About 20 years ago I observed a way to look at addiction that seemed like it might be helpful. People I served in my tobacco cessation practice often seemed overwhelmed by the idea of quitting smoking. I felt that way myself every time I tried to quit smoking. Logic led me to look at ways to break it down, or deconstruct the relationship with tobacco. Maybe if we presented it in ‘bite sized chunks’ people would feel less overwhelmed with tobacco cessation and other substance use recovery.
That’s when I saw it – a way of looking at addiction (to tobacco, originally) that gave people hope and direction! Hope – because the overwhelming, amorphous, idea of my addiction actually consists of five components. When I look at them individually, addiction seems a little less overwhelming and I have hope that I might be able to escape addiction’s hellish grip. Direction – because even if I’m not ready to take aim at the whole thing, I can still work on at least one of the five aspects. I have a clear direction and I can take at least a small step today along the path towards my freedom. This way of looking at tobacco cessation and addiction was a game-changer!
Thousands of brave hopeful folks have used this approach and found their freedom from tobacco, typically in small groups meeting in community and corporate settings. Many years ago people started applying the BESOCHEMPS model of addiction to other substances and even to behaviors that weren’t typically considered to be addictions at the time (binge-spending, self injurious behavior, gambling, etc.) Today the BESOCHEMPS is being used to address the full spectrum of addictions in addition to tobacco cessation.
BESOCHEMPS – The Five Headed Dragon
First we have to memorize the dragon’s name. Look at it again… BESOCHEMPS. The dragon’s name helps us remember each of the five heads.
The five heads are:
BEhavioral,
SOcial,
CHemical,
EMotional, and
PSychological.
We call the dragon BESOCHEMPS to help remember all five heads.
We all have a “dragon” if we drink to excess, use illicit drugs, smoke, gamble, etc. Even activities like going on spending binges can create a release of endorphins, which can cause a chemical dependency for some of us.
Your mission is three-fold:
1.) Can you see all five heads of your dragon?
2.) Which one (or two) of the heads are most dominant or prominent?
3.) Can you learn the tools and tricks that give you back your freedom?
(Illustration by Mark Velard)
Let’s take a closer look at each of the heads:
BE havioral
The things we do just before we use or while we are using—the triggers—become cues ti use. (Example: Pouring a cup of coffee can trigger a smoker to light another butt, not because they’re addicted to the chemical, but because the ritual or habit has become familiar.)
How you can respond: Starting today, call this kind of want a “trigger.”
• Disassociate the partnered behaviors from using before quit day so that they cease to be triggers to use. For instance, if you’re a smoke and you tend to smoke while drinking a cup of coffee, leave your coffee cup inside when you go outside to smoke. Isolating the using behavior from all pleasurable activities until quit day means that you don’t have to stop the pleasurable activities (coffee) in order to stop smoking.
(Note: Some addictions don’t lend themselves to gradual weaning and must be halted completely and immediately because of imminent danger of a single use.)
• Data collection can help you better understand your using. Try to figure out which head of the dragon is behind each desire to use.
• Doing it differently can help you avoid some triggers. Getting your morning coffee at the drive-thru window can help you avoid the familiar routines that were associated with smoking.
• When you discover that you want a cigarette because of a behavioral trigger, be delighted! Don’t despair. This want is just a trick and you don’t have to fall for it!
SO cial
Many social situations (the places and faces) can become triggers that make you want to use.
How you can respond: Starting today, call this kind of want a “trigger.”
• You may need to completely disconnect from some of the people you’ve been spending time with. If you’re going to try to stay in touch with them, some things will need to change. This will disrupt social patterns and you might even inspire your friend to try to quit!
• Change the place where you and your buddy meet, at least for a few weeks, to disassociate the social situations from smoking. Perhaps going out to the movies would be an easier substance-free night out to replace your dart night at the club.
• Distract yourself by doing some new healthy activities with your buddy.
CH emical
Your body may have a discernible medical response to the reduction or absence of a chemical in your bloodstream or craving for a dose. This state of withdrawal can be uncomfortable, and depending upon the substance, may be relieved with medications.
How you can respond: Starting today call, this kind of want a “craving.”
• If you’re gradually weaning before quit day, delay every use. (You’ll end up skipping some of them!)
• Decrease your dependence by gradually reducing your smoking.
• Drink water as a way to help detoxify your body and give your hands and mouth something to do.
• Deep breathing is a great way to give your brain a fresh supply of oxygen and change the way you feel.
EM otional
Intense emotional feelings or the absence of emotional stimulus (boredom) can cause urges to use. We’ve trained ourselves to use when we are stressed or want to avoid unpleasant emotional states.
How you can respond: Starting today, call this kind of want an “urge.”
• Deep breathing can help defuse these brief periods of anxiety, anger or even boredom.
• Distract yourself until these episodes pass—and make it fun! Try a crossword puzzle or handheld electronic poker game. Change radio stations, take a brisk walk or learn how to hula-hoop.
• Daily disciplines such as prayer, meditation and yoga can help you manage stressors in healthier ways.
PS ychological
To some extent, anyone who knowingly participates in a behavior that causes harm has decided to allow harm to come to him or her. For some reason, we have compulsions to either cause harm or allow harm to happen to us. Smokers (as well as overeaters, alcoholics, etc.) might ask themselves why it’s acceptable for harm to come to them.
How you can respond: Starting today, call this want a “compulsion.” • Certain daily disciplines of a spiritual and/or emotional nature can sometimes help restore a healthier sense of self-worth.
• Dig deep within yourself to find answers and strength.
While it’s not necessarily comfortable to discuss and share personal spiritual beliefs, a focus there may be a way we can hope to become “slip-proof.” Some find that when they learn to see themselves differently it becomes easier to treat themselves differently.
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