The Cycle of addiction
Here is the cycle of addiction, whether it’s shopping, drugs, sex, alcohol etc. I am using myself as ‘Exhibit ’69’!
Acting Out: The actual behaviour that you are addicted to, so for me, porn, masturbation, or the actual sexual act.
‘Relief’: What you feel after the act.
Guilt: For me this always after the taking of many drugs I took, after a long night of sex, or how I feel if I’m on the train home – or at worst – when I went missing.
Shame: The feeling I felt when I got back home
Depression: This first manifested itself after my London residence.
Anxiety: This manifested as anger/tiredness also lashing out at friends etc.
Triggers: Me getting paid, going online looking for the next hit
‘Sex trance’: For me, looking online for porn, on dating apps, finding out what club/s are open which brings you back to ‘Acting Out’