Some Are Not Able to Reach Out When Tempted

THE PROBLEM

I was recently informed by a good friend that there are some among us who are not able to reach out when tempted.

They find that they don't have time to either white-knuckle it or to reach out--once tempted, without thinking about it, they immediately go to their addiction.

And it's not that they choose to be this way--that's just how they are. 

So, to tell this individual, "Just reach out when you are tempted," falls on helpless ears.

A POSSIBLE SOLUTION

Those who find themselves in this situation might be able to identify the emotional and physical states that lead up to the urge to act out.

Here is a list of some of those states:

• Isolation
• Boredom
• Anger
• Self-pity
• Fear
• Depression
• Confusion
• Humiliation
• Rejection
• Loneliness
• Sadness
• Hunger
• Tiredness
• Entitlement
• Stressed Out
• Frustration
• Impatient
• Impulsiveness
• Helplessness
• Physical Pain 

Thus, when one of these individuals is able to recognize one of these emotional or physical feelings, they might, at that moment, reach out to a good friend or sponsor and express what they are feeling.  

Expressing what they are feeling to another person might reduce or eliminate the later temptation to act out.

At least it's worth a try!

It just occurred to me that perhaps we all should reach out when dealing with any of the above physical or emotional states. If we did reach out perhaps we could avoid being tempted to act out.  There is no downside!