By Christel Broederlow

Addictions in Empaths are not as uncommon as one may initially think.  With the bombardment of felt, received emotions and thoughts (telempath), an addiction can be a source of focus.   In other words, empaths may use addictive substances to take the ‘edge’ off.

Whether it is food, alcohol, drugs, cigarettes, chemical, clothing, or cars — it is a source of focus into which empaths can release their energy.   While some may call this, ‘giving one’s energy away’, with empaths, there may be a better choice of words to describe what it entails.

Generally, addictions start as a conscious act through choice, and eventually, (dependent on the type of substance) become an unconscious act, with a sense of a lack of choice.  An addiction can become a ‘comfort zone’, softening the world’s energy, seemingly making life bearable and manageable to a degree.

Empaths crave something, anything, to focus on rather than the huge array of chaotic emotions that flutter into or bombard our energy fields. The addiction is a form of self-protection; it is an effort to hide from someone or something else. Yes, all of these and more are possibilities as science delves into the ‘mystery’ of addiction and uncovers the ‘truths’.

At first glance, an addiction appears to be a show of weakness.  Yet, for the empath, addictions may be a misdirected attempt to deal with the need to suppress the explosive feelings of others in order to get through the day.  As we know, addictions do not take away the felt emotions and thoughts.  It simply ‘softens’ them or help block them from consciousness.

For some empaths, no addiction in any quantity will help.  The emotions received from others are just so intense that the signs of manic depression and/or depression, in varying degrees, become apparent.  For these empaths, the need to understand what is occurring with their empathy and to work with this through continual application will make a huge difference.

What initially starts as a life experience of trauma and/or impact can grow into much more.  Sensing similar emotions in others can cause one’s own personal (the emotion/s) experiences intensify.  The longer empaths go through life unaware of their ability to sense others’ emotions, the more burdensome life can appear.  For some, an inability to cope can lead to total breakdown and/or, worse, suicide.

Empaths can be swamped with confusing emotions and have an inability to know the difference between one’s own emotions to any one else’s. They understandably may become depressed through this mounting barrage over time and turn to addictive substances to ‘drown’ it all out.  While seeking professional help and being placed on medication to help cope, while following through with regular therapy can help, the empathy can be overlooked.  Without addressing the source of the problem, a repetitive cycle can occur as soon as one ‘feels’ better.  Succumbing to future ‘bombardments’ is probable.  The need to address one’s empathy is PARAMOUNT here.

While the mind of an empath is the ultimate turning point, the body is the initial receiver of empathy.  All aspects of empathy must be addressed, understood with more clarity AND followed through, until it gets to the point that empathy IS a natural process where effort is no longer required.  This IS possible.

Through the process of understanding one’s empathic self, the addiction/s are more likely to drop away.  Less and less personal power may then be given away and, thus, contained where it is best:  within one’s self.