Is This You?
The Addiction Continuum

Get the feeling that you aren’t the one calling the shots?

That nicotine, alcohol, cocaine, methamphetamine, heroin, pot, prescription drugs, food, the computer, or gambling are telling you what to do?

You say you won’t use today, but somehow you find that you are.

It’s just too hard not to.

Addictions are progressive disorders. They begin subtly.

You don’t even realize that you have a strong affinity for the substance or the behavior.

Just that it makes you feel better.

Then you find that it really helps you over the bumps, so you use a little more, or spend more time on the addictive behavior, such as online gambling.

Then you realize that you can use it even when there aren’t any bumps.

And finally it hits you one day that you are going through a surprising amount of the drug or spending a surprising amount of time on the behavior.

Maybe when you look at your bank balance, or when your doctor balks at renewing a prescription, or when your boss or your partner start giving you a hard time, or when the scales surprise you.

Then, it is time to take action.

Like anything worthwhile, breaking free takes work and time.

The good thing is that you learn a lot about yourself, so you are able to deal more effectively with this busy and complex world.

Drug use and compulsive behaviors are a way of coping. Underlying issues may be many—trauma, post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, stress, grief, chronic pain or others. The reasons for using needs to be attended to. Something must replace the addiction.

This website has short quizzes which look at various addictive behaviors. http://www.addicted.com/addiction-resources/self-tests/

I am an experienced addictions counsellor. Consider giving me a call for an introductory appointment to discuss your situation. No GST or PST charged, even if the HST is enacted.

Phone 604.836.6840 or e-mail me for an introductory appointment

Click here for Phoenix Counselling Blog