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Negative thinking in Recovery.

Addiction comes with a host of bad habits. Whether it is breaking the law to get another fix, lying to others to hide your problems, or simply forgetting to take care of yourself in a healthy manner, addiction is bad news. One of the worst habits we must break when entering recovery is the habit of negative thinking in recovery. As an addict you are often full of negative thoughts. Whether you believe you cannot get better or are not good enough to be successful in the world, you tend to fulfill what you think of yourself. This can be a difficult habit to break, but it is far from impossible.

Though negative thinking often becomes ingrained in our thought processes once we are aware of this type of thinking it can be altered. In order to break this bad habit, like other bad habits, we must make a conscious effort to change the way we perceive things. We must also alter the way we perceive certain tasks so negative thinking does not take over. With the self awareness that comes with actively taking control of our thoughts and actions, real change can be accomplished. There are several basic steps that can be taken in order to break the bad habit of negative thinking in recovery.

Decide To Change.

One step is to decide you really want to change. If you are not committed to altering your thought patterns then real change cannot occur. This step can take time and effort but will become easier over time. As each thought comes to mind take it captive and decide whether it is positive or negative. If the thought is negative, change your thinking. For example, I have to spend the whole day in the office can become I get to go to work and earn money for the things I enjoy. Every thought can be turned around with effort.

You should also try to gain insight into what is causing the habit. Are you simply comfortable being unhappy and negative? Often negativity has become so much a part of our daily lives that we do not realize what is happening. By being aware of why we react the way we do, we can alter it. This will not happen immediately, but will become a new habit with practice.

Set Goals.

Set reasonable goals for yourself. Setting goals gives us the opportunity to work toward something and then celebrate reaching that goal. Start small with something that can be accomplished in a day or a few hours. When that goal is met, reward yourself in a fun way. This allows you to both accomplish a needed task and get rewarded with something that will make you feel good. These goals also allow for measurable progress. Recovery takes time and by setting measurable goals we can monitor our own progress. Seeing progress can increase positive thoughts.

Seek Help.

Lastly, seek help if changing the habit of negative thinking is too difficult to do alone. Therapists are often helpful at helping to monitor progress and hold you accountable for distorted views of self and the world. Don’t wait any longer, start working on being more positive right away. You have taken the first step by entering recovery or in the least considering it. You are worth the effort and  you can succeed with a bit of hard work.

CLICK HERE to get a Free Confidential Addiction Rehabilitation Assessment.

Addiction to sex is a very real problem. Many try to hide their obsession with sex. It is something that really must be brought out into the open and attended to with the help of professional counselling. Due to the nature of this problem it is often recommended that a stay as an inpatient at an established rehab facility be taken as this is seen as an ideal way to kick-start healing.

Defining sexual addiction:

This is not an easy thing to do, but, in short, sexual addiction belongs to those who are unable to control their sexual urges. Persistent thoughts of sex affect the working and social lives of sex addicts and makes it a struggle to fulfill normal daily activities. This behaviour leads to difficulties and break-down of relationships and a far poorer quality of life.

Sex addiction is also known as: Nymphomania in females and for men the term is “Satyriasis”.

Sharing some features of substance addiction:

Addiction to sex shares some features related to substance addiction, but in the case of sex a person is addicted to an activity as opposed to alcohol or drugs.

The person concerned has an insatiable desire to fulfill their sexual needs. The deeper these obsessions become the more entrenched the addiction. Similar to those addicted to substances, sex addicts realise their intentions and actions are wrong. But, their need is of far greater consideration than conforming to any of societies norms.

This can lead to problems, a particular one being:

A paraphilic disorder:

This disorder affects a person with recurrent and intensely arousing sexual fantasies, behaviours and urges that may be acceptable to themselves but are distressing or disabling to others. It includes the use of inanimate objects, non-consenting adults or children for sexual pleasure which leaves others involved feeling humiliated or subject to potential harm.

One paraphilic disorder known to all is pedophilia, whereby those affected are sexually aroused at the thought of sex involving minors. Any man or woman with feelings of this sort must seek urgent medical attention before law enforcement seeks them.

Typical behaviour:

Those with sex addiction issues display behaviour that ranges from furtive and secretive to openly-flouting themselves. Examples being:

• Persistent use of pornography
• Compulsive masturbation
• Voyeurism
• Exhibitionism
• Participating in extreme acts of lewd sex
• A complete failure to resist ever-present sexual impulses
• Multiple sexual affairs – many going on at the same time
• Constant one-night stands with strangers
• Practising unsafe sex in unsafe environments – this is a potential double-whammy in terms of sexually transmitted diseases and danger to the person themselves
• Excessive time spent on cybersex
• Either visiting or practicing prostitution

Extreme attitudes:

The deeper sex addiction becomes, the more extreme a person’s sexual motives and attitudes will increase. This includes situations such as:

• The inability to contain their own sexual urges and to respect boundaries of those they are sexually involved with.
• Their levels of sexual activity lead to a detachment which they find harder to emotionally satisfy
• Obsessing sexually after others and openly displaying this fact, but quickly moving on to the next obsession
• Feelings of guilt and shame that although recognized are not acted upon due to the pull of sex
• An increasing and recurrent need to engage in extreme acts of lewd sex
• Engaging in excessive sexual behaviour for longer than intended and without boundaries.

Addiction To Sex – Tried but failed to stop:

Those who have tried to control their sexual urges or have tried to cease obsessive sexual behaviour but failed must seek urgent addiction treatment. The longer you leave this much needed treatment, the greater your problems will become.

CLICK HERE to get a Free Confidential Sex Addiction Rehabilitation Assessment.

Helping Others Helps Recovery. Those on the continuous addiction recovery road will benefit from getting involved in helping others. This can be achieved in a variety of different ways. We will look at some of the options open to a recovering addict, but first must point out one very important factor:

Only when the time is right:

While helping others can be extremely therapeutic. It is vital that a recovering addict has their head in the right place before attempting to do so. And, that they do not take on more than they can manage.

Recovering from addiction is a stressful period of a person’s life. This is particularly the case during the early months of recovery. Helping others will help this process but only when a person feels 110% up to it.

Experiences shared, encouragement given:

Sharing experiences and helping those in a less fortunate position than yourself not only encourages those you are assisting. It can give immense encouragement to your own recovery plans.

The struggles experienced when there is no other focus can deepen depression and increase chances of a relapse. By helping others and having other things to occupy your mind it will help turn daily concerns into issues that can be looked at and dealt with in a far more positive way.

Helping others does not need to be substance related:

Offering to become involved with voluntary organisations such as Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous are extremely valid ways of helping others. But, it is important for a recovering addict to understand that help can be given in ways that have nothing whatsoever to do with substance abuse. Indeed, in many cases this can be extremely productive in terms of ongoing recovery.

Helping Others Helps Recovery. Examples of where help can be given include:

• Visiting those in elderly care facilities – Many elderly people in homes have few visitors. By arranging to spend an hour with a person it can brighten up their day as well as leave you feeling far better inside.
• Mentoring a child in need – This could be a family relative in need of help. Or by joining a voluntary group where you will be involved in classroom or communal activities for children suffering from various mental as well as physical issues.
• Helping out at an animal shelter – Sadly, there is no shortage of animal shelters that take in strays, abused animals and those that have become unwanted by owners. These shelter’s regularly struggle for funds and helpers so any assistance you can give will be greatly appreciated. This is a real plus if you have a natural affection for animals. This charitable work may even provide you with the perfect pet to have at home.
• Church assistance – Many people recovering from addiction of any kind find a growing spiritual connection. If you are in this position then helping out at your local church will never go amiss.
• Community garden projects – This does not need to be limited to garden projects, but any other community projects that interest you. If the outdoors and gardening give you a sense of freedom and being at ease with the world then not only is this therapeutic. It is helping your neighbourhood look far more attractive.Helping Others Helps Recovery. CLICK HERE to get a Free Confidential Rehabilitation Assessment.