User Power
Value/Post Ratio
316%
- Aug 8, 2021
- 292
- 923
I struggled with addiction for years. The most valuable books for me (in no particular order) were:
1. Dopamine Nation
2. Willpower Instinct
3. In the Realm of Hungry Ghosts and Gabor Mate’s other works
These specifically for addiction, but other books were very equally valuable but were more geared towards trauma/psychology including works by Alice Miller, Pete walker, Bessel Van Der Kelk, mindfulness practicing etc.
You have to learn why you are addicted, when did it start? What was the major stressor at the time? What triggers the addiction now? What is your method or substance of self soothing, and why did you choose that specifically? I don’t think theres a one size fits all cure for addiction. You have to self reflect and become fully fledged in your own experience.
If it is shame, which it could be, don’t make the mistake of trying to fix it on your own, that’s the biggest catch-22 of shame. Shame wants to isolate and continue its addictive behaviour, and shame can’t survive being spoken. Try to find a safe person or empathetic witness, if not a friend, then a therapist or a support group. You can also message me anytime. Remember to be kind to yourself.
Addiction is insidious and seems hopeless the longer it goes on, and recovering requires facing all the crap you’ve numbed yourself to, so it is painful, but it’s the most important thing you can do, and truly is gaining everything by giving up one thing.
1. Dopamine Nation
2. Willpower Instinct
3. In the Realm of Hungry Ghosts and Gabor Mate’s other works
These specifically for addiction, but other books were very equally valuable but were more geared towards trauma/psychology including works by Alice Miller, Pete walker, Bessel Van Der Kelk, mindfulness practicing etc.
You have to learn why you are addicted, when did it start? What was the major stressor at the time? What triggers the addiction now? What is your method or substance of self soothing, and why did you choose that specifically? I don’t think theres a one size fits all cure for addiction. You have to self reflect and become fully fledged in your own experience.
If it is shame, which it could be, don’t make the mistake of trying to fix it on your own, that’s the biggest catch-22 of shame. Shame wants to isolate and continue its addictive behaviour, and shame can’t survive being spoken. Try to find a safe person or empathetic witness, if not a friend, then a therapist or a support group. You can also message me anytime. Remember to be kind to yourself.
Addiction is insidious and seems hopeless the longer it goes on, and recovering requires facing all the crap you’ve numbed yourself to, so it is painful, but it’s the most important thing you can do, and truly is gaining everything by giving up one thing.