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RISK TAKING AND THRILL SEEKING
Each and every day our world is full of chances to take risks. If we stopped to think of them we would be surprised at just how causal we move through life without batting an eye at challenge. This is the healthy way to deal with risks, we don't look for them nor avoid them. Our life goes smoothly and each event rolls into the next. The adrenaline that takes us to the completion of the task is soon dissipated in the body and lays dormant until it is needed again.
Risk taking is often seen as a stage of development in teens; the immortal belief of youth. This period of growth does happen to some of our teens, girls and boys alike. After a while the phase passes, focus is put on other things and the teenagers grow into productive, responsible adults.
Risk taking comes fully equipped with its own high, created by a cheap, very potent drug. The highs are said to exceed those of consumed drugs and the effect is felt much quicker, as it is an internal chemical activated by the body. It sets the body up to prepare it for what is known as the " fear response" or the '' flight or fight'' mode of survival. Adrenaline is the natural chemical that sets the brain in a mode of total focus for the task at hand. The body is brought into the action very much in a numbed state. Often the task for those addicted to taking risks is a very dangerous one. Many of us don't like the feelings of a high/low existence. Highs are activated by adrenaline along with other brain chemicals and the lows are the result of deactivation or the after affects of lowering of chemicals.
Like any addictive substance, adrenaline, like alcohol and many other drugs, creates a potent or strong high. The body becomes tolerant to the dosage; in other words the body needs a higher dosage to produce the high that was obtainable at the lower doses. The risks must increase to send the levels of brain chemicals higher and often the rate of occurrence goes up. Thrill seeking becomes a way of life.
A sudden awareness of the behavioural patterns can be a creator of shame and guilt; two overwhelming emotions that desire to be held at bay. The only way to deaden these emotions is to numb the whole being and that requires risking again. This starts a pattern that spins out of control and swiftly downhill repeating the cycle over and over again.
Often risk takers are not aware of the danger they put themselves in. They only know they must continue to beat the odds and out run the chance of dying. They are not aware of the danger to themselves and are oblivious of the threat to others, loved ones and/or strangers. Frequently the only way that risk takers or thrill seekers come into recovery is through grave injury. When the person has ridden the razors edge to close resulting in injury, the death of someone else or the loss of a job or a family, then reality hits home making the opportunity for change.
For some the ego becomes involved and the desire to ''perform'' can be part of the need to risk. For some there is also the desire to standout, to stand above and to dominate and have control in some aspect of life. Competition rarely enters the picture.
Although this group is not seen as suicidal the very acts they challenge make their path one of self-destruction. It is often felt that some occupations or careers such as stunt persons or racecar drivers would fall into this category. These people, in fact, are highly trained and aware of their world. It is the addicts that get caught in the web of highs, excitement and the challenge of defeating death. For some the high stops and the reality of danger sets in. These people stop here and never go back to that type of behaviour. Others are not so lucky; they cross the invisible line that keeps them going.
Risk takers are not trained and death is one way they stop
acting out or continuing their addictive patterns. The obsessive, compulsive
behaviour has taken over.
The following questions are to help you decide if you have behavioural patterns that might need attention before you can no longer receive help:
- Do you spend time thinking about the next time you will have an adrenaline
rush?
- Do you have blackouts where you don't remember what you did or what the
time involved was?
- Do you do risking for the thrill of cheating death, feeling powerful
or a sense of control?
- Do you think about your own death?
- Do you think about the danger your behaviour is to others?
- Do you suffer from moderate to sever lows after the rush of risking is
over?
- Do you suffer from shame and/or guilt after risking?
- Do you find yourself doing things that you promised yourself that you
would stop?
- Do you think you will die risking?
- Do you jump into action without thinking of consequences until after
you are involved?
- Do your thrill seeking patterns interfere with your work responsibilities?
- Do you leave work to partake in risking?
- Do you think others admire you for your risk taking?
- Do you view your reputation, ego and worth on your risking events?
- Have you ever been rescued by friends and/or strangers from a possible
life threatening situations?
- Have you ever come close to mishap or injury due to risking?
- Have you ever suffer injury or loss or damage to property due to risking?
- Have you ever been arrested because of risking?
- Have you ever been hospitalized due to injuries received while risking?
- Have you ever caused others to be hospitalized?
- Do you find risk taking and thrill seeking controlling your life?
- Do you think it is time to make changes in your life?
If you need assistance, seek further information on EFT and ERT.
Emotional Freedom Techniques and Emotional Release Therapy can be beneficial in helping to overcome addictions. Nutrition also plays a part in your recovery.
For a free 15 minute consultation contact:
Kallie P. Miller, R.N., EFT-CC, 1-519-471-6234. London, Canada.
Both of these techniques may be facilitated over the telephone.
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