Why Addiction is More Appealing Than Healing

Millions of people suffer from addiction each year. You might immediately think of someone who relies on drugs and/or alcohol. Many of us know one or more people who suffer from this type of addiction, or perhaps you fall within that category yourself. However, did you know many other discrete addictions haunt people every day?

Obesity is a huge problem in this world, especially in America. According to the World Health Organization, 2.8 million people die each year as a result of being overweight. Many people who are deemed clinically obese suffer from some type of addiction. Yes, overindulging or “eating your feelings” IS a type of addiction.

In addition to drugs, alcohol, and food there are many more dependencies that people keep on the hush. For instance, sex and/or porn can be an addiction; video gaming can become an addiction; self-harm is a result of addiction; and even working can construct an addiction.

But why? Why do people continue to chase addictions more than chase the solution to those addictions?

The answer is simple. Much like fad diets provide rapid results for people looking to lose weight, addiction provides steadfast relief to things like stress, depression, anxiety, sadness, anger, etc.

Let’s face it, life is hard! If we don’t have demons from our past that succeed in torturing our present day, then we have current situations that either add to our past wounds or develop new ones. Most days it can feel as if salt is constantly being added to them. Eventually, it begins to feel unbearable.

Our subconscious only knows how to react one way, and that’s to ESCAPE!

“Mayday, Mayday, Mayday! We’re having a sensory overload! I repeat, we have a sensory overload! Abandon ship!!!”

As a result, our mind tricks us into alleviating that negative energy as fast as possible. The problem with addictions is they act much as those fad diets do. They might quickly help you gain the results you want, but it will be short-lived, and you will find yourself feeling the same, if not worse than when you first started.

When you understand that this is the way your subconscious works, and you practice catching its panic attack before you physically act on it, you gain the power to tell it to, “shut the hell up,” give it a horse tranquilizer, and start utilizing your brain in making logical decisions for yourself.

If your subconscious is anything like mine, then you’re going to need more than a horse tranquilizer to quiet it. Mine loves to tell me I’m not worthy of the goals I pursue. It’s told me I’m never going to be good enough because__ (Insert something from past) ____, and it’s great at trying to peer pressure me into returning to some of my old habits. Sometimes I can get my brain to take over, only to have my subconscious in the background whispering, “but ______will make you feel better NOW!”

The trick is to practice controlling your thoughts. Guided meditation has been the biggest aid in getting me to control my thoughts. It is not easy and is something you must try and do daily. Start with short 5–10-minute meditations and work your way up each week to longer ones. The point is to become so self-aware that you no longer let your subconscious control your life. Eventually, you will be able to put yourself back in the driver’s seat and your subconscious will be there for times of emergency (like if you’re being dangerously followed or need to listen to your gut instinct on something.) Otherwise, it can sit in the backseat until you decide to summon it.

If you are so deep into an addiction that you can’t possibly utilize meditation to correct it, then asking for help is essential. Many people deny their addictive habits because they are scared to start the process of healing. Healing is brutal. It requires a lot of focus and a completely open mind. It demands accountability for putting yourself where you’re currently at, forgiveness (to yourself and to others who wronged you), and a consistent effort to spiritually grow without letting excuses get in the way. Joining AA, an inpatient rehab facility, or regularly seeing a therapist is not something to be ashamed of and is highly effective in helping you to start the process of healing.

Addictions mask the problem, but it never relieves them from your spirit. It will never help provide the work necessary for you to truly heal yourself.

If I’ve learned anything on my spiritual journey it’s that healing is painful. It sheds light on all your prior or current flaws. It might even make you feel like a failure at times. The most important part of doing the work necessary to heal is that once you make the active decision to do so correctly, you open an endless door of opportunity. Within this door, is your truest self just waiting to open your eyes to all the possibilities you’re capable of. Take back control of your life, and never look back. Healing might not be as appealing as addiction, but it will fulfill your life more than you ever knew possible when you take that leap of fail and start doing the work.

If you or someone you know needs help with addiction call (888) 981-4704 (free addiction hotline) or feel free to reach out to me personally at amandabosak1129@gmail.com for advice. I am always here to help!