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Strike a Blow to Addictions
Author: Nico  | Posted: 04-06-2007 | Comments: 0 | Views: 18 | Rating: (50)  (?) 
Many of us are addicted to something. We all have our drug of choice. For some it is pornography, for others it is alcohol or nicotine or shopping or spending or TV or sport… The point is there is most probably something in your life you just can't get rid of, although you would love to.
I always ask myself how those with an addiction to food can join a group of people who also want to break free from that addiction and then suddenly things start to happen. The loose weight, they start to feel good about themselves, they eat healthy, etc. etc. – all benefits of deciding to join a group of people with the same desire.
Is it the desire that causes it all? Most probably not, but to change you first need the desire before it can happen. I used to be a Psychologist in private counselling practice and there I saw people changed. Those that changed had one thing in common – they wanted to, they were desperate, they couldn’t stand their current state of existence any longer. Surely there is a lot of credit that can go to ‘desire’ when we talk about change in behaviour. The stronger the desire to change the higher the probability that you would change.
But for now, where I want to go is the long forgotten idea of accountability. Accountability is that ‘thing’ you can create around you when you are not strong enough on the inside to do what you know is best for you. “No man is an island!” a clever man exclaimed one day. I want to echo that. Because of the fact that no man is an island we can't just do what we want to. We have to consider others. We live in community, all the time, whether we acknowledge it or not.
We all need accountability some times in our lives, especially those of us prone to addictions.
In psychology we talk about internal and external locus of control. When the internal locus of control is absent you need an external locus of control. In simple terms when your child doesn't brush her teeth you should tell her to. The internal locus of control is absent and therefore you as a parent provide an external locus of control.
Now to get back to those with an addiction to food, especially the overcomers. They have joined a huge external locus of control that will check them, monitor them, weight them and ‘rebuke’ them if needs be. Now my theory says they have integrated the necessary accountability into their lives and therefore they will be able to shake of the addiction and the extra weight.
You want to change your behaviour because you are fed up of things you do that you don’t want to do? Make yourself accountable. Join a group, confide in a friend. Reveal your addiction and ask others that love and understand you to assist you. I have a couple of those kind of people in my live. They save lives!!
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Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/self-improvement-articles/strike-a-blow-to-addictions-158363.html
 About the Author:Nico Liebenberg is a Psychologist that is also the CEO of the international Organisation Development company called Dust. Dust specialises in Organisation development, corporate training and Executive coaching. Nico is currently busy with his PhD in Consulting Psychology.
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Why do we have habits?
By: HypnoFreak | 01-11-2007
what is the cause of habits and why do we even when we know these are bad for us keep them going?
Modern life and fight or flight?
By: HypnoFreak | 01-11-2007
due to our ever hectic modern day living, how do you feel this effects our fight or flight reaction?you may say not at all! but as we can't use our fight or flight basic instinct in modern life does this effect us psyically and mentally?eg if your boss theatens to fire you for being late, you get scared your fight or flight kicks in, you can't leap on you boss and beat him up, and you can't just turn and run out the door, you stand there (usually) and just take it. this can be said for hundreds of modern day situations, so how does this effect us? is this maybe a reason for a lot of illness and stress etc? what do you think??
Relationship between stress, anxiety, habits, and phobias?
By: HypnoFreak | 01-11-2007
what are the relationships between stress, anxiety, habits, and phobias?and how are these gained and even treated?
What do you think?
By: quinn16 | 22-10-2007
Do you think that male and female sexual responses in their 20s are primarily biological or primarily social?
If there is a psychiatry doctor that is reading this, I need help.
By: Dancer170 | 22-10-2007
Please describe what is a brief psychotherapy? How can I tell by reading a progress note, that a brief psychotherapy has been provided?
Somebody,Somewhere....
By: angelkiss | 17-10-2007
Somewhere,there's someone who dreams of your smile,and finds in your presence,that life is worthwhile.So when you are lonely,remember it's true.....Somebody,somewhere.....is thinking of you!??Have a great Wednesday everybody!!Hugs!??
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