Is addiction linked to trauma or stress? We can link addiction to to stress or trauma, although addiction can develop without either. People arrive at addiction through different routes, and understanding what a substance or behaviour does for a particular...
Why do I keep swapping one addiction for another? Swapping one addiction for another is rarely a lack of commitment. It usually means the underlying need has not changed. When the nervous system loses one way of regulating stress, emotion, or emptiness, it...
Why Does Life Feel Empty Without My Addiction? Many people feel surprised by the sense of emptiness that can appear after an addiction stops. Despite causing difficulties, it occupied time, provided a sense of familiarity, offered moments of relief, and routine. When...
Why does stress make me crave things I’m trying to avoid? Stress narrows attention and reduces choice. When the nervous system is under pressure, it looks for fast, familiar ways to regulate. Cravings are not a lack of commitment. They are a signal from an overwhelmed...
Why do I feel worse when I try to give something up? Feeling worse after stopping a behaviour does not mean you were wrong to try. It usually means your nervous system has lost a coping mechanism it relied on for regulation. Anxiety, low mood, agitation, or emptiness...
What is my addiction actually doing for me? Addiction is rarely about pleasure or enjoyment. More often, it is doing a quiet job for the nervous system. It may be soothing stress, numbing pain, creating focus, or offering a sense of steadiness when life feels too...
