The need for control

The need for control is common amongst relatives of people suffering from substance abuse. One might often become overconfident when it comes to controlling another person. 

The need for control may turn in to a kind of addiction of its own. If you feel as if you've lost the control, you may experience anxiety, palpitations, rapid breathing, etc. But once the "feeling of control" comes back, it may temporally reduce these negative feelings. This usually turns into an destructive spiral.
  

Do you recognize yourself? Read the questions below and think. 
Please write down your answers in the comments!
  
- In what kind of way are you trying to control the person suffering from drug- or alcohol abuse?
- How does these feelings/actions express themselves? 
- When do they take place? 
- What are you trying to gain? 
- How does the "behavior of control" make you feel? 
- What would happen if you let go of the "control"? How do you think it would make you feel? 
- What type of "behavior of control" would be easiest to let go of? 

Good luck with your exercise!
/Carina