Destructive Habits Becoming an Addiction
Destructive habits can easily turn into an addiction. Addiction is defined as any behavior that is done in excess which is causing harmful effects. It is the inability to stop once you start with extreme feelings of compulsion and interrupts your day to day functioning.
Maybe you have tried to stop on your own or reduce your use of substances or other destructive behaviors and habits. Do you find yourself hiding behind these addictions? Are you trying to avoid painful feelings, emotions and/or unresolved past issues? Are your destructive habits becoming an addiction?
Destructive Habits and addictions include to the following:
- food
- cigarettes
- alcohol
- drugs
- caffeine
- gambling
- sex
- pornography
- video games
- codependency
- Internet addiction
- exercise
- workaholic
If you Identify with any of the following areas listed above and can be honest enough with yourself to admit that it has to a degree an unhealthy hold over you then you may be on the path towards addiction.
Destructive Habits Assessment
Have you found yourself or a loved one asking any of the following questions?
- You have told yourself time and time again that you are going to quit your habit or substance. Then only to find that you have been unsuccessful at maintaining this?
- Other people have told you they think you have a problem but you feel they are blowing things out of proportion and now you’re isolating from them to avoid confrontation.
- Neglecting to follow through with your responsibilities. You find yourself making excuses, minimizing your problem and your behavior. You may find yourself involved in increased legal problems, your marriage and/or relationship is suffering, you are spending less time with your children, you are late or missing more and more days at work, your health is starting to be compromised, or you’re unable to manage your finances.
- Dishonesty with others and yourself increases about how much you participate with your habit. You find yourself becoming more and more sneaky and manipulative. You get your way and cover up the severity of the issue.
- Your use of your substance or habit helps you to find temporary relief and the ability to detach from your thoughts, feelings or problems. You use it as an escape or relief to alter your mood and block out painful thoughts.
- Your becoming less concerned with how your use of your substance or habit is negatively affecting those around you whom care deeply for you. You start pushing them aside and isolating. Your use becomes the only thing important in your life. All other things that took priority now fall to the way side.
- You have intrusive, repeated thoughts or compulsions to participate with your substance or habit and you are unable to abstain from participating even with your wish to stop.
- Your tolerance to the substance or habit increases, and you have to participate more to get the initial results the behavior once produced. If you feel your use or destructive patterns have escalated to addiction and are unable to stop once you start, you are NOT ALONE!
Seek Help Today
Destructive Habits
Today one in four Americans is addicted to an unhealthy habit or substance. Many people fear they will not be able to cope without the help or aid. They are trapped into the mind set that they must continue the destructive behavior. This is NOT true. There is an abundance of resources and healthy coping strategies available for you. Seeking help with a professional licensed counselor can help you to understand how to regain control of your life. Find the healthy balance you need. Live a full and productive life free from the bondage of addiction
Learn the signs related to destructive habits. Catch it before it turns into a full blown addiction. I have been where you. I can help guide you out of the forest and lead you to a life that is full of joy, peace and harmony.
