The Process of Addiction
Emotional overeating, alcohol dependency, in fact, any addiction is only a symptom of an underlying problem. I will be discussing, over the next few months, how you can put all addictions into remission by working hard at changing your limited belief system and addressing brain chemistry dysfunction.
When we use a substance, such as sugar or alcohol, to produce a desired mood change, we believe we can control that substance by using willpower. Addiction, on its most basic level, is an attempt to control and fulfil this desire for happiness by using outside stimuli (chemicals) to change our feelings (emotions).
Addiction must be viewed as a process that is progressive. We put on weight and no matter how hard we try to diet, the weight keeps coming back.
We try to slow down (control) our alcohol consumption but, after a brief respite from alcohol, we are consuming twice as much as we did before we stopped. Anyone can stop drinking – it’s staying stopped that’s the problem.
Addiction is therefore an illness that undergoes continuous development with denial as its main advocate.
All addictions produce a desired mood change – a state of intoxication, whether it be sugar, alcohol, illicit drugs, prescription drugs and/or the behavioural addictions - gambling, shopping, exercise, etc.
- The emotional overeater experiences a mood change by bingeing.
- The alcohol dependent experiences a mood change while drinking
- The addictive spender experiences a mood change by going on a shopping spree
- The workaholic experiences a mood change by staying at work to accomplish another task even though he or she is needed at home
- The addictive gambler experiences a mood change by placing bets on football games and then watching the action on television
- Production of brain chemicals. Tyrosine is required for the manufacture of several important brain neurotransmitters. The production of the powerful neurotransmitters called dopamine and noradrenaline depends on adequate Tyrosine levels in the brain. These neurotransmitters regulate mood and emotions. Low dopamine or noradrenaline levels have been linked with:
- Lack of concentration
- Lack of focus
- Lack of motivation
- Mood Swings
- Boredom
- Excessive appetite
- Inability to experience satisfaction and pleasure
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