The Chase

When this writer uses the word, chase, it's usually down hill from there! Clients who chase, are in trouble. Why? Well for starters, when you are chasing something, it's really a unmet need. That unmet need is substituted for addiction. Gambler's chase. They chase hard. Everything around them becomes secondary. The primary is the chase. Hence, the gambler develops this pathological behavior that becomes evident when the gambler is on a run. Pathological gamblers struggle with trying to keep the "high" going. That high creates the chase. Gamblers validate themselves on winning, or the big win! But, the gambling addiction soon takes over, and it's not even about winning, just chasing.  This chasing behavior creates insidious poor decisions that can result in voluminous ramifications for the gambler. Gamblers take more risks when they are in the chase mode. Impulsive behavior becomes the gamblers middle name. Compulsive and Pathological gamblers need to recognize when they are self-sabotaging their selves by implementing chase behavior. Addicts who suffer from chemical dependence can experience the same chase behavior while getting high. Similar to gambling addiction, the ability to risk chasing the "high" from drugs can result in dangerous behavior for the the addict. The addict is willing to do anything to keep the high going, including chasing the drug, and it's addictive destructive behavior. It is important to understand that the chase can be used in many addictions. This writer tells his clients that if chasing got you what you wanted then you would be happy, right? Self would not have problems. Financial problems, self-esteem problems, depression problems, and a litany of other mental health problems would not occur if chasing were healthy. Self has the ability to understand that chasing is not a helpful tool in building your life. The next time you have a gambling urge, or want to get high, look back to what chasing got you, nothing! Stay in your health, stay in the moment.