What if you're Easily Addicted?

You don’t have to abuse drugs or have a gambling habit to struggle with addiction.  Have you ever been so involved in a book or video game that you completely shut out the world around you? Have you ever spent an entire day obsessed about what you were going to eat after work? Have you ever been talking about one topic so passionately that your listeners’ eyes glaze over? Have you ever had family or friends tell you that (fill in the blank) seems to be all you care about?

Some people, due to environmental factors or brain chemical imbalances, tend to be more prone to exaggerate everyday behaviors and turn them into something unhealthy.  What do you do if you know you’re vulnerable to these behaviors?

1. Stay away from the dangerous stuff.  If you know you’re prone to excess, avoid alcohol, drugs, even cigarettes.  Combining addictive substances with addictive personality is a sure recipe for disaster.
2. Have an accountability partner.  Whether it’s a spouse, sibling, or best friend, have someone in your life who can tell you the truth about your behavior when it gets out of hand.
3. Indulge, but set limits. If you know Oreos are your weakness, you can still eat them, just take a serving and put the package away (or have someone hide it).  This is easier when you’re not alone.
4. Or stay completely away. If an activity doesn’t contribute to your well-being, and takes you away from your friends and family, you may have to avoid it and all environments where it is available, when feasible.
5. Set goals. If you have a direction for your life, and are committed to the steps it takes to get there, it’s harder for an addiction to become primary in your life.  Addiction tends to fill a void, so fill your life with good things first.
6. Consider working with a life coach to guide you and help hold you accountable for goals while steering you clear of behaviors you want to change.

Having an addictive personality means you may be able to focus completely on a project in a way others cannot.  Take these steps above to keep it healthy.