The material presented
here is not Al-Anon Conference Approved Literature. It is a method
to exchange
information, ideas, feelings, problems and solutions on a personal
level.
I have been so pleased with myself for dodging the "obvious" addictions like drugs and alcohol, that I didn't even notice that I use other things, like television, exactly the same way an alcoholic uses drinking.
That thought threw me for a bit - I am not supposed to be the addict! But I use TV to avoid uncomfortable emotions, I watch enough that it interferes with my performance at school and my social life, and attempts to cut back have failed... if someone told me those things about their drinking, I would think they had a problem!
OK, there is no biological/scientific basis for "TV addiction" and it isn't life-threatening like alcoholism... but this pattern of behavior is a problem for me, and something I think I should change.
What do you do with your own "less serious" addictive behaviors? Do you try to go for complete abstinence like with alcohol? What addictive behaviors have been problems for you, and how have you coped with them?
-- Edited by atheos on Friday 5th of June 2015 12:20:03 AM
Hi Atheos great question
Smoking has been a huge addiction for me. With the help of a prescription drug, I have been smoke-free for over five years. I do know and truly accept the fact that if I pick up one cigarette, or smoke one Hooka, or electric cigarette, I will be hooked once again and back to three packs in no times.
AA says see the drink all the way through before you pick up-- I see the cigarette all the way through, and remember how hard it was to stop and do not pick up.
As far as other behaviors such as television watching ,shopping, snacking - I do not view them as troublesome as of yet and believe all things in moderation work for me except smoking and drinking. Looking forward to others shares. :)
I am an emotional eater and have become very aware of it. I work out regularly to keep myself from gaining anymore weight, but wish it was something I could just abstain from, for me that would be easier. So I literally have a food journal and log what I eat, I realize when I am about to eat when I am not hungry and go for a walk or remove myself from the kitchen. I have found many healthy habits, but do fall back to my one true love (FOOD glorious food) often. I am diligent when I find flaws and am a work in progress. Great awareness and coming here with it will help others as well as yourself. Sending you love and support!
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Sending you love and support on your journey always! BreakingFree
Al-Anon/Alateen Family Group Headquarters, Inc. 800-344-2666
" Pain is inevitable, suffering is optional."
"Serenity is when your body and mind are in the same place."
Thank you for sharing on this topic. I have been thinking about it a lot myself lately. I do have other addictive behaviors. I am also an emotional eater and will go to extremes with food--I am either an extremely healthy eater, runner, etc OR I am on my couch with potato chips and cake! The television watching is interesting too...I know many people are into 'binge watching' and I have been one of them. It doesn't always feel like the healthiest behavior to me and when I notice that in myself I go off grid for a while and stick to books (not the electronic readers either!).
Interesting topic, I will be interested to read what others share--thank you!
I have struggled with an eating disorder since I was in high school. I am not active in my disorder, but it takes daily work to stay that way. (My first thought when I get upset or angry is "I need to throw up".) I think because of this, I get even more frustrated with my AH because I know I have issues, but thankfully I am able to abstain and be a much happier, healthier individual and I figure if I can do it, so can he...I know, wrong thinking right there.
I think we all have coping mechanisms, some good, some very bad. The beauty of Al Anon is it helps to reinforce (and teach new) positive ways of coping versus negative...it has been so good for me :)
This is an excellent topic! I had a longer post written and then hit the wrong key and poof ... it was gone! LOL....my HP in action maybe?
I am a member of the 'other side' and belonged there first.
As I've worked the steps and examined 'me', I have come to realize that I have addictive tendencies. My thinking process is not limited to substances that alter my mental state but actions as well - shopping, exercising, smoking, eating, TV, etc.
The obsession, compulsion, addiction is alive and well in this member and I've just had to simplify it for me....
So - as I try to focus on today only - not the past and not the future, I strive for balance or moderate behavior. I have more success some days than others.
I too watch a ton of TV - rather I will say, it is almost always on (background). I've fretted about this for a while, and come to find that it is the noise my mind craves. My brain doesn't like silence. So - I try now to listen to music for part of the day instead of the TV....
Always keeping the end game in mind, progress and not perfection, I've been able to get better at balance. I allow myself many more slips with these other behaviors as I've come to accept my brain is just wired differently. I think too much, I analyze too much, I ___________ too much, etc.
For me, Balance & Moderation are the Keys as goals....
Thanks for bringing this forward!
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Practice the PAUSE...Pause before judging. Pause before assuming. Pause before accusing. Pause whenever you are about to react harshly and you will avoid doing and saying things you will later regret. ~~~~ Lori Deschene
I am so glad you started this thread, Atheos! I have been pondering this lately as I'm taking inventory of myself.
I know right now I'm going through depression. I ended two jobs that I loved- basically the time ended; I did not quit or was fired.
So I'm trying to find another job, but really am not into it.
I am also through my first year of school and saying good-bye to some of my classmates who will be graduating, and probably won't see again.
My depression is really bad that I have a hard time getting up in the morning. I have also dealt with physical aches and pain I believe is caused by this.
And I'm home a lot more, so I'm not having to deal with the problems I've been putting off, because I'm not as busy.
I do have a workaholic addiction. Now that I'm not working as much, I find no motivation. And a lot more anxiety.
I try to fix that by either being on the Internet a lot more, playing games and just general research. But then it shifts from one thing to another.
I bounce around like a rubber ball....wherever the wind will blow. I have a hard time concentrating.
I also have been eating a lot more, and the things I know I can't have. I have a lot of health problems that I've basically eradicated due to diet.
Now, those symptoms are coming back because I'm eating badly. Then I get depressed because of my health, and then with everything else.
It's like a Catch-22 in a way. I'm in this cycle that I have a hard time breaking. I am aware I have a problem.
In a way, it's helping me when I am taking inventory on myself to also relate to my A on her addiction. And for me, I have a hard time getting out of the depression in order to
help myself, much like my A. I know coming here helps me get out of my head and helplessness. Being home and dealing with home repairs, bills,
cleaning and all of the stuff I "left" for my A to deal with (and my A hasn't dealt with it), I am so overwhelmed, even though I'm not working. I know,
it sounds strange, but I hate dealing with that stuff. It's easier for me to write a paper or do lesson planning, or do assessments than to do all of this stuff
I'm not knowledgeable or good at, or just hate doing. I have anxiety meeting issues and having to deal with them head on.
Pulling myself out of my depression would help me with these addictive behaviors.
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Butterflies can't see their wings. They can't see how truly beautiful they are, but everyone else can. People are like that as well. Anonymous
I'm a Nervous Eater, Stress Eater... and Also a "Craftoholic" when I Start a Project it seems I have to have Every Possible Item Needed for Said Craft, then when I Roll with it, I get Overwhelmed because I have so Much and No Space to "Enjoy" it :/ being an Addict Myself doesn't help, seems I Gave up Smokes for Craft, then Gave up Alcohol for Food, Lord Knows what I Would pick up if I Quit Crafting?
That is Something I Love about the 12steps... You Can Use them with ANY Addictions... Even TV or Crafting... Thanks for You Thread, We Spend So Much Time Focusing on Our A's that its Nice to Take a Break from that and Focus on Ourselves for a Change, because for me that is Truly where I Grow when I'm Looking at Me and Not them ;)
