Help for an addiction

[trthskr]

I've been sturgginling with an addiction for the past 3 years or so, or at least, that's when I really knew it was definitely an addiction after talking to a therapist over the phone and after reading a book. Since then I have seen 4 therpaist with no avail. I'm currently seeing a hypnotherapist who also uses EMDR. I've seen her since October and see her every 2 weeks. I also went to a Tony Robbins workshop in November hoping that that would make something click and help me conquer it but it still hasn't! I was wondering if any of you guys have some advice on how I can kick this addiction. I really need to do something as I am turning 32 next month and my life is just in standstill mode while others are passing me by and moving on with their life, getting married, career changes, etc.

[Khristine]

Before you can rid yourself of any addiction you have to change your mind about it. Drinking, drugs, smoking all start out innocent enough, and then "wham!" we think we need them for whatever reason we are giving ourselves, and continue to keep the habit.

Now I don't know what this addiction of yours is but I find it interesting that a therapist told you over the phone and you read it in a book. I would find someone that you know and trust - who does not have the same addiction - and ask them what they think about this, do they see you as an addict?

Personally, I do drink - once every 3 or 4 months my hubby and I go out, shoot some pool, dance and have a few drinks. Now I do not consider myself a alcoholic, however someone that's been throught AA may tell me that I am, and that's their opinion - but that's not how I think.

You also said:
I really need to do something as I am turning 32 next month and my life is just in standstill mode while others are passing me by and moving on with their life, getting married, career changes, etc.

Remember this is your life - not a competition. It's not about what "they" are doing....It's about you.

[John Hill]

Hi,

Although some addictions appear to be physical I believe most are psychological and if this is the case you have to attack the problem mentally. It may not be easy to simply stop thinking about what you are addicted to, if it was I guess you wouldn't have the addiction in the first place. However that is essentially what you need to do.

Some people may disagree with me but I don't think going to meetings is the best advice for some people. Let me expalin why. If you have an understanding of the law of attraction or the correct wording of affirmations, the number one rule with both is to focus on the positive not the negative. If you want to get out of debt, you don't think about how to get out of debt, you avoid think about debt altogether or think about abundance. If you compose an affirmation you don't say "I don't want to be ADDICTED anymore", you would more likely say something like "with a clear mind I am in control of my life". The same thing goes for meetings, I'm not sure that spending time with others talking about addiction is the answer, although for some people maybe it is.

Having said this, what I would suggest and I agree this will take some serious effort on your part but you need to fill in that time you spend thinking about your addiction or engaging in your addiction by doing other activities. Find as many things you can possibly do and make a list. If this means you need to be doing something at every moment of the day other than when you are working or sleeping, then so be it. Keep your mind occupied at all times by doing things you like, being around people who you like and who like you.

The problem is in your mind, it may be related to a fear but you can overcome this on your own if you believe you can. Gaining a better understanding of how your mind works could be helpful. There is plenty of information on the mind at the link below. Best of luck.

John

[Matthew Shea]

I have two things to suggest:

First, find yourself a spiritual advisor. If you're not spiritual or religious yourself, ask for a recommendation from someone you trust. If you're atheist or agnostic, find yourself a good counselor who can help you find some direction.

Second, find a trusted role model, ideally one you can be close to, like a friend or family member. Let them know what you're looking for and that you'd like to use their example to help you live a better life.

I wish you the best of luck.

[laur_454]

Just a quick piece of info.... Deepak Chopra has an amazing book titled "Overcoming Addiction" and his point of view on the matter is incredibly comforting. It really helped me feel positive when I began to face my demons and tackle my own addictions. Here are a few sentences that really resonated with me:

"I see the addict as a seeker, albeit a misguided one. The addict is a person in quest of pleasure, perhaps even of a kind of transcendent experience - and I want to emphasize that this kind of seeking is extremely positive. The addict is looking in the wrong places, but he is going after something very important, and we cannot afford to ignore the meaing of his search. At least initially, the addict hopes to experience seomthing wonderful, something that transcends an unsatisfactory or even intolerable every day reality. There's nothing to be ashamed of in this impulse. On the contrary, it provides a foundation for true hope and real transformation..... In my view, a person who has never felt the pull of addictive behavior is someone who has not taken the first faltering step toward discovering the true meaning of Spirit. Perhaps addiction is nothing to be proud of, but it does represent an aspiration toward a higher level of experience. And although that aspiration cannot ultimately be fulfilled by chemicals or compulsive behaviors, the very attempt suggest the presence of a genuinely spritual nature."

I believe that different things work for different people. My brother, for example, has had tremendous success in twelve step programs. I, however, was hypnotized and I've read tons on the subject of addiction and enlightenment and just somehow changed my thought pattern and got over it. Its so incredibly frustrating and i felt at times like there was no light at the end of the tunnel. I feel for you!!

here is a link to where you can purchase it on amazon.com if you're interested.

Peace,
Lauren

[Dating Specialist]

Since we don't know what you're addicted to, so we can only wild guess.

Maybe you can test this out using an NLP technique. What you can do is find out what things puts you off. Totally repels you. Like for example, smell of trash, dead rats, pests, etc. Whatever that works.

Then replace this image (magnify it to increase the repulsiveness) with the one you are addicted to. We are changing the submodalities in your mental images so that whenever you think of doing what you're addicted to, it switches to that repulsive image.

You need to repeat this exercise as many times as you need and to magnify the bad image.

Test it out and see if it helps to get rid of your addiction.

[shesaboutspirit]

Gary Zukav of "Seat of the Soul", says that our addictions are the place of the greatest opportunities for growth. I believe he's right.

My biggest addictions are those two glasses of wine at night. Socially acceptable maybe, but I know they are helping me to sedate the loneliness that strikes every day at that same time. I've quit for many years...and only replaced the wine with something else. Ultimately, the inner emptiness needs to be healed.

I keep working at it...it's about truly developing a relationship with one's self. Deeply. Not just a surface fix...but a deep, personal and for me, spiritual relationship to one's source and self.

And it goes on... maybe forever.

[ReallyGoodIdeas]

EFT can be used for addictions. The theory is (and I find this useful) that any addiction is actually us trying to self-medicate against an anxiety or its a way to repress our feelings.

If you can define and deal with (using EFT) the anxiety, the urge for the addictive substance is reduces substantially, then it's just a habit to change. Which can also be done with EFT. All this can be done aby a skilled EFT practitioner. You can find a list of them here: Referrals to EFT Practitioners.

Usually I'll describe better how to do EFT, but since I don't know your addiction or situation, I reckon you'r ebetter off dealing with someone in person who you can talk to...

Good luck
Joy to you
Hazel

[Eli]

trthskr
I can completely identify with on an addiction. I don't the exact addiction you have but places such as the rooms of AA-NA, gamblers anonymus, sex anonymus have had some amazing results with people with these issues so perhaps you might think about giving them a try. good luck. Peace....Eli

[Jimmy123]

Of the various medical, psychological, and nutritional treatment options that address addiction recovery, there is no consensus among experts that one is better than any other. However, research is emerging that strongly suggests the most hopeful and effective treatment is a carefully structured, personally tailored, and professionally orchestrated synthesis of all three.
Since you don't specify what your addiction is here is a link to general information

[Alison Jenkins]

You don't say what addiction you are suffering with or whether there are several addictions. People can be addicted to so many things, drugs, alcohol, food, sex, gambling, work, exercise etc etc I work with many people who are addicts and central to it all is how they feel about themselves. Do the therapists you have worked with have training in addiction? It is so impt to understand addiction and how to help someone through it. The addiction usually numbs out the painful feelings that are inside.

There are also 12 step programmes which are support groups for recovering addicts. They range from alcholics anonymous, narcotics anonymous, overeaters anonymous (for all eating disorders), sex addicts anonymous, sex and love addicts anonymous, CODA (codependents), gamblers anonymous, workaholics anonymous etc etc They have regular meetings in lots of countries around the world both f2f and online.

Get support to find recovery as addiction ususally just gets worse and worse. The best thing I ever did was get recovery from my addiction

Alison