THIS IS SOOOOO GOOD. You really take it all apart. There are entire books that do not describe how to dismantle addictive behaviors as well as you do. Bravo bravo bravo!
Thanks, Barry. I’ll take a handful of this credit people kindly give to me and send it’s mostly to those who theory I base this on—Maslow, Glasser, James Clear, et al
"When cravings arise, I don’t try to resist them. Resistance creates friction, and friction amplifies intensity. Instead, I allow the craving to exist. I let it ripple freely through my awareness, observing it from a distance with curiosity, yet detachment."
Boom, pow! I agree with everything you've shared here. I will do my best to notice when a craving arises and let it flow, asking it to reveal to me what I need to learn or tend to in that moment. Thanks Adam :)
Pleasure, Rebecca. I often find it’s something simple I’ve missed. Like, “Wait I haven’t been out for a good walk all week” or “Hang on, when was the last time I did something random and fun?” Journaling helps so much here, especially for spotting patterns. Thank you Rebecca.
This is so helpful Adam, the way you've broken down what cravings are and how we can respond to them. They can seem SO powerful but if we're able to bring our awareness to them and find out what they might be telling us, we then have the space to make a different choice than to do what they say. I'm sure this will be so helpful to so many people.
“I’ve come to see cravings as gentle reminders that I’ve overlooked some aspect of my self-care, but they’ve been misrouted down old pathways as if they hopped on the wrong bus. And it’s my responsibility to figure out what I’ve missed.”
I appreciate your work! When it comes down to it, not recognizing the power of triggers and what happens after that is probably one of the biggest reasons we see such poor drug treatment success rates is simply not stressing how important it is to understand this piece of addiction.
LOL, there's a lot of things drug treatment should include—as well as schools in general. I definitely understand your point about the value of Stoicism relative to managing addiction. I sort of make my living pointing out what drug treatment could do better to improve success rates. And that covers a broad spectrum that ranges from the topic in your article here on dealing with craving and triggers, to unpacking pschospiritual aspects, like using Stoicism (and other approaches). I sort of think it's a case of they might deliver pieces of the right stuff, but the problem is how well they deliver. And get the client's attention as to how important it is they take it seriously as managing an addiction can be a matter of life and death.
In early sobriety, I found Charles Duhigg's work fascinating. It was like I'd become a researcher of the brain in this skull, examining it like a rat. Then I read Atomic Habits and so much more made sense, but that's a whole 'nother can o' worms.
THIS IS SOOOOO GOOD. You really take it all apart. There are entire books that do not describe how to dismantle addictive behaviors as well as you do. Bravo bravo bravo!
Wow thank you Holly. That’s a mighty compliment. I’m so glad it hit like that.
Feels like I’ve written a darn book with all the rewriting and editing that article took!
Thank you for your kind words, as always.
I want to second (third?) this. Thank you Adam for articulating this in such an inspiring way.
Thanks, Barry. I’ll take a handful of this credit people kindly give to me and send it’s mostly to those who theory I base this on—Maslow, Glasser, James Clear, et al
"When cravings arise, I don’t try to resist them. Resistance creates friction, and friction amplifies intensity. Instead, I allow the craving to exist. I let it ripple freely through my awareness, observing it from a distance with curiosity, yet detachment."
Boom, pow! I agree with everything you've shared here. I will do my best to notice when a craving arises and let it flow, asking it to reveal to me what I need to learn or tend to in that moment. Thanks Adam :)
Pleasure, Rebecca. I often find it’s something simple I’ve missed. Like, “Wait I haven’t been out for a good walk all week” or “Hang on, when was the last time I did something random and fun?” Journaling helps so much here, especially for spotting patterns. Thank you Rebecca.
This is so helpful Adam, the way you've broken down what cravings are and how we can respond to them. They can seem SO powerful but if we're able to bring our awareness to them and find out what they might be telling us, we then have the space to make a different choice than to do what they say. I'm sure this will be so helpful to so many people.
Deeply appreciate your feedback Ellie. Thank you.
This is a masterclass, Adam.
Articulated with the clarity and depth that only someone who’s both studied the theory and walked the path could deliver.
Much appreciated, Good Sir.
Hey I said all I’m talking about really is behaviour change. Thought I’d address some theory.
Thanks for your feedback Shane.
"Fulfillment Happens Through Meeting Your Real Needs" straight to the point. Cravings to me is a signal that something more important is missing
That’s the one.
Thank you for reading.
“I’ve come to see cravings as gentle reminders that I’ve overlooked some aspect of my self-care, but they’ve been misrouted down old pathways as if they hopped on the wrong bus. And it’s my responsibility to figure out what I’ve missed.”
I need to print this off and put it on my wall.
Haha, brilliant idea. Thanks Tim
I appreciate your work! When it comes down to it, not recognizing the power of triggers and what happens after that is probably one of the biggest reasons we see such poor drug treatment success rates is simply not stressing how important it is to understand this piece of addiction.
Thank you, Jim.
I believe drug treatment should include learning and practicing Stoicism. In fact schools should too. I’m almost certain success rates would improve.
LOL, there's a lot of things drug treatment should include—as well as schools in general. I definitely understand your point about the value of Stoicism relative to managing addiction. I sort of make my living pointing out what drug treatment could do better to improve success rates. And that covers a broad spectrum that ranges from the topic in your article here on dealing with craving and triggers, to unpacking pschospiritual aspects, like using Stoicism (and other approaches). I sort of think it's a case of they might deliver pieces of the right stuff, but the problem is how well they deliver. And get the client's attention as to how important it is they take it seriously as managing an addiction can be a matter of life and death.
This is superb!! I will keep coming back to this gem. Thanks Adam
Glad you enjoyed, good Sir.
Wonderfully well written. I love how you go through each part of the habit loop in such vivid detail Adam. Well done.
Thank you, Cole. Appreciate you as always.
I like your content mate
Nice one buddy, and a big thank you for subscribing.
In early sobriety, I found Charles Duhigg's work fascinating. It was like I'd become a researcher of the brain in this skull, examining it like a rat. Then I read Atomic Habits and so much more made sense, but that's a whole 'nother can o' worms.
Thanks for the share, Adam.
I loved Atomic Habits. Clear’s habit loop definitely useful here. And the rest.
I enjoyed reading books on habits as my post quit lit too. Getting habits in order is a fundamental component to wellbeing in my eyes.
Thanks Damon!