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Well Balanced Mondays: Addiction 26 Sept 2022


3 Major Talking Point: 1 ABCs of Addiction 2 Finding The Way Back 3 Get Plugged In & Resources

Segment One: Pg 148: "Whether it's tobacco, alcohol, gambling, marijuana, or even things like chocolate, and soap operas, we're one addicted culture."
-How Do We Become Addicted? Most often way to self medicate-coping with severe emotional problems, or trauma.
-Some may feel neglect as a child or seeing someone use alcohol to cope with hardships may prompt someone to utilize a substance or ritual. Dr. David Stoop PhD : " Instead of dealing with the reality of relationships, we learn to numb ourselves with some kind of chemical." -Pg149
-Those with a "deep-seated fear of rejection" known to turn to sexul addictions, or some may turn to food addiction to find control in one part of their life.
-Emotions are only part of addiction - Chemicals designed to help soothe our sorrows. Receptors in our brains take the chemical generating feeling of euphoria that temporarily relieves stress.
-Some substances create such great feelings, Pg 149: "If someone shoots you up with heroin, there is 99% probability you will become addicted to it," says Dr. Stoop. Even most disciplined may struggle, some drugs are that powerful.
-If desire for the drugs becomes unmanageable, you're addicted. " 'I want to stop a certain activity or using a substance but haven't been able to,' we're addicted," says Dr. Mark Laasen PhD.
-Through time, addiction grows stronger and body develops tolerance towards substance which results in you needing more to feel good.
-The consequences of addiction will appear in different ways depending on substance you abuse: you may lose jobs, steal from friends, wreck marriages or cars. Harder addiction will result in enslavement of physical and psychological damage, more severe consequences, legal and physical ramifications. Addicts will do whatever to maintain fulfillment of engagement.

Segment Two Finding the Way Back : Pg 150: "If you always do what you did, you always get what you got," Charles Zieders doctor of psychology. If you're constantly at bar surrounded by drunk people and you're wondering why you can't stop drinking, you may want to try something different.
-Hand it to God: Pg 151 Dr. Stoop, "The only one who can manage [Our mess] is God, and we have to turn the control of our lives over to Him. That's the basic message of salvation. That's the message of Gospel. And it's the message of recovery as well."
-See a Doctor: A detox center may be necessary for severe addicts. Detox process is extremely difficult on the body. Some medication are needed to counteract some lethal responses during the detox process.
-Change the Scenery: Seek it people who care about your recovery and well being.
-Make Amends: List names of people you have wronged or hurt during addictive behavior. Repay debts and or apologize if you've caused harm. Pg 151: " 'This is where people get stuck,' Says Dr. Stoop, but we have to redeem ourselves, as painful as it might be. ' If this is overlooked, it can short-circuit the whole recovery process.' "
-Develop Humility: Pg 151 : "Not shame but humility," says Dr. Stoop. Making amends helped develop humility, admitting we're powerless putting everything in God's hands.
-Tell Others: Remain in the process and share your story. Successful recovered addicts admit they still need support and find it in sharing and helping others.

Segment Three Get Plugged In & Resources:
-Pray For Healing: Pg 151-152 : "One study that looked at 20 Northern CA Alcoholics Anonymous groups...found that prayer helped drive out use of alcohol. Those AA members who practiced the eleventh step 'through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God...' reported being sober longer and felt like they had more purpose in life." Pg 152: "I am convinced from my interviews with these people that the phenomenon does occur," Dr. Zieders.
-Have a Vision: Giving an addict a vision of who they are and what they can truly do with their calling helps disengage from their addiction.
-Get Plugged In: Church, 12 Step Program, or counselor, can offer positive change. Celebrate Recovery, Adult and Teen Challenge
-Discover True Love: Many addicts don't believe they're truly loved. Many are freed when they experience God's love and aiding people in that process is part of their healing.

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