WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN ADDICTION AND CRAVINGS? We all have cravings, and we all give in to them from time to time. I’m a chocolate fan, myself; but I’ve been losing weight, and I limit my indulgences. The difference between cravings and addiction is that we can’t resist the addiction; eventually, it takes over, and can ruin life and health. Addictions and cravings are both quite specific: a desire or longing for a certain food, beverage or activity seems to come from nowhere. With a craving, we can either indulge it or ignore it, but it’s not overwhelming. Some cravings can be healthy, such as a sudden taste for a certain fruit or veggie. With addiction, the cravings are usually not healthy, and tend to overtake your brain’s executive function, so it’s very difficult to resist. True addictions are powerful because they’re usually fueled by inner pain that we’re trying to numb. The pain can be physical, as in addiction to painkillers; but it’s usually emotional. The drive to mask the pain with the oblivion of addiction is strong. Post-Traumatic Stress often lies behind addictions. If your craving is for an unhealthy habit or substance, such as cigarettes, alcohol, drugs, or an unhealthy activity, such as gambling, obsessive sex, or cutting oneself, it’s clearly addiction-based. An overwhelming desire for celery, tomato juice or carrots wouldn’t be seen as an addiction. Addictions have a tendency to gradually take over your life. They separate you from loved ones, cause difficulty at work, and often lead to criminal behavior; like drunk driving, or stealing to pay for drugs. To avoid or heal addiction, clean up your emotional turmoil. No matter how daunting it seems, it’s possible, with help, to heal inner pain and turmoil. Post-Traumatic Stress can be resolved, with professional help. The substance or craving is not the problem. The inner pain and turmoil, PTS, is the problem; and it can be healed. Do yourself a favor and get help if you have a problem. ©2022 Tina B. Tessina. Excerpted from: The Real 13th Step: Discovering Confidence, Self-Reliance and Independence Beyond the 12-Step Programs Author Bio: Tina B. Tessina, Ph.D.is a licensed psychotherapist in S. California since 1978 with over 40 years’ experience in counseling individuals and couples and author of 15 books in 17 languages, including Dr. Romance’s Guide to Finding Love Today; It Ends With You: Grow Up and Out of Dysfunction; The Ten Smartest Decisions a Woman Can Make After Forty; Love Styles: How to Celebrate Your Differences, The Real 13th Step, How to Be Happy Partners: Working it Out Together; How to Be a Couple and Still Be Free, and her newest, Money, Sex and Kids.. She writes the “Dr. Romance blog, and the “Happiness Tips from Tina” email newsletter. Online, she’s known as “Dr. Romance.” Dr. Tessina appears frequently on radio, TV, video and podcasts, including on GenerousMarriage.com. She tweets @tinatessina.
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