5.3 >>
A second source of addiction lives in our mind. Some call it a disease. The psychology profession labels it a disorder. I consider it a repetitive thought parasite. Whatever phrase makes the most sense to you, call it that! The main point is that addiction is an affliction that makes us act in certain ways. You are not a bad person, just sick.
Alcohol and drugs take over our minds and make us obssessed. They can become everything to us: our best friend, our significant other and our abusive master (making us the slave). We veterans think our minds are tough, but we become easily possessed over time too.
Addiction speaks to us, whispering that it is helping us with various issues. It keeps us in denial, telling us things like, “I’m not as bad as that person” or “I’m just having fun” while everything is crumbling down around us. Our obsession breeds our denial. We usually don’t even know we have sunk that low.
Substances can also seduce our thoughts and minds. We may see drinking or using as glamorous, the only way to have fun, or mandatory for things like sports and concerts. That’s what advertising, TV, and movies have shown us.
We say to ourselves we will just have a couple or a little bit. That lie translates into a couple of liters or a bit of an ounce. Does that “just a little” ever work out for you? Don’t BS yourself! Whether your addiction mind parasite has a bullhorn or a bedroom voice, it will try its damndest to get inside you.
As we drink or use for a while, our mind becomes even more distorted. Serious mental illness can start or be made worse. This mental spiral is a dangerous time for the alcoholic or addict. It is in these crisis times that many recognize their misery and problems caused by substance abuse. If you feel your thoughts and mind are spinning out of control, then sobriety and asking for help makes sense today.
The antidote for this mind invasion is the consistent repetition of recovery. It’s why I go to an AA meeting nearly every day and read a couple pages of sober literature many times through the day. I say to myself every morning, “I am grateful to be sober and I won’t drink or use today.” Many people in recovery use prayer and meditation to get outside of themselves and ease their minds.
If the repetition of drinking, drugging, and lying to ourselves dug us into a hole, we need consistent positivity to get us out. It takes time, but it’s the only logical path after we know our situation. The first step is deeply admitting our problem.
5.3 >>