Steve Davidson, Ph.D.

Addiction

An addiction, whether it is to alcohol, drugs, food, etc., creeps up on "little cat feet," as the poem says. It starts small. You barely notice. The next thing you know, it's a like a big tiger that has moved into your living room and won't leave. Here are some basic principles for managing substance use:

1. Insight - If there is a problem, it's way better to face it!

2. Abstinence - A good way to test whether "use" has become abuse or addiction is to just go without for a while. See how tough, or easy, it is...

3. Self-Criticism - Often, excessive negativity fuels addictions. A shift to a more
positive vision about self, others, and life can sometimes take the compulsion out of substance use.

4. AA/NA - Alcoholics Anonymous, or Narcotics Anonymous, are great resources.
Chapters are designed to be very welcoming, and they provide wonderful principles
for recovery.

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