mood-alter.
sense that we repeat patterns over and over again throughout our lives
without being able to control them. The smoker takes a cigarette every forty
minutes all day every day. The nymphomaniac or satyr is constantly in
search of a sex partner. A person acts shy time and again, no matter what
the circumstances. The difference is that these behaviors expand over time
and are not the controlled, ritualistic, transient behaviors of the obsessive.
that offers him release. The ritual depends on two factors. The first is life
circumstance-growing up with a fanatical mother who insisted that the
children wash after touching the dog, the door, the chair, etc. The second
is that the ritual must reflect back to a basic feeling, i.e., feeling dirty (in a
broad sense of the term) and the need to feel clean constantly. An obsession
that sticks is one that manages to reduce the tension level."
as you know that your addictions might be harming you, you will fiercely
defend them. If you are addicted to religion, you might rant and rave at
anyone who would propose to take this activity away from you. If you are
addicted to politics in order not to feel, you will have a thousand excuses as
to why your incessant politicizing is such a good thing. Just as you would
fight to the death to defend your deepest friendships, the same holds true
with your addictions. You become very loyal to your addictions.
king. They are extremely loyal to you. They will protect you from danger
(unwanted feelings). They are always there when you need them--morning,
noon and night. You know that you can count on them to serve you to numb
out.