Introduction
Addictive behavior is any behavior, activity or object that an individual gives a great priority or attention such that it becomes the major focus in life and is physically or mentally harmful to the person and to the society in large. A person who is completely obsessed or dependent on substance or behavior becomes addicted to that. Addiction may be physical or psychological. Physical addiction occurs where a person may be addicted to chemicals, drugs and alcohol. Psychological dependence is a form of addiction whereby someone is fully engaged to compulsive activities such as gabling, eating disorders and forceful sex (Flores, 23)
Most of the addictive behaviors results from the urge to fulfill inner feelings which are very strong to resist. These behaviors and urges are repetitive and needs to be satisfied in an urgent and repetitive manner. Continued practice of these behavioral activities affects the brain causing a peculiar sensation which brings about the feeling of being “high”. When this behavior is practiced for long period, the person enters into the addictive cycle. In this stage, the person is not able to voluntarily stop the habit even if it results to health or social problems (Baumeister, 206-209)
The concept of spirituality and its psychological well-being in recovery from addictive behaviors
For the treatment of an addictive person to be effective, the addict must be willing to change his or her behaviors. Addiction is rooted to a person’s inner self, and this is the place where spirituality lies. Addiction occurs where the inner self of a person has been damaged and spirituality has been distorted such that the person no longer cares about his or her spiritual well- being. Damaged spirituality results to addictive behaviors (Galanter Dermatis & Steinke. p. 97).
Although spirituality is not religion, some very religious people have addictive behaviors because they lack spirituality in their inner self. However, organized religion can help overcome addiction. This depends on the ability of the religion to change the inner self of the addictive person where spirituality lies. There are religious behaviors that are very useful in molding the inner self of a person such that the spirituality is greatly enhanced (Marlatt & Kristeller, 234).
Spiritual fasting is a behavior that is practiced for religious purposes. It is highly spiritual in nature as it concerns spiritual involvement. This practice strengthens the person’s self control such that he or she achieves self discipline. Acquiring self control is a very important aspect in controlling a person’s inner feelings where spirituality resides (Emmons. p. 56).
Fasting with a purpose provides the necessary strength a person requires to resist any influence or temptations to behaviors that can result to addiction. The use of prayers and the practice of meditation are very important aspects in conquering addiction. Through prayers the addict is able to overcome the urge for more substance abuse (Cole & Pargament. p. 97).
Through prayers and meditation, the addict, is able to improve his or her relationship with God. They help someone to consciously be in contact with God. The addict feels the power of God and His will inside him or her to do the right and cast the addictive behavior out. The addict assumes spiritual healing of the inner self and the addiction urge is suppressed. All religious practices are based on faith and focuses on establishing the bases of practicing self control that results to spiritual awakening.
Once an addict attains the level of awakening, he or she feels released from the urge of substance abuse and addiction. This is the start of recovery process from addiction (McCullough, Emmons, Kilpatrick & Mooney, 885)
The concept of Mindfulness and its psychological well-being in recovery from addictive behaviors
The concept of mindfulness is considered a very important way of recovering from addictive behaviors. The concept of mindfulness provides the addicted person with ability to understand his or her feelings, emotions, and sensations. The addicted person is able to get out of that situation by developing ability to overcome the urge by slowing down the sensations that triggers the urge as it occurs (Marlatt & Kristeller p. 24)
Mindfulness slows down the impulses, thoughts and desires that results to an engagement in addictive behavior. The urge for an addictive substance starts small and gradually grows bigger lasting between 20-30 minutes. All types of addictions, whether alcohol, gambling, sex or drugs are triggered by a series of sensations, feelings and thoughts that sets out the urge and craving to satisfy the addictive behavior (Crnkovic, Elaine & Robert p. 25-36).
Mindfulness assists the addicted person recovery by enabling him or her recognize the triggers to the urges and how they come out in the mind and body of the addicted person. The person is able to slow down the magnitude of the urge as well as the desire to feel the effects as a result of satisfying the urge. Through mindfulness the addict become sensitive to both external and internal signs and develop concepts that offset the urge to use the substance (George. p.61).
Mindfulness instills insight into the person towards body feeling state such that the addict can feel the onset of the sensation. The addict is able to counteract the feelings and reduce their impact to the addict. The role of mindfulness is not to immediately stop or avoid recurrence of the urge, but to make the addict open and inquisitive about the behavior, acknowledge it and try to break the series of deterioration (Borman, & Dixon p.287).
The concept of Acceptance and its psychological well-being in recovery from addictive behaviors
The concept of acceptance requires that the addicted person acknowledges the situation to be true by honestly facing up conditions as they are. Addicts must accept the true situation of their condition. Acceptance of the truth provides the bases upon which the addicts takes a plan of action regarding ways and means of reducing the urge and crave for the substance (RonStar. p. 26).
The addicted person must accept that he or she needs to be helped. In most cases addiction brings about denial of the existence of a problem due to unclear thinking. This is because addiction affects the brain and the central nervous system such that the addict can no longer think right. Acceptance of the reality enables the addicted person to realize the need to change the way he or she thinks and behaves (Sanderson. & Linehan. pp. 76-79).
The addict must accept and admit to himself, to others and to God that necessary assistance is required to help resist the urge for additives. The process of healing through acceptance should be backed by constant reinforcement over the entire period of recovery. The addicted person must accept various issues before he or she can start the process of “acceptance therapy”. The addict must accept that he or she is sick and that the counselor assisting him or her recover actually knows the problem. He must accept that the healing process takes time and involves constant evaluation of the state of mind. He or she should accept that both the body and the mind must recover from the addictive state to sober state (Galanter, Dermatis, Mansky &. McIntyre. p. 117).
The concept of Forgiveness and its psychological well-being in recovery from addictive behaviors
The concept of forgiveness can be looked at in two dimensions. An addict requires self forgiveness as well as forgiveness from others. Self forgiveness occurs where the addicts realizes the harm the addictive substance has caused to his body as well as his mind. In most cases the addict gets difficulties from conflicting emotions that holds back the ability of the addict to free him from guilt resulting from indulgence of the behavior. The ability of self forgiveness requires spiritual guidance (Bono & McCullough. p. 79).
The addict must seek powers superior than his in order to realize how to restore inner peace which will assist the person to reduce dependency on the substance than having a feeling of guilt or shame. The addicted person needs to use the power of self forgiveness to accept himself and act out of the need to minimize his negative behavior and reduce drug dependence. In the recovery process, the addicted person seeks to be at peace with those whom he has injured while under addiction (Alcoholics Anonymous, p. 46).
The injured party must be willing to forgive the addict so that the addict can rid the guilt conscience and face the reality of self forgiveness. Once forgiven, the addict feels a sense of liberation hence speeding the healing process (Nutt, King, Saulsbury & Blakemore. pp. 1047-1053).
The concept of Hope and its psychological well-being in recovery from addictive behaviors
Use of hope as a concept of addiction recovery is an all round phenomena. It is through hope that we are able to nurture our beliefs, spirituality and future. With hope the addicted person beliefs that by quitting the behavior the future holds something good for him. The addicts develops strong inner drives that urges the addict to stop the behavior hoping that he or she can achieve specific goals meant to better the future. The concept of hope in addiction treatment is based on principles such as reaching out, healthy balance and reaching out (Yahne & WR Miller, 86).
The reaching out principle helps the addict to accept through hope that he or she is able to recover as well as assisting others recover through a network of support system. By reaching out, the addict is able to see beyond himself and his immediate desires through listening and supporting other addicts. This instills hope not only to the sponsor but also to the person being reached. Through healthy balance, the addict is able to keep himself healthy through such means as good medical care, regular exercises and eating balanced diet (Wallace & Shapiro. P. 228)
Lack of activities may result to idleness, overworking and involvement with activities or substance that stimulate artificial satisfaction. Activities that involve group participation reduce stress and make an addict have a positive attitude towards addiction free life. The personal growth principle requires an individual to grow in an all round manner (Oettingen & Gollwitzer, pp. 304-307).
The growth has to be spiritual, mental and social. In recovering from addiction, a person must seek divine intervention from a higher power. Through social and spiritual awareness, the addict gains hope for the future and focuses on the future (McCullough, Kimeldorf & Cohen. p. 73).
The concept of Humility and gratitude and their psychological well-being in recovery from addictive behaviors
Humility assists the addict develop an attitude of inner peacefulness. It reduces the anxiety and urge to insatiable crave for something. Without humility, the addict feels the desire of the addictive substance more important than any other thing or person. Humility allows someone to cognitively realize the role others play in his or her life. An addict feel resented and think every body hates them no one cares (Tangney, 70-82).
Humility helps an addict solve his or her ego. It enables the addict to socially associate with others and hence eliminates the sense of loneliness. The addict should realize that he or she does not know everything and hence there is need to learn from others. A person needs to open up to opportunities that allow personal growth so as to make life comfortable and get away from addictives (Fredrikson, p. 89).
Through humility, the addicts get opportunities to grow and focus their mind on important issues. Through the sense of humility, the addicts feel respected and blessed. With gratitude, they feel honored and appreciate positive living. They appreciate the opportunities life has to offer and extend a helping hand to others with a similar problem as they consider themselves blessed in their own accord. With positive thinking and recognition, gratitude becomes an essential element in the addict’s recovery (Twenge & Campbell, pp. 261-272).
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