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