Be Addicted to Something Else....

I think that's quite an interesting question.

Looked after loved one obviously instinctively doesn't feel like it falls into the addiction category.

Excessive sugar consumption, video game playing definitely does. Going OTT on running for the endorphen buzz yes too.

I think it's helpful to consider whether what you are doing is in pursuit of your values/the person you want to be. Being with loved ones for most people fits squarely with their values (whether they've defined their values explicitly or not).

Running can be in line with the value of good health. But running can also be a pretty simple metaphor for running away from our struggles.

Me playing my guitar fits with my creativity, but if I'm playing my guitar to avoid pitching in with caring for my baby, that's very different.

Watching lots of TV or playing lots of FIFA is probably not really in line with any value.

So I think it in part comes down to what purpose any kind of behaviour serves. As with running, it could go either of two ways - it depends why you're doing it.

I suppose I'm thinking more about general unhealthy behaviour rather than addiciton. Addictive behaviour is linked to avoiding difficult emotions. So anything which is avoidance could be addictive (and avoidance comes in very sneaky, hidden forms).

I don't see any form of addiction to be good even if it's what I suppose you would call a healthy addiction.

What I understand addiction to mean is that it is behaviour which progresses so it unmanageable and becomes compulsive which then takes time away from your day to life like families, relationships and work.

That's my take a balanced life is the key I suppose.

KTF

I don't think we can just switch addiction off & someone way further along the recovery road than I said that finding something less harmful is deemed a transient addiction! I know I played crush games until my eyes wanted to bleed & read every single post new & old that I could get my hands on for a while!

Finding something healthier to occupy your mind can never be a bad thing in my mind.

I think what you mean is a positive addiction . Positive addiction enhances your standard of life. Where as a negative consumes your standard of life.
A positive addiction stays in a certain time frame ie one hour a day. Where as a negative would take control of your life

I believe that certain personality traits enhance addiction. I believe that by stopping gambling I will probably addict myself to something else. I believe it's a weakness in my make up and lack of learned coping skills

Hi

In my time many people have people have switched one unhealthy habit for another.

The addictions and obsessions just indicated that I had certain unhealthy emotional triggers.

The addictions and obsessions for me were just an escape in my adrenaline rush which was very much fear based.

By going to the recovery program was firstly abstaining from one unhealthy habit.

Yet over time I would find a much healthier life by abstaining and exchanging all  my unhealthy habits in to healthy habits. 

My anger was a very unhealthy reaction to my pains I could not heal.

My anger was a very unhealthy reaction to my fears I could not reduce or face.

My anger was a very unhealthy reaction to my unreasonable expectations of people life and situations which caused my self far to much pain.

So once I was abale to abstain from my addictions and obsessions I was abale to start to heal my pains.

For me recovery ia and was abaout healing the pains  that were in me long before my addictions and obsessions took over any sensible thinking.

High levels of fear lead to being in panick mode where I could not think things out in a clear healthy way.

Me being in unhealthy panick mode I would say or  do things which would hurt me and other people.

Today I am no longer the loner.

In the recovery program rooms as we get more hinest and open our fears reduce.

As our fears reduce we get to trust our self and others more.

In the recovery I owuld learn to ask questions and share my self with other people.

Being a loner was a very unhealthy life.

Love peace and healing to every one.

Dave L

AKA Dave of Beckenham