| It is easy to become addicted. We are all | | | | which takes over, block out fears, inhibitions and |
| creatures of habit. Habits provide a sense of | | | | doubts. There is a temporary sense of freedom |
| certainty, security and stability in our lives. When | | | | and empowerment that we normally lack. |
| they are disrupted our sense of well being | | | | Anger also blocks out logical thought processes, |
| becomes easily threatened. However, when we | | | | producing a sense that we are absolutely right. |
| depend upon a habit for our sense of well being, it | | | | Some individuals who have trouble making |
| is easy for it to develop into an addiction. | | | | decisions can make them easily then. Decisions |
| Addiction to anger is one of the most common | | | | made while angry often focus only upon a limited |
| and lethal addictions, and one most seldom | | | | aspect of the situation. These kinds of decisions |
| recognized. The anger addict becomes hooked by | | | | rarely provide positive outcomes. |
| the false sense of power anger brings. As the | | | | Anger provides a sense of justification. Many |
| addiction grows, it consumes more and more of | | | | actions that might seem unacceptable when calm |
| their lives, producing painful consequences. | | | | seem perfectly fine when we are angry. Anger |
| The best way to undo an addiction is to look it | | | | also encourages us to blurt out negative thoughts |
| squarely in the face, see what triggers it, how it | | | | and feelings we may have been holding in that |
| functions become aware of the false promises it | | | | might have better gone left unsaid. Of course, |
| offers and the huge costs we pay. Then we | | | | after the surge of anger passes, it is difficult to |
| replace old behaviors with new ones that are | | | | take these words back. Even if we apologize the |
| easy and enjoyable. As we dissolve an addiction | | | | after effects remain. |
| we regain power back over our lives. | | | | Dissolving The Addiction To Anger: |
| To begin to dissolve the addiction to anger, we | | | | 1)List the times in which you feel angry or upset |
| will start by becoming aware. What is the source | | | | automatically. What person, thoughts, memory or |
| of this addiction? What function does it serve? | | | | situation brings this up? For now, just notice this |
| Functions of Addictions | | | | and write it down. As you go through the day, if |
| When we are addicted to anything (anger, | | | | another situation strikes you, step back, notice it, |
| substances, relationships), many troubling aspects | | | | and write it down as well. Rather than reacting |
| of life are blocked out. Our focus narrows. The | | | | blindly, you are now taking time to become |
| addiction numbs us to painful feelings we may not | | | | aware. Once you become fully aware of the way |
| wish to deal with. The addiction is serving as a | | | | anger operates in your life it will not be able to |
| defense against anxiety. It prevents us from | | | | sneak up from behind. |
| seeing and dealing with issues, which need to be | | | | 2)Find a substitute for the automatic angry |
| attended to. | | | | reaction. Instead of reacting the same old way |
| In particular, an addiction to anger provides a | | | | the next time the situation arises, stop, breathe |
| sense of power. This is often a defense against | | | | and tell yourself, I will not be a slave to anger |
| feeling helpless or inadequate. Individuals become | | | | anymore. Stop and listen to the person and say |
| blind to the fact that as the addiction develops, | | | | to yourself, "This time I will let them be right. |
| they will need more and more of it to feel okay. | | | | There's plenty of time to be right later." See how |
| Not only does the dosage increase, but so does | | | | much better you feel now getting pulled down |
| the negative impact upon their lives. | | | | into anger. |
| Addiction provides a false sense of security. At | | | | 3)Find a new way of viewing the situation. Instead |
| first it makes the individual feel safe and secure. | | | | of seeing them as an enemy, tell yourself that |
| The reality, however, is that an addiction blinds an | | | | their anger is a cry for help. It comes from pain |
| individual from doing what needs to be done to | | | | and conflict within. Instead of going on the attack, |
| build a life of true value and stability. | | | | say to the person (either in your mind or out |
| Effects Of Addiction To Anger | | | | loud), "What can I do to serve you?" Not only will |
| When we are angry we often have a temporary | | | | this diffuse the anger, but will open new doors for |
| feeling of strength, energy,power, authority or | | | | both of you to walk through. |
| control. Much like alcohol, the surge of anger, | | | | |