Addiction has its mechanism in the brain that enables the addict to continue using substances despite the harmful effects it brings. Addictive thinking comes with various thoughts and emotions. It merely depreciates the negativities rather than putting the importance of abstinence to gain a better life when it is present. In today’s post, we will discuss how to change addictive thinking so you know when to act and prevent such behavior.
What are Addictive Thinking Patterns
Individuals who are engaged in addictive behaviors and continue to abuse substances are overcoming. It can be more challenging than expected. Some people believe that addiction might be a myth that they can quit over time despite the difficulties. It is indeed hard when you are facing different addictive thinking patterns. The chemical changes in the brain create a desired effect of euphoria. These psychological and physical cravings provoke addictive patterns that are common to all addicts.
These addictive thought patterns include the following:
Patterns of Addictive thinking
These patterns will help you understand how to change addictive thinking. They are supported by mechanisms, namely: denial, selfishness, irrationality, conditions, and victim mentality.
1. Denial.
Refusal to admit the truth conditions about one’s reality. Denial is normalizing substance use and unwillingly facing the fact that you have an addiction. It is easier in this way for addicts to resolve their issues and feelings of guilt or regret. Moreover, denial can keep people abusing substances because they might think of the following:
2. Selfishness.
Distraction from being absorbed by one’s thoughts and emotions.
People who recover from substance addiction lead to going back to addiction because they can think:
3. Irrationality.
It is making abrupt decisions that are illogical and not accompanied by reasoning.
4. Conditions.
We believe that we need external aspects such as approval, job, or drugs to feel satisfied, confident, and secured. Addicts use drugs to feel happy, worthy, and stable, which is also why these people are having a hard time quitting addicting substances.
How do these conditions keep people from abusing substances? They might think of the following:
5. Victim mentality.
Victim mentality happens when you believe the false idea that circumstances control people rather than people control the circumstances. It also manifests when you blame someone for their poor choices, including drug use. The victim mentality is used to protect oneself by taking responsibility for their addiction and managing stable recovery.
How to change addictive thinking
To recover from addictive thinking patterns, here are ways how to change addictive thinking and get sober:
- Be conscious of the consequences
Substance use triggers people to have impulsive actions. You need to be aware of the abrupt feeling that causes you to do inappropriate actions. One thing is to take a pause and evaluate yourself on how these actions significantly affect your loved ones. It is better to list all addictive patterns you have struggled to manage and think of them as the shadow of addiction. Accept it as something you need to fight back for you to be better.
- Make yourself busy to avoid triggers
Triggers are what keeps you reminded that subconsciously, you are under addiction. Triggers can be in different forms, they can be a place, people, events, or material, and they should not be near you. In this case, you need to find new things that keep you busy. It can be a new hobby, employment, outdoors, moving to a new place, and starting anew. Most importantly, avoid people you know who can trigger your addictive patterns or behavior. Since triggers are inevitable, you have to keep yourself mentally healthy to cope and remain sober. Counseling, therapy, and rehabilitation can be a great help if you haven’t tried one.
- Abstinence
Allowing your addicting voice to emerge will only make your situation worse. You have to stop participating in an addictive voice. It will only block your hope and positivity to get better. The addictive voice will ruminate and repeat what it says until you are clouded by it, proving that your addictive thinking is right. Instead of entertaining those thoughts, you have to ignore them and participate in more engaging activities.
- Refocus and rethink on the present
The only important aspect that you should be looking forward to is the present. Find peace and tranquillity in what you can see in your surrounding, what you hear and smell. Focus your attention on the little things in life, whether the new song on the radio or learning how to cook your favorite meal. If you are talking to someone, focus fully on what they are saying and affirming that you listened to their voice, seeing their body movements and facial expressions. Try harder and be present so that you can gently pull back your addictive thought.
- Invest in your physical and mental well-being.
You have to eat well with nutritious food, exercise daily, or even go on morning walks and get enough sleep for you to be able to get your mind calm. You can also join in holistic activities like yoga or meditation that can shift your thinking into positivity.
Conclusion
It won’t be an overnight fix to get sober. It will take a lot of time and patience. Though it might be really difficult, the end journey will always be worth it. How can you change addictive thinking patterns? Learn to focus on yourself and not the addictive voice inside you that dictates your actions. Be present to your loved ones, preoccupy your mind with the calmness of the surroundings around you and keep your mental and physical health your priority. Addictive thinking patterns will be eradicated once you start doing the effective ways above. All you need to do is believe in yourself in the capacity that you hold to manage your addiction and always be persevered on doing the things that will allow you to grow and start a new life. There are various ways to help yourself in dealing with your situation right now. Changing your addictive patterns is the first step to it, and you are equipped with the knowledge and hope to be sober and better for your present and future self. Surely, you will thank yourself for fighting this battle and staying strong throughout the journey.
