Glass-and-Sand

Futile musings of an old ghost

Breaking Perfidious Addiction 101

Daily writing prompt
When was the first time you really felt like a grown up (if ever)?

Addiction

Into addiction I was going. Well, it only happened this morning. Better late than never, they say. I did feel like an adult, a real one, when I canceled my account to a game I was getting addicted to. The game was that was much fun, but cost me a lot of time and money.

So I have done it. Now I can go back to the blog, my books, the concerts I love, and exercising seriously. Bliss.

How to fight it

When it comes to fighting the mental variety, whether it be to gaming, prostitution, or any other potentially destructive form, the key lies in harnessing one’s willpower. Unlike physical ones that may require external help, overcoming a mental addiction depends on one’s determination and self-control. By recognizing the detrimental effects of the habit and channeling efforts towards healthier alternatives such as engaging in hobbies, pursuing personal interests, and maintaining a balanced lifestyle, individuals can gradually break free from the grips of their mental addiction.

Conclusion

In conclusion, acknowledging the creeping slavery is a crucial step towards reclaiming control over one’s life. My recent decision to cancel an account for a game that had begun to dominate my time and finances serves as a poignant reminder that it’s never too late to take action. While the game provided a fleeting sense of enjoyment, the long-term costs outweighed the benefits. Embracing the challenges of overcoming addiction not only cultivates a sense of maturity but also fosters a more balanced and fulfilling professional existence. As professionals, we must remain vigilant in recognising and addressing such distractions, ensuring that our passions enhance rather than hinder our productivity and well-being.

Wisdom and Destiny

How to Overcome an Addiction

“The decision to change is one of the most important steps in overcoming an addiction. By acknowledging that a change is needed, it means that you recognize that there is a problem and have a desire to address it.

Making the decision to change and deciding what that will look like is a process that often takes time. This is known as the contemplation stage because it involves thinking about whether to change and how.

Ambitious goals are not always best, however. It is better to set a goal that you will actually achieve than to plan to quit “cold turkey” and end up relapsing, which can be more dangerous than simply continuing without any changes.

Consulting a doctor, addiction counselor, or psychologist is particularly helpful at this stage as they can help you understand the risks and what can help alleviate them.

Once you are clear on your goal, you may still need to prepare to change. Preparations include removing addictive substances from your home as well as eliminating triggers in your life that may make you more likely to use those substances again.

This often means getting rid of paraphernalia or other items that might trigger your desire to use a substance or engage in a harmful behavior. You may also find it necessary to change your routine so that you have less contact with people or settings that trigger cravings.

Other ways to prepare include deciding what approach you plan to use to overcome your addiction and getting the resources that you need to be successful.

For example, a person who is trying to quit smoking would start by deciding whether they are going to stop smoking cold turkey or gradually reduce their nicotine use. Next, they would get the tools they need to quit successfully such as finding a support group, buying nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) products, or talking to a healthcare provider about prescription smoking cessation medications…”


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Comments

One response to “Breaking Perfidious Addiction 101”

  1. ravishank Avatar

    Great essay
    This is especially poignant for those of us that have fought addiction and mental illness

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