ALCOHOL: Are addicts born, or made?
As an alcoholic, my "trigger" was the chemical C2H5OH. Or to give it its common name; alcohol. The addiction still remains, and I believe always will, but the particular medium may change. Thankfully, I changed mine in time. This may help you identify yours, and how to make it work for you if handled correclty.
Addiction is a personality trait "rubber stamped" onto every persons DNA. It is a behaviour that can take many forms, and with some people more than one form. The degree of the addiction is also personalised, with some people it is minimal and others excessive. The addiction become a problem when the effect of the addiction has a detrimental effect on that individuals state, or a knock-on effect to those around them. When waking moments become sub-consciously planned around the addiction in mind.
It starts when we are very young. Babies don't necessarily have the problems of the world on their shoulders. They don't worry and panic over unpaid bills, or rising prices. Yet they find their first "trigger", their first "stress-reliever", when the discover the dummy. In the USA they even attach the name "comforter", as if to reinforce the magical effect this latex moulded plastic has. Even if the baby could speak, and communicate it wants, it doesn't need to if the instant effect of crying is to be re-united with the magical soother. Sometimes the "object" isn't a plastic plaything; its the corner of a blanket, or a handy digit supplied as a pair: the thumb. Because of the addiction, the dependency is formed, and therefore the time to stop becomes fraught with trouble. Would you say that that is an addiction? or a habit?
As we get older, and therefore have the opportunity to try new things, and experience new situations, so the likelihood of finding more things to satisfy the addictions become apparent. Smokers are not generally dependant after the first puff, but before they know it, trying to stop becomes the hardest thing they have ever done. And even when they do, they have to find a "substitute" to take its place. Sweets, mints, chewing gum etc. For others, its going to the gym, or shopping, or chocolate. For some its not even as obvious as those, as it isnt a "material" thing, more than a pattern of behaviour. Doing the same thing, at the same time, on the same day, every day, becomes their "comforter". Upsetting that, or placing them in a situation where that cant happen is akin to a smoker running out, and the shops shut for days, or in my case 2 years ago drinking all the Vodka the night before, and not having any or the following morning.
Recognising the addictiveness of anything is the first step to rearranging what you have, or what you do, to excess or to your ill-health. Then spreading the addictiveness across a few things that are beneficial.
The chronicles of my alcohol addiction can be found at http://www.rehab-drinking-problem.blogspot.com
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