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When you think about addictions, what comes to mind?
Alcohol, Drugs, Smoking, Gambling? Those are what most people consider as addictions.
But there are many more addictive behaviours, including –
Work
Food
Sex
Porn
Mobile phones
Online Gaming
Shopping
Exercise
You probably hadn’t considered some of those I mentioned, seeing them as things you may do. But are they an addiction?
The Definition of Addiction
The state of being compulsively committed to a habit or practise or to something that is psychologically or physically habit-forming, to the extent that its cessation causes severe trauma.
When you are feeling low, you may reach for something to lift you, and make you feel good. Whether its going to the gym, eating a chocolate bar, a glass of wine, a cigarette, or some retail therapy.
What each of these have in common is that it gives us a boost of dopamine, which in simple terms makes you feel good.
These don’t necessarily lead to Addiction, it only becomes one when it takes over your life, as a way of coping or avoiding things you don’t want to do or think about.
Food is a very common one, as in comfort eating. Because you feel miserable because you can’t fit into that dress anymore. (yes, I know it doesn’t help in the long run, but it gives that quick fix you are seeking)
You may tell yourself you've had a bad day and need a drink, the problem is when that one drink turns into another, and you become reliant on it…..
You may play on line games or scroll through Social Media, to avoid difficult tasks or conversations.
If you have some habits you’ve adopted, be curious, rather than beating yourself up.
Ask yourself, what does it give you that is missing in your life? What are the difficult things you are trying to avoid? A conversation? A task? Or maybe there is a huge void in your life. But just removing it, is likely to send you looking for something else, so be aware. If possible try to find somehin that is more healthy.
NEWS - A VIDEO SERIES
This week I would like to share news of a new video series I am doing with another psychotherapist, Mel Riley. We often have a Zoom chat, and one thing led to another,and then Mel came up with this idea. Why don’t we share our experiences!
So, that;s what weve done.
We are starting off with Inside Relationships. Exploring the issues that couples bring to us in the therapy room.
To start with, we would like to introduce ourselves., and then we will be be releasing epissodes on YouTube, so watch out for them.
Here's the link to the Youtube video - https://youtu.be/SlzoB_c8Th4
Do let me know what oyu think.