What is addiction? And why do some people get addicted, and others don't?

I used to say I had an addictive personality. I could get quite obsessive and was very all-or-nothing. And just as Ms. Mary-J had been something I was all-in on as a teenager, alcohol was no different in my twenties.

Help with alcohol addiction and drinking with Cognitive Hypnotherapy In Leighton Buzzard and Milton Keynes

It started out being just a thing I did with my friends. But there was more to it. And I began to recognise I had that 'just one more drink' thing going on. (Spoiler: it was never just one).

Why could others stop after a few but not me?

What I was chasing wasn't really the drink. It was connection. And ability to feel good with my friends (i.e. not so self-conscious). It's what the drink seemed to give me.

Now, that's hardly new, is it? Drinking + friends = a good time. But then why would I continue to drink until black-out? And how do some have a great time with only a couple of drinks instead of eighteen? (Or completely sober).

And here's something else I was curious about:

Alcohol meant fun and friends. So why did drinking then become the thing I started to do on my own when I was miserable, despite it never actually making me feel better in the end?

"Well, alcohol's addictive - just like drugs are", I hear you say.

And I used to think that too. But then, I went tee-total for a while. And I became just as addicted to fitness, weight-management, and restrictive diets. (And, as far as I know, there's nothing inherently addictive about running in British weather).

So what's missing here?

Well, I did a webinar recently to explore this. Using my journey and discoveries I've made since, both personally and professionally in working with clients.

It includes:

How the problem isn't the behaviour or substance itself
The line between habit and addiction
How to uncover the addictive thinking patterns
Why it always comes down to fear
The role of identity in addiction and change

Interested?

Catch the replay below - and if you have any questions or comments, feel free to comment below, on YouTube, or by sending me a message.

(Struggling with addiction, an addictive personality, or unhelpful habits and behaviours? Cognitive Hypnotherapy in Leighton Buzzard can help you. Get in touch to learn how)