As humans, our ability to think ahead or even think rationally is one of the main things that separates us from the rest of the animal kingdom. Unlike most animals, we humans can think about our lives or the consequences brought to us by our actions. This is all thanks to our prefrontal cortex.
Whenever there’s an urge to use a certain kind of substance like alcohol, nicotine, or drugs, these are reinforced through our brain’s reward center, which makes consequences quite hard to access.
So while we’re tapping into consequences, how can this actually affect our brain and our journey towards addiction recovery?
This might sound like a generally complicated matter, but it doesn’t have to be.
For instance, you have the negative habit of biting your nails. Sure, there could be consequences to this, like your fingers hurting or even bleeding. These are the consequences of your nail-biting habit, but at the moment that you’re doing it, you’re not stressing out because it’s a feel-good behavior, albeit brought by a bad habit. This is why you don’t particularly think about the consequences while you’re doing it.
Although, is there a chance for this to change? Is there a chance that your future negative consequences might inform your behavior?
One of the ways to heal from any of your negative habits is by linking what urges you have to the consequences that can halt this specific behavior. Suppose you’re dealing with something a bit easier or lighter to manage. In that case, we highly recommend allowing yourself to write all of the potential negative consequences linked with these specific substance uses.
Taylor Recovery Center urges our patients to think outside the box and put things on paper even though they sound extreme – this will only help you in the long run.
Just imagine what you’re going to get from these things or imagine the reward that you’re going to get, like living a healthier and more sober lifestyle. Maybe even the road to long-term sobriety could be one of the best rewards, so always think about these things.
These might be things that seem way too complicated, but they don’t have to be. Here at Taylor Recovery Center, we aim to help our patients reach their full potential by assisting them with substance use. We have a team of doctors and certified medical professionals who will help you each step of the way.
Taylor Recovery Center has beautiful and intimate alcohol and drug rehab facility in the heart of Houston, Texas. So why give us a call today to know more about our customizable treatments and therapies? We would love to have you over!