Signs That Rage Has Turned Into An Addiction by Newton Hightower

All addictions have symptoms, which allow us to recognize

these problems as addictive diseases. The signs of

addictive diseases are self-stimulation, compulsion,

obsession, denial, withdrawal and craving syndrome, and

unpredictable behavior. Like alcoholism or drug use, anger

meets many of the criteria.

Self-Stimulation

For those who are rageaholics, expressing anger is self-

stimulating. It triggers the compulsion for more anger. For

example, let’s pretend that we are going to provide

treatment for alcoholics. On the way to the treatment

center we stop and buy a case of beer. When we get to the

meeting, we tell the alcoholics in therapy that they just

need to do a lot of drinking to get it out of their system

once and for all. This is similar to when therapist tell

men with rage problems, “You just need to express yourself

and get it out of your system.” It is just as absurd. The

more alcoholics drink, the more they want. The more ragers

rage, the more they want to rage.

Compulsion

Anger addiction or “rageaholism” is the compulsive pursuit

of a mood change by repeatedly engaging in episodes of rage

despite adverse consequences. Rageaholics continue to rage

compulsively without regard to the negative consequences.

Compulsion or loss of control is the inability to stop

expressing anger once we have begun. The inability to

control angry words is a certain sign of rageaholism. Loss

of control--that is addiction.

Obsession

Rageaholics are frequently preoccupied with resentment and

fantasies of revenge. Those thoughts sometimes rise

powerfully and allow no other thoughts to enter. The force

of anger is sometimes irresistible and followed by action.

Therefore, the preoccupation with the “wrongs” of others

and revenge continually leads to rage. Progressively, these

thoughts crowd out all others until our life becomes

chronically revenge-oriented. At that point, anger controls

our thoughts.

Denial

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BIO:

Newton Hightower is the Director of The Center for Anger
Resolution, Inc. in Houston, Texas, and author of the new
book "Anger Busting 101: New ABCs for Angry Men and the
Women Who Love Them." Visit Newton's website for anger-
busting ideas and a free email newsletter filled with guest
articles and tips for husbands, wives, and therapists.
http://www.angerbusters.com

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