Day 323 - I’m enough

We all have our inner dialogues with our addiction brain. Part of being AF longer is that I get better and better at detecting when it’s the addiction brain trying to convince me.

How do I know my addiction brain is talking? The sentences come out of negative feelings with the core message: “I’m not enough”

Why can’t I? - I’m not enough! 

I need a drink for me to be fulfilled! - I’m not enough.

They will think I’m boring if I don’t drink. - I’m not enough.

When my sober brain is talking the sentences come out of positive feelings with the opposite message “I’m enough!”

Why should I? - I’m enough.

I’m good, alcohol will not make me better. - I’m enough.

It doesn’t really matter if a couple of drunk heads think I’m boring, does it? - I’m enough.

But when I’ve mastered this, my addiction brain will try a new trick: instead of sounding like it speaks from negative feelings that “I’m not enough” it starts to use a more positive sounding disguise: 

Why shouldn’t I? I’ve proven myself!

I got this, I know how to handle it if it goes out of hands!

It was easy for me to stop, but my life is a little bit boring, so I just need to remind myself why I shouldn’t drink.

Even if addiction brain tries to hide it it’s still there: “I’m not enough” deceptively framed with words of ego and power instead of self pity.

There’s an easy way to spot whenever addiction brain is talking and that is to say “I’m enough” after it’s arguments and I can hear what is true or not.

Why can’t I?  - I’m enough.

Why shouldn’t I? - I’m enough.

Don’t I deserve a reward? No - I’m enough.

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