document updated 14 years ago, on May 29, 2010
Addicts frequently try to tell themselves "I'm not addicted", or (at support group meetings) "maybe I'm addicted, but I can control it better than that addict can". This makes a relapse far more likely.
Things to remind myself that this isn't true:
- "The addicted person will most likely have a history of attempting to stop using the substance (or engaging in the behavior) without much success. He will also use more of the substance or spend more time using the substance than he intends to, and will also spend a lot of his time getting, using and recovering from the substance. Another symptom is discontinuing other activities that once brought him pleasure (like walking in the park), or are his personal responsibility (like going to school or work). Lastly, the addicted person will continue taking the substance or engaging in the activity even though he knows that it's having a harmful impact on him." [1]