Addiction Info and Advice

Drastic measures to kick drastic habits An addiction, no matter if it's to drugs, alcohol, food, or Internet - is still an addiction. An addiction to anything means you feel you need it to survive, when in reality you don't! If you are someone competing for every moment of your life with a dark addiction to anything, then you do understand no matter what your addiction is, is a parasite. Something that sucks the life out of you and hinders your quality of life. If you spend every moment of your life thinking about and planning how to acquire your next fix of whatever drug you're addicted to, caffeine, alcohol, the Internet - anything - then it is only common sense that says you are in a drastic situation requiring drastic actions. First allow us to state that there is no magic bullet involved. There is no traditional treatment or cure for any addiction. With that being said, it is important to note that more than one action on your part is necessary. Wanting to quit and live addiction-free is the first step. Many people, however, find that in the throes of addiction they cannot muster the effort to do anything about it. If this is the case, it is time for you to think outside the box. This can work to your advantage. Use this apathy for drastic suggestion number one, quit your job. Your life is one the line - and your health and your life are far more important than money. By cutting yourself off from extra cash at this point in your life, it is probably the best move you could make. Coming in a strong second is a geographically significant move. By this we mean move halfway across the country, by any means necessary. If you have to pack a tent into a national park do it, just move away. It is important at this point in your life to be selfish, more selfish than you were as an addict. Cut yourself off from loved ones and relatives. You are only hurting them anyway with your addiction. Keep in mind that this does not mean to isolate yourself. Drastic approach three in fact is to be gregarious. Not foolishly but put yourself into situations where you will be around good clean people. I mean social groups that have some benevolent purpose. For me this translated into working as a volunteer for groups that were not involved with persons having drug problems. For example, making meals for the elderly and building houses for habitat for humanity. Stay away from the typical people and places you used to frequent, run from them if you have to. If you feel awkward and out of place then you are doing it right. And finally, give yourself time - lots of time. Your brain will not even begin to heal from serious addictive patterns for at least a couple of years. Kicking an addiction requires first and foremost changing yourself and your entire lifestyle on a basic level. You are making external changes regarding where you are and what you do and how you live. By doing these things and giving them lots of time to work, then you will reap the benefits of freedom from your addiction and learn to enjoy life in ways that will make your days of addiction pale in comparison. Good luck and last but not least, never give up.