Overcoming Addiction: On Finding Our Inner Strength In Times Of Need

When we find ourselves caught in the web of fear and anxiety, we instinctually seek out others or things that can offer us comfort. Simple gestures like receiving a hug or words of encouragement from a loved one can serve as an instant heart balm and quell our fears, if even for just a moment. Yet when we remain stuck in the grips of fear and anxiety, our drive to find comfort only increases. If we are unable to experience a reprieve from the painful and uncomfortable feelings and realities that we want to avoid on our own, we begin consistently seeking comfort outside of ourselves, finding comfort in the form of things like food, substances, and social media. In the face of extreme discomfort, our drive for comfort can become obsessive and drive us right into the arms of addiction.

When we talk about addiction, we tend to think that it is the person or the substance that we are addicted to, but in reality, what we are actually addicted to is comfort itself. The definition of the word comfort is “to give strength and hope to”.  When we lose confidence in our capacity to transcend our pain we often are driven to something or someone that offers the promise of taking away our pain.

Think about it. Addictive substances like alcohol make it feel safer to let our guard down. It reminds us of our strength by decreasing our inhibitions, giving us the courage to do things we want to do but don’t because of fear. That which we become addicted to offers an experience that dispels our fears (or makes it easier to confront them) and reminds us of our inner strength so that we can continue to get back up after we have fallen down and continue putting one foot in front of the other when we feel like calling it quits. Ultimately, in our quest for comfort, what we are really seeking at a deeper level is a remembrance of our own inner strength and resiliency.

When we do not believe in ourselves or do not believe that we are worthy of having what we want, we will seek comfort outside of ourselves. Doing so, however, only reinforces the notion that we are not strong enough to get through the challenge we are in and keeps us in the grips of addiction.

When we believe in ourselves and believe that we are worthy of having what we want, we will seek comfort from God/Spirit and within ourselves. Doing so, we are reminded of the support that we always have within us and around us and are able to live connected to our own inner strength.  

We are all deeply resilient. While we may question whether or not we will thrive beyond the trials and tribulations life brings us. what ultimately matters is how we get through the challenging trials. How we come out on the other side of hard times is dependent on what we turned and whom we turned to as sources of comfort. Were the things and relationships life-serving or were they dis-ease promoting? When we don’t understand the impact of the decisions we make in these “sliding door” moments, we lose sight of the fact that the future of our health and happiness is determined by the choices we make when the rubber meets the road and the long term impact can take a toll on our physical health.

Perhaps we would be able to free ourselves as a people from the grips of addiction if we remembered one unforgiving truth that can empower us to consciously create the life and future we want for ourselves:  our everyday choices either bring us closer to what we want or they take us further away from what we want.

While our spirits are resilient, our bodies are less so.  If we have chosen a bottle of gin as our source of comfort our spirit and soul are better able to bounce back from the destructive scars that alcoholism inflicts on it but our bodies may suffer permanently in the form of liver dis-ease.  To thrive in a healthy body, mind, and soul we must remember that the only thing that is required of us is to continue making wise and conscious choices that support a healthy body, mind, and soul. 

So remember this dear one:

When we are reminded of our own inner strength our spirits can rise and soar above the dark clouds of our day. 

We are all strong.

We are all resilient. 

And…..we all sometimes need to be reminded of the above.  

Shalom