Yes

by Bema Self

Created on: January 25, 2012

In order to understand road rage, as well as substance abuse, it's important to understand the basics of human needs. We have what I like to call "the Big 6" emotional needs. I won't go over all of them now, but I will say that there are three that are involved with both Road Rage and Substance Abuse. Those needs are:

Certainty -When we are angry, we are in an absolute state of CERTAINTY. Seriously, try to get angry and not feel certain. This is what triggers road rage, a lack of certainty, and a need to be in control. Even though the road rage effectively puts us out of control, a person using anger to drive, feels more certain then they would if they just went with the flow. Inside, they are mostly just trying to find a way to get the certainty that they need in their lives.

The same can be said of substance abuse. We often turn to drugs or alcohol because we don't feel certain about our lives. We aren't sure who we are yet, or where things are going, and although it's a negative way to meet that need, drugs are always available, whether legally or illegally, and that is something you can count on, whether it's good for you or not.

Variety/Uncertainty -We have to have a balance between certainty and uncertainty/variety. With various substances, we get multiple choice and no shortage of variety. We also get that sense of danger because you never know where drugs are going to take you, or where they will lead your health. It's not a positive sort of variety, but it fills the need non the less.

Can you see where Road Rage also fills in our need for uncertainty/variety? That's right, the thrill of flying down the road, dodging cars, pissing people off, putting multiple lives in danger. These are all ways to fuel both our darker nature and get that uncertainty we need. Not in a good way, obviously.

Significance -This is a particularly interesting need. We all have to feel significant somehow, and if we can't get that in a positive way - from our partners, parents, kids, co-workers, friends or elsewhere, then we will find other ways to feel significant, such as attaching ourselves to drugs, alcohol or risky behavior. Not only do we feel special for being a part of a large group of people who share our negative habits or dangerous patterns, but we also start using the excuse of those habits as reasons why we are acting out in those ways, even though it was all in our control in the first place.

These needs are, of course, subconscious until we bring them to a conscious level of control. So most do not realize that these needs are the reason why they are doing the things they are. Often those who give in to Road Rage or Substances, just assume the world is in control of their lives and it was just their bad luck.

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