Battling Addiction: 5 Ways to Break the Cycle - Rachel Devine
Addiction takes on many forms, from food to work to drugs, nicotine, and so much more. Addiction can take a powerful hold physically, mentally, and emotionally. But no matter how hopeless it may seem, many paths exist to escape addiction’s grasp. It requires courage, honesty, and using every resource at your disposal. The challenges we face in life can be overwhelming. However, having an addiction in your life will bring more challenges. There are solutions to battling our vices and ways to find happiness in the obstacles.
The first step is honestly recognizing that you have an addiction that is challenging you. Whether it is a food addiction, nicotine, or perhaps alcoholism, these are all life-threatening vices. Whatever the addiction, the first step is admitting you are powerless and that your life has become unmanageable. This is the first step in any 12-step program. Coming to terms with the vice you have is key to breaking the addiction.
Your story
Look at your story when it comes to addiction. If you are trying to lose weight or get off sugar and your story goes like this, “I tried everything to lose weight and give up sugar and nothing is working," you might want to change that story to, “I am willing to do anything to get this weight off and stop eating sugar." You see the big difference, from a negative standpoint to a positive one. Make no mistake about it; your life will move in a positive direction if you feed it positive words. This will help transform your life.
Another example would be, “I can’t stop drinking; it’s in my genes and a generational curse.” This can be changed to say, “I have to look at avenues other people have taken to stop drinking and implement them in my life now.”
No matter how bleak your situation is, it’s better to have a positive viewpoint than a negative one. The positive one will propel you in the direction of healing.
12-step program
Once you admit you have a problem, the next step is to seek professional help or join a 12-step program. There are programs such as AA for alcoholism, NA for nicotine addictions, and OA for overeaters. There are online resources for any 12-step program you seek help with. 12-step programs have been helpful for millions of people. Therapy is also a great way to get help for addictions. Having a life coach in your corner can help as well.
“The first step towards getting somewhere is to decide that you are not going to stay where you are.” John Pierpont Morgan
Remove Temptations
Cut ties with toxic relationships or environments that trigger substance use. Avoiding bars, parties, bakeries, or places frequented when engaging in addiction reduces temptation and reminds you how far you’ve come. Perhaps you want to engage with new friends in a 12-step program. Also, try to keep healthy food in your home; get rid of the alcohol or anything else that will tempt you to stay with the vice. This will make it a little easier.
Adopt healthy habits.
Recovery succeeds best when built on positive new routines like meditation, exercise, journaling, prayer, or music. Simple, healthy daily practices ground you. Channel cravings into these activities instead. Exercise helps activate endorphins, which help people feel good without substances or food. A great tool is to reach out and help someone else. When we help others with their addiction, we find it helps us to take our minds off our own issues, and doing so aides in recovery. Reaching out to help others is a staple in the 12-step world. Prayer is also a way to bring positive energy into your world and stay in faith.
Redirect Thoughts
When addiction cravings surface, immediately shift attention to something positive. Call a friend, play with a pet, work on a hobby, or go for a walk. Refocusing your mind is a skill developed over time. I went to Nicotine Anonymous years ago when I stopped smoking. I remember using a rubber band on my wrist. I would pull the rubber band and gently get a jolt that shifted my thoughts away from wanting to have a cigarette. However, I also incorporated exercise and the nicotine patch to help me with my own vices. The 12-step fellowship really helped me too.
In closing, battling addiction requires absolute commitment, courage to change, and consistent hard work. But it’s important to take that first step: admit there is a problem and seek help. Keep fighting the good fight. The path to recovery starts with ending the denial. You have the power to reclaim your life. The health benefits may add years to your life with your family.
God grant me the serenity to accept the things we cannot change. Courage to change the things we can. And the wisdom to know the difference.
Substance abuse and mental health services.
Rachel Devine is the author of, The Third Road & Lessons from the Needle in a Haystack, and both are available now on Amazon and Barnes & Noble. Or you can order an ebook on my website.
These books make great holiday gifts. Take advantage of a sitewide 10% promotion with the code SALE10.
Devine Intervention - The Inner Healing Center