Another dangerous phenomenon that has to be guarded against is “Switched Addiction” which is different from “cross addiction”.
Many addicts, after successfully breaking free of their primary addiction, find themselves pouring the same obsessive energy and blind effort into some other endeavor or behavior.
These new obsessive behaviors just become another way of masking emotional pain and avoiding the real issues that need ‘change” –their self-defeating “learned” habits and ways of thinking.
Addicts “switch” and these new behaviors take the place of their drug-of-choice and block them from finding serenity and complete recovery.
Some of the most frequent targets of switched addiction are:
Work
Addicts find themselves working and staying busy in the same hell-bent way the practiced their addiction. They are still full of delusions and denial and exhibit the same lack of control and “powerlessness” that characterizes all addictions.
Religion
Many addicts, having found their “Higher Power” become religious zealots and practice their “re-born” faith with an all-consuming obsession that actually harms them.
Support Groups
The most common switched addiction is an obsession with their program or 12 Step Support Group. The addict attends several meetings each day, espousing the principles and quoting the Big Book like a preacher haranguing the masses. There is a complete loss of balance and life becomes centered on the fellowship or program to the exclusion of all else. Relationships are restricted to members of the group and family and other outsiders are pushed away.
Sponsors are urged to watch for migration of the primary disease to these secondary obsessions!
Author : Tony L
