What are you addicted to? An abusive loved one? Drug? Sex? Alcohol? Gambling? Lying? It’s not easy, we understand that part but you can overcome. The first step to winning is admitting that you are addicted. Some never get to admit there’s a problem. Denial will only elongate the journey towards recovery.

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Once you have, it’s time to beat it. How?

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Write down the side effects of your addiction

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The consciousness of the side effects associated with that addiction can instill a sense of urgency in battling the addiction. The consciousness of what you stand to lose by continuing that behavior is a focal point in the battle towards recovery. This can create distaste and a sense of repulsion against the act and this is exactly what you need to effectively launch out in redeeming yourself.

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Match them against the positive changes you desire

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The things you stand to lose should be correlated with the things you stand to gain. When you see the things you stand to gain and how much that addictive behavior is keeping you away from them, it can engender a sense of urgency which will ultimately bolster your resolve to fight the addiction.

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Cultivate a new lifestyle like playing a game of logic, exercising, journaling, etc.

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Overcoming an addiction will come at a price and this price will always come in form of a lifestyle change. You will always have to change something about your daily routine if you are going to overcome an addiction. The task therefore is for you to study the daily lifestyle choices that encourage that addiction and then adopt a specific routine that is opposite that lifestyle. This will create a shift that will make indulging in that addictive behavior more difficult and less comfortable and this can boost your healing in no small measure.

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List the situations that draw you into indulging your addiction

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If you think deeply, you will discover that some situations tend to encourage the particular addictive behavior you are battling with. This is because addiction itself tends to operate as a coping mechanism. For instance, you may feel like binging on alcohol when you fail to meet a target or fail at a task. Sometimes, you may feel like engaging an addictive behavior when you are afraid or stressed. While you may not be able to completely avoid those situations in future, listing them out will enable you avoid and choose an alternative behavior when those situations occur again in future.

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Talk to someone, a loved one, or a therapist

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It is okay for you to try to conquer an addiction by yourself but it is pride for you to refrain from seeking professional help after several failed attempts to quit. Go out and seek a therapist to help you out. They are trained to help and you could benefit from their expertise

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Agree with them on how you can make a quitting plan

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Seeking professional help is not enough; you must be humble enough to hold yourself accountable to them. It may ultimately amount to a waste of time and resources consulting a therapist only to ignore their recommendations or be dishonest in your dealings with them. They are trained to help and chances are that they are already familiar with helping others with the challenges you are currently facing. Give them the benefit of the doubt because their service will only benefit you if you yield yourself to their instruction.

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Optimize your time

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Sometimes, being idle could be a trigger. Being idle is not good. Whatever the challenge, avoid idleness. Regardless of the quality of therapy you secure, if you spend a lot of time in idleness, you will likely relapse back into that addiction. This is the secret behind the difficulty in overcoming addictions.

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Stay out of an environment or a company that enables your addiction

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While you are doing your ultimate best to overcome that addiction, ensure to avoid the company of those still indulging in that addiction. It’s okay to quit being friends with them. Continued companionship with them will impede your progress in stopping that addiction.

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Join a support group or enroll at a sober home

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While you avoid those that are still addicted to what you are running away from, it is okay to company with like minds who are fighting the same addiction. In fact, the unity of purpose among you can help you become more motivated and shorten your journey towards sobriety and freedom from the addiction.

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Celebrate your milestones

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Celebrate your small wins. The many hours, days, and weeks spent without indulging in the act help you gain confidence in your ability to eventually conquer. In life, you get to crawl before walking and walking before running. Celebrating the small milestones helps you feel good about your efforts and you need a healthy dose of this good feeling in your journey.

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Beating addiction is not difficult, but it’s tough work. What are your challenges so far?