Yesterday, I discussed one of the great priciples from The Fifth Discipline(1). Today I’d like to mention the other. It involves a term he calls “Shifting the Burden”. It simply means when we treat the symptoms of a problem, rather than deal with the fundamental problem. It also is what is happening in many addictive cylces

Take for instance social situations. If someone feels shy or arkward they may tend not to get involved in them. However maybe after a couple of drinks they feel more at ease and relaxed, and then get involved with other people. Later the next day, the person has doubts weather the people they met actually liked them. They decide if they knew the “real” person, they wouldn’t have been successful. This sets up more stress. This gradually leads to situations of a few more drinks, or drugs to relax. This again leads to more insecurity. An negative addictive cycle has been established.

By dealing with the symptomatic solution in using alcohol to “loosen up”, the cause of the original problem never goes away. In fact is the insecurity and isolation actually increases. A fundamental solution would be dealing with the shyness in the first place. Taking a public speaking course would deal with the root cause, the lack of confidence to speak up in social situations. This type of action, sets up a positive addictive cycle. You try someting new, gain some confidence, and try something a little harder the next time.

I sure this sounds a little simplistic. However when you look at most situations involving drug and alocohol abuse, the drugs become a cure for a symptom in someone’s life. The drugs help someone cope with stress. Alcohol is used to unwind after work. Or I need the drugs to relax. All of these situations would be much better served by dealing with the root fundamental cause of the stress or tension.

1. The Fifth Discipline, Senge Peter M.,1990 p. 105

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