Addiction is a specific type of behavior of an individual that goes beyond accepted norms. It manifests itself through the desire to avoid reality by altering one's mental state through various means (such as alcohol or drugs), or through continuous focus on certain activities (such as computer or gambling), which contributes to intense positive emotions.
History of creation
The methodology was developed on the basis of the study of individual differences of norm and pathology of personality, while analyzing addictive manifestations of psychological, social and medical nature. In the concept of addictive behavior the authors put the definition according to which this complex psychological phenomenon develops against the background of the process of socialization of an individual and depends on their personal experience and characteristics. It is associated with escape from reality through the use of chemical or non-chemical means that affect the change of the normal mental state of a person.
Overcoming addiction on your own
If you have discovered signs of addiction and want to cope with it without the intervention of specialists, the following algorithm of actions will help you in this process. However, it is important to remember that fighting addiction is a laborious and time-consuming process that requires considerable effort and time.
Recognizing your problem
At this stage, it is important to ask yourself a few key questions:
- What exactly is my problem?
- How does it affect my life? (make a list of pros and cons).
- Can I currently control the situation related to this problem?
- What consequences could it have in the future?
Be open to change for the better, and if you have a clear desire to change the situation, it will lead you to success. To understand your own motivation, ask yourself the following questions:
- Am I ready to make a change in this area of my life?
- Why do I want to do it now?
- Do I believe in my own strength to accomplish this task?
Accepting your own responsibility
Accepting responsibility for your life involves refusing to make excuses or blame other people or circumstances for your problems.
Assess your personality
This stage can be the most difficult because it requires you to answer difficult questions. As a result, you will be able to better understand the reasons for your tendency toward addiction.
- What is my role in causing this problem?
- What contributed to the development of my addiction?
- How do I evaluate my situation?
- Can I avoid situations that provoke temptation?
- Which of my beliefs are irrational and interfere with the problem?
- What fears am I trying to hide from by going into addiction?
Work on new behaviors
The problem is that you have formed a certain habit that is ingrained in your mind and creates an obstacle to change. In order to develop a new type of behavior, you need to replace old habits with new ones that can evoke positive emotions. Going back to analyze your own personality, identify the benefits you will gain from change. These benefits essentially reflect your needs and desires. New habits should benefit both you and your body, hence the importance of developing healthy habits.
Remember
As you begin your journey of change, if you are revisiting old habits, be patient and understanding with yourself. You should not criticize or blame yourself as this will not lead to positive change. Progress should be gradual. Motivate yourself and celebrate each step in the right direction. It is important to understand that it can be difficult to get rid of a bad habit completely and permanently, it can only be minimized. With this motivation, you should steadily strive towards your goal. In the end, you will become a new person capable of overcoming your problems on your own.
Test results
The proposed methodology allows you to assess the main parameters and characteristics of the personality; healthy or prone to addictive behavior. This questionnaire is designed for individuals between the ages of 17 and 35, which makes it a useful tool for psychologists and professionals in various fields such as family relationships, parent-child interaction, interpersonal communications and professional activities. We invite you to take this test now to learn more about your propensity for addictive behavior.
