Addiction is unique in that it is both a physical and mental disease. While addiction causes many physical ailments and side effects, it begins in the brain, changing the way a person thinks, feels, and behaves. In fact, the reason why addiction is difficult to overcome is that despite the negative consequences and even an attempt to stop, the brain often rebels, leaving the person with no other choice but to keep using or to start using. This “addictive thinking” can cause many to feel like they are stuck in an endless cycle of addiction that they can’t get out of.
What exactly is addictive thinking though?
Here, we will take a look at what addictive thinking is, how it develops, the dangers it poses, and how you or a loved one can overcome it.
What Is Addictive Thinking?
Addictive thinking is a term used to describe the unhealthy and distorted thought patterns that often develop in a person as a result of substance abuse and addiction. While addictive thinking is often associated with substance addiction, it can also be applied to those suffering from a behavioral addiction such as a gambling addiction or shopping addiction.
These thoughts tend to justify continuing the addiction while minimizing the consequences associated with addiction. They can even create a false sense of control, which is why so many people suffering from addiction struggle to accept that they have a problem. These thought patterns can ultimately lead a person to make decisions that prioritize immediate gratification over long-term well-being.
An example of addictive thinking is when an addict convinces themselves that they can quit anytime, that their substance use doesn’t harm anyone, or that they actually need the substance in order to get through the day. These rationalizations create a cycle that reinforces the addiction and makes recovery more challenging.
How Does Addictive Thinking Develop?
While this way of thinking doesn’t just happen overnight, it can be incredibly detrimental and even dangerous. Typically, addictive thinking develops due to a number of different factors that fester over time such as:
Experiences of physical, emotional, or psychological trauma can lead individuals to seek escape or relief through substances as a form of self-medication. Addictive thinking develops as a coping mechanism to avoid confronting pain.
Prolonged substance use and abuse, whether prescribed or illicit can change the chemical makeup of the brain. Over time, addictive thinking becomes ingrained as the brain prioritizes substance use over other needs and the cycle of addiction continues.
Similar to trauma, addiction is often the unintended consequence of using drugs or alcohol to try and deal with untreated mental health conditions. As a result, addictive thinking can often arise as the individual tries to manage their mental health struggles through this form of self-medication.
In some cases, addictive thinking stems from a lack of healthy coping strategies. A person may find themselves relying on substances to handle stress, emotions, or challenges, perpetuating the cycle of addiction.
Common Examples of Addictive Thinking
Whether it’s yourself or a loved one, being able to recognize when someone is using addictive thinking to justify their actions is a crucial step in identifying the underlying issue at hand and seeking professional help.
So, with that in mind, here are some common examples of addictive thinking:
- “I can quit anytime I want.” – This belief minimizes the severity of the addiction and creates a false sense of control.
- “I need substances to handle stress.” – Substances become a perceived necessity for managing life’s challenges, reinforcing dependency.
- “Life is better when I’m using.” – This thought idealizes substance use and ignores the negative consequences it brings.
Why Is Addictive Thinking Dangerous?
Not only does addictive thinking promote and encourage addictive tendencies, but these thoughts can also pose a significant threat to a person’s health and overall well-being. Not only do addictive thoughts provide positive reinforcements when it comes to continued substance abuse, but these thoughts ultimately lead to denial, preventing the person from accepting that they have a problem and getting the help that they need. Furthermore, in the event that the person comes to the realization that they are struggling and want to stop, this is often accompanied by feelings of guilt and shame, further fueling the motivation to continue using.
The person suffering is hardly the only one negatively affected by addictive thinking either. Addictive thinking often leads to behaviors that strain personal relationships, harm physical and mental health, and disrupt professional and social life, negatively affecting everyone in its path.
How To Recognize and Challenge Addictive Thinking?
While being able to recognize addictive thinking is important, in order to truly overcome it, a person must be able to be honest with themselves. This requires identifying the patterns that cause addictive thinking and then ultimately challenging those causes.
Here are some tips to better recognize and then challenge traits of addictive thinking:
Be extra mindful of any situation, emotion, or thought that may lead to a craving or just overall negative thinking. Doing so can allow you to be proactive in countering said trigger or triggers.
Ask yourself if your thoughts are based on facts or assumptions. If the answer is assumptions, replace these harmful beliefs with healthier, more realistic ones.
Mindfulness techniques, such as meditation or deep breathing, can help you stay present and reduce impulsive reactions.
Sometimes, writing down your thoughts, whether they be positive or negative, can help in identifying patterns and gaining perspective.
Find someone you trust, whether it be a therapist, treatment professional, friend, or family member, and share your thoughts with them to get another person’s perspective.
Therapies That Help Overcome Addictive Thinking
On the topic of therapy, it’s important to note that professional therapy, whether it be private or through a treatment facility, is a powerful tool for not just addressing addictive thinking but in treating all aspects of addiction.
For addictive thinking specifically, a number of different behavioral therapies have been proven to be effective such as:
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) – CBT helps in identifying and challenging distorted thought patterns and replacing them with healthier ones. This therapy is particularly effective in breaking the cycle of addictive thinking.
- Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) – DBT focuses on managing emotions, improving interpersonal skills, and building resilience. It is especially helpful for individuals struggling with co-occurring mental health issues.
- Individual Counseling and Group Therapy – Personalized therapy sessions and group support provide a safe space for exploring thoughts and behaviors, sharing experiences, and learning from others in recovery.
How Crestview Recovery Can Help Change Addictive Thinking?
At Crestview Recovery, we understand the power addictive thinking can hold over a person, even when they want to stop. That’s why we offer treatment programs designed specifically to address both the mental and physical aspects of addiction.
Our treatment programs are designed to help you every step of the way through the recovery process including:
Everyone responds to treatment differently. What may work for one person may not be as effective for another. That’s why we provide custom treatment plans for each individual that takes into consideration their unique needs, challenges, and goals.
We offer CBT, DBT, and other proven methods to help those in treatment identify and change harmful thought patterns.
For those with co-occurring mental health conditions, our dual diagnosis program provides integrated care to address both issues simultaneously.
We also understand that recovery is a lifelong journey. That’s we our programs emphasize building skills and strategies to prevent relapse and maintain long-term recovery.
We pride ourselves in offering a compassionate and understanding community where everyone can share their journey and find encouragement.
Start Conquering Addictive Thinking Today
Remember that breaking free from addictive thinking is a challenging but achievable goal. With the right tools, support, and professional guidance, you can overcome harmful thought patterns and build a healthier, more fulfilling life.
At Crestview Recovery, we want to help you achieve that goal of overcoming addictive thoughts. Contact us today to learn more about our programs and start your journey to recovery. Together, we can help you reclaim your life and create a brighter future.
