What Is the Psychology of Addictive Thinking?

Addictive thinking is all-or-nothing based.

Addictive thinking is fear-and-pain based.

Addictive thinking is denial based.

Addictive thinking is rationalization based.

Addictive thinking is immature and narcissistic self-absorption.

Addictive thinking believes in an external focus of control.

Addictive thinking does not work.

Can You Tell Me More About Treatment?

No treatment can begin until the individual realizes and admits they have a problem and genuinely wants help. No one can do it for them.

Before outpatient treatment or self-help programs can work, the addict often needs to under go detoxification to get the chemicals out of the body’s system. In-patient programs often have the most resources available for withdrawal and crisis management.

The 12-step anonymous movement takes many forms and has been applied to many content areas. The 12-step anonymous movement is the most visible, convenient, affordable and successful program readily available day and night, and online. It has a strong “spiritual” flavor without being denominational. The program works.

There are other recovery alternatives such as working with a psychologist or a counselor.

Are There Ways to Prevent Relapse?

Like addictions, recovery and relapse prevention progresses through stages. In pretreatment, the focus is on the recognition and admission of the addiction. Treatment then focuses on detoxification and stabilization of the withdrawal symptoms and crisis management. Early treatment teaches acceptance and coping skills. The middle of treatment presents balance living. It is only in the later treatment that the personality begins to change and that maintenance and relapse prevention is based on personal growth and development.