It is theorised that the way we act, in particular in habits, forms a loop. Where one action goes on to the next, the final has the end goal of the first action & it creates a loop. So the loop goes like this:
Cue.
Craving.
Response.
Reward.
My version of this, subconsciously, is my reaction when my mum clears her throat (which I hate); she clears her throat > I click my fingers (I know it really annoys her) > she thinks I do it consciously. This is me just venting about her….
This could be translated into a Pavlovian response. If you don’t know this, this is quite famous “ dogs”.
Pavlov showed, in this experiment, that animals (including humans) could have a learned response. In this case, he used dogs, by starving them, so they’re really hungry, then filling a bowl with food that feed them, the association being the sound of his shoes, him walking to fill the bowl with food, would equal the desire to eat.
I wonder if I can use this Pavlovian technique in my recovery; build a routine which becomes so regular that it becomes automatic. I do it without having to think.
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