Definition:
attachment to any attitude, behavior, substance
or process in such a manner as to create harm
for oneself and/or others. This attachment
becomes automatic, compulsive.
--the use of attitudes, behaviors, and substances
to avoid facing inner emotional turmoil; these
avoidances are "fixes."
Function
of Addictions:
A. Gives a
temporary sense of pleasure or relief.
B. Keeps one
out of touch with inner turmoil/emotional
pain.
C. Provides
"energy source" for maintaining
oneself in a role.
D. Provides
a means to gain control over one's
emotional experiences.
E. Helps to
maintain one in a "fixed identity."
Examples
of Addictions:
A. Attitudinal:
"I'll be OK (happy, secure, serene)
when . . .
1. I can control
the people/circumstances of my life.
2. I must do
things perfectly; I must not make mistakes.
3. I know
enough.
4. I'm self-sufficient/don't
need others.
5. Other people
must like/approve of me.
6. I must
be special to someone.
7. I must come
out on top.
B. Process:
1. Co-dependent
relationships (caretaking, messiah,
"lover").
2. Gambling/betting.
3. Sex
(pornography, masturbation, promiscuity).
4. Shopping/spending.
5. Working/accumulating
money.
6. Watching
television "to pass the time."
7. Religious
activities that manipulate feelings/avoid
silence.
8. Reading
books and magazines (Internet)
for fantasy, escape.
C. Substance:
1. Alcohol/mood-altering
drugs (prescription, illegal).
2. Junk foods--e.g.
foods high in sugar/salt.
3. Minor drugs--coffee,
nicotine, over-the-counter drugs.
Stages
of Addiction
A. Experimentation--learning
how the "fix" works.
B. Early stage--using
fix to get pleasure/high.
1. Few consequences
from use of fix.
2. Ability
to control use of fix in most cases.
3. Tolerance
to fix increasing: can use more.
C. Middle
stage--using to get relief from pain.
1. Use of the
fix becoming a problem/source of pain.
2. Losing control
over fix; adding new fixes.
3. Discomfort
when not using or moving toward a period
of usage.
4. Emotional
numbness, depression, mental preoccupation,
defensive.
D. Late stage--using
to obliviate consciousness.
1. Severe psychological/physical
consequences.
2. Many blackouts..
periods of dissociation from self/reality.
3. Suicide,
insanity, accidental death, physical
sickness, prison.