Addiction

In order to understand Addiction, we need to appreciate how addiction works in order to focus on the path of recovery and rehabilitation. The journey of rebuilding a life a person wants to live and the essential elements needed.

When we first indulge in that first (whether its your first bet, one-night-stand, "feel good" purchase, drink,  jump, high, or whatever you do), it gives you that rush of pleasure. It feels good and so we repeat the process, because we feel good and its that good feeling we want to hold on to.

BUT...

The more we have, the less happy we are, therefore we strive more to regain that happiness. By our demanding more of what we have that gives us that feel good factor, the reward path is overwhelmed and over-subscribed and is then working hard trying to keep up with our demand for happiness.

This is an addictive process. Feeling good comes in all forms:

FOOD -  You have heard people referred to as “foodies or feeders” using food as a comfort

DRAMA - people looking for emotional highs who put themselves in situations that provoke emotional extremes

DRINK/DRUGS - recreational, binge, functioning, non-functioning ways of using alcohol, prescribed and illegal drugs and other substances to escape.

EXCITEMENT - adrenalin junkies (the next danger has to be more dangerous than the last)

SEX - one night stands, exploiting themselves and others in a provocative manner or excessive sexual demands with their partners. 

These examples are but a few. We find numerous ways of becoming addicted and the hook is always the reward pathway. So we seek more of what we believe makes us happy.

This can be the beginning of our own self destruction and in many situations the destruction of families, friendships and lives. 

Once caught up in the addiction before you can get help, you have to acknowledge it, embrace you have an issue or problem and then want to learn how to live with it through recovery and rehabilitation.

Tracey has been working with addiction and has Level 5 certification in supporting, those wanting to manage and control their addiction though counselling.

Tracey's experience, knowledge and support has enabled clients to work with those elements of their behaviours that enable them to face life in a different way.

This supports their fight against addiction and helps their continued sobriety.

The first step always feels the hardest, but with Tracey that first step will be gentle and possibly the best thing you ever did for yourself.