Is Everyone Addicted?

Addictions can be challenging to release. One of the reasons is that they produce positive feelings while masking discomfort. In addition, addictions produce withdrawal symptoms that make the habit hard to drop, in spite of the havoc it creates.  Let’s look more at how addictions manifest and how to better fill the empty gap they try to bridge.

ADDICTIONS ARE WIDESPREAD 

Here are some telling statistics: 

* In 2002, 22 million Americans were classified with abuse or dependence on alcohol, illicit drugs or both. 71.5 million Americans reported use of a tobacco habit, which makes up 30% of the population age 12 or older. 

*Over 60% of American adults in their 30’s are overweight, and more than 25% are obese—twice the rate of the early 1960’s.

Some addictions can be subtle such as Internet surfing, playing video/computer games, or overexcercising. If you add gambling, shopping, workaholism and other compulsive habits, how many people aren’t addicted?  

An addiction can also be defined as using a substance or behavior, even when confronted with its negative consequences. It’s easy to deny having destructive habits, which allows the cycle to continue. Of course, the ego might have us think that since so many others are addicted, then why not me?

The soul’s perspective is very different, as it can guide one in a non-judgmental way to positive alternatives to addictive behavior.

BREAKING THE CYCLE  

Using energy techniques is a good way to release one from the grips of addictive patterns. EFT and Spiritual Kinesiology help you to feel and express areas that have been repressed. In the process, you develop a new understanding of yourself. 

As you address these areas of imbalance, it’s easier to take responsibility for your thoughts and feelings, which promotes alternative choices and healthy habits.   If an addictive habit returns, it’s good to forgive yourself, and then just pick yourself up—not beat yourself up-- and forge ahead.

The goal is to replace addictive patterns with feelings of wholeness and love. Change might include developing different healthier habits, like drinking water instead of soda.  As a note, with serious substance abuse, professional help may be needed. 

GOAL SETTING 

It helps to write down goals and make an action plan. Write down what you want to change and how you will replace the addictive pattern with a healthier alternative.

For example, “Instead of ordering a double latte, I will order____ [state an alternative like green tea].” Set realistic, short-term goals: what you plan to do this week and month. Also set a long-term goal of where you want to be next year.

AFFIRMATIONS AND FINAL THOUGHTS 

Addictions are a way to deal with our fast-paced, materialistic culture. To identify the problem, consider what you obsess on. Consider what you avoid.  

As we connect more with our soul and its profound messages, we slow down and reflect. We pause to consider what we are doing. Then we are freer to make different choices, which lead us out of addiction and into fulfilling more of our purpose. 

Every moment is new, and regardless of past patterns and disappointments, we start fresh today. Each day we draw to us what we focus on. If we focus on replacing an addiction with a healthy habit or a loving thought, that is what we will attract. 

Here are some affirmations that can help you become free of addictions and replace them with a sense of well-being. Try to place the affirmations in prominent areas where you can see them and include them as a part of your meditation or daily patterns, such as when you shower or drive to work.  

You can incorporate these sayings as part of EFT or energy work as well. Adapt these saying to fit your particular situation and add your own: 

“It’s becoming easier and easier to make good choices.”

“I forgive myself for my poor choices and now choose health and freedom.”

“I follow my spiritual path and embrace joy and love.”

The more we can step back and see where our life is taking us, the more we can redirect our energies when needed, and head in a direction that brings us more joy, love, and genuine freedom.