Over the years, addiction has been described in many different ways: a moral weakness, a lack of willpower, an inability to face the world or a physical illness. Human beings have a deep desire to feel happy and to find peace of mind. At times in our lives, most of us find this wholeness of peace and beauty, but then it slips away, only to return at another time. It’s the elusive, transitory thing called happiness. When it leaves us, we feel a little flat or sad but we know that it is part of the natural cycles of life and it’s not a cycle that we can control. We can’t control the death of a loved one with a terminal disease. We can’t control the cyclones of life that often tear us apart when a relationship ends. We can’t control our siblings when they choose to live their life their way and not the way we think they should be living. To some extent, we can help these cycles along but for the most part they are uncontrollable and all of us must go through them. We can either accept these cycles and learn from them or fight them, searching instead for that elusive, transitory thing called happiness. Accept the things we cannot change, courage to change the things we can and the wisdom to know the difference.  It’s the wisdom to know the difference that often trips us up. Addiction can be viewed as an attempt to control these uncontrollable cycles. When alcoholics use alcohol to produce a desired mood change, they believe they can control these cycles by drinking their way through them.  They don’t give themselves the chance to learn the lesson that life has thrown at them. They end up emotional cripples because they never learn how to solve their own problems and always rely on some chemical or dysfunctional behavior to help them through their difficulties. All addictions and addictive processes have in common an out-of-control and aimless searching for happiness and peace of mind. No matter what the addiction is, every addict engages in a relationship with a chemical or behavioral addiction, in order to produce a desired mood change and a state of intoxication. The alcoholic experiences a mood change while drinking alcohol. The drug addict experiences a mood change when he or she ingests cocaine or ice. The food addict experiences a mood change by bingeing on sugar. The gambler experiences a mood change by betting on the horses. The shoplifter experiences a mood change when stealing clothing from a department store. The sex addict experiences a mood change while browsing in a pornographic bookstore. The shop-a-holic experiences a mood change by going on a shopping spree. The work-a-holic experiences a mood change by staying at work to accomplish another task even though he or she is needed at home. A gym junkie experiences a mood change by spending hours at the gym. Although all the objects or events described above are vastly different, they all produce desired mood changes in the addicts who engage in them.  Anything that is way above normal behavior is an addiction.  New addictions include texting, sexting, computer games, etc. In the meantime, you might like to help yourself by perusing some of the suggested formulas below to help you cope with life on life’s terms. At the same time, you will need to seek counseling and/or go to Alcoholics Anonymous to help turn your life around. If you live with someone who is in the grip of addiction, make your way to an Alanon Meeting and get some emotional support and guidance from members of this wonderful organization. There should be a meeting in your County – Google it. Magnesium Ultra Potent can be taken before bed to assist with a deep and restful sleep and helps to reduce stress. Tyrosine Mood Food is necessary for the manufacture of dopamine and noradrenaline, which are required for concentration, alertness, memory and a happy, stable mood. Blues Free is designed to support a better mood. Hydroxytryptophan is needed by the brain to make Serotonin which is the natural happy chemical produced by brain cells and has a controlling effect upon mood and feelings, appetite, sleep, confidence and mental energy. Sleep Eze is another useful sleep enhancer and I use it myself.  Melatonin is best taken at night when the pineal gland is meant to secrete its own melatonin to promote a natural restful sleep and awake refreshed in the morning without that “sleeping tablet hangover”.   I like it because it is not addictive. Everyday Stress Lozenges. These Everyday Stress Lozenges contain all natural passion flower petals to help you relax under pressure. A natural herb with relaxing and calming effects upon the nervous system, to help you perform under pressure without slowing you down. Adrenal Plus Support.   If you support the function of your adrenal glands, you have more chance coping with the everyday pressures of life. Many people suffer with morning fatigue and depression due to sluggish function of the adrenal glands. The adrenal glands are 2 small glands that are situated just above the kidneys and when they are working efficiently, they produce extra surges of energizing hormones such as cortisol, adrenaline and DHEA to help you face the challenges of the new day. In other words, the adrenal gland hormones increase your resistance to stress and provide the drive and energy to succeed.   The above statements have not been evaluated by the FDA and are not intended to diagnose, treat or cure any disease.