Defeating Addiction

Addiction, it comes in all forms, from innocent but fattening addiction to chocolate to more serious things that destroy lives, like alcohol, drugs, pornography. Many addictions start small, then grow. You don't ever wake up one day and suddenly have an addiction to something. This makes it very hard to challenge, fight, and defeat. Never loose hope, you can defeat your addictions. It will take work, hard unflinching work, but you can do it. Remember to hold onto hope, that is your greatest weapon in the battles ahead.

The most important thing that you must do is to totally commit to defeating your addiction. You can't protect or rationalize any part of it! Second if you have a religion throw yourself into it, I will not tell you what to believe. One thing I know is that there is a higher being, whatever you call him, he is there, he will help. It is never too much or too late, he will always have his hand stretched out in support and love, take a hold of it. Next, you need to identify triggers or things that set it off. When those things come up you need to resist them, create a plan. To defeat those triggers you will need to replace them with positive things. It is also good if you have many different things that you can replace your triggers with.

Don't do the same thing over and over to escape, this can turn into a trigger itself. Be creative. Sing, draw, write, walk, exercise, volunteer, serve, ride a bike... the list goes on and on. Triggers could be anything and be anywhere. Books, songs, TV, movies, ads, this list goes on and on too. You also need to replace your bad habits with good habits. It is important that you have something in you addiction's place, when you remove it it creates a void. That void needs to be filled with a good thing. Getting a hobby is a very good place to start. You need to be actively doing something good to fight, and defeat the addiction. Seek support. Friends, family, support group. You have them for a reason, choose someone that will help you, someone who cares for you. Once you have defeated your addiction you must continue to you good habits, or form new ones. If you just stop there will be a void again.

I know that it is a difficult process, sometime it can seem impossible. Don't give up. Fortify yourself with good things, things that uplift. You will be able to tell what is uplifting and what is not. Choose your friends, music, entertainment, and your surroundings very carefuly.

Hope is a guiding star,
never wavering,
rely on it, and your way will be lit.
Hope is a guiding star.