Have you ever been stuck doing something you wished you would stop doing, and sometimes it just feels as if you just can't help it, and it's like you have no say In the matter, despite knowing it is causing you a lot of harm, even though you don't want to keep hurting yourself even though you want to stop living an unhealthy lifestyle, but you've realized you can't go a day without it, and it's like literally, your life depends on it. And everytime you find yourself doing it, you can't stop yourself, it's like you are being compelled by The Mother Confessor herself ( if you haven't heard of The Mother Confessor, I literally don't know what to tell you).
WHAT IS ADDICTION?
Addiction is a condition in which a person is unable to stop using a substance or engaging in a behavior. It is manifested by compulsive substance use or the inability to stop some bad habits, despite the harmful consequence. And this occurs as a result of doing it routinely over time, that your body has now developed a kind of dependence to that substance or behavior
There are various types of addiction, from substance abuse e.g alcohol, cigarettes, cocaine... to behavioral abuse e.g gambling, sex, shopping even tech addiction.
I remember watching the doctor telling John Constantine that he had lung cancer and he probably had about 60 day's to live, and all he did was looked at the doctor, brought out a cigarette, lit it and said, why stop now. By the way, I wasn't actually there In person, it was a movie in case you didn't get it
I always find it funny when people say, how could someone see death coming his way, and still stands there hoping it won't get him or her. I laugh because of the ignorance of the person making such statement, it easier to look and judge, but difficult to be and judge.
The only person who can truly understand an addict is another addict or a person who was once an addict.
You need to understand that addiction is real and even though you might not be an addict, don't just judge. Apart form the emotional, physical and mental stress that and addict has to overcome, the fear of being judged by others is One major reason most addict fail to overcome their trials.
A LITTLE STATISTICS
A Study done by the Edge treatment center in Orange County, US California shows that at least 1 in 3 households suffer from, are exposed to, or are otherwise impacted by addiction.
TIPS TO HELP YOU DEAL WITH YOUR ADDICTION.
Stopping these bad habits is not easy, but it is not impossible either. here are a few tips to help you live that healthy life you desire.
1. Believe It Is Possible: Trust me, it might sound easy, but it really isn't, especially if you've tried over and over again. It becomes difficult to believe it is possible. That's why you see some people start justifying their addiction. They Would say things like "it is not a problem, it is natural for the body to want it" others would say " I would rather do it, than become unbearable to live with, while some would even go as far to say " i would rather do it, than go on living a miserable life"
Believing Is key. Because you can't get what you do believe to be a myth anyways.
2. Take little steps: The Journey to overcoming your addiction is one that should be done with caution, cause any little mistake can cause a relapse. The journey is one you should take a day at a time.
"If you concentrate on small, manageable steps you can cross unimaginable distances"
--Shaun Hick
As an alcoholic, if you used to take 12 bottles of beer a day, you can start by reducing the number of bottles you take a day, instead of going cold turkey from day one. The fight to recovery is not a race, and if you try to speed it up (and I honestly don't know how you would do that), it might make the issue worse, taking little steps will help make the fight better and easier.
3. Get help: You need help! This cannot be over emphasized, you cannot truly deal with addiction alone, trust me I have tried. There's is this old saying, that has been used so many times it has become a cliché. it goes like this "a problem shared is a problem half solved". But finding someone, and actually allowing yourself to be vulnerable to that person is quiet difficult, but it needs to be done.
Sometimes, the only thing you need, is just a listening ear, just knowing that someone out there cares about you, knows and understand what you are going through and that he/she supports you. That alone is enough to lighten the burden and make the fight easier.
4. Stay Positive: Staying positive is key. Battling addiction can be depressing because of the physical, emotional and mental stress you have to deal with. You can do this by just focusing on the positive, see the little wins, cherish them, share them and enjoy them.
5. Fill The Void: You should know that you fighting your addiction means you are creating a vacuum in your life, and this vacuum needs to be filled intentionally with something better and much more healthier. If you don't fill the void intentionally, you will slip again. you need a substitute good habit to fill the void of the bad habit, but for this substitution to be work and remain permanent, all your actions has to be intentional, Consciously making them until they become a routine and remain permanent.
The fight against bad has never been easy, losing a battle doesn't necessarily mean failure, but giving up does. So I urge you, do not give up, when you are weak, find your strength in the reasons you need to stop and keep pushing on, till you finally succeed.
Do you have questions? ask them below
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