The Paradox of Knowing vs. Doing I'm a walking, talking paradox. By day, I'm a substance abuse counselor, doling out wisdom and strategies to those wrestling with addiction. By night, I'm a nicotine-craving, cake-loathing, midnight-snacking hypocrite. My medical chart would read: "Patient exhibits high levels of self-awareness, low levels of self-control." You'd think that being neck-deep in the recovery world, surrounded by the latest research and armed with a degree, would make me immune to addictive behaviors. But knowledge is only half the battle, folks. Sometimes it feels like I'm shouting at myself in the mirror: "You know better! DO better!" Yet, the cigarettes still get bought, the junk food still gets devoured. The Gap Between Knowing and Doing This isn't unique to recovery or addiction. We've all been there - aware of a problem, aware of the solution, yet stuck in a rut. It's the diet you know you should start, the exercise ...