There is an unhealthy and healthy way to examine ourselves. This is too lengthy to go into detail here. Many people's problem with repeated acting out can be due to something unresolved that they need to turn over to the Lord. The "turning-over" process might take time, talking, writing, prayer.
There is a thirst we are trying to quench somehow.
One definition of insanity is continuing to do things that don't work.
God promises wisdom to those who ask and to help us with our burdens that are too heavy for us. An unresolved matter from our past, a matter of trust with the Lord, whatever it is - an underlying problem that has been unresolved can act as a nagging impulse for us to try to find resolution where there is none:

Looking for satisfaction where there is NONE

Consider the choice of spiritual water we have in the following two verses

John 4:10

Jesus answered her, "If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water."
Jeremiah 2:13

"My people have committed two sins: They have forsaken me, the spring of living water, and have dug their own cisterns, broken cisterns that cannot hold water.

- ALSO CONSIDER -

Isaiah 55:1-2

1
"Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost.
2
Why spend money on what is not bread, and your labor on what does not satisfy? Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good, and your soul will delight in the richest of fare.

Matthew 11

28
"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
29
Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
30
For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."
James 1

2
Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds,
3
because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.
4
Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
5
If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.

One brother writes to the FIC group:

<<<<"Further, Christ seeks to be in intimate relationship with each of us through the Holy Spirit. Another name for the Holy Spirit is, "the Comforter." Choosing to comfort ourselves with sinful images and behaviors denies the Holy Spirit its rightful presence in our lives. Our insistence on self-satisfaction puts us out of communion with God, and grieves the Holy Spirit. ">>>>>>>>>>>