Addiction
For as long as I can remember I have had an addictive personality. Some of my addictions I have found to be healthy(eg sports, vegetables, finishing work I have started). Others like drinking alcohol, nicotine, and THC I have found not only impair my better judgement but also can be detrimental to my physical and mental health. I start impossible arguments with my wife and have been known to say some of the most hurtful things one could say to their life partner. Alcohol is now on the verge of destroying my life. I don't really "fit in" to normal AA groups because I'm not religious so using "God" as the main pillar for recovery does not work for me. I need help before I ruin everything I've spent my life building.
@yellowField6986
What kind of help do you need?
And one more. There are no healthy addictions, what you call healthy is just an illussion. They lead you to an abyss anyway, feeding your ego what it desires.
Thanks for responding. I'm not sure. I've never seen a therapist "one on one" but I've been to groups and they don't really help because they all seem to lean on "God" (which to me is another illusion)...I'd say I'd have to agree you with on your analysis of addictions. I guess I just tell myself it's ok because only good things have come from those particular addictions.
@yellowField6986
There are some AA groups for non-belivers, online as well.
There are also Smart Recovery groups, for not religious people. Though i think AA is also fits all but it;s just my opinion ;}
I guess I need help training myself to ignore these harmful addictions currently ruining my life
@yellowField6986
Oh no, it's just your mind games. It doesn't work this way. An addiction is always much more cunning than you, you cannot just ignore it
Do you have any tips/tricks or a direction to steer me?
@yellowField6986
To steer where to?
First of all, I think it's not a proper method trying to find tips or tricks. You recovery is a hard, tiring, long way a path full of mistakes, disappointments and admirations. As a beggining you have to admit to youself you are an addict. If so that confession you will sense in you stomach, it is that kind of feeling you cannot mix up. But it takes time.
Thank you but I'm already aware I am an addict. I have an addictive personality. It's not a secret and I am ashamed...and I own that. I need to break these habits. I need help and direction. If directing my addictive personality elsewhere is NOT fixing the problem then I need help controlling it.
@yellowField6986
Ok) Then first tip: you can't control your addiction. It's impossible. There are comletely different methods you have to comprehend.
So i have a question: what are you going to do? What you thoughts about it?
This is my first step(other than the obvious step of stopping drinking)... I honestly don't know what to do. I stopped drinking for about 1 year a few years back. I did that on my own and now I'm back at ground zero. So now, I'm reaching out.
@yellowField6986
It's a good experience. And it may help you in the future. Relapse is a part of recovery.
I would ask what addiction you want to quit first? It's almost impossible to cope with all together at the same time
Alcohol is my first. It is imperative that I focus on this first. My marriage depends on it.
@yellowField6986
Then ready to stop? :)
Tomorrow?
And one more thing i should say. As they say in AA: sobriety is the first! Or smth like that. And i almost agree. So your marriage has nothing to do with your recovery. It's hard to understand right now, just note, later on your way you will put everything on its place :}
Sorry for mistakes, i am not native and trying to avoid the Google translator, so if something isn't clear just ask :)
You speak English very well. Sobriety starts today. No more alcohol. I think I may try intermittent fasting as well. An idea I picked up from a listener.👍
@yellowField6986
Nothing against but. It's highly recommended not to combine quitting with any new for you health practice such as working out, dieting, or whatever. What's stress for an alcoholic? Yes, the whole life. And if you begin to add to it more stress then the result is predictable.
First period of quitting is almost phisical work and hard work. You will need energy, so don't spend it elswhere. In opposite, try to get more calmness, some little pleasures and all of that kind.
What you are going tot with a diet (or how we call it :}) is a very common mistake for begginers Try to avoid it, please
@yellowField6986
I know often there are no words to express what happens in you mind, your soul, you consciousness. Human verbal languages is poorly suited for this but you may write down, draw, paint, scream or whatever ;)
And yet I urge you to speak up being extemely honest to youself and to whom you trust.
Addiction is called a desease but i gues it's a psrt of the truth. What it really is, no one really knows and it gives us a lot of opportunities to meet true ourselves