What Is Addiction?
How to Overcome Addiction – Whether your addiction is drugs, cigarettes or alcohol, or such abstract things as gambling, pornography or the internet; or even seemingly harmless products, such as chocolate or sugar, or even bread or cheese. Some people are also addicted to over the counter prescription drugs. Whatever it is your addiction may reach a point at which it is harmful.
Addiction may lead to feelings of guilt, shame, hopelessness, despair, failure, rejection, anxiety and/or humiliation.
If you are addicted to something, which you believe you cannot control. You probably believe that you are dependent upon it to cope with daily life.
A habit may eventually develop into an addiction
Many of us can use substances or become engaged in activities without any significant problems. Some people, however, may experience damaging psychological and/or physical effects when their habit becomes an addiction and when you start your habit you will not be aware that this may cause a problem for you.
What is the difference between a habit and an addiction?
Put simply – with a habit you are in control of your choices, with an addiction you are not in control of your choices.
Addiction to substances or activities can sometimes lead to serious problems at home, work, university and socially, as well as ill health.
The causes of addiction vary considerably, and are not often fully understood. They are generally caused by a combination of physical, mental, circumstantial and emotional factors.
Addiction, often referred to as dependency often leads to tolerance – the addicted person needs larger and more regular amounts of whatever they are addicted to in order to receive the same effect. As an example a person may start off just being a social smoker, but over time becomes a chain smoker. Often, the initial reward is no longer felt, and the addiction continues because withdrawal is so unpleasant.
How to Overcome Addiction
Cognitive behavioural therapy is helpful in anticipating likely problems and enhancing self-control by helping develop effective coping strategies. Specific techniques include exploring the positive and negative consequences of continued addiction, self-monitoring to recognize cravings early and identify situations that might put one at risk for use, and developing strategies for coping with cravings and avoiding those high-risk situations. This combined with hypnotherapy to help your subconscious mind find solutions to the issue may be the combination that helps you to make the changes you desire.
If you need help to change please call Leigh on 01908 265410 or e-mail lee.adley@yahoo.co.uk. A free 20 minute initial consultation is available, please just ask.