Addiction

"Short Definition of Addiction:

Addiction is a primary, chronic disease of brain reward, motivation, memory and related circuitry. Dysfunction in these circuits leads to characteristic biological, psychological, social and spiritual manifestations. This is reflected in an individual pathologically pursuing reward and/or relief by substance use and other behaviors.

Addiction is characterized by inability to consistently abstain, impairment in behavioral control, craving, diminished recognition of significant problems with one’s behaviors and interpersonal relationships, and a dysfunctional emotional response. Like other chronic diseases, addiction often involves cycles of relapse and remission. Without treatment or engagement in recovery activities, addiction is progressive and can result in disability or premature death."

http://www.asam.org/for-the-public/definition-of-addiction

Some people call an addiction disease. People have addictions of all kinds: drugs, alcohol, food, sex, video games. The addiction physically modifies a brain. 

I think it is so much more complex than that. I personally believe that addictions are coping with life. Yes, that sounds simple and duh. However, the simplicity is lost in treatment of addiction. People treat addiction with medication, therapy, maybe some coping and distraction skills. And of course, people are supposed to tough through it. 

I believe addictions stem from unhappiness. The human soul can only stand so much suffering. 

The addiction is a symptom, not the cause. If you treat the cause, the symptom will fade. 

I do not downplay the importance of western medicine. When an addiction has gone too far, medication can be very helpful in therapy, sometimes even necessary. However, the addiction will persist if a person feels a lack of love, purpose, peace. Help an addict to feel love. That is the easiest step as a bystander. Unconditional love. Not love that is based on progress. But a love that is based on knowing that a person is worth their thoughts, past, future, present a soul that struggles but has pain and love behind sad eyes. 

Help a person suffering with an addiction to dream. What would they be, where would you go, what would you do, what would you create, who would you love, what wouldn't stop you, what is the frosting to your cake. 

Find peace in quiet times. This is the hardest step of all. Be okay with who you are when you are alone, without distraction. 

Our modern ways of dealing with addiction tell people that they are weak, when really, people are so strong for holding on. Life is hard, but it is beautiful. Be patient with yourself when you find yourself overindulging to cope with some pain or emptiness. 

I suffer with indulging too much when the pain or loneliness is too much. And it is okay. I have come so far. I hope to gain a balance. But addictions never fully go away, because they are coping mechanisms. Yes, find better ways to deal, but we all know, that fit girl binges on a cup cake when she has had a really rough day. And it is okay. Love, love, love yourself. and love others. Be forgiving to the homeless drug addict beggar who is a being, with worth no different than you or I. 

And use your words to shape your reality. If you constantly remind yourself and everyone around you how sad you are, that is all you will ever be. You are happiness. You are love. You are peace. You are existence, experiencing the sensations of good and bad and enjoying every moment because every moment is a blessing. 

Much love 

<3xo

Sarah R. Anderson 

My understanding of existence -

My understanding is that we are spiritual and physical. There is a realm of energy that we access through meditation, prayers, dreams, or even visions perhaps. Some of the people that I have talked to believe that we are in a dream in where nothing really exists. I don't believe that to be true. Our experiences are real. There is matter and existence outside of our perception. Each consciousness is unique. I am me and you are you. But we are not that different or separated. 

Life begins in the energy of the spiritual plane. Our thoughts shape our perception and beliefs, which shape our feelings and actions. Our self talk is a ripple that begins in the mind, and ripples into the physical world. Our thoughts can create whatever we want them to. There is action that is required though. Just because you think you want to run a marathon, you dream of it and put that energy out there, you need to put your feet in motion in the physical plane. There are also thoughts that work against us; thoughts that lead to imbalance and addictions. For me, I enjoy alcohol. My brain is constantly solving the worlds problems (don't know if you noticed that's what I do lol). Alcohol slows those thoughts so I can relax. Ideally, I would meditate and calm my mind on my own. I haven't reached that level yet. I'm not an alcoholic. I drink on the weekends and socially. I will drink wine by myself occasionally but I don't need rehab, so no one call 911 haha I am sharing my experiences to make a point. There are thoughts that can be  less than helpful and create imbalances. You have to stare those fears in the face and move through them. You will do that when you are ready. I do have my own vices that I confront when I am ready to accept the fear and then change my thoughts surrounding it. 

One other thing I have noticed with our individual consciousness is that we are interacting and bumping into each other. We plays distinct roles in each other's lives. I am grateful to have you on my journey. Yes you, reading and interacting with me. I bet you have taught me something and shown me love. Thank you for being on my journey and allowing me to be on yours. We existed before this life. And we will exist after. We come to this physical plane to create. We our creators of the physical plane, of our lives and of others lives. 

My advice is to observe your thoughts. Are you speaking in your mind the things you want to ripple into reality? Every time you remind yourself that you are not happy, that will come about. But if you tell yourself you are what you want to be every day, you will see those signs and symptoms manifest into your life. Be careful with your thoughts and your words. 

Forever love, 

Sarah Anderson 

<3xo