...and how to tell the difference.

From our experience emotional addiction usually precedes physical  or chemical addiction.

In every case it's different of course.

But the pattern is that, if left alone, the emotional reasons behind an addiction, will work away in the background, below conscious awareness, then manifest from time to time as aggression/anxiety/other uncharacteristic behaviour, in a bid to protect access to the coping mechanism that alcohol or drugs have become.

This pattern will repeat itself over time, with both the addicted individual and family members entering into different degrees of denial, in order to maintain the status quo and prevent their loved one experiencing any kind of pain.

Meanwhile, in the background, the body's tolerance level physically and chemically for the substance grows and expands. The chemical requirements become greater and more difficult to satisfy as neurons become habituated in their reactions every time the alcohol or drugs are consumed.

And so the cycle continues. An event in the outside world gets interpreted with a certain meaning that acts as a trigger (e.g. "I'm not good enough"/"I'm not important"/connection to previous trauma) that pushes the individual emotionally back into the substance in order to feel good enough/worthy/etc, then the physical addiction comes into play and increases the amount of the substance required each time in order to satisfy the emotional craving.

Most folks in the latter phases of addiction will seek advice at a time when they are desperate as a result of the physical consequences of their addiction...but the physical symptoms are the last point in time that your body has alerted you to these issues.

They are the last point of expression of the inward struggle of the emotional addiction.

Seek professional help initially to understand "why am I addicted?" before the addiction gets a chance to express itself at a physical level.

Is this easy? No. But this is the work required to plan:
- alternative, more functional supports for those trigger situations;
- counselling or other emotional help with the underlying issues behind the addiction, e.g. self-esteem beliefs, core beliefs, etc
- the basic structural foundation back in life

...and these, are the fundamentals, of long term recovery from addiction.

Call us now on 01733 530 417 for free advice, on your unique situation.

The number one issue people face when attempting to overcome their addiction is the reason why it's there.

- Why is this a pattern in my life?
- Why do I keep coming back to substance X?
- What purpose or function does it serve in my life?

Whether we like it or not, addiction serves a positive purpose in our lives. Beyond the physical and chemical side of the addiction, the substance fulfils a need, an emotional need, that we are not getting filled elsewhere.

It could be self-esteem related. It could be a previous trauma that has robbed us of the ability to feel just ok about ourselves at a base level.

But the substance is *compensating* for something. It's what we turn to, to feel:

- important
- worthy
- good enough
- accepted
- loved
- like what I say matters
- like what I *feel* matters
- etc

A long time ago, we've used the substance, once or twice, and a deep part of the unconscious mind has learned, "this is the way to feel good enough".

Maybe that learning has been reinforced by observational learning, growing up, in the family environment. Maybe what we've witnessed, has led us to conclude "the way to feel worthy, is to drink".

But that's only one conclusion of many. We can unlearn these beliefs, and break the addiction.

If I learn better coping strategies, if I tackle the underlying issues in therapy. If I address "I'm not good enough", in a safe, supported, therapeutic setting, and resolve it, then my need to use a substance....dissolves.

I no longer believe I'm not ok, and so I feel less triggered in those old situations I use to feel anxious or angry in.

I have a greater awareness of the trigger situations themselves, and therefore I have a much greater level of control, over my choices, about how I react when I realise, consciously, that I do feel triggered, and for the first time, I understand the reasons why.

My friends, *this* is working on the addiction. *This* is helping us resolve it at the root.

If I no longer believe "I'm not ok/I'm not good enough/I'm not worthy", etc, then my reason for using the substance... is gone.

Will it solve everything? Nope.

But will it make it substantially easier to *understand* ourselves, the relationship and work issues we face, the family problems, etc, etc, etc and help us react to them better, with more mindfulness, and in sobriety?

Absolutely.

Come join us on the recovery train. We work with multiple clinics with multiple budgets for treatment, and I'm certain we can help you.

Advice is free. Call us on 01733 530 417.