It is possible to break free of addiction and get a normal life back. Many people have done it and you can do it too. The following tips will help you to identify a process that you can use for breaking free of addiction.

Identify

At the very beginning of the process, you need to identify the thoughts that often get you into trouble. If you know the thoughts that lure you into such destructive behaviour, it will be easier for you to control them. These thoughts are your enemy. Try to identify the patterns in your behaviour. If you take a closer look, you’ll be able to find out what goes through your mind just before you take drugs or drink or perform a self destructive action. If you know what tempts you, it will be easier for you to deal with them. Knowing the external and internal triggers will help you to resist them and control them.

Journal

Create a diary and write down your thoughts. Once you know how to identify your thoughts, now it is the time to record them. This is necessary to completely familiarise yourself with the negative habits that you have. It will also help you to find out if you have any other option which can replace such negative thoughts. Writing the journal will also help you to understand more clearly what drives you towards addiction.

Reflect

Once you have written down about the negative thoughts and the triggers, now it is the time to reflect. Ask the question “why.” If you have done something before, yourself the question why you did it. If you’re doing it now, ask yourself why do you do it. Keep asking the question until you receive an answer which does not have any more why.

Plan

By this time, you already know what triggers your behaviour towards the addition, you know about your thoughts and you know what prompts you towards such self destructive behaviour. Now, you can work on a plan which will help you to get rid of this destructive behaviour. The plan should help you to completely understand what you need to do during the moments when you feel compelled to use the substances.

This plan may also include techniques that you will use whenever you face such a situation. Such a technique may be visualising yourself saying no to such a trigger. There may be other techniques which will help you to control yourself at the right moment.

The plan should include the actions that you can take. It may include actions that you have taken in the past which were effective and beneficial for you. The plan can also include the support system you need. Your support system may include people, who you can talk to or anything else.

Your plan should be detailed enough to include all the possible scenarios and what you can do to control your behaviour in such situations.

Give yourself some time

It is very important for you to have compassion and give yourself some time. Fighting addiction is not an easy job and you should not expect quick results. Sometimes, you may not be able to control yourself but instead of feeling very guilty about it, you need to go back to your plan and find another way to fight that trigger. You may also find out different ways to improve your willpower so that you can fight the next trigger whenever it shows up.

References

1. Truth Of Addiction
2. Relapse Prevention and the Five Rules of Recovery
3. Why Is It So Hard to Quit Drugs?