More on Substitute Addictions
I’ve written about substitute addictions before. I’ll probably bring this topic up more than a few times, just because I recognize in myself the tendency to repetitively do less-than-healthy things when I’m under stress. A few of my favorites are:
Spending money
Eating junk food
Watching too much TV
So while these are certainly better than drinking, they can create their own set of problems, namely less money in my bank account, more bulk around my mid-section, and a general feeling of TV-light-induced malaise.
This week I pretty much decided all three were good ideas, so I’m feeling a little heavier in the chair and lighter in the wallet. I occasionally go through these cycles where I misbehave then crack down on myself and straighten out. It’s my circle of life so to speak.
Granted, I’m not drunk, I’m very responsible with my job and I’m not in debt, but I still feel frustrated at the up and down scale and the feeling that I could be accomplishing more if I just cut out one TV series out of my schedule. And do I have to watch every single Red Sox game?
I’d love to hear from people who have overcome these substitute addictions – tips please!
2 Responses to “More on Substitute Addictions”
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Jana1n
Thursday, 22nd April 2010 at 9:25 am
This is my first time to be on this site or engage in this type of forum. I am seeking some type of support and understanding in my substitution of addictions. I am approaching one year’s sobriety and am very involved with AA and working the 12-steps with my sponsor. I haven’t shared with anyone the fact that I am struggling with substituting obsessive compulsive behaviors with food for alcohol. It is exactly what I used to do with alcohol; binge and abstain for random periods of time. I have become so much more enlightened than 11 months ago and the frequency of binges are far less than then; yet I still let my mind spin into a food fest and feel remorseful afterwards. One of my ourbursts was pretty bad about 5 weeks ago and for the first time in my sobriety, I considered drinking to ease the pain. God was able to snap me in to presence with Him and I got back on track with the experience tucked away in my share bag. I did not drink and don’t long for alcohol. I do go through times of longing for mindless eating (as I call it).
I believe that my food MISbehaviors began as a little girl and that I actually replaced those with alcohol. I want the mind spinning to stop with regard to food. But, I can’t just stop eating like I did with alcohol. I can restrict and food plan to the extreme.
Addiction Recovery
Thursday, 22nd April 2010 at 2:03 pm
I’m so glad you posted here. Your experience is actually something I and many others have had – you are not alone with this issue. A friend of mine says about it – why do you think you see so many people stuffing themselves with cookies at meetings? Food is so easily a substitute addiction and it can be a very devastating feeling. A few things that have helped others are cognitive behavioral therapy (commonly a short-term therapy that focuses on specifically changing behaviors by changing thinking surrounding those behaviors) and lately I’m hearing so much about neurofeedback being remarkably helpful for this. I’m looking into trying this myself because I definitely still after all these years start eating too much when I’m under stress. Some people benefit by also going to OA meetings – some find it to be too much, but it may be worth a try once a week in place of an AA meeting.
I totally relate to the feelings that come with this behavior – it creates chaos and mindless eating can absolutely make you feel depressed. I think the best thing to do is reach out – let others know – you will find people, I can guarantee it, who have gone through or are going through the same thing and you can support each other in recovery.