What is addiction?

Mind

The mind of an addict is ruled by obsession. Obsessive, repetitive, self destructive thinking and in spite of the fact that you, and they, know the outcome, they will do it, over and over again. They don’t need a reason for wanting your drink or drug or feel-good, they just do. They drink when they feel good, they drug when they feel bad, it’s all the same. The biggest flawed belief of an addict is that one day, as if by magic, something will happen which will make things all OK. Not true! And in the meanwhile their ability to communicate to your friends and family deteriorate whilst they look on completely baffled by your repetitive, self deluded behaviour as they boldly announce…..…

…….Leave me alone…...I’ll be OK………

Body/Brain

The brain of an addict always asks for more of the very thing that is killing him/her. This is due to the fact that their brain’s 'reward centre' is over-stimulated by a natural substance called dopamine. This reward centre or pleasure centre forms part of the old “lizard brain”, and it is so primal that it only feels good when it satiated with food, sex or pleasure. It was our original survival brain and when your brain is flooded with pleasure, it over-rides all logic and the addiction completely takes control. The conundrum in all of this is that the very organ you depend upon for reason is itself hijacked and cannot make rational decisions in relation to mood altering substances. It is a classic catch 22 situation and this is why both addicted people and their families cannot understand why addicts keep on doing what they keep on doing. Don't fool yourself.

You will never be in control, until you learn to stop taking the thing that is killing you.

Spirit

The spirit of an addict has a totally different conception of the universe than other people. Other people can adjust their ideas to reality. Addicts will do anything to adjust reality to THEIR ideas and needs. Because addicted people have used for a long time, they have not matured emotionally. This is why they cannot see outside of themselves, it is why they cannot stop being narcissistic and cannot see a bigger picture of life and its meaning. Addicts find it extremely hard to give up control, because of fear, paranoia and a flawed belief that they can fix things, in spite of the overwhelming evidence to the contrary. The worst thing about this scenario is that everyone around an addict sees how they turn everything around to suit themselves, but of course, they cannot see this….. so……if you fit this picture above...

……….Call for help………you need it……….