An addiction according to Merriam Webster Dictionary is defined as a
strong and harmful need to regularly have something or do something. The
other definition says it is a persistent compulsive use of a substance
known by the user to be harmful.
Addiction can also be understood as a dependence. Something which you
depend on is your addiction. Let me mention this just at the beginning;
the effort of this article is not to differentiate between a habit and
addiction or to discuss positive and or negative addiction. This article
is premised on how one can free themselves from an addiction.
This writing will focus on how to break bad behaviours or quitting
things which are harmful to your health, academics, relationships,
destiny etc.
Stopping doing something bad which you have been doing for years is not
easy. It requires a lot of commitment and discipline because it acts and
rides on the advantages of emotions. Once something convinces your
emotions that you need it for survival, quitting it will not be easy but
it is not impossible.
Here I will provide some thoughts which I have found to be very helpful.
The thoughts I will provide is not everything that there is to learn
around this topic;
If you want to quit an addiction the first step is, DECIDING TO QUIT.
When you have made up your mind and decide that you want to stop or quit
the addiction, then that is one step into your freedom. Under this, I
have few points I have found to be very helpful;
Write down the harmful effects of your addiction.
It might not feel good to acknowledge all the ways in which your
addiction is harming you, but seeing the list on paper will help you
resolve to stop as soon as possible. Take out a pen and a piece of paper
and brainstorm a list that includes all the negative effects you’ve
experienced since your addiction started. If you cannot see how bad
something is to you, you cannot stop it. Writing the harmful effects of
your addiction on a piece of paper helps you have a yardstick which you
can use to work on.
Make a list of positive changes you want in your life.
Now that you’ve detailed all the negative effects of your addiction,
think about how much your life will improve once you’ve kicked the
habit. Create a picture of your life post-addiction. How do you want it
to look? You must have reasons why you would want quit your addiction.
Apart from the negative effects of the addiction, you must have a list
of positive changes which you would want to see in your life.
Write down your quitting commitment.
Having a list of solid reasons to quit will help you stick to your plan
in the long run. Your reasons for quitting must be more important to
you than continuing your addictive behaviour. This mental hurdle is
tough, but it’s a necessary first step to quitting any addiction. No one
can make you quit but yourself. Write down the true, solid reasons
you’re stopping this habit. Only you know what they are.
After you have put the first part in place, you need to make a plan for
quitting. Under this you are looking at things which are exact and
precise, things which will act as a road map;
Set a date to quit.
You must set a date when you want to quit. Don’t set it for tomorrow,
unless you’re pretty sure quitting that craving will work for you. Don’t
set it for more than a month from now, because you might lose your
resolve by then. Aim for a date in the next couple of weeks. This will
give you enough time to become mentally and physically prepared.
Seek personal and professional support.
It might not seem like it now, but you’re going to need all the support
you can get during your journey to overcome addiction. Because so many
people battle addictions, there are many wonderful institutions in place
that serve as support systems, helping you stay motivated, providing
tips for success, and encouraging you to try again if you have a false
start.
Identify your triggers.
Everyone has a certain set of triggers that make them automatically want
to indulge their habits. For example, if you’re struggling with an
alcohol addiction, you might find it difficult to attend a certain
restaurant without feeling a strong urge to drink. If you’re addicted to
gambling, passing a casino on the way home from work might make you
feel compelled to stop. Knowing your triggers will help you face them
down when the time comes to quit.
Some examples of triggers;
1. Stress is often a trigger for all kinds of addictions.
2. Certain situations, like parties or other social gatherings, might act as triggers.
3. Certain individuals can be triggers.
Start ramping down your addictive habit.
Instead of quitting immediately, start by decreasing your use. For most
people, this makes it easier to quit. Indulge less frequently, and
gradually continue reducing it as your day to quit for good approaches.
Fill your time.
If you need distractions, try exercising, taking up a new hobby,
cooking, or hanging out with friends. Joining a new club, sports team,
or other kind of community group will help you make new friends and
start a new chapter of your life in which addiction is not a part.
Positive social interactions can stimulate the release of neurochemicals
which elicit feelings of happiness and satisfaction without the need
for drugs or that addiction.
Don’t give in to rationalizations.
The physical and mental pain of addiction withdrawal is real, and you’ll
likely start telling yourself it is okay to take up the habit again.
Don’t listen to the voice telling you to start back up and don’t give up
on yourself when it feels hard. Every bit of pain will be worth it in
the end.
Celebrate your accomplishments.
Do something nice for yourself when you meet the goals you’ve made, no
matter how small. Kicking an addiction is incredibly tough work, and you
deserve to be rewarded.
:: Olly Moonga
:: Thoughts Are Things
#TAT
