The Healing Power
Definition of Addiction
Traditionally, addiction is classified as a persistent, compulsive dependence on a behavior or substance. Lately, the term has been partially replaced by the word dependence for substance abuse. The scope of addiction has been extended, however, to include mood-altering behaviors or activities.
Some researchers identify two types of addictions:
- substance addictions (for example: alcoholism, use of tobacco, drug abuse, smoking)
- process addictions (for example: gambling, sexual activity, spending, shopping, emotional/unhealthy eating)
Brain Structure, Function and Addiction
It has been observed that using drugs repeatedly over time changes brain structure and function in fundamental and long-lasting ways. Addiction comes about through an array of chemical changes in the brain and the strengthening of new memory connections.
Evidence suggests that some of those long-lasting Brain changes are responsible for the distortions of cognitive and emotional functioning that characterize addicts, particularly the compulsion to use drugs.
Although the causes of addiction remain the subject of ongoing debate and research, many experts now consider addiction to be a Brain disease: a condition caused by persistent changes in brain's chemistry, physical structure and function. However, having this Brain disease does not absolve the addict of responsibility for his or her behavior, but it does explain why many addicts cannot stop using drugs by sheer force of will alone.
Scientists may have come closer to solving the brain's specific involvement in addiction since 2004. Psychiatrists state that they have found the craving center of the brain that triggers relapse in addicts.
The Anterior Cingulated Cortex in the Frontal Lobe of the Brain is the area responsible for long-term craving in addicts. Knowing the area of the Brain from which long-term cravings come may help scientists pinpoint therapies.
What we call an addiction is a form of compulsive physical, emotional, and/or mental behavior whose purpose is to provide the individual with one or more essential pleasures unobtainable by any other means.
To put that in more simple terms - an addiction occurs when people become dependent on one thing that makes them feel better than anything else does and they are afraid of losing or not having that feeling.
The three main factors here are Desire, Fear, and Belief. In order for an addiction to develop usually all of the three conditions should occur - there must be a pleasurable experience that one desires to repeat, a fear that not having that pleasure would be too painful to bear, and a belief that there is only one way to experience that pleasure.
It is also important to notice that people can become addicted to anything. We usually think of addiction in terms of drugs, but that is only one kind. People can be and have been shown to be addicted to gambling, work, games, noise, parties, television, texting, eating, dieting, exercise, traveling, criticism, and a variety of different things, including other people.
The real problem of addiction is not the desire to repeat a pleasurable experience; it is the fear-driven focus on one single way of accomplishing this.
The Psychological Nature of Addiction
As it has been shown in many scientific publications, addiction attacks every part of what Freud called our “mental apparatus”. Subjectively, however, the attacks seem focused on two primary areas: the Will, which is our capacity to choose and direct our behavior, and Self-Esteem, which is the respect and value with which we view ourselves.
Addictions split the Will in two segments, one part which is desiring Freedom and the other part which is desiring only to continue the addictive behavior. These internal inconsistencies/conflicts begin to erode Self-Esteem.
Denial and Repression
During the early stages of the development of chemical addiction, it has been observed that the Conscious Mind studiously ignores or rejects any signs of increasing use of the substance but the person doesn’t recognize that a problem exists, he/she doesn’t think about it, and that constitutes Denial.
As evidence mounts, the addicted person must use increasing psychological energy to keep the truth out of his/her consciousness or awareness. This is the beginning of Repression. Somewhere deep inside, the person now begins to recognize that addictions exists, but he/she keeps the knowledge unconscious. Not only does this take considerable energy; it also means that the affected person cannot be comfortable with him/her self.
He/she must always keep his Mind either preoccupied or dulled, so no clear space opens within which the conscious realization may occur. Moments of peaceful openness and self-reflection, which may have seemed so pleasant in the past, are now actively avoided. Prayer, medication and simple times of quiet relaxation are either discontinued or filled with activities that will occupy attention.
As a major chemical addiction develops, times that once had this quality of open relaxed presence, now often become an occasions for using the addictive drug. In a sinister but perfect irony, a vicious circle is created and the drug becomes its own camouflage; its effect clouds, and most often do alters awareness as to sufficiently prevent realization of the person’s addiction to it.
As the process continues, this pattern of denial and repression breeds a sense of alienation from oneself. In the next stage, one experiences a real fear of having nothing to do, a phobia of boredom, a dread of being alone with nothing to occupy one’s attentions.
To overcome an addiction, a person must first to realize that he/she has a problem and should want to change and be willing to make an effort to stop the addictive cycle. Dependency, insecurity, or emotional wounds can create enough emptiness and desire to drive a person into an addiction, resulting in an uncontrollable urge.
Fulfilling this craving by consuming a substance (be it alcohol, cocaine, nicotine) or by exhibiting a problematic behavior (involving gambling, sex, eating, or spending) may at first seem to fill that hole, but it actually further reinforces the dependency.
An unhealthy habit that is out of control can sabotage a relationship and cause you to make poor decisions that limit your personal growth and ruin the quality of life.
Acupressure can be an effective, natural way to help to try to overcome these addictions. When acupressure points are pressed steadily for at least one minute, neuro-chemicals called Endorphins, that change the brain chemistry, are released, which in turn effects the perceptions related to addictions and rebalances the body’s metabolism.
For this reason, acupressure is particularly effective with drug abuse and smoking cessation and with easing of the negative side effects of quitting.
It has been noticed that adolescents and adults are most at risk for addictive behavior when their need for love, approval and validation goes unmet.
The Unconscious Nature of Addictions is what makes controlling and healing them so challenging. Some substance abusers recognize that they have a serious “out-of-control problem”; others, for whatever reason, seem unable to face-up to their addictions.
Addictive cycle is cumulative; one stress leads to another. Making poor choices and putting oneself into emotionally unhealthy situations leads to muscular tensions, causes high blood and other types of pressures inside human body, and often leads to physical and emotional pain feelings.
There are acupressure points for regaining stability, reducing cravings, and heightening morale, self-esteem, and self-confidence – all of which are vital for combating addictions.
The keys to healing addictions comes from within - Self-Forgiveness, Self-Acceptance, Self-Love, Self-Esteem, Self-Confidence and Awareness!!!
There are three types of awareness: Outer, Inner and Fantasy.
Outer is an awareness of what You see, smell, hear and feel through external touch. Awareness of images, sounds, smell can trigger memories and feelings.
Inner is an awareness of sensations underneath the surface of the skin, such as your heartbeat, abdominal discomfort, or a lump in your throat. It includes noticing grief, sadness, anger, anxiety, and fear.
Fantasy involves imagination and intuition.
"Your Body is a tremendous helper in learning to follow your Inner Voice. Whenever it is a pain or discomfort, it is usually an indication that you have ignored your feelings. Use it as a signal to tune in and ask what you need to be aware of"
~ Shakti Gawain ~ "Living in the Light"
Ask and Get Help
Just keep in Mind that is you do have an active addictive pattern, your Life is essentially stuck, and you will be unable to progress very much in your healing process on any level until you get the appropriate Help & Support.
Taking that step can be Greatest Gift you ever give to yourself and to your loved ones as well. Once you commit yourself to your Recovery Process, give yourself plenty of time, patience and compassion.
It took years to develop old unhealthy habits and way of coping; it’s also a long-term process to develop Healthier Ways of Living. Once you stop automatically responding in an active way for a while, you can begin to get in touch with your Real Physical, Emotional, and Spiritual needs, and allow them to Guide You.
Make Your intelligent, conscious choice – stop suffering and start living a life of
Joy-Happiness-Love-Fulfillment!!!
It’s your Birthright!!!