6 Simple Steps That Can Help End Your Unhealthy Addictions
Addiction comes in many forms. Whenever the topic is brought up, it’s common for people to start gossiping about substance abusers and frown upon their actions, when, in fact, many of us are addicts in one form or another. Addiction doesn’t always have to do with alcohol or drugs, although those are serious forms of addiction. It can also manifest in the form of harmful actions and toxic behaviors the person does excessively without self-restraint. Seemingly harmless activities like gambling, shopping, and even exercise can turn into an addiction if a person goes overboard with them.
Different kinds of addictions require specific treatments, but there are general guidelines that anyone struggling with addiction can follow to recover. Here are 6 simple steps that can help you overcome your unhealthy addictions.
1. Admit to Having a Problem
Do you know what’s the worst thing about addiction? You may think it’s the compulsive behavior that the person shows, how they start running away from responsibility, how it takes over their life, or the withdrawal side effects they experience when they don’t get their dose. While all of these are, indeed, serious issues, the worst thing about addiction is that the addict often refuses to admit that they have a problem. If they are accused, they resort to justifying their actions in a myriad of ways. At the end of the day, it’s all just a fruitless effort to keep getting their addiction dose, but the first step to treatment and healing is to admit that you do have an issue.
2. Identify Triggers and Toxic Patterns
Once you’ve become honest enough with yourself about your addiction problem, it’s time to start interfering with the process. After all, addiction is the monster-level of a bad habit gone overboard. Just like any other habit, you can reprogram your mind to adopt it or get rid of it. The process starts with identifying your key triggers and consequent toxic behavior; that’s the only way you can, first, break the habit and, second, learn how to avoid falling into it once more. For instance, if it’s a group gathering that tempts you into using substances, drinking, smoking, gambling, or shopping all your money away, then breaking away from this bad influence is the first step to take.
3. Enroll in a Rehab Program
Unfortunately, not all kinds of addiction can be overcome without professional help. Alcohol and drug addictions often require medical treatment. As the rehabilitation therapists at iRecover.ca explain, the best rehab facilities offer a comprehensive program to fight the addiction from every angle. It usually starts with medical detox to rid the body completely of all substances, after which the program can be customized according to the case.
4. Find Healthy Alternatives
The human brain is an amazing thing. It can store billions of information, and that includes the habits you’ve built across the years. You’ll instantly be able to drive a car after years of not practicing; your brain picks up right where it’d left. That’s why it’s so easy to fall back into old habits when the chance presents itself, and the same goes for your addiction habits. It can be scary to know that you can never really erase your habits from your brain, but it’s enough to realize that you can just build new ones that are much healthier.
5. Build Mental Strength
Given how your old habits will never truly leave your brain, building mental strength becomes more crucial than ever. After all, the main reason why most people relapse into their addiction comes as a result of failing to shoulder the stress they’re facing. Protect yourself against relapse by meditating, repeating mantras, and reminding yourself of all the reasons you need to stay sober.
6. Seek Therapy
When it comes to less obvious forms of addiction; the ones that don’t include substance abuse, seeking rehab may not sound like a plausible option. That doesn’t mean you can’t seek professional help, especially if you feel like you can’t control the addiction on your own. At times when it feels hopeless or it’s getting out of control, speaking to a therapist can be the best form of treatment you can get. They’ll help you set your priorities straight until you get your life back together.
Whatever form it takes, addiction is a serious problem that affects many aspects of a person’s life. What starts as curiosity can quickly turn into a toxic habit that destroys your life. Since addiction is difficult to overcome on your own, it’s important to seek professional help from rehabilitation therapists to successfully turn the page and start a new chapter in life.
