Impulsive behavior

If there is one trait that most addicts have in common, it appears to be impulsive behavior. I know when I was deep into my spiral of addiction- impulsive I was 24/7! With that said- I'm going to go a step further- I fervently believe that the impulse mechanism in our brains begins before our addiction commences out of control. For example, this writer believes that addiction is a substitute satisfaction for an unmet need, right? If this is true, then we had unmet needs before we began to lose control with our addiction. Think back before you were in the addiction spiral, were you impulsive? Did you have impulsive behavior going on in your life before you began the addiction chase? Most of you I'm assuming did, and that is where I want you to think about this next comment. In order for impulsive behavior to start, self has to make this thought bigger! We obsess about how we need to do this impulsive thing, we do not let it our of our head. The unmet needs become so real, that we actually believe that we need to be impulsive to get the thought out. Slow down, this type of thinking will not help you. If you are willing to become impulsive about your thoughts, and do not let them out in a healthy way- you begin to portray impulsive behavior. Once this cycle is starting, you take risks, and soon can find yourself into an unhealthy addiction. Think things through, do not finalize thoughts in your head, there is always another way! You do not have to act on your impulsive behavior. Be aware and be able to understand where that impulsive thinking will take you. Be safe with your thinking, and allow yourself to relax. We use exercise as a positive thought changer when clients are struggling with impulsive thoughts and impulsive behavior. Get a work out in, and feel good about yourself. Validate self with how you did not act on the impulsive thought, instead you let it out with exercise. Journaling is another positive tool self can use when feeling impulsive. Let the thoughts out on paper. Move on to the next thought. You can explore your unmet needs in a healthy way when you are not acting impulsive! Exercise and journaling our two healthy skills that will help you with impulsive behavior. One thought at a time. Stay in your health, stay in the moment.