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ADDICTION - HOW TO KNOW YOU'RE ADDICTED AND BREAKING FREE


The word addict was adapted from the Latin word "addico" meaning assigned or surrendered, to devote; so an addict is someone who is ridiculously devoted to something.

Addiction can mean many things to different people. It is the repeated involvement with something or someone or the long term inability to abstain from something or someone.

According to medical news today, Addiction is a psychological and physical inability to stop consuming a chemical, drug, activity, or substance, even though it is causing psychological and physical harm.
Some addictions also involve an inability to stop partaking in activities, such as gambling, eating, or working. In these circumstances, a person has a behavioural addiction.

If it is not dealt with, can affect the functioning of the brain and body. It may also cause serious damage to families, workplaces and relationships.

Example of some addictions
Love Addiction
Gambling
Sex/Masturbation
Internet Addiction
Shopping
Video Game
Food Addiction
Exercise
Work Addiction
Porn
Football
Movie
Gadget
Club/Partying Addiction
Lying and many others.

We see most of these every day and sometimes it feels normal. Staying out late or sleeping out every day because of football or gambling, for example, is not normal.  Some addiction like lying unnecessarily cannot be overemphasized upon as it is disregarded more often than not, but understanding the addictive process; the danger signs it possesses can help you to tell the difference between addiction and healthy behaviour.

 DIFFERENT WAYS TO DISCOVER YOU'RE ADDICTED TO SOMETHING

  • When you spend most of your time engaging in the behaviour- thinking or planning to engage in the behaviour.
  • When you become dependent on the behaviour to cope with emotions and feel fulfilled.
  • When you continue in the behaviour despite the physical or mental harm.
  • When you have trouble cutting back despite wanting to stop.
  • Neglecting work, school or family to engage in the behaviour more often.
  • Experiencing symptoms of withdrawal like depression when trying to stop.
  • Minimizing or hiding the extent of the problem.
If you are experiencing all these or any of this, then you might be addicted to something. It can be a problem to admit it to yourself, let alone anyone else.

There are ways you could attempt to disseminate the addiction in order to get help, that's if you are ready to deal with it. 

Firstly, you have to admit you have the problem before considering these treatments;
  • Counselling
  • Self-help groups
  • Medications
  • Cognitive Behavioural Therapy - In a nutshell, this helps you manage problems by changing the way you think or behave.
  • Long-term follow up to prevent relapse. 
Quite a number of people will and has encountered some kind of addiction and the good thing is that it can be stopped. Take my self for example; "I was once addicted to clubbing and pornography which then leads to masturbation. I had friends who encourage me to engage in clubbing/partying. We literally went clubbing every day including Sundays and Mondays. It didn't feel wrong at the time. We were even known for that in the neighbourhood because we get back at odd hours when people are probably heading to work, or still sleeping. Talk of pornography; I would spend hours on my phone, surfing the net for X-rated films. When I get hold of a laptop, the next thing I do is search for porn to engage my self in. Again, it didn't feel wrong at the time. Subsequently, I had to seek help first from God. Then, I admitted the problem to the church group I attended. You need to want help before it can be given. Today, I am free from both addictions. I haven't gone clubbing for a day since 2015, which makes it 4 years now. I haven't masturbated since 2014 after I gave my life to Christ and I didn't need medication or counselling for that, just got help from the Holy Spirit. Your case might be different, but know this, you can be free too.''



HOW TO NOT RELAPSE
Going back is bound to happen if you don't decide today;

- To avoid friends and activities that remind you of your addiction. ''I had to cut off some friends and even relocated, just to get my head clear. You know what you have to do, so do it."
- Discuss the addiction with someone.
- Take your medication.
- Avoid locations where it may be tempting for you.
- Develop a positive support network.

Every day of your new life is a step in the right direction. If you are able to get clean, you can do it again. Begin working your recovery program again; if you are relapsing. Reach out to the support system and start processing the emotions that led you to relapse. Learn from your mistakes and strive to move forward the best way possible. Remember, you are not alone. There are thousands of people struggling like you, so seek help now.


Thanks for reading!



X O X O


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Comments

  1. atrillaire5 May 2019 at 13:03

    God bless u Thonia.
    Keep this up, u give so much hope u don’t wanna know. 😘

    ReplyDelete
  2. Thonia King10 May 2019 at 11:55

    Thanks. I am glad you enjoyed reading this article.

    ReplyDelete

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