Most people who engage in addictive behaviors are oblivious to how easy it is to get hooked. Some think they have strong willpower and the self-control they need to stop any time they want. But is this always so? Is it possible to overcome addiction, and if so, how?
Overcoming addiction is a process that takes time. There are no overnight fixes. If you are in the grips of a particular addiction and are looking to quit, you need to take a long-term view and focus on solutions that incorporate every area of your life.
The Main Types of Addiction
Most of the common addictions fall into three main categories. These include:
Substance Addiction
Substance addiction is a well-known type of addiction. It entails an unhealthy dependence on substances such as alcohol, illicit drugs, and prescription medicine. The condition causes the victim to form a physical dependence on a given chemical like heroin or cocaine.
Behavioral Addiction
You can also suffer from behavioral addiction. This type of addiction is characterized by compulsive behavior, which elicits a high similar to the one experienced by substance addiction. The most common addictive behaviors are:
Shopping
Gambling
Exercising
Video gaming
Internet use
Overeating
Sex and pornography
Impulse Addiction
Impulse control disorders can cause impulse addiction whereby a person has a hard time trying to manage their actions or emotions.
This disorder occurs in approximately 10.5% of the population and can make someone prone to emotional outbursts, shoplifting, or other destructive behaviors.
What's more, these behaviors can become addictive, and the condition could also combine with mental health issues, including substance abuse.
How Does Addiction Happen?
Not everyone gets addicted after engaging in addictive behavior or consuming addictive substances. This brings up the question, what causes addiction, and why are some people more prone to addiction than others?
Your body develops an addiction when the desire to consume a particular substance hijacks the parts of your brain that reward behavior. Substance-related disorders also affect the region responsible for your emotions and decision-making. Ultimately, you end up using the substance to feel normal by preventing withdrawal symptoms.
It's important to point out here that substance abuse can lead to brain changes, and some of these may become permanent. Nevertheless, with extended abstinence, there's hope that some improvement might occur.
Certain risk factors predispose a person to addiction. Some of these factors include the following:
Age
Genetics
Extreme stress
Medical history
Your environment - peer pressure, addictive parents, etc.
Drug choice - cocaine is more physically addictive than marijuana.
Method of use - smoking or injecting drugs is more addictive than swallowing.
Symptoms of Addiction
While most people know that they are addicted to a certain substance or behavior, others go through life blissfully unaware that they are addicts. Below are some of the signs that you might exhibit if you become addicted:
Denying you have a problem.
Engaging in certain behaviors despite mental or physical harm.
Neglecting your work, family, or school to engage in the behavior.
Using the behavior as a way of coping with difficult emotions and feeling normal.
Spending an inordinate amount of time engaged in the behavior or recovering from its effects.
Going through withdrawal symptoms like irritability or depression whenever you try to stop.
Overcoming Addiction: The Solutions
The first step to overcoming addiction is the desire to change. This is also the toughest as it means admitting you have a problem. You might also struggle with coming to terms with the realization of what it takes to quit your addiction and whether you're truly ready to commit to the journey.
Many people focus on reducing the addiction (time and money spent on it) first, while others aim to quit entirely. Whatever your goal, it's essential to consider healthier alternatives to replace your addiction as well as support from people in your circle, such as family and friends.
The second step is to believe that it's possible to overcome your addiction. Despite many previous futile attempts or how hopeless you deem your situation to be, recovery is possible. Besides, if you get proper treatment and support, you can live a healthy life.
Finally, the sooner you receive intervention or treatment for substance use disorder, the quicker and better your recovery chances become. Also, note that the mode of treatment will vary depending on the specific drug or compulsive behavior.
Let's have a look at some of the solutions to overcoming addiction next.
Detoxification. For substance abuse, this is typically the first step. It purges your body of drugs and helps to manage the resultant withdrawal symptoms.
Counseling. Behavioral counseling is an excellent way to help you recognize the root cause of your addiction. It also provides you with the opportunity to learn healthier coping skills and help in mending your relationships. These services are available from professional counselors, social workers, or many clergy members.
Medication. This is often used to manage withdrawal symptoms and treat co-existing mental health conditions like anxiety and depression. It is also helpful in preventing relapse.
Psychological treatments. These include visiting a psychiatrist or psychologist for help in overcoming emotional difficulties and making meaningful life changes. Cognitive behavioral therapy is also a key mode of treatment here.
Offering to help others. Training to be an NLP and hypnosis practitioner can free you from your addictions. It can also provide you with an excellent way to help other victims to get a permanent resolution from their own addictions through coaching.
Both approaches entail getting through to the unconscious mind and changing negative patterns buried deep within. They also have remarkable success in helping people change habits they have been unable to change previously.
How to Avoid a Relapse
To avoid reverting to your old habits, do the following:
Look for long-term follow-up opportunities to help you maintain sobriety and prevent relapses, such as attending regular in-person or online support group meetings. Spending time with like-minded people can allow for healing, learning from others, plus you gain a lot from the shared experiences of other members.
Avoid old friends, locations, and activities that supported your habit as they can trigger a relapse. Cultivate new relationships that support your recovery and keep busy by taking classes, volunteering, joining a church, or attending community events.
Find an accountability partner to help you beat your addiction, keep you on track, and accelerate your recovery. Also, maintain regular communication by sharing your thoughts, emotions, triumphs, and general progress.
Tips for Overcoming Addiction
Here are helpful tips to support you on your journey to recovery:
Since addiction affects your entire life - relationships, career, health, and emotional well-being - your successful recovery will depend on creating new life habits and developing healthier ways to deal with pain or stressful situations.
Turn to family and close friends for their support, encouragement, and guidance to increase your chances for a full recovery.
If the worst happens and you suffer a relapse, don't beat yourself up, as this is common during recovery. And while a relapse can be discouraging, it's also an opportunity to learn, identify triggers, and amend your treatment.
Final Thoughts
Addictions can lead to severe problems in life such as job loss, cause great distress within families, and break relationships. While they affect a considerable number of individuals, it's possible to overcome addictions.
Besides, risk factors might predispose you to become addicted, but they are not a guarantee that you'll go through the experience. Still, being aware of the likelihood of getting into addiction is one step in ensuring that you don't get ensnared in the first place.