Addictions Anonymous, 1: The Challenge Of Normal Living

More on topic
Suggest new related link
  Code (6640A):  
Url:  



Article published on 7th June 2005 in LIFE          










UK GOVERNMENT SUPPORTS WAR CRIMES ACCUSED FOR EU PRESIDENT
It has been revealed that the Gordon Brown Government is endorsing former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair to become EU President. In a move that will be fiercely opposed in Europe, current UK Government ministers are lobbying behind the scenes on Blair's behalf.

  Latest from The Cheers MUSIC
NewNobility
Genre: Indie
New Nobility peace-rock band http://myspace.com/newnobility...

Rad Wolf
Genre: Other
Hailing from Fort Worth Texas, Jacob Shelton makes music in ...

JO&CO
Genre: Acoustic
Five diverse musicians who bring their own style to everythi...

Shannon Corey
Genre: Pop
Mix together some Tori Amos, Fiona Apple and Ben Folds to ge...

The Fireman's Daughter
Genre: Acoustic
The Fireman�s Daughter is a female Americana duo based out...

Bruce Unger
Genre: Alternative
Bruce is singer/songwriter in a folk/country vein, reminisce...

The Simple Pages
Genre: Indie
Above all else you must know about us is that we are three g...

Hearts in Pencil
Genre: Indie
"Taking folk and stamping it through a new wave filter, thei...

Hail Animator
Genre: Indie
Hail Animator is the result of a brainchild of four peopl...

FRIDAY
Genre: Indie
shoegaze-rock-ambient Is this a lost Creation Records relea...


Addictions Anonymous, 1: The Challenge Of Normal Living

Article by
Retired clinical psychologist

If you are addicted to something there are people out there who will offer to fix your problem in a hurry, with little effort on your part, and without having to change anything important about your life. These people lie. 

They will take your money and your time and leave you worse off than before. If you are looking for simple, quick solutions, pick simple problems. Although help is available, addictions are not simple problems; so don’t expect quick, easy solutions. Whatever program you choose to follow, it will require hard work and a willingness to change if it has any value. Fortunately, those who become addicted are usually some of the most dedicated hard workers one will ever find.

The severity of addiction, dependency and abuse problems does, of course, vary a great deal between people. My remarks, unless otherwise noted, apply to the severely addicted person. I realize that some people who develop problems can easily change their ways without too much external help. However, a pattern of failed attempts to moderate or eliminate a pattern of over-use suggests a severe addiction.

Living without having to overuse a substance or an activity seems natural and easy for those who know how, but complex and difficult for those who suffer with addiction. Living without an addiction is a simple as solving a mathematical equation, as easy as figure skating on ice, or as easy as building a rocket. These things look easy in the hands of a practiced expert, and they are relatively easy for one who is prepared, trained and willing to work hard. Ignorance and lack of skill makes all these projects impossible for most of us.

Practicing an addiction means devising clever and rational ways to do irrational things. Normal living, on other hand, requires skill and determination to do the rational things that improve life. Science today is beginning to understand the physical basis for addiction, and will be able to offer important help to ease addictive appetites; that said, addicts will still have a lot of learning and maturing to do on their own.

If you think you may have an addiction, and if you are reading these words, you are going in the right direction. There is nothing more important or more human than admitting to a problem and then learning all you can about it. Find out what addiction or addictions you have and then read everything you can about them, here and wherever you can find information. Trust to your experience and your judgment; in the long run you may be better off selecting your own program rather than waiting for that magic bullet somebody thinks can solve your problem for you.

An important reminder here: abstinence costs nothing. Human help is often very important, but before you spend good money on quick cures, simple or fancy, remember that no one can do it for you, no one should make your decisions for you.

If you’ve promised yourself to get rid of your addiction, to stop hiding, lying, denying and procrastinating, this series may help. If you’ve decided that building a new and rewarding life is better than dying—however difficult and impossible a better life may seem at the moment—this may help on the road to normal living. There is wonderful and effective help available if you want to give up addiction, but it all starts with your decision to abstain. It is well to remember that programs are not intended as cures, they are opportunities to learn through making good choices of your own.

If you have tried using a self-help group and did not like it or think you did not get much from it, a little further study might be a good idea. If you have tried therapy and found no relief, it may be that either you entered therapy with unrealistic expectations or that your therapist was not the right one for you. Patience, faith and willingness are essential, especially early in abstinence. Above all, keep in mind that programs and therapies don’t do you; they don’t automatically fix what’s wrong. You have to learn to do them with reading, participation, study and making personal changes. Acting like a passive, helpless victim won’t solve problems. Honest work will.

[BB]

Recovery from addiction is a learning process, not a cure in the medical sense. No one knows the best and only way to escape from addiction. Although new and exciting discoveries about the human brain and nervous system are being made every day, there are no easy ways out of addiction, no magic bullets. New drugs may make abstinence and new learning easier, but they can’t take the place of personal growth. Tolerance for the ideas of others is essential. Almost everything written on the subject of addictions offers at least a scrap of useful information. The addict should never shut out a voice or a message just because it seems crude, unpleasant or alien. The most important things you will ever hear are often not what you want to hear. You will learn little from those who agree with you or those who merely sympathize with your situation. We often learn the most from people who at first seem disagreeable or indifferent.

Addiction is a pattern of steady overuse of substances such as food and alcohol, or activities such as gambling and sex. The definition, of course, goes well beyond steady or frequent use. To appreciate the nature of addiction we must examine the psychology of the addicted person. There is a large number of possible addictions, and on the surface they all seem to be quite different from each other. However, there is a common core of beliefs, priorities and values seen in every addiction. There may also be certain biological or genetic factors, but these alone fail to explain why some people with the same factors do not become victims of addiction.

In the early columns that follow, I will outline a simple theory to help explain and understand the multitude of different addictions. A theory that I think helps us to see that whatever the specific addiction may be, we are really dealing with one underlying problem or set of problems. The nature of addiction is what psychologists call developmental because it begins in the personal development of the individual as that person evolves from conception to maturity. Addictions wax and wane with time and experience, they evolve and develop over time just like all other habits and characteristics.

In later columns there will be discussions of the Twelve Steps of Recovery, those all-important program steps used in many different self-help groups. That discussion is written from a psychologist’s point-of-view and is designed specifically for recovering addicts which, for want of any better term, is the word I use to identify anyone with a pattern of addictive behavior.

This series was not written for my fellow mental health professionals; I would hope, of course, that my colleagues would have some interest in the efforts of those of us who try to write for the average person or client. As much as possible, I have used common terms and avoided technical jargon.

I conclude this chapter with a plea that readers begin to think about addictions of all sorts as manifestations of a single life problem. The smoker is obsessed with quitting smoking while the drug abuser is obsessed with giving up the drug of choice. Too many alcoholics, however, die of lung cancer caused by smoking. Too many gamblers shorten their lives by overeating. Too many addicts of all sorts go on to other addictions and wonder why life is still miserable.

Often the addict, prompted to consider all the other possible addictions, will say that taking on more than one problem will cause a relapse in what he or she thinks is the basic problem. They deny that they could ever be perfect, but no one is insisting on perfect.

Self-help groups tend to be preoccupied with a single addiction as well. In some Alcoholics Anonymous groups, members are forbidden to mention other addictions. This is why, I think, we need something like a generalized Addictions Anonymous meeting. Addicts must learn tolerance for each other no matter what the addiction may seem to be.

[BB]

Those who would provide treatment for addicts often mirror the obsession with individual addictions as if their specialty were the only one that mattered. We have specialists in alcoholism, drug addiction, smoking cessation, gambling and so forth. We have very few practicing general addictionologists who are comfortable working with any and all addictions. A narrow focus on one addiction at a time is based on several factors. Money for treatment may come from a government or from an organization that wants their guilt money to pay for only one kind of treatment. The alcohol production industry gives some money for prevention and treatment of alcoholism, but isn’t really interested in smoking or gambling problems. The gambling industry funds treatment and research on gambling, but isn’t particularly interested in the eating, smoking or drinking of their gambling clients.

Some mental health professionals resist adding other addictions to the one they are used to treating because it would mean additional training or additional licensing. Some, of course, actually find themselves practicing an addiction such as gambling while at the same time acting as therapists for alcoholics. There are complex reasons why addicts and mental health professionals alike join in preferring specialization, but there is a small but vigorous field known as addictionology. That is where my allegiance lies.

In columns that follow I will be outlining a general theory of addiction and a format for a possible Addictions Anonymous, one that is both universal and non-religious.



Tags:                               




Latest stories in Life

In Trust I Trust

Leadership and its challenges

All Females are Amma here

European Aviation Safety Investigators Have Qantas Concerns

IT’S NOT A WASTE PRODUCT ANY MORE






go says on 2006-06-03 09:53:26 about 1st article
As a gambling addict and with 7 months recovery I was pointed to your articles by my thearpist. I completed 30 days of inpatient treatment and am following that up with weekly one hour one on one thearpy, a weekly meeting lead by my therapist and attending 2 ga meetings a week.

I destroyed myself, my family and a very prosperous career. This is not my first time stopping and getting help.

your article in my opinion is exellent information for someone who is not addicted or for a loved one to better understand the addict.

your last paragraphs on page one says "Above all, keep in mind that programs and therapies don’t do you; they don’t automatically fix what’s wrong. You have to learn to do them with reading, participation, study and making personal changes. Acting like a passive, helpless victim won’t solve problems. Honest work will.

As a struggling recovering addict i need simple steps and clear consise direction on how to make personal changes (character changes) It is obvious I need to make major changes - but the struggle I have is relearning the proper ways - I for 25 years have been dishonest to everyone in my life....ATTENDING MEETINGS is teaching me discipline and responsibility - In recovery now 7 months its like a rebirth - and I have to learn everything new - releationships, stopping my isolation, managing money, basic things that non addicts come naturally. That is where I need help - not vague large instructions such as making character changes - HOW DO I - and specific details or checklists on making these vital changes - where to start etc...That would be helpful










victor says on 2006-05-30 03:34:33 about Well put
Good article! I especially liked this one part - "I conclude this chapter with a plea that readers begin to think about addictions of all sorts as manifestations of a single life problem. The smoker is obsessed with quitting smoking while the drug abuser is obsessed with giving up the drug of choice. Too many alcoholics, however, die of lung cancer caused by smoking. Too many gamblers shorten their lives by overeating. " - this pretty much says it all :)









Post Comment

 
 Your nickname
 
 About what
 
 Your comment
 
Are you human? Re-type this code - GYTDDDL
 









The American Republican Party as a Militant Minority

Fortress America: The American Love of Guns

How to Survive a Writers' Critique Group

Growing New Body Parts

The Theater of God

Creativity Requires Discipline

The Agnostic Pulpit: Toxic Advertising

The Agnostic Pulpit: The university eduation fraud

The Day the Wine Rack Collapsed

Obama and the Liberal Personality

A Gentle Death

The Agnostic Pulpit: The Unmentionable Minority

The Narcissism of the Terrorist

An American in London

Ten Reasons Why the United States Should Get Out of Afghanistan

The Agnostic Pulpit: Controlling Greed

The Agnostic Pulpit: The Truth about Christmas

The Agnostic Pulpit: The American War on Sex

The Agnostic Pulpit: Addictions

The Agnostic Pulpit: Self-help

The Agnostic Pulpit: Explaining Non-belief

The Agnostic Pulpit: Voting for the Wives

The Agnostic Pulpit: Food, Obesity, and the Quality of Life

Great American Dumb Ideas: Automatic Citizenship

Great American Dumb Ideas: Writing Contests

Great American Dumb Ideas: Debt-life

Great American Dumb Ideas: Elder Blues

Great American Dumb Ideas: Sanctity of Life

Great American Dumb Ideas: Christmas

Great American Dumb Ideas: Gang Phobia

Great American Dumb Ideas: External Identity

Great American Dumb Ideas: Atheists are Evil

Great American Dumb Ideas: Christian Sunday school

Great American Dumb Ideas: Prohibition

Great American Dumb Ideas: Designer God

Great American Dumb Ideas: Disneyism

Great American Dumb Ideas: Teleligion

Addictions Anonymous, 40: Problems in Learning Serenity

Addictions Anonymous, 39: Problems with Relationships and Sponsors

Addictions Anonymous, 38: Problems with Emotional Pain and Service to Others

Addictions Anonymous, 37: Problems with Anger and Depression

Addictions Anonymous, 36: Problems with Anticipation

Addictions Anonymous 35: Harm Reduction

Addictions Anonymous 34: Therapists Of All Sorts

Addictions Anonymous, 4: A Bit Of History

Addictions Anonymous, 5: They Sneak Up On Us

Addictions Anonymous, 7: Common Elements In Addictions

Addictions Anonymous, 6: Triggers

Addictions Anonymous, 8: Risk Factors

Addictions Anonymous. 11: The Addiction Cycle

Addictions Anonymous, 12: The Stages of Addiction and Recovery

Addictions Anonymous, 10: Dark Feelings

Addictions Anonymous, 3: An Incident on the Boardwalk

Addictions Anonymous, 2: Self-help, Professionals And The Role of Religion

Addictions Anonymous, 9: How Attitudes, Beliefs And Values Create Vulnerability

Designing America, #2: The Constitutional Convention

Designing America: Why Bother?

Designing America :- #4: Some Problems In Constitutional Wording

Designing America: #3: What Changed From 1776 to 2006?

Boris Burns The Bible

Addictions Anonymous, 1: The Challenge Of Normal Living

Addictions Anonymous: Introduction

Addictions Anonymous, 13: A Universal Secular Twelve Steps

Addictions Anonymous, 15: Living With Higher Authorities

Addictions Anonymous, 24: More On Religion In Recovery

Addictions Anonymous, 25: Normophobia

Addictions Anonymous, 27: Normal As The Gold Standard—Part One

Chapter 28: Normal As The Gold Standard—Part Two

Addictions Anonymous 29: The Way to Be, Part One

Addictions Anonymous 30: The Way to Be, Part Two

Addictions Anonymous, 33: Pitfalls In Finding Treatment

Addictions Anonymous, 31: Does Prohibition Work?

Addictions Anonymous, 23: Group Traditions And Management

Addictions Anonymous, 22: Continuing The Growth

Addictions Anonymous, 14: The Art Of Being Powerless

Addictions Anonymous, 16: The Surrender Of Ego

Addictions Anonymous, 17: Self Knowledge

Addictions Anonymous, 18: Confession, Honesty And The Open Life

Addictions Anonymous, 19: Growth Through Practice

Addictions Anonymous, 20: Asking For Help

Addictions Anonymous, 26: Searching For Normal

Addictions Anonymous, 21: Setting Things Right

Addictions Anonymous, 32: When a Friend Needs Help
Julian I. Taber, Ph.D.
Variouis pulication in research journals and popular periodicals. Two books published.

Julian I. Taber, Ph.D. is a retired clinical psychologist who specialized in the treatment of addictive behavior and is a recognized authority on problem gambling having published a number of research reports in professional journals over the years. He received two national awards for his early work with problem gamblers. His book, In The Shadow of Chance, was published by members of Gamblers Anonymous and is used in professional training workshops. Taber is currently at work on several nonfiction books related to psychology as well as satirical novellas, short stories and non-fiction articles. His articles, stories and essays have appeared in Ultralight Flying, USA Today, Editor and Publisher, The Las Vegas Review Journal, an anthology on September 11 by Sands Publishing, and in a Cup of Comfort Christmas Anthology offered by Adams Media. His essay on autobiography was published in Fulcrum Poetry 2005. Taber lives on Whidbey Island north of Seattle with a Siamese cat named Elsie.




Write for us    









NewNobility
Genre: Indie
New Nobility peace-rock band http://myspace.com/newnobility...

Rad Wolf
Genre: Other
Hailing from Fort Worth Texas, Jacob Shelton makes music in ...

JO&CO
Genre: Acoustic
Five diverse musicians who bring their own style to everythi...

Shannon Corey
Genre: Pop
Mix together some Tori Amos, Fiona Apple and Ben Folds to ge...

The Fireman's Daughter
Genre: Acoustic
The Fireman�s Daughter is a female Americana duo based out...

Bruce Unger
Genre: Alternative
Bruce is singer/songwriter in a folk/country vein, reminisce...

The Simple Pages
Genre: Indie
Above all else you must know about us is that we are three g...

Hearts in Pencil
Genre: Indie
"Taking folk and stamping it through a new wave filter, thei...

Hail Animator
Genre: Indie
Hail Animator is the result of a brainchild of four peopl...

FRIDAY
Genre: Indie
shoegaze-rock-ambient Is this a lost Creation Records relea...


NewNobility
Genre: Indie
New Nobility peace-rock band http://myspace.com/newnobility...
Rad Wolf
Genre: Other
Hailing from Fort Worth Texas, Jacob Shelton makes music in ...
JO&CO
Genre: Acoustic
Five diverse musicians who bring their own style to everythi...
Shannon Corey
Genre: Pop
Mix together some Tori Amos, Fiona Apple and Ben Folds to ge...
The Fireman's Daughter
Genre: Acoustic
The Fireman�s Daughter is a female Americana duo based out...
Bruce Unger
Genre: Alternative
Bruce is singer/songwriter in a folk/country vein, reminisce...
The Simple Pages
Genre: Indie
Above all else you must know about us is that we are three g...
Hearts in Pencil
Genre: Indie
"Taking folk and stamping it through a new wave filter, thei...
Hail Animator
Genre: Indie
Hail Animator is the result of a brainchild of four peopl...
FRIDAY
Genre: Indie
shoegaze-rock-ambient Is this a lost Creation Records relea...
Travel to Tartu and have a beer

...read

Finding the best Arizona rentals

...read

Going to Mexico? Visit Playa Blanca

...read

The Lapa Street Party, Rio de Janeiro : Where Samba is attempted by all, perfected by few…

...read

Funny Dutch language

...read

5 weeks in israel........political report from an american

...read

Arab camel joke

...read

Where the hell is Azerbaijan?

...read

Difficult day in "Holy shit" land

...read

Friday morning with Charlie in the old city of Jerusalem

...read

WHY should i? Continue reading
Alien Abductions Continue reading
No qualification? Good at tech? Then go into tech! Continue reading
Prophecy: Don't support Far East Organization Continue reading
My face, the Chuas and their astigism Continue reading
Axes of Evil Continue reading
Schizophrenia Help Continue reading
Where is your conscience, America? Continue reading
Hyflux to blame for Singapore's dry dirty weather? Continue reading
Dyslexia Help Continue reading









ADVERTISEMENTS
Anxiety - Anxiety, Depression and ADHD related information.



The Cheers magazine: About us | Contact us | The Cheers Story | Advertising
Work with The Cheers: Writers guide | Write for us | Writer application | Reporter application 
The Cheers:Terms and conditions | Privacy policy | Sponsoring | Sitemap
Sister sites:Thoughts about | Free online stock market game | Wifi hotspots and wireless laptops | Brand Lady 
Listen: Online radio station | Unsigned musicians | Music reviews | Listen to unknown bands
Travel World: World travel locations | Morocco Agadir travel
Travel: Travel blogs | Travel destinations | Hotel reviews | Beer around the world
Watch: Watch movies online | Watch free tv online | Watch heroes online
Trade: Virtual stock market | Fantasy investing competitions | Free day trading tips
Learn: Business videos online | Business networking | Business strategies | Business ideas
Copyright © 2004-2009 The Cheers magazine / Addictions Anonymous, 1: The Challenge Of Normal Living &