This is a subject very close to my heart, with 25 years of recovery I feel I have a lot of experience in this area. I thought it might be useful to include a definition and this is what I found…

 The fact or condition of being addicted to a particular substance or activity.

 Many people are not even aware that they may be addicted to something and the list I am sharing is only the tip of the iceberg.

 Food (under eating/overeating/anorexia/bulimia/controlled eating)

Work

Sex

Drugs

Sport/exercise

Negativity

Self-harm

Self-neglect

Relationship or co-dependency

Constant activity

Tv/computers or games

Shopping

 

I guess the first thing is to Acknowledge you have an issue, when I was an exercise addict I often felt compelled to exercise even when I was tired or unwell. Also my food addiction felt like a true compulsion, I just had to have it and used food as a ‘self soother’,it was my comfort.

I somehow felt more in control when I was using a substance or activity and often said, ‘what will you give me to help me relax without one of the above?’

 The solution really comes with the three A’s(Acknowledgement, Acceptance and Action)  after the acknowledgement and then some sort of acceptance, the real work begins with the action part.

Getting help is truly in my experience the way forward, that may be with a visit to your GP, Counselling, Coaching, group therapy etc but the top of the list for me was entering a 12 step program.

In this ever changing, and at present, fearful time we all often turn to something to help ease the stress, or somehow get away from reality and addiction certainly helps us be less present to the worries of the world and life around us.

It’s not easy to admit you are addicted to something but once I took that step the rest of the journey became easier, today I still have challenges but instead of using food, alcohol, or over exercise I am able to talk about my feelings.

I  have learned I can sit with them rather than use something to numb them, I am more able to articulate what’s going on for me and less likely to use anything that may eventually cause my body to become unwell. I also am more aware the only person I can change is myself so I am mindful not to take on the world’s problems. I try to  ensure I take care of myself well and this has a massive knock on effect to all around me.

So finally If this does apply to you or someone you know, help is always available you just have to be ready to ask.