Dealing with addiction of any kind is a long and challenging process.

Arriving here at this page suggests you have already taken the first step.

The mere word ‘addiction’ evokes images of alcohol or drug use but it is a condition which manifests in so many different guises.

Chiefly, addictions can be divided into two different types – substance and behavioural.

Substance addictions usually pertain to alcohol or drugs but may also refer to nicotine or caffeine.

They also include a vast plethora of drugs from prescription medications including painkillers and sleeping pills, all the way to illicit substances such as marijuana, cocaine and methamphetamines.

Behavioural addictions come in even more guises including:

  • gambling
  • phone or device use
  • social media
  • shopping or spending money 
  • eating
  • sex
  • exercise
     
  • video gaming
  • watching pornography

Any substance or activity you cannot go without may be viewed as an addiction.

Addiction results from changes in your brain chemistry that establish repeated patterns of motivation and reward which are almost impossible to break.

Here are the first steps toward dealing with addiction.

Acknowledge the addiction

Admitting you have an addiction, whatever it may be, is the first step.

But you have to want to overcome it.

Some smokers may know they are addicted but enjoy it and have no intention of quitting.

Others will want to stop but cannot find the strength.

In acknowledging your addiction, ask yourself how it negatively impacts aspects of your life including things like your:

  • relationships
  • health
  • finances 
  • work
  • mental wellbeing

Avoid playing down the addiction or trying to justify it.

Understand your trigger points

Most addictions have trigger points.

Many smokers only smoke when they are drinking.

Binge eaters may eat unnecessarily between meals because they are stressed, bored or lonely.

Asking yourself what triggers you to behave the way you do gives you the key to preventing that behaviour.

It allows you to put precautions in place or make decisions to avoid going down that path.

For instance, you could avoid drinking when socialising which will prevent your urge to smoke.

The more you can avoid triggers that lead you into temptation, the more likely you are to rid yourself of your addiction.

Change your environment

There is no point trying to give up the booze when you know there is a cupboard full of alcohol within reach.

You need to change your environment to give yourself the best possible chance of success.

So whatever your addiction, make those necessary changes to your home, office or wherever to keep temptation not just out of sight but out of mind.

Seek professional help

Addiction is a multi-faceted beast and too big for most individuals to handle on their own.

Seeking professional help from a GP, therapist or counsellor makes good sense.

They can provide the necessary guidance and support and offer you tailored treatment plans whether your addiction is substance or behavioural.

Joining a support group can also be extremely valuable.

They allow sufferers to share their experiences, helping them feel less isolated.

Set realistic goals 

Dealing with addiction of any kind is not generally a short or easy path.

Depending on the addiction, it may be advisable to set yourself small achievable goals rather than trying to go ‘cold turkey’ overnight.

Focus and reward yourself with progress rather than perfection.

Be aware that setbacks are a normal part of the process and you should not be deterred by them.

Be kind to yourself and acknowledge you are on a courageous and difficult journey.

Do not give up your quest because of a few stumbles along the way.

If you have been down this road before, think about what did and did not work when you last tried to quit and make adjustments accordingly.

Find healthy alternatives

Addictions are learned and patterned behaviour.

Therefore one way to overcome them is to replace the undesired substance or behaviour with a healthier alternative.

An alcoholic might find solace in zero alcohol beer or wine.

Chewing on sugarless gum can give comfort to smokers.

Phone time could be better spent in the real world with friends or family.

A gambler may enjoy playing cards with friends.

Any kind of distraction can be useful to avoid returning to bad habits.

Manage stress levels  

Times of stress provide the ideal environment for a relapse, whatever the addiction.

Be aware of your vulnerability in these times and practice stress-reduction techniques to reduce your chances of that relapse.

Talking to a trusted friend or confidante, engaging in deep-breathing exercises or mindfulness practices, exercising or even walking in the fresh air can reduce your stress levels and make you less likely to return to your vice.

Take accountability

Once you have decided you wish to quit your addiction, you should commit to being held accountable.

Share your goals with friends and family and ask them to do just that.

You might be surprised at how much they want to help, encourage you and share in your successes.

Having accountability also means answering to your friends in the event of a relapse, dealing with your mutual disappointment and treating it as a learning experience not to be repeated.

Set a quit date

Some people find it helpful to set a quit date.

Think carefully about the date, perhaps a birthday or relevant anniversary, and make sure it is achievable.

Few people can quit an addiction overnight.

But having a date in mind can help provide focus and clarity toward a desired goal.

Book an appointment

Whatever your addiction, there is help available.

Your first step toward dealing with addiction should be your GP.

If you feel you are spiralling out of control with an addiction, the sooner you seek treatment, the sooner you are likely to recover.

At AHA Clinics, sympathetic and friendly GPs understand the psychology of addiction and can talk to you about a number of practices you can employ to overcome yours.

Many take a holistic approach to treating addiction that aim to align your mind, body and spirit.

Hypnotherapy is one of those techniques that has been used with great success.

For more serious addictions, especially substance addictions, it may be appropriate to consider medication-assisted treatments to help patients better cope with cravings and withdrawal symptoms.

Book an appointment here today at either our Seaford Road Day and Night Clinic or our Seaford Meadows Day and Night Clinic.