What is the best way to break an addiction?

Question

no consouling

i have a friend who is addicted

Answer 1

That depends on what the addiction is. And saying "no counseling" is like saying "how do I get braces? (NO ORTHODONTISTS)" There's nothing wrong with counselors, and since addiction is often not really about what you are addicted to, but is about something else in your life, counseling can help.

I'm addicted to sodas. I know I need to stop. I have stopped before. But they're everywhere, begging for me to pop one open and have a drink. When I've stopped, I replaced all the sodas in my fridge with water and juice, and I told several domineering people that I was quitting (see, I know, if I tell my sister and mom, they will hound me to the day I die if they see me drink another soda).

Cigarettes are more difficult, I haven't been addicted, but I've been around people who were. Cold Turkey is about the best way to break that.

Most people, though, if they want to know how to break an addiction to cigarettes, will clarify that. I think you're probably talking about something a little more difficult, hmmm?

Once you get into alcohol addiction or any heavier drugs, some professional help and some VERY stern people in your life is going to be some of the best help. You know how people quitting smoking get agitated a little while into it? Take that up about fifteen levels, and that's what we know of as detox for alcohol and heavier drugs. The body is so dependant on it, it fights back against the quitting. Depending on what drug you're talking about, this can range from headache to nausea to uncontrollable vomiting to shivers to hallucinations. That's part of why going to rehab is a good idea. There are people there who care, but who are not emotionally attached.

Say you have a sibling who is trying to overcome an addiction to cocaine. When they are physically ill, vomiting, claiming they hate you, there are a lot of people who really care about them who would give in or not be able to take seeing their loved one acting like that. If you gave in, even a little, and allowed them "just one time", you've ruined everything accomplished so far, even though it seems very little is being accomplished.

If you're talking about true addiction, and it's an addiction to something really bad, being firm and loving them (and telling them when they are trying to damn you to hell that you love them) is the best thing you can do. If it's that bad, though, I think it's probably out of your hands, and counseling is in order. There's nothing wrong with it, and since many people turn to drugs or alcohol not because it's yummy but because there's some psychological reason, that can help take care of the problem at the source.

There are a few steps to breaking a serious addiction: the detox (which will mean going cold turkey from whatever the addiction is for, to clean out the system completely), then the psychological part (why did they turn to drugs in the first place?), then maintainance. That last one, by the way, means that for the rest of their life, they have to look headstrong at their addiction and beat it EVERY time they are tempted to get back into it. It can mean changing friends, hobbies, even moving, just to keep from getting back into the old "comforts" of the addiction.

The twelve-step programs have a wonderful track record, and that may help (this is like AA). There are different programs for different addictions. Call a local crisis hotline or center, social services, or even many mid-sized to large churches have them. You could also look it up in the yellow pages, or call a rehab center or behavioral health center.

If your friend is truly addicted, you may want to see about staging an intervention. I'm sure you know what those are. Someone comes in from a behavioral health center or rehab center and teaches and encourages family members, friends, and coworkers (anyone who wants to be involved) how to voice their feelings about the person and the addiction, and then offer some harsh consequences to encourage the person to quit whatever it is they're doing. They show the person they love them, but they have personally been hurt by the person who was under the influence, either physically, emotionally, or even by living with the constant fear of seeing the person dead from an overdose or other accident. Then you ask them, because you care, if they will go for treatment - immediately. The idea is for them to go with the professional that day.

Hope some of this has helped.

Answer 2

1

Answer 3

Admittedly that is a tough question. Without specific knowledge it's a hard one. On the one hand a physical addiction will cease without use in a matter of days, as with tobacco/ drugs/booze, that would be the primary battle that can be won just by having a good friend lock you up for a few days HOWEVER the real battle for your addiction takes place within. Meaning it is within YOU!

After the physical is taken care of (assuming a physical addiction) the REAL battle begins and that would be a second by second battle in your thought process moving to a minute by minute battle in your thought process as time moves on, than a hour by hour battle in your thought process to a day by day battle in your thought process. After a time (different for each person) it will be a day by day and whenever the thought arises you must quench it with another, NEVER NEVER dwelling on it.

O.K. I'm not sure I expressed my thoughts so you can understand but what the hell, I understand it.

Answer 4

Remove yourself from the problem or find a way around it. Keep yourself occupied. I use to bite my nails, I guess thats an addiction... But I started chewing gum during school, and my nails are long. If it is some illegal substance that you posess, then ask yourself: what would happen if you got caught? You run out of money? And look up if your addiction affects your health and if all fails, ask a doctor or psyciatrist.

Answer 5

Good luck with that. Seriously though, at least you know where he is. Many of my friends wives wish they would stay home more instead of going to bars, or hunting and fishing. He will eventually tire of the games but it may take a while. I am not into video games but once me and my wife spent all night playing Dr. Mario. We still laugh about that. It was so addicting. I used to play a lot when I was younger also but I outgrew them. I think as you get older, your priorities change and the video games take a back seat to everything else.

Answer 6

You need to leave that life behind try moving away then you wont know where to get drugs so you wont be able to get em cut ur self off from that world and sleep it off soon enough you be sober it ****** hard tho dude im an addict ive been to jail and rehab and i still can't kick it mind over matter i guess

Answer 7

Well i licked a smoking addiction cold turkey. I am not sure about alcohol or drugs but my advice would be to get professional help.

Answer 8

Well man, let me tell you from experience. Ya just quit cold turkey and the main thing is you have to quit hanging out with the people who you are used to doing your "drug of choice" with.
Unfortunately you must distance yourself even from your friends. This will also show you who your true friends are, because alot of them will hate you for quiting, but your true friends will encourage it.
Also, i don't know your beliefs but i prayed to God for a healing from my addictions and he came through for me.

Anyway, God bless

Adam

Answer 9

First to admit you have one, you're asking the question so you're acknowledging that you have one, first comes insight then changing the behavior. Counseling will help, check it out.

Answer 10

find a new healthier addiction. like a sport, a hobby, or a craft