Bingeing is a desperate attempt to get control of anxiety - and must be relieved carefully  Bingeing is typically understood in terms of either alcohol or eating. In fact there are differences between the two. For binge drinking, the setting is typically in public and so there is a social dimension. Eating disorders by contrast are normally a solitary pursuit. And while eating disorders can be hidden from public scrutiny (for a time at least), binge drinking is often fuelled by social anxieties.
Of course alcohol is a little different from most addictions in that alcohol is legal and used widely and alcohol plays an important facilitating role in social lives and group activities. And alcohol supplies can be easily and cheaply acquired. And for many, drinking is moderate and under their control and in no way is addictive. And the shame that can attach to excessive social drinking can be hidden beneath the self indulgence of others who also drink. Though of course the shame is there – and though many will hide their addiction to binge drinking or will find that their behaviour when drunk (boorish, loud and unpleasant or quiet and uncommunicative and alone) will have its effect and be noticed by those around them. My experience also is that the great common motivation for each binge activity is a powerful anxiety that just cannot be assuaged let alone carefully heard and acted upon. And then the unravelling. For binge drinking, the pattern matching and connections to conviviality and friendship and fun and human connection mean that it can be harder to envisage meeting these essential human needs successfully and appropriately when sober and without a drink in ones hand. While for binge eating and other eating disorders there is the separation from human contact behind the barrier of the eating problems and their secrecy. Feelbetter Counselling steps to helping trance bingeing addictions
What is the secret to busting this dependence on drinking socially to excess or the spiralling downward into bulimia and binge eating? It is to change the emotions and emotional triggers and not even to pretend that your rational brain or your will alone can do it on its own. More than anything – take it slowly. See relapses as temporary. See what might have been the triggers and facilitating events. Perhaps you need Rewind. Look for molar memories – particularly for eating disorders.
Go to Addictions from Bingeing East London, on the Central Line, around 30 minutes from the City Landline: 020 8257 0429, Mobile/text: 07870 104651, Skype name: famrichhg |
Addiction Self help: Long term self help workbook and maintenance guide Visit the site here
Talk to Frank – quick help and advice Visit the site here
Information from HELPGUIDE Visit the site here
Personal Recovery Tools Visit the site here
Human Givens Intitute explains Addictions Visit the site here
Stopping Addictions Stopping Cocaine Stopping Binge Drinking |
Case study: Simon
Simon worked in a big law firm for many years– under real pressure but earning a lot of money. His problem was crack cocaine – which was now impacting on his work. He sometimes went missing from the office for days and when he returned he was hardly fit. His colleagues were covering for him but would not do so for much longer.
The first thing needed was to confront other problems in Simon’s life – trauma from his childhood and the nature of his marriage. When this had been put on a firmer footing, we worked together over 2/3 months to change the habitual triggers that led to the benders and also to build up his self confidence.Control came slowly and it was a number of months before Simon was happy to stop the habit completely
Case study: Brian
Brian had been drinking more and more as a means to suppress his anxiety – but he was suffering black outs after his binges when he could remember nothing. This terrified him. The source of the problem was trauma from a very bad accident – which had then put a stop to a cherished ambition to study.
What was needed was not only the de-traumatising of the experience but to help Brian to get his life back on track – a career path that would satisfy him and a better relationship with his long suffering girlfriend.
Case study: Ursula
Ursula was in her late twenties and over the past few years had found that most of her socialising on a Friday and Saturday entirely revolving around coke and alcohol. She was sick of it but found that she could not stop.
The first task was to get Ursula’s life working better. She needed to leave home and maybe even change jobs. She was a travel agent. She also needed to spend time with other friends who were not into this coke culture.
And when she was ready to stop, it was quite easy. The patterns of her weekends could be changed and her focus became increasingly balanced and healthy.
Case study: Evelyn
Evelyn’s life was working well. She was married and had a small child but found that her long standing cannabis habit was still with her. A lot of it was associated with sex with her husband.
We had one long session of therapy and that was all that was needed. I explained to Evelyn exactly what the psychological basis of her habit was and this relieved her. We then looked at the triggers that ended with the cannabis consumption – and found ways to shift and rehearse new triggers in trance.
The first session will only be charged if you found that it helped and/or you decide to continue with me.
Over 85% of my clients feel better at the end of their treatment - normally around 4 sessions. This is a high number and should give you confidence. I am pretty well unique as a private therapist - to maintain such records.
| A wonderful discovery, psychoanalysis. Makes quite simple people feel they're complex S.N. Behrman |