how do beat addiction?

Answer 1

How bad do you want it???? I have given up every addiction known to man (and woman) except cigarettes, without "outside help", i.e. treatment programs/AA/NA, etc. The bottom line is: If you truly want to "beat addiction" the ONLY way is to "JUST DO IT"!!! No one and nothing can do it for you......in every case, something inside me said "it's over", and, except for the pain, sickness, etc. of the actual initial withdrawal, I just walked away and never looked back. I have been "clean and sober" (as they say in the "programs") since 1984, doing it all alone, and NEVER had a relapse or the desire to. Addiction can be chemical as well as psychological, but, in the end, it all comes down to "mind over matter". Unless you do it on your own, you will never be free.

Answer 2

This is from years of personal experience and tons of doctors/research etc. There are only three things you need to beat any addiction. But they are all crucial and difficult. Everything else that people say fall into these categories. And if they don't, they're B.S. 1.) A real desire to beat it. 2.) A complete lifestyle change that goes contrary to the addiction. This includes avoiding places/people you associated with your addiction, finding something you are passionate about (replacing your addiction with another positive addiction basically) and working at it every single day. 3.) There is a reason you are addicted (it doesn't matter one bit what the addiction is. It could be drugs, alcohol or shopping). You are using your addiction to mask an underlying problem, such as depression, low self esteem, a feeling of failure, numbing pain, etc. You must get to the "root" of your problem (s) or you won't be able to stay sober for long. I honestly wouldn't bother with expensive rehabs (been there, done that...didn't work). Believe me, those are the three key elements. And you don't need rehab for any of them. Though working with a therapist and/or addiction doctor could help tremendously. You can't do it alone. You WILL need help...the 12-step meetings are a great support system where you can meet lots of people who can guide you. Even if you don't like the 12 steps at the start, give it a chance. Take what you like and take the rest with a grain of salt if you must. I'm not saying it's easy....it is the dang hardest single thing to do in the world if you ask me. But it can be done. If anything, go to an AA meeting just to see how many people have done it and believe that you can too. Work with a therapist, have a trustworthy friend you can stay accountable to and you'll be able to do it. Remember, willingness, lifestyle change and getting rid of the "need" for something external to mask your underlying problem. Good luck. I'll be rooting for you!

Answer 3

You have to decide that you have a problem and that you want to get well. If you don't want to get better then you can't. You have to be willing. You have to decide that you are willing to go to any lengths to stay clean and sober. And you need to admit that you are powerless over this drug and that you need help. They only way to really get sober is to have your family and friends support you and develop a plan of action. This includes staying away from your friends that still use and staying away from the places that you used at or that triggers you. So that's all about setting strong boundaries around you to protect you.

If you are an alcoholic then start going to AA meetings, get a sponsor there, and start working the steps. If you are an addict you can go to AA or NA and do the same things. You should go to a treatment facility and sign up to do outpatient or inpatient treatment.

The treatment will consist of you being in a group setting and learning and talking about addiciton and there's a bunch of other things you will do.

I'm an addictions therapist and I work with many clients on a regular basis. It is possible for you to beat addiction as long as you let others help you and keep your supportive friends and families close. If you don't have insurance, your local treatment centers will let you pay at a reduced rate or on a sliding scale. Go to a 12 step meeting like AA or NA and annouce that you are new and that you need a sponsor and you need a phone list of people you can call when things get tough. Remember men sponsor men and women sponsor women, there is no other way. And it is suggested to stay away from relationship in AA or NA for at least six months so you can focus on your treatment. You can email me and I will give you some support as a friend. I am also in recovery, I will have seven years in a few months.

Answer 4

I agree with a lot of what everyone else said, but I think it's important to find some kind of spirituality to help you, whether it's alternative, Christian, general, whatever. Also, I think it helps to find a counselor to help you. Most addicts had something happen in their past that has caused the addiction to begin. You have to work on that and not just fixing the addiction. Finally, some sort of group or community can help a lot and keep you on track in your dark moments. Personally, I got a lot of help from Zen Buddhism and spending a lot of time in nature, but if that's too weird, I'm sure there's other types of spirituality that would help you. Oh, and I think it's important to not just "give up" something, but also to replace your addiction with something heathy (eating better, exercise, reading more, etc.).

Answer 5

It is very hard, but is very possible. Get in touch with your local area health for drug and alcohol people, check out your local AA,Na.GA for meetings. Sorry I don't know what your addiction is. Someone close to me is about to enter a 12mth program today, might seem a long time but hey what about the rest of your life. I used to be a shocking alkie, even drank metho one time, did and said terrible things, did not take care of myself, but I got into recovery with lots of support and love, now I can hold my head up high, dress and act properly, wow what a difference to what I was. Go for it and good luck

Answer 6

it depend on what type of addiction you have???

there are treatment facilities all around the country that can provide professional help, but as importantly you need a good support system to help you with whatever your vice is?

no addiction is beatable unless you have the drive to really try and beat it!!! good luck!

Answer 7

i agree, beating addiction is a CHOICE... you have to want to beat it.

you have a few alternatives to doing it yourself... Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous have meetings every day, many times a day in most areas of the United States.

you could enter a rehabilitation center.

i wish you all the best.. addiction is tough to beat. i did it. so can you!

~~all the best.

Answer 8

Ultimately you have a choice. Remember that. If you choose to do the drug (alcohol, cocaine, cigarettes etc) then you CHOSE to do it. It's not out of control...you have chosen that.

The best predictor for finally quitting smoking is giving up umpteen times. Try, try again. Eventually it sticks.

Answer 9

without having to ask a lot of personal questions or make inferences I will simply send a web site and let you select the most appropriate area for assistance ... good luck

Answer 10

www.narconon.org