The addiction cycleThe addiction cycle has four stages: FixationThe addict becomes preoccupied with thinking about his addiction. His mind blocks out everything else and he quickly loses control. His brain has been hijacked.When thoughts leading to addictive behavior enter your mind, replace them immediately with other thoughts that can capture your attention. For recovery from the addiction cycle, it is important to know the cues: the time, place, or situations that trigger the preoccupation — then avoid them.
Quiet Time gives you a new focus. Rather than thinking about the addiction cycle, you encourage thoughts that develop you mentally and spiritually. PreparationAddicts follow a regular pattern in arranging for their addictive activity. The sexual addict may rent a pornographic video, go to a strip club, browse in an adult bookstore or cruise a red light district; the gambler may buy a copy of The Racing Form; and the alcoholic may visit the bar where his drinking buddies meet after work. (It can be helpful to carry no credit cards and only a little cash.)
If the addict’s conscience troubles him during this preparation stage, he tries to justify his addictive behavior. Some commonly used expressions are: “I need it” or “I deserve it.” CompulsionNow the attraction is so strong that the addict is forced to continue. He is in a trance-like state, like being on automatic pilot. No appeals to family, job or moral values will stop him.Shame and DepressionThe addict experiences pleasure during the fixation and preparation stages. He becomes euphoric as he takes the drink, places the bet, experiences the sexual release or the drug-induced high.
After the high, the addict falls into depression. Depression creates the need to begin again. Although the addict promises himself it won’t happen again, it does.
The depression that follows is caused by his loss of self-control and the possible resulting consequences and is deepened by a fear that he may never overcome his addiction.
To take away the pain of his depression, the addict once again begins the cycle. He tries to get rid of the low by getting high again. The cycle becomes self-perpetuating. The purpose of the cycle in the addict’s life is to keep the depression at bay.
For some addicts, the object of their addiction — drugs, alcohol, sex, food or gambling — becomes a way to get through life’s difficulties. While most people who involve themselves in these pursuits can stop, addicts seem unable to stop. Their behavior follows a pattern that is highly predictable. The addiction is now a way to cope with life.
To overcome an addiction, stop at the very first stage, the Fixation Stage. This is not easy since the cycle moves very quickly to the next three stages: Preparation, Compulsion, Shame and Depression.
The addict who wants to break this addiction cycle needs strong support. Meeting Jesus Christ in Quiet Time and following the 12-step program is the answer.
From Addiction Cycle to Overcoming Obstacles
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