You can know if your addicted by asking yourself one simple question… and if you don’t you might not get the help you need.
You have to get a grasp on just how bad a behavior is before you can work to solve it. Unfortunately, it can be difficult to know if you are talking about real addiction… or just really just a bad habit.
On one side, you have the bad habits. You do these things even though you know they are unhealthy for us. On the other end is severe addiction. This is a behavior that is progressively enslaving and destructive. At a certain point on this spectrum the activity shifts from something you can work on yourself, to something where you need clinical intervention for.
This distinction is a major bottleneck for many who might struggle with addiction. Working to discern where you are between a bad habit and an addiction will guide you towards the right support. Is this something you can conquer on your own? Or is this something that needs much professional help?
Luckily, you can ask ourselves a simple question to get that answer:
Can you let go of this behavior for 30 days?
There is lots of nuance to addiction, and I’m not trying to reduce its complexity. However, if you can’t keep a 30 day fast it will be a major sign that you might need professional help.
When your body and your brain is addicted to something it creates a cycle of use. On one end is the cravings, and on the other is withdrawal. The reason you return to the behavior is because you either want to stop feeling the urge of craving or get rid of the pain of withdrawal.
To test how serious the craving and withdrawal experiences are, eliminate the behavior for 30 days and see how you get on. If you can go 30 days without the behavior, and have minimal craving/withdrawal symptoms, the addiction is probably on the mild end of the spectrum and might be solved by independent work.
However, if the cravings or withdrawals are strong enough that you aren’t able abstain for 30 days, it might be worth a more serious look.
Often times, having this realization can be frightening for people. After all, no one wants to be known as an addict. However, it can also bring a sense of relief in realizing you don’t have to go it alone. If you have an addiction, you will find healing with other people, which can be a tremendous grace.
With all the advances we have made in science and recovery programs, there are lots of options to support you in your journey. This could be in a group setting (think Alcoholics Anonymous)), or in a smaller setting (think individual counseling).
No matter where you fall with your behavior, healing is always possible. You are never beyond reach of God’s grace and freedom. Continue praying for grace, do the 30 day test, and seek outside help if necessary.