First, can we stipulate that stinkin’ thinkin’ is a lot more fun to say? It just rolls off the tongue so easily. This phenomenon can also be called a “mental twist,” which is how OceanfrontRecovery.com describes it. Their page says,

Often, we found out the hard way that, no matter how many times we swore we would not drink or use again, we managed to convince ourselves to pick up another drink or drug.

Any time we “manage to convince ourselves of something,” that is the most crimson of red flags. If we want to sell ourselves on an idea, we will absolutely find a way to do it. Even the most intellectually bereft humans have the ability to talk themselves into doing what they want to do, and also of course into feeling perfectly justified. Not only that, but the trick can be performed time after time — even when it has never successfully worked before! As this site points out,

For some reason, as a result of our addiction, we find a way to twist our thinking into the conviction that this time, unlike every single other time, we will be able to drink or use without consequence.

A person with self-talk like “A couple of drinks won’t hurt me” has most likely tried that theory before, and discovered that on the contrary, a couple of drinks would lead them into a weeklong binge. And yet this same serial loser will discount all experience to the contrary, and buy into the same lie again. Why? Because of a five-word rationalization.

“This time will be different” is a top-tier, platinum-plated platter of donkey dung. The terrible beauty of it is its universal applicability. Tequila? This time will be different. Blow the whole paycheck on lottery tickets? TTWBD. Take home a strange guy who’s just a little bit too perfect? Well… we all get the picture.

Until we don’t. Even someone who has resisted the lure of “This time will be different” 99 times in a row can lapse into serious peril on that 100th occasion — because it only takes one small step to lose footing and tumble over the edge.

Gambling may be unique in the variety and richness of justifications. It’s my money. It’s legal. It doesn’t hurt anybody. The most respected people, who make fortunes in industry and technology, have all taken outrageous chances in pursuit of wealth, and nobody points an accusatory finger at them. And yet, however many stories you tell yourself about why you do it, every single one of those fables is a prime example of stinkin’ thinkin’.

Take the popular fantasy sports advertisements. “Every game is a viewing party,” they say. “Every night is a watch party.” Even when encouraged to partake of three addictions at once — gambling, junk food, and alcohol — you’re better than that. After all, it’s only natural to enjoy socializing with other humans.

You don’t care for league bowling or church suppers, so you settle for this. And why not? You know you’re not going to actually start gambling in any serious, hurtful way. Sure, everybody tries to egg each other on, but you know better than to get caught up in their frantic enthusiasm. You’re above falling for peer pressure.

Check out a Quora forum where people give their opinions on the most addictive drug. Some say it is definitely methamphetamine. Some say speed is not physically addictive, apparently based on knowledge that withdrawal is not deadly. But people who have been through the experience might say quitting is worse than dying. Some apparantly even attempt suicide, which is often deadly.

But people who choose meth as a lifestyle don’t see things through the same lens as those who leave the stuff alone. Often they begin by convincing themselves that moderate, occasional use can’t lead to real harm. Then, before they know it, their drug of choice has become the most important thing in the world.

Because of its legendary effects on the libido, meth lends itself to the formation of codependency. Because you are doing it with another person, the shared addiction resembles — very distantly and inaccurately — true attachment or even love. So it must be okay. Until the partner begins to change strangely:

You watch them turn into a monster that you created. Sure, it’s really good sex and connection… for about 72 hours and then you’re hiding from each other and sneaking hits in a bathroom that’s all covered up and hiding from the secret cameras.

A forum respondant wrote that, and also…

You convince yourself you don’t need help, because you know all of the answers, and no one is more powerful than you. You can stop it at anytime, right? Wrong. And by the time you realize it, you’re never coming back… It just steals your soul and you spend the rest of forever trying to find you again.

Written by Pat Hartman. First published February 28, 2025.

Sources:

“What is a “Mental Twist”?” OceanfrontRecovery.com, undated.

“What is the single most addictive drug?,” Quora.com, undated.

Image Copyright: SciTechTrend/Public Domain.