to uncover and deal with your emotions.
- Remember, alcohol is a depressant influencing sleep, energy, mood and more.
- Prepare yourself for a flood of emotions that you have repressed.
It may be time to find, create, reconstruct a reality that works for you. Of course, you have to stop, treat or eliminate the addictive process, then proceed with the deeper exploration and remedies. Out with the old, in with the new. Replacing habits is the pathway to change.
