So, you’ve learned that you have an addiction. You’ve noticed that your behavior is impacting other areas of your life, and you’re trying to figure out how to quit the habit.
An addiction can be harmful not only for you but for people around, and it can range from anywhere to food, sex, alcohol, drugs, TV, the internet, gambling, etc. So, basically, you can be addicted to anything.
Also, addiction doesn’t really seem like much when starting out, with most never expecting to become addicted. Initially, it may have seemed like fun, and you had no issues stopping. Still, most people that have developed some kind of addiction find their first attempt at quitting this habit very difficult, and they may end up wondering why they can’t stop.
The good news is that even if it may be really hard, it is possible to quit an addiction. However, there are high chances that you will get tons of unsolicited advice on how to achieve that task. While much of the advice will be great, others will be questionable, whereas a couple of tips could be dangerous.
You will most likely benefit from third-party assistance. However, even without that help, there’s a couple of things you can do to make this journey easier. This article provides you with 5 tips you can make use of to beat an addiction.
Get a Hobby
A hobby will not only make you happy and build your character, but it can also offer an incredible means of distracting yourself. Most times, addiction comes from boredom, as your mind attempts to find a way of filling a void or an empty space.
According to the BBC, breaking a bad habit can be difficult. Still, a hobby will offer an alternative to engage in other things that are not related to your addition.
You can choose to take up cooking, sports, arts and crafts, hiking, dancing, fishing, etc. Just get involved in something that you enjoy doing to distract yourself from what you are addicted to.
For instance, if you feel like smoking or drinking, you can distract yourself by reading a book. It will act as a great reminder to stay on track. So, practicing a hobby constantly will keep you busy, and you will barely pay attention to your addiction.
Be Accountable to Another Person
According to the New York Times, in the professional world, the greatest motivator for high performance is accountability. Other than your monthly slip, you become motivated by annual reviews.
Twelve-step groups make use of this technique known as accountability, to ensure that people remain sober, and stay on the recovery wagon. Some may have a mentor or sponsor teaching them the program. That way, this approach guides them toward spiritual, mental, and physical health.
It could be people that you attend recovery groups with, your mom, doctor, therapist. They will help in keeping you accountable for your actions.
Work Out
Working out always seems to do a lot of incredible good, and it can be a great way of distracting yourself. Most people dealing with addictions or conditions like depression are advised to exercise.
It is one of the most effective ways to let off steam. Sometimes, your addition will come on strong, and while resisting it may be pretty difficult, going to the gym can help release the excessive pressure.
Working out will provide you with an antidepressant effect. Besides, it would look pretty stupid to light up after a run or pound a few burgers or beers before hitting the gym.
Still, the endorphins leave you feeling great. You end up feeling so good about yourself that you don’t want to take up your addiction again.
Begin a Project
What is that project that you’ve always dreamt of starting? Is it planning a festival, starting a side hustle, creating a family album, coaching a League, auditioning at the local theater, knitting a blanket, taking a new course, learning how to play a sport, etc.?
Simply take up a project that you’ve always wanted to. According to the reviews, this is another effective way of distracting yourself, and once done, you will feel proud of yourself.
So, if you’re a smoking addict, and you’re looking to get it out of your head, how about taking up a new project such as learning a new language? It should keep you preoccupied.
Keep a Record
One way in which a lot of people suffer is by repeating the same thing over and over while expecting different results. What’s fascinating is that it’s so easy to notice this pattern in other people.
It is so easy to notice an alcoholic who keeps swearing that they will quit drinking once they find the perfect job. It is so easy to see that your friend keeps overeating, despite swearing that they are done with it.
However, one tends to be blind to their own trials at hiding self-destructive habits in a web of rationalizations and lies. So, when you’re about to get back to your addictive habits, write down exactly how you felt at that point.
Write down how you felt that time you gambled away almost all your money. How it felt the next time, you gambled away everything. How miserable you became every time you went back to gambling.
The next time you’re about to gamble again, go through your journal. You’ll notice that it will be hard to gamble again because of how it made you feel in the past, not wanting to indulge in the same habit again.
It is important to understand that there will always be a trigger. Online casinos are on the rise nowadays, making it easy to gamble as never before. However, by keeping track of your thoughts, you will find it easier to practice control if you go through your journal. Interested in seeing the best casinos in your area? Check out this list from OCG aggregator.
How to Beat an Addiction
Most people struggle with some addictions, and beating the addiction takes a lot of effort, hard work, and commitment. While many find it hard to change their habits for good, this doesn’t mean that you can’t get out of such a situation, according to Innovisionhm. With these tips and the desire to fight your addiction, you can make through it for good.
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