What does it take to fix a mind of an addict?

Question

Tell me how can a person fix the mind from being an addict without aa or na?
NA and AA do not work for me. They lump every one together. Everyones problems are different.. I believe thatif one fixes the mind then the addiction problems will go away. I need some good advice on this topic.

Answer 1

I stongly believe addiction is caused because something in your life is missing, you just don't feeli good and you need something to make you feel right, some people use drugs, or alcohol and so on, other people just don't need them because a)they're completely happy with everything in their lives (very rare) or b) they've developed some skills to help them throughout hard times. In my opinion, you should develop these, just think a lot and get to know yourself, find what's making you recur to your addiction and try to resolve whatever that is. Maybe a psychiatrist or psychologist could help too, but my advice is, if you can, do it by yourself, that way you'll be stronger and will find out that you've grown as a person. I hope this was somewhat useful. Good luck!

Answer 2

You might think that NA and AA do not work for you (standard NA meetings do not help me either, but some things they mention in the meetings I think are very true) but one thing they say is true, you cannot "fix" the mind of an addict. I don't believe addiction is a "disease" per se, but addiction definitely does not go away. As an addict who hasn't found too much help within the walls of NA (though I keep trying) I find that sometimes, if you can find a good therapist, therapy can sometimes help. Sometimes talking to someone can help you discover what is at the core of your addiction, why it is there, and what it will take to satisfy it without the use of drugs are alcohol. It is a very very tough road, but if you really want sobriety you will, after trial and error, find what works for you. Sorry I can't be of more help, I'm still getting used to this stuff myself, but don't give up. You can do it.

Answer 3

I have been in recovery for 15 years with out AA or NA I still say once an addict always an addict so I really do NOT believe that you can fix the mind. The key to my success has always to remember, when I start wanting to drink or do drugs, that that is an addicts way of thinking. I tried AA/NA for one meeting and never went back. If the addict truly wants to change then I think its a mind over matter deal. Try counseling. Also the MORE people you tell about your recovery(friends, family and the local store clerk) the harder it will be for you to slip up. Good Luck!!!

Answer 4

You've evidently been to a meeting or two. These meetings are suggestions of others with addiction problems. Have you tried getting a sponsor? This is where you get to address your problems more specifically-one on one. If you haven't tried working with a sponsor, you might want to try it. When you get to your 4th step, trust me, it will be about your problems and fixing them. Addicts want what they want when they want it. Give it time. Otherwise I guess you could try to "fix your mind" by seeing a psychiatrist or therapist. Anyway, good luck.

Answer 5

For me... it took a long bloody battle in the arena called addiction. I suspect, that there is no one secret answer that all addicts are seeking, like the Holy Grail. After years of torment and failure at recovery, I've just come to the realization that my previous belief that I could mess around with my drug of choice (Opiates) and live a normal happy life... was a terrible misconception. I just became tired of all the heartache and loss of love, life, and myself, that my addiction stole from me. Do NOT convince yourself that recovery is extremely hard and fleeting. It's actually as simple as saying, "I'm done!" If you don't love yourself enough to conquor your addiction, than do it for those you do love, and those that love you back. Be strong and show courage!

Strength & Honor - GeekL0rd

Answer 6

I smoked two packs a day, I quit. I drank no less than a 12 pack a night. I often drank a half pint of Jack with that 12 pack. I quit that too. I drank no less than a pot of coffee a day, I quit. Quitting smoking is what really helped me build my will power. Once I did that I figured anything was within my power. The way that I was able to quit was to silence that voice in my mind that tried to trick me all the time. The voice told me music would not sound so sweet if I was sober, he lied. The voice told me that I would not be respected as much if I was not seen with the dangerous looking cigarette hanging from my mouth, he lied about that too. That voice wants to kill you, some call that voice Thanatos. That voice now tells me, "Hey, Carlo, you have been off the booze for a while now, I am sure you can handle one drink." That voice is the devil, do not listen to it. I do not mean devil in the biblical sense, I am talking devil in the sense of self, it is evil, and it is a part of you, and it wants you to die.

Answer 7

You cannot really "fix" the mind of an addict. Addicts are oftentimes wired differently. That being said, most addicts treat their emotional pain/shame/difficult childhoods/abuse/trauma with alcohol or other drugs. In order to recover, you have to get at the reason that you are medicating yourself with alcohol and drugs. Yes, everyones problems are different, but the addicts problems and the inability to deal with them are what caused them to substance abuse in the first place. Getting a good therapist is essential, maybe this could benefit you more than AA/NA? If you don't have insurance, look into county treatment or ask regular therapists about "sliding scale" payment.
One of the benefits of NA/AA is that people get together and talk about their problems and offer support to each other. (Plus, it is free.) Please don't think you are so different from other addicts. Most addicts have more in common with other addicts than they think and one of the barriers to healing is thinking that you are so different from other addicts.

Good luck

Answer 8

there is not reallly a way to fix it in a sense because no matter what the addict will always either fall back into it or when things get rough they will see that as a way out like an alcholic will always be one but can train themselves to use other ways to relieve pressure besides their addiction.

Answer 9

An addict must decide that they want to quit. In my experience, seeing how much the addiction hurts the ones they love tends to have a good effect.

One- on- one counseling would probably be better than a group in the beginning, to help with individual needs.

Answer 10

Only God can fix this. If you have faith all you have to do is talk to him. Every time you fill out of control just talk to him. He is there for you. You'll become stronger each day. No money involved, no other drugs to take.

He is there for you! You just have to talk to him. No religion involved. No church rules. Just you and him. Reading the bible does help. It gives you direction when your just not sure.