Over Thinking can Result in a Thought Addiction

The importance of the concept of having an addiction to a thought has been increasing. Thought addiction is a fact. The truth is that the power behind all addictions is a thought.

Definition of Thought Addiction (TA)

Simply, thought addiction is when a thought or set of thoughts get stuck in your head and those thoughts begin to create a thought loop. As the thoughts loop, the you become more and more focused on the thought which increasingly becomes overwhelming and you are less able to turn off your focus on that specific thought. 

As the power of the looping thought(s) increases, you feel as though you have lost control of your mind as well as your thoughts. Once out of control, the thought ends up consuming your energy and depletes your ability to perform successfully in your every day life. At that point, the thought takes over your emotional and mental life therefore you become addicted. 

Once that thought is no longer controllable you may act out in different ways in an attempt to turn the thought off. Some people use methods such as self-medicating it, fighting it or use a substance to avoid thinking that specific thought(s). 

Many people with a thought addiction state “I can’t get this thought out of my head and it is driving me crazy”. 

Concept of Thought Addiction

What is so important to take away from the concept of addiction to a thought is that a thought addiction not a mental disorder or a lack of self control problem. Thought addiction is a skill deficiency.

Generally these types of thoughts are core beliefs from your past or negative statements expressed to you from someone else. These types of thoughts are triggered by a present event, statement or surfacing emotion. Once the thought is triggered it then surfaces unconsciously into your mind. The most common example of this type of thought is “I am not good enough”.

Cognitive therapists have long known and it has been proven that a thought precedes an emotion and a behavior. But there is more to it. Think of a triangle. Yes a emotion does not occur without a thought. An emotion generated a behavior. But also a behavior drives the development of a thought. Each one is connected to the other. Note that the triangle or everything starts with a thought first.

Form of Thought that can become Addictive

But what is also true is that “every addiction begins and ends with a thought”. 

Below is a few forms of thoughts which can result in chronic looping or can become addicting are:

·        body image thoughts
·        compulsive thoughts

·        depressive thoughts
·        diluted thoughts

·        thoughts of doubt

·        thoughts of fear

·        worry

·        negative thoughts

·        obsessive thoughts

·        lack of worth thoughts

·        superstitious thoughts

·        suicidal thoughts

·        weight thoughts

So it is important to understand that the way to stop an addiction to a thought or unceasing a looping thought is through gaining a skill and then practicing that skill. 

You have the power to command and reset your thoughts. All you need to acquire the right skills and have the willingness to consistently practice the skills to effect positive change.

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Dr Bill Tollefson is a certified master life, post trauma and holistic addiction recovery coach, speaker, radio personality and author. Dr. Bill wrote 2 books: Separated From the Light as well as Personal Philosophy Method and is working on his 3rd book 

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Other Articles on Subject:

http://drbilltollefson.hubpages.com/hub/unhealthythoughts

http://drbilltollefson.hubpages.com/hub/Addiction_Begins_with_a_Thought

http://drbilltollefson.hubpages.com/hub/Unblocking_Addictive_Thought_Patterns

8 Warning Signs Addiction Recovery is Fading

Addiction recovery is a fragile process that requires commitment to a promise to sobriety. Addiction recovery is a fragile process that requires commitment to a promise to sobriety. Many people attempting to achieve sobriety and a successful recovery find it very hard to keep to their promise to abstain. Many people, places and life situations will cause a person to relapse. 

Addiction recovery takes focus on your direction, commitment and consistency of performing your action plan. Relapse can happen at any time. If you are not aware of the warning signs of relapse you will not know when a relapse is about to happen.

8 warning signs that your addiction recovery is fading

1. Unwilling to get real about your addiction

To break an addictive pattern you have to be willing and ready to become sober and change your patterns of self-destruction.  Denial can blind a person's eyes, heart and thoughts toward your real need for sobriety. If you are entering into sobriety for some external reason other than self, sobriety is doomed to fail from the start. Be self honest about your motives to recover.   

2. Continued withholding of self-love

"Addiction enters when self-love evaporates."

Many do not realize that self-love is a major issue in addiction. The addicting process is so destructive to a person's character. The addiction soon takes center stage of your life. Addiction will cause you to abandon family, friends, interests, career and most importantly self. Understand in recovery self-love is strength and a barrier to destructiveness.

3. False recognition that you don't need help to get sober 

Recovery is more than just a decision not to use. It is more than a choice to "not do" a substance or habitual pattern. Recognition of how your thoughts or behavior is are distorting your view of self, actions and others. Becoming addicted is the act of forming a relationship with a substance, thought, emotion or behavior, which initially is viewed as vital and beneficial but over time turns toxic. Refusal to admit to the anger and grief of losing that addictive relationship can cause major internal disruption. The idea that you can do alone is a false acknowledgement. Without help the influence of past addicted patterns will draw you to return to the toxic relationship.

4. Looking all the time for a sure fire cure 

The major attraction about addictions is the immediate gratification gained. Recovery is the opposite. Recovery is a deep exploration, readiness, and willingness to commit to the long haul. It takes time, patience and investment. One needs to recognize the original thought that proceeded use, identify your character flaws, and focus consciously daily on the real underlying issues. There is not quick cure. Be willing to spend the time in sobriety.

5. Making excuses for unhealthy thought patterns 

 If you are don't identify and change the thoughts that got you started into the addictive relationship then the original distorted thoughts will surface and take over at any time. The subconscious will allow the sobriety to occur for a while and then trick you into to returning to old thought patterns. Thoughts such as "I am not good enough without___", something bad will happen if I don't use ____", and "I need ___ to function (be social...)". Don't be fooled - every addiction starts with a thought.

6.  Believing recovery is a road to failure

Recovery is an up and down process. One moment sobriety is easy and the next it is full of nothing but hurt and pain. It is a moment to moment battle. Recovery is a hard and constant conscious effort until a new pattern is established. It will take a good 6 months to a year to establish a new pattern. Understand that the strongest skill an addict has is the ability to create habitual patterns. Create and practice a healthy pattern. Choose freedom, not enslavement.

7. Believing short-term sobriety is a cure 

In the short-term the subconscious will allow a change to happen and remain silent. But after time the subconscious will soon torment the conscious mind to return to comfort. Comfort is the old established pattern of use.  

Many recovery addicts believe that after a short time of sobriety they can return to maintenance use without consequences. The subconscious which make 90% of all decisions, will convince you that you are cured and one use will not cause a problem. Don't be tricked. Sobriety is long-term commitment. There is not a cure. Underlying, once an addict always an addict.

8. Inability to love self

Addiction enters when self-love is lost. Part of a successful recovery is to reconnect with self and begin to build a loving relationship with self. If there is no self love there then it is very possible relapse will occur. Addictive habits are developed to fill the hole where self was once.

Own and guard your sobriety or you will be headed for doom and failure in the form of relapse. Be strong in your resolve. Know the warning signs and engage help as soon as you notice anyone of them.

Take Away

To increase success in recovery design a strong action plan with a sponsor or holistic addiction recovery coach, commit to it, follow through each step, create positive thoughts and practice health each day.

                                      

About the Author

The author, Coach Bill Tollefson, is a Master Certified Holistic Addiction Recovery and Life Coach in Cape Coral Florida. He brings his education, expertise and training of 38 years as a psychotherapist, hypnotherapist, reality therapist and licensed addiction counselor to his life coaching practice. 

Dr. Bill coaches over  Skype and by phone - 239-349-2209. Or go to his website for more information.

Or join Dr. Bill's Making a Positive Change Community for FREE