Addiction forces threaten everyone. Your primary defense? You!
But your personal defense can be undermined by internal threats, and some of that threat can come in the form of the messages we send ourselves. Listen for some of the following messages either circling around your brain or passing across your lips:
- Denial: “It’s not a problem.”
- Minimization: “I have already cut down.”
- Comparisons: “Pollution is more dangerous.” “Uncle Ted drinks far more than I do.”
- Defiance: “I would rather live a shorter life and be happy than quit and be miserable.”
- Rationalization: “I’ve never stolen to finance my habit.” “I am way more sociable when I’ve had a drink.”
- Lesser of two evils: “Better I do it than be impossible to live with.”
- Misinformation: “It has medicinal uses, so it’s OK.” “Chocolate is the only cure for PMS.”
- Taking behavior out of context: “In some cultures, polygamy is acceptable.”
- Glorification: “Queen Victoria used to…” “Patriarchs in the Old Testament had many
- wives.” “Jesus drank wine.”
Having found and suppressed some of those messages from within, let’s now go on the offensive. Try to fill in some of that freshly voided space in your head and new gaps in your daily dialogue with regular, positive affirmations.
Example: “I am committed to an addiction-free life. There is no other good option.”
Now, write down three or more good reasons why that statement is a worthwhile personal commitment.
Your defense: Eliminate the negative.
Your offense: Accentuate the positive.
Do both regularly.
Take time to review the messages you tell yourself. A positive, regular affirmation might help alter your life’s course and send you to safer ground, further from the slippery slope.
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