In our culture, food, weight, money and sex, amongst other things, can come to symbolize so much more than their obvious functions. Food and eating can be about comfort, love, control, power, self expression and much more. Money can be about similar issues as are most forms of addiction. Weight may disguise or protect. These hidden functions may have been learned through example. Your parents may have used alcohol, food or something else in dysfunctional ways themselves. Maybe sweets were a reward or consolation. Perhaps your parents primarily expressed affection through the food they gave you. Maybe you found that whether or what you ate gave you some control or autonomy in a situation where you felt you had none. These functions can easily be transferred to other substances or behaviors. All of these may have been useful at the time but have set in as some kind of truth. These days they are no longer useful - indeed, they may well be the very opposite - yet you continue to adhere to these old ways just because it has never occurred to you that that is what has been happening and that perhaps a change is due…
If you are wondering if you have an addiction problem, whether with alcohol, drugs, food, gambling or anything else, ask yourself about use versus abuse . In this instance, abuse means that you can take or leave the potentially problematic substance or behavior. It does not matter if it is not available. If it is available you may have some or do it or not - it really is not an issue - but if you do, it will be in moderation. Conversely, when you are using it, you are indulging because you want it to perform a specific function. It may be to give you confidence or energy or to numb or comfort you. If you are doing this thing for its effect on how you cope, you may consider that you might have a problem. If this is what you think…
WELL DONE!
YOU HAVE ALREADY TAKEN THE BIGGEST AND BRAVEST STEP
Here are some tools and suggestions:
- Facing up to thinking or knowing that you have a problem to do with addiction, an eating disorder, weight or inappropriate use of a substance or behavior means that you have already made significant progress. Now you can take it further.
- Twelve step programmes are not for everyone but for very many people they are anywhere from useful to invaluable. Groups cover various issues. They include Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous, Al Anon, Overeaters Anonymous and Sex Addicts Anonymous. You can find them on the internet.
- Buy Suzanne's double relaxation CD, Adventures in Relaxation, and listen daily to one or other of the half hour relaxation adventures every day to relax, centre yourself and have a mini holiday.
- Keep a diary to log the behavior - exactly record the details. You may be surprised - either way! It could alsobe a useful thing to take it to anyone you seek help from.
- If you are experiencing physical problems associated with your behavior, go to your GP.
- Talk to someone. Talk to a friend or to the Samaritans. If it has been going on for a while or seems particularly distressing or is impacting on your life, consider seeking professional help. See your GP. You can come to see Suzanne. You will find contact details right here on this website. If you live too far away to consult Suzanne, go to the National Council for Hypnotherapy or the General Hypnotherapy Register websites to find a well qualified hypnotherapist in your area.