Our society is plagued by a silent killer called addiction. Addiction to substances, food, exercise, technology and relationships to name a few. It is not so much what we do that determines whether we are addicted but rather how we do it. Addiction is escapism from reality so ultimately recovery is about creating a life you do not want to escape from.
For many caught in the snare of addiction this is easier said that done. Feelings of shame, guilt and self-loathing often overwhelms attempts to engage in recovery. However, the first step of recovery states that there is an acknowledgement that your life has become unmanageable and that you are powerless over your addiction.
Within this realisation lies the magical power that many addicts have experienced to know that they are not suffering alone but that there are others who can share the burden with them. Community support groups such as Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous have been around for decades and have done ground-breaking work to create a framework for recovery.
Signs of addiction often are:
Preoccupation with the behaviour
Neglecting family due to engagement with the behaviour
Using the behaviour to self-sooth
Hiding/minimising frequency of engagement with behaviour
Anger/defensiveness when significant others comment on behaviour
Feelings of sadness/emptiness/anger when not engaging in the behaviour
Recovery is a hero’s journey that requires rigorous honesty. It is road worth travelling since the gifts far out ways the hardships of the journey. Countless recovering addicts can testify to the bittersweet process of recovery.
Help is available, just reach out and take the first step….
https://www.na.org.au/multi/meetings/
https://www.oa.org.au/meetings/