Mastering Your Inner Beast: How to Overcome Addiction
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Chapter 1: The Beast Within
In the depths of the addicted mind, a relentless force waits to take control. This is the beast, a metaphor for the voice of addiction that can dominate your thoughts and actions.
"This voice is not just a whisper; it's a roar, demanding your compliance."
Section 1.1: Introducing AVRT
The Addictive Voice Recognition Technique (AVRT) is a lesser-known recovery approach compared to the more commonly recognized 12-step programs. While it may be more familiar in the U.S., many individuals, including myself, discover it late in their recovery journey. I first encountered Jack Trimpey’s book, The Final Fix for Alcohol and Drug Addiction: AVRT, after struggling for nearly eight years to overcome my addiction to pornography. This resource illuminated aspects of recovery that I had been missing.
Subsection 1.1.1: Focus on Porn Addiction
Section 1.2: Recognizing the Beast
The key to AVRT lies in identifying and dismantling the voice of the beast. Although referring to this inner voice as "the beast" may seem dramatic, Trimpey clarifies that the name is flexible; "addictive voice" is a more neutral alternative. However, I find "the beast" captures its predatory essence perfectly. This voice is ruthless, solely focused on fulfilling its addiction, disregarding your well-being.
Chapter 2: The Beast's Power
The first video, Guided Addictive Voice AVRT Crash Course, A Tool For How TO Beat Addiction On Your Own, offers practical strategies for recognizing and responding to addiction's voice.
Section 2.1: The Beast's Immortality
Underestimating the beast is a mistake. Once it takes root, it can never be entirely eradicated. The pathways in our brains that addiction creates can weaken but will always linger, waiting for an opportunity to resurface.
Section 2.2: Your Ultimate Control
Despite its strength, the beast is ultimately powerless. It may attempt to influence your actions, but it cannot control your physical movements. For example, raise your hand and make a fist. Now open it. You are in command. The realization that the beast can only exert pressure from the shadows is liberating.
Chapter 3: The Art of Recognition
The second video, Russell Brand | Freedom from Our Addictions -- The Art of Charm Podcast Episode 659, discusses the nuances of recognizing and confronting addiction's voice.
Section 3.1: Practice Makes Perfect
Recognizing the voice of addiction is a skill, and like any skill, it improves with practice. The more adept you become at identifying its whispers, the more resilient you will be against relapse.
Section 3.2: The Beast's Tactics
The beast is crafty, employing various tactics to lure you back into harmful behaviors. It may present tempting memories or suggest that you deserve a break. However, the key is to see through these ruses and remain steadfast in your commitment to recovery.
Conclusion: Defying the Beast
Ultimately, the beast exists solely to satisfy its cravings. It has no interest in your happiness or success. Therefore, it is crucial to reject its influence entirely. Embrace your power to control your actions and reinforce your resolve to stay on the path of recovery. The beast may exist, but it does not have to dictate your life.
In this journey, visualize the beast as a shadowy figure in your mind, waiting for an opportunity to strike. But you are stronger—let your dreams and aspirations flourish while the beast withers away in the darkness.