Recovery coach Steve here with an almost always misunderstood myth about alcoholism and addiction. There are many myths and misunderstandings about alcoholism but this is one that I feel is at or near the top of the list.
The myth of “Will power alone can stop an addiction.”
Give it a try, put your phone, coffee or soda away for a day and see how your thoughts change, what happens to your attention and focus throughout the day. My guess is that there will be many anxious moments for you as you go through your day, and you will take refuge in the fact that you can have it back tomorrow, if you make through the day. With coffee or soda you may experience some caffeine or sugar withdrawals, like headache, fatigue, sluggish and your routine will just be “off” in some ways. In the case of the phone you may experience more anxiety wondering who just posted or updated what, or the desire to text, and the thought of not being “connected” leaves you feeling very uneasy and your brain wondering and thinking what you’re missing.
If someone is trying to end an addiction these experiences can be a life and death battle. Even with death as a possibility the addiction still can take over. Think about this for a minute, even serious illness or death isn’t enough to make someone stop, but will power will?
If you have never had to deal with an addiction, the myth of “will power alone can stop an addiction” is something that you may be believe is true. People do not choose to become addicted no more than they choose to have an illness. The addicted brain becomes altered, and quitting is not a matter of willpower.
If you have never had to deal with an addiction, the myth of “will power alone can stop an addiction” is something that you may be believed is true. People do not choose to become addicted no more than they choose to have an illness. Yes many factors can go into a person becoming addicted, but no one wakes up one day and says “I want to be an alcoholic” and takes time to develop.
The Addicted Brain
The addicted brain becomes altered, and quitting is not a matter of willpower. From the outside when we see an addicted person we may think, can’t they see what they are doing to themselves? Why would anyone want to live like that? Where did I go wrong? If I only would have…….? If they loved me they would quit. He’s choosing drugs or alcohol over me. To the addicted person drinking is no longer a choice. No matter what the consequences of drinking may be, the addicted brain is just too powerful to overcome. Another factor to consider is when the person has become dependent on alcohol. When alcohol dependent they need the alcohol just to “feel normal” and it becomes a requirement to function. To a non-addicted person this is very hard to understand and imagine.
Give it a try
Put your phone, coffee or soda away for a day and see how your thoughts change, what happens to your attention and focus throughout the day. My guess is that there will be many anxious moments for you as you go through your day, and you will take refuge in the fact that you can have it back tomorrow, if you make through the day. With coffee or soda you may experience some caffeine or sugar withdrawals, like headache, fatigue, sluggish and your routine will just be “off” in some ways. In the case of the phone you may experience more anxiety wondering who just posted or updated what, or the desire to text, and the thought of not being “connected” leaves you feeling very uneasy and your brain wondering and thinking what you’re missing.
If someone is trying to end an addiction these experiences can be a life and death battle. Even with death as a possibility the addiction still can take over. Think about this for a minute, even serious illness or death isn’t enough to make someone stop, but will power will?
The reality of the myth is that it is never too late to seek professional help. If you’re living with someone with a drinking problem, know that it may be the addiction making the person act the way they do. It’s not a matter of will power or “what did I do wrong” to cause this, it is a brain function that has taken over. If you’re someone who is concerned with your alcohol use, or it seems to be the focal point of your activities, time to take a step back. Getting help and having support throughout breaking the cycle is critical because will power alone very seldom works. As hard as it may be don’t give up, do whatever you can to get the help needed as this very well could be a life and death battle, one that you can overcome!
Contact me today at 920-268-3217
