11 Examples of Thinking Errors in Addiction and How to Fix Them

In the first major must, notice your self-worth is attached to meeting the impossible demand that you MUST do well at all times and never fail. The Third Major Must Life should give me everything I want, nothing I don’t, be easily enjoyable and hassle-free or my situation is terrible and I cannot be happy. Uplift Recovery Center provides you with recovery in a loving, professional environment.

Recovery can make anyone feel self-conscious and insecure, which can develop into cognitive distortions. Fortunately, our Banyan Heartland team is offering some tips for managing cognitive distortions in recovery. Cognitive distortions overgeneralization is a common thinking error where individuals make broad, sweeping conclusions based on a single event or a limited number of experiences. In the context of addiction, this type of thinking can significantly hinder recovery and exacerbate feelings of hopelessness and helplessness.

Common Cognitive Distortions

• Professional success, happiness, social behaviour – these types of ideas are best measured as part of a spectrum, where progress is continuous and it matters whether failures are slight or major.
• For example, if you make a mistake at work, you might see yourself as a total failure rather than considering the learning opportunity.
• A common example of overgeneralization thinking in addiction is believing that a single relapse means complete failure.
• Mindfulness practices can also be incredibly helpful in identifying thinking errors.
• Although these 20 lies addicts tell themselves and others may defer the inevitable, the truth is waiting for everyone.

Cognitive distortions can fuel negative thinking, but you have the power to overcome them. By recognizing these thought patterns and actively working to challenge them, you can cultivate a healthier, more balanced mindset. Remember, recovery is a journey, and it is normal to encounter cognitive distortions along the way. Acknowledging and addressing these distortions, individuals can navigate their recovery with greater clarity, self-awareness, and resilience. Also understand, when I talk about issues and challenges, these behaviors and thought processes we struggle with, most of the time these are early sobriety challenges.

“I’m still employed, so my drug use isn’t so bad.”

Lastly, personalization is a cognitive distortion that involves taking responsibility or blame for things that are not your fault. An example of personalization thinking in addiction would be someone believing their habit is to blame for every bad thing that happens to them and those closest to them, even if it isn’t. This type of negative thinking can be problematic in addiction recovery as it diminishes self-esteem and confidence, making them feel inadequate and helpless. Understanding how to recognize and fix personalization thinking will help improve self-esteem, better understand situations, and supply an addict with the willpower to seek treatment. Emotional reasoning is a thinking pattern that tells addicts that their emotions are their voice of reason.

But first, you need to learn how to overcome the addictive thought patterns which can hold you back. Instead of turning to substances when stress hits, you might try deep breathing exercises, going for a walk, or calling a supportive friend. It’s about building a toolbox of healthy strategies to replace the old, harmful ones. It’s like creating a map of your mind, helping you spot patterns and recurring thoughts. Try writing down your thoughts and feelings each day, then review them later with a critical eye. We are here to answer your questions, locate suitable rehab programs, and verify health insurance coverage for rehab.

One of the most common is a thinking pattern that is called all-or-nothing thinking. As there are only two options possible for the thinker, never anything in the middle. The first step to change thinking errors is to be aware of your thought patterns. Just by being aware of your thinking you can choose to challenge the thought, or find a different thought to think. Thinking healthy thoughts, instead of destructive ones, will help you feel better and make better decisions in each moment. Once you can recognize a thinking error, it’s helpful to ask questions to help you identify how these thinking errors are present in your life, and some ways you can substitute the thinking error.

Addiction Signs

You can be an alcoholic or a substance addict even if you only get high on the weekends. If you crave substances, use them to escape life, and find you can’t quit on your own, those weekend indulgences have become an addiction. Because one of the known symptoms of alcoholism is needing a wake-up drink, there’s a myth that you aren’t an alcoholic unless you find yourself drinking in the morning.

Cognitive Distortion (Stinking Thinking) and Addiction Recovery

If you fixate solely on the criticism, you’re engaging in mental filtering. This distortion can warp your perception of reality, making it appear far bleaker than it actually is. All-or-nothing thinking, also known as black-and-white thinking, occurs when you view situations in only two categories instead of on a continuum. For example, if you make a mistake at work, you might see yourself as a total failure rather than considering the learning opportunity. This type of thinking leaves no room for a middle ground, often resulting in feelings of inadequacy.

If we are not aware of our internal thought processes, it can be very difficult to manage our unconscious behavior that might drive us to pick up alcohol or drugs. Paying attention to our thinking can be a challenging task, but learning to recognize and manage our thinking patterns is critical to the success of staying sober long term. If you’re struggling with cognitive distortions, don’t hesitate to reach out for help. The Robert Alexander Center for Recovery offers resources such as therapy and mindfulness practices to support your journey toward a brighter future. Take the first step today and start working towards a more positive and fulfilling life.

This occurs when you see things in black and white terms, with no middle ground. For example, you might think, “If I slip up once, I’ve failed completely.” This mindset can be discouraging and lead to relapse. By addressing thinking errors, you’re not just overcoming addiction – you’re developing skills that will serve you well in all areas of life. You’re learning to see the world, and yourself, more clearly and compassionately.

Additional Articles on Sobriety

An individual’s behavior impacts people around them, whether they like it or not. Drug and alcohol abuse hurt family, friends, coworkers, and the community. Two people may have diabetes, but just because your blood sugar reading is 120 and someone else’s is 130 doesn’t mean you’re healthier than they are. You both must act to control your blood sugar levels before your organs are damaged by the excess glucose. Today, there are an estimated 24.6 million people age 12 and over living with addiction. The fact that you’re here means you probably aren’t surprised by those numbers.

• While recognizing and challenging cognitive distortions can be challenging, therapy can provide valuable support and guidance in the recovery process.
• A catastrophizing thinker as an addict, for example, imagines that if they try to get sober, things will only get worse for them physically, emotionally, and mentally.
• Learning to overcome negative thinking patterns in addiction recovery can be challenging and draining, especially if you do it alone.
• Because one of the known symptoms of alcoholism is needing a wake-up drink, there’s a myth that you aren’t an alcoholic unless you find yourself drinking in the morning.

Don’t Let Financial Worries Stop You from Getting Treatment

There’s a good chance that someone you know and love is addicted and in need of treatment. To learn more about addiction recovery at The Dawn, contact us today. For others, however – and particularly when the negative feelings become overwhelming – sober house the self-criticism can become distorted and out of proportion, turning into fatalism and despair. When this happens, it becomes much easier to lose focus and fall back into the types of bad habits that can aggravate the problem even further.

Re-asserting control of ourselves requires the right recovery skills, combined with a considerable effort to steer our minds in a more positive and constructive direction. We don’t always have the answers and trying to spot any problems from up close can be difficult. Going to therapy allows you to speak to someone who can help you identify the source of your negative thoughts and feelings.

While you can’t actually know what anyone else thinks—at least not without asking—mindreading can contribute to the development of problematic alcohol use and continued misuse. The common technique to challenge this sort of thinking is to dispute the unhelpful thoughts when making these sorts of demands. It’s unlikely that all others in your life will consider you first and above all else. The second major must is that “others must treat me with respect and consideration at all times, or they’re no good” puts impossible conditions on those around you. Demanding that you do well 100% of the time leads to frustration, and the avoidance in taking healthy risks.

It prevents individuals from acknowledging their strengths and successes, which are crucial for building self-esteem and motivation in recovery. This distortion occurs when an individual assumes that because one treatment method was not successful, all treatment options are doomed to fail. It prevents them from exploring other potentially effective avenues for recovery. Stay up-to-date with relevant counseling best practices,  treatment approaches, and general addiction recovery field news. Although these 20 lies addicts tell themselves and others may defer the inevitable, the truth is waiting for everyone. Someday, the addict who tells these lies realizes they can’t hide from the truth anymore.