Addictions
Addiction can become a curse in your life, leading to erratic behaviour, where upon you become dependant on your fix, whatever that is for you
According to the charity Action on Addiction, 1 in 3 people are addicted to something.
The definition of addiction is-not having control over doing, taking or using something to the point where it could be harmful to you.
Addiction maybe commonly associated with drugs, alcohol, nicotine, solvents but in reality, you can be addicted to just about anything-
- Sex- being insatiable, never satisfied, always wanting more.
- Work-I know, that may be hard to believe, but it is a reality for many. People can become physically exhausted and still push themselves, to the point, where their relationships, family and social life suffer.
- Internet- our time spent on our computers and mobiles has increased dramatically, people can spend hours upon hours surfing the net, gaming or scrolling through Facebook, Instagram, twitter etc. While neglecting other contexts of their lives.
- Shopping– shopping can become addictive, buying things you don’t really need on impulse and getting a real buzz from doing so, however the buzz maybe short lived, leading to more buying.
Here are but a few examples, for there are many.
What causes addictions?
There are many reasons why addictions occur they fulfil a need, mentally and physically, providing a good feeling or numb bad feelings. Your subconscious mind records the feelings and whatever makes you feel better and creates a powerful urge to do or use, whatever the addiction is over and over again, creating more of the same.
Gambling can provide a sense of excitement, anticipation, a mental “high” after a win, which may result in a strong urge to try again to recreate that feeling. This may develop into a habit that can become hard to stop, not having or doing it causes withdrawal symptoms. Which does not feel good, so it becomes easier to carry on and so the cycle continues.
Often, an addiction can easily get out of control.
How addictions can affect you
Addiction can have serious psychological and physical effects that are very detrimental to your overall wellbeing, your life, work, family, friendships, personal relationships.
Some studies suggest addiction is genetic, a personality trait, however environmental factors, such as being around other people with addictions, may also increase the risk. The need to belong and be accepted can be great motivators putting pressure on the individual to conform to the majority, to fit in.
An addiction can be a way of blocking out difficult issues also such as Unemployment, poverty, stress, emotional issues, professional pressure.
Getting help for addictions
Addiction is a treatable condition. Whatever the addiction, there are lots of ways you can seek help.
GP’s can give advice or contact an organisation that specialises in helping people with addictions.
Hypnotherapy and NLP can help to enable you to overcome the destructive pattern of behaviour that you have become accustomed to, helping to empower you and reset your mind, freeing you up to focus on better ways to achieve that feel good experience which are more beneficial to you.
Contact me- www.sonyahudson.com