Struggling with addiction and intrusive thoughts, how do I seek and receive the Lord’s help? Where do I find strength to live in the Spirit and reduce the power the flesh has over me, over my life, my thoughts, and sometimes my actions?
I try to seek comfort in the Scripture as well in prayer, but I must be doing something wrong.
Am I selfish for wanting the Lord to cleanse me, to liberate me from thoughts’ control and power over me? Or am I looking in the wrong places?
I am a retired addictions psychologist and have run multiple drug/alcohol rehab programs for over 30 years.
The problem you outlined is due to obsessive thinking which is common. Before going into possible remedies you need to determine what type of person you are in regards to how you react or move towards others. It is easier than you might think.
There are only 3 ways we react to others. | Karen Horney | Our Inner Conflicts.
Some of my random thoughs
1. We can move towards others.
Motto: we are all in this together.
President: William Clinton -Famous line "I can feel your pain"
Typical career for this type: Administrator.
2. We can move against others
Motto: I am in control over myself and others.
President: Donald Trump
Typical Career goal: CEO, i.e. Steve Ballmer,
Trump's Reaction to Bush's “kinder, gentler America”
"I think if this country gets any kinder or gentler, it's literally going to cease to exist."
3. We can move away from others
Motto: I can do this myself.
Presiden: Richard Nixon
Typical Career goal: Analytical Thinker, i.e. Bill Gates.
Famous quote: I think it makes sense to believe in God, but exactly what decision in your life you make differently because of it, I don't know.
Each of the three ways has its pluses and negatives. Becoming aware of how we react to others (in general) provides knowledge of our strengths and weaknesses.
For those interested you can download a free pdf or kindle copy of
Our Inner Conflicts at
Queue PDF - Our Inner Conflicts - Karen Horney [k546xj1dpw48]
What treatment is more likely to work for you if you a type:
1. AA meetings and group therapy. Join the crowd.
2. Rational Recovery and individual therapy. You can control your "addictive voice" aka: inner beast.
3. As much as you can read on recovery, your recovery is within and only you find your way. Both AA and RR meetings will provide an opportunity for critical thinking and discussion.
Some practical things all types can benefit to reduce obsessive thinking:
Top of the list: learn to induce the Relaxation Response within yourself. It is simpler than what you may think.
Here is a one page pdf on
The Relaxation Response
https://www.brighamandwomensfaulkne...ache-center/documents/relaxation-response.pdf
Herbert Benson, M.D. - Harvard University
Here is a 9 minute youtube video explaining the Relaxation Response (RxR) by Dr. Benson
I also recommend guided meditation, visual imagery, breathing exercises and biofeedback to elicit the RxR.
Jason Stephenson has literally 100s of youtube videos on breathing, body scans, guided meditation, etc. with literally millions of views and appreciations.
https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=guided+meditation+jason+stephenson+
Feel free to ask any questions. Bonus for those who can correctly guess how I move towards others.