Constant alcohol or drug usage
There’s nothing wrong with a drink or two, but you shouldn’t be dependent on it to numb yourself or drown out a sense of reality.
To determine if you have a problem, consider whether you recognise these signs of addiction in yourself:
You partake in substances to forget something in life or the past.
You have trouble with sleeping, managing stress, or feeling down without it.
You can’t maintain relationships or hobbies because of habits.
You consistently go over personal limits.
You long for the drug or feel strong urges.
You act unlike yourself for access to it.
You find yourself in dangerous situations or experiencing thoughts of suicide.
(If you or someone you know has had thoughts of self-harm or suicide, contact Lifeline on 131 114, or your nearest suicide hotline.)
Procrastination vs avoidance
Procrastination is a type of avoidance that people use to evade or delay things they know they should do, according to Hofmann.
And it turns out that procrastination can be positive, according to Boyes. By giving people time to process, procrastinating allows for creativity, decreases the chance of being overwhelmed, and reduces stress.
The difference between unhealthy avoidance coping and healthy procrastination is an awareness of an issue or task and an ability to face it. Avoidance, on the other hand, is a broader term for refusing to face an issue or task. Read on for ways to overcome avoidance behaviour.
“Surf” emotions
No one wants to drown in their feelings. Learning to ride them, however, is crucial.
“Think of strong feelings like big, strong waves,” says Boyes. “Imagine surfing them rather than fighting them.”
Try acknowledging your emotions by writing them down or giving yourself time to sit with them. Figure out how big the “wave” is, asking yourself, “What am I feeling the most?”
Then ask, “Can I let these feelings go?” The answer to the question may surprise you and allow the wave to pass.