The development of addiction often stems from specific thinking patterns that allow them to normalize and justify their continued use of psychoactive drugs despite its negative consequences. In fact, many research have shown brain scans of certain regions in the brain related to impulsive behavior and how this is commonly present in the brains of those who are addicts and alcoholics.
Let’s take a closer look on the common thinking patterns of addiction:
Source: www.frontiersin.org
Pleasure and Pain
Pleasure and pain are two significant factors that drive people to perform certain actions and behaviors. Here, two systems are at work:
1. The limbic system houses the hypothalamus, which regulates thirst, hunger, responses to pleasure, sexual satisfaction, aggression, anger, and other emotions.
2. The autonomic nervous system is responsible for our flight or fight responses
These two systems are responsible for developing addictive pleasure and pain feelings based on the experiences of an individual. Pleasure derived from using psychoactive drugs drives a person to continue using for the relief it brings. Overtime, as dependence, tolerance, and withdrawal symptoms develop, he is driven by the fear of pain and would therefore continue to use despite other negative consequences.
Thinking patterns in addiction
There are physical and psychological manifestations that create what are thinking patterns common in addicts. These are:
- impulsivity
- Difficulty with delayed gratification/need for instant rewards
- Pleasure-seeking is a priority
- Feeling unique or superior
- Non-comformity
- Weakened sense of societal goals and modes
- Inability to cope with stressful situations
- Always finding an escape
- Fear of exposure
- Victim mentality
- Pointing fingers to blame others for own actions
These addiction thinking patterns are sustained because of three mechanisms:
1. Denial. Belief or trust in a different reality than what one is truly in.
2. Self-Obsession. Being preoccupied solely in one’s thoughts and feelings.
3. Irrational Decision-Making. Making illogical decisions.
Source: www.delrayrecoverycenter.com
Harmful consequences of addictive thinking patterns
Addictive thinking patterns produces unhealthy behaviors that lead to unhealthy actions that have negative repercussions. Eventually, the people around them will be hurt, disappointed, and grow to be distrustful. Meanwhile, the addict is only focused on obtaining drugs or alcohol and satisfy their cravings. This happens to the point that they choose these substances over their and their families’ own welfare, safety, security, and even peace of mind.
Over time, alienation ensues as the addict have increased arguments with family members, push friends away, and associate themselves only with those who are also using. As problems arise, this pushes the addict to use drugs as a way to escape from difficulties, sinking them deeper into addiction–and the cycle goes on and on.
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