Addiction self help – understand first and then take the action that will really help

Addictions self help principles are pretty much the same - whether you are looking to free yourself from drug addiction, shameful and private dependencies (for example gambling, retail or internet sex) or binge behaviours (eating and alcohol for example).

Addictions arise as coping strategies to high stress which not only do not work but make things worse. Addictions in origin are therefore pretty close to anxieties and depressions.

And finally, addiction self help requires adherence to similar principles that apply to recovery from other mental and emotional problems.

These are the themes of much of this website and rather than repeat all the arguments here, the best approach surely is that you read and understand what you need for yourself. Start with the links in the boxes below the images.

Wrapping it up!

1. In understanding exactly what an addiction is, focus on the psychological rather than the physical manifestations – read the cuckoo.
2. Then evaluate your current work/life balance by undertaking a Needs audit.
3. Decide how much progress you can make – regarding changes to how you do things and how you view things – that will take pressure off you and so reduce levels of arousal. This in turn will weaken the addiction’s hold.
4. And then give some thought to the addiction in question – what are the patterns and triggers that feed it? You can then decide if you can shift these if only by a little - by changing your daily patterns or by imagining different outcomes.
5. You might need help if arousal levels just do not come done. But make sure that it is the right kind of help – practical, knowledgeable and experienced.

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