Research shows us that individuals born into anxiety-prone families of origin, continue to have the same experiences and seem to have genetic links to certain addictions. It's interesting to note that addictions appear to be connected, with the physiological reaction to sugar and sensitivity to refined carbohydrates being the underlying addiction. It is common for individuals to migrate between different addictive substances and behaviors, especially when stress becomes unbearable.
Going towards and participating in excess or addiction is how the individual releases the stress. Therefore it is very important to understand the self- addictive mechanism and how it works before one can work to disassemble it. It's also good to know that one can become fully addiction-free, if they are willing to partake in the disassembling and the building and execution of new stress-reduction systems. Each person will need their own tools and systems of support to stay free over the long haul.
The desire to consume sugar and junk foods is a multi-faceted problem that needs addressing in each and every one of these. The actual desire can be so strong that the individual experiencing it may experience a total lack of control or compulsion to act. Some report this as an "out of body experience" and may even joke about it, but there is nothing funny about a body physiology that is out of hormonal balance. In fact, this imbalance closely resembles an impaired drunken-state.
Patients of mine have described this condition as the big unsolvable mystery of their lives. They question how it is possible to manage work, home, family, but not the compulsion for a candy bar? The answers to this mystery are hidden in these areas:
• Family medical history
• Personal medical history including addictions
• Food preferences and patterns
• Beverage preferences and patterns
• Times of eating, disorderly eating or not eating
• Certain medications including anti-depressants, hormones, cortisone and others.
• Stress-managing behavioral choices and patterns
Knowledge is key in placing your body and mind back in balance. Once the reasons for an imbalanced physiology are uncovered the path is clearer and intervention is possible. Often times, once all nutritional areas are improved, medication dosage can be changed or even withdrawn, but certainly do not make any changes in your medications without discussing this first with your physician.
Many need to be withdrawn slowly and should only be done under medical supervision. It's also a good idea to have a full medical examination and blood work before changing eating habits, especially if you have certain medical conditions or a family medical history that is prone to diabetes and heart disease. Good blood studies also provide a benchmark for your health progress.
Caffeine Addiction
Caffeine is an addictive substance. Even a small amount stimulates the production of insulin and other stress hormones including cortisol. It is so important to understand the concept that what you put in your mouth causes a chemical response inside your body and that these responses also effect the working of your mind. Some responses work for you and others work against you. Some are noisy and others are silent, but they all count, just as if you deposited them in a bank account.
Your skin is a good indicator for certain toxins including caffeine and tobacco. Pay attention to the internal and external messages sent by your skin and other organs as you work to place healthy choices in your body. Saying good-bye to caffeine is important. You may question if you are addicted. Your initial response to the first sentence in this paragraph is a good indicator.
• What was your inner level of resistance?
• What sort of thoughts can up?
• How about the emotions that were triggered?
If your goal is high level health and performance and at the very least you should be looking for ways to decrease your caffeine intake. It's a good idea to keep a daily caffeine log for a week or so. You may be shocked at what you place in your body. Also pay attention to the foods and beverages you are ingesting that have caffeine. Coffee, tea, soda, chocolate are common ones, but be sure to read labels and look for those hidden ingredients.
You already know that we tend to live mindlessly and carelessly. It's time to pay very good attention and to be self-responsible. Start to consider what changes might truly benefit you. Do this even if you sense resistance or blocking, for these are the areas where you need change the most.
Mind Exercise
Decide to take some quiet time for yourself right now or make an appointment with yourself to relax deeply into this exercise. Most of us rush from one thing to another and do not allow ourselves to experience deep stillness or purposeful stress-release. Relaxing in front of the television does not release stress, but actually builds it. Make certain that you will not be disturbed for the next 10 minutes or so. You will decide what is truly sufficient for you in this moment, remembering that all moments are different. When you are ready, tilt your eyes up about 20 degrees and locate your mind screen.
Ask your addictive tendencies to come forward and present themselves. Notice they each have a backpack filled with stressors that were experienced today, as well as old pattern books. Ask one of your tendencies to step forward and to share these stressors with you. Notice how easy it is to pay good attention to what is being presented, as you are now truly detached and willing to see clearly. Notice how many stressors or negative mind-states were self-imposed and therefore, could have been better managed. Let your addictive tendencies know that you are in the process of making changes and their backpacks will be lessened from now on. Continue to be still in this knowing until you are ready.
This mind exercise is one of "intention." It is setting the stage for high expectation and future change. This is a very valuable part of self-hypnotic suggestion, as it builds motivation based on understanding and desire while engaging the subconscious mind in active planning. Your subconscious mind already knows what to do and just needs you to have intention and to relax deeply. Help is on the way.
A NOTE TO NEW READERS:
This experiential blog/workshop is based on my new book, "How Many Cookies Will It Take to Make Me Happy?" This book is not published as yet, but you have the opportunity to read it in it's unpublished state. If you are new to my writing, you might want to read the earlier mini-chapters. They are available on FaceBook, The PublishersMarketPlace & at the following link. Remember to scan down to find the earliest chapters & work your way up. http://beyonddisorderlyeating.blogspot.com/
A bit of background.... we are working with creative Interactive Self-Hypnosis imagery, planting suggestions directly into the creative subconscious mind as you read along. What appears like a story is a series of self-hypnotic sessions, designed to bring about desired lifestyle changes. The inner mind is creative & rather child-like, loving to play with images, especially when they are emotionalized. Just like the saying, "a picture is worth a thousand words", well-planted mind images, can be worth hours of therapy. We can actually change or motivate in 1/200th of a second. So come along & look forward to some lifestyle-changing events.
Copyright 2009 Elizabeth Bohorquez, RN, C.Ht
May not be copied or reproduced without permission of the author.
Elizabeth Bohorquez, RN, C.Ht is author of Sugar...the Hidden Eating Disorder & How to Lick It. She is also the writer/producer of over 350 mp3/CD programs in the areas of medicine, health, prevention, addictions, self-development & sports for adults & children.
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