Understanding the Cycle of Addiction – Why Do I Act Out?
Our "acting out" behaviors indicate that we are ESCAPING negative circumstances or negative feelings. We may feel justified or entitled to these behaviors, or they may be trauma reactions or painful emotions.
The actual behavior is often sexual, but it isn’t necessarily limited to sex. Additional “acting out” behaviors can include alcohol, drugs, food, work, exercise, and gaming among others.While understanding the cycle of addiction is important, the ability to experience freedom lies not in controlling the behaviors in the cycle of addiction but, instead, in healing the wounds experienced and correcting the accompanying toxic thoughts.
Sobriety is important, but our goal is HEALTHY THINKING, which will lead to more HEALTHY BEHAVIORS.
