Are you in the throes of fighting addiction?
Making the decision to quit an addiction is life-changing. But it isn’t easy. Your body and your mind will continue to tell you that you need the substance or behavior (the vices) that drive your addiction.
To help you in your journey, here are some steps you can take to start living free from bad vices.
Owning Your Vices
Maybe at one time, you were able to have a drink or two and then stop. But a drink or two now is just the first round. Or perhaps you used to go to the casino once a month, but now it’s more like every other day.
When you can admit to the fact that something that was once a simple pleasure is becoming an addiction, then you can own that vice. If, on the other hand, you’re trying to keep it secret, then it’s only going to get stronger.
Your addiction cannot survive if you don’t continue to feed it, so the need for your vices will continue to increase. If you’re at the point where you know this is the case, it’s time to own it.
This is the first step toward quitting for good.
Seeking Treatment
The sort of addiction you have will dictate the type of treatment you’ll need. While some approaches are better supported by research than others, there’s no universal correct treatment that will work for everyone.
Treatment often includes medical and/or psychological treatments. It’s important to understand that with substances such as alcohol, it can be dangerous to quit cold turkey.
In cases such as these, medical detoxing is necessary to safely clear the body of the substance. Patients are guided through at least five tips to know when dealing with withdrawal.
Research shows that cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) can be effective in helping people with addictions. This therapy requires the patient to analyze and look at their feelings, behaviors, and thoughts.
Other treatments might include family therapy, couples counseling, Neurotherapy, and medication. Additionally, mindfulness-based approaches such as yoga and meditation can also be helpful. These are usually used in conjunction with other therapies as opposed to being stand-alone solutions.
Ask your doctor about the options that would be best for you.
Creating Support Systems
As we mentioned above, your addiction has ulterior motives. In order to survive, it will try to convince you that going back to old behaviors is in your best interest. And in moments of vulnerability, you may agree.
The fact is, once you’ve started treatment, you’ll need to recognize that recovery is a lifelong pursuit. So be sure to line up a support system that will hold you accountable for your behaviors.
Let your friends know about your addiction. Confess to your vices and ask friends to hold you accountable should you start to slip. You might even create some sort of consequence that will help you keep your promise to steer clear of those vices.
Fighting Addiction Is Challenging
With the right steps in place though, fighting addiction doesn’t have to be torturous. Plus, overcoming addiction is so liberating and freeing, it’ll be worth every challenge along the way.
Just remember, you’ve got this.
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