You’ve acknowledged that you have a problem and that your addicted behavior is interfering with other aspects of your life. You now want to know how to overcome your addiction. You probably didn’t intend to become hooked when you started. You could have felt you were just having fun and could stop whenever you wanted.

Many people who have struggled with addiction are astonished at how tough it may be to quit. You may even question, “Why can’t I quit?”

This article addresses some of the factors that contribute to the difficulty of overcoming an addiction. It also discusses the difficulties you may face as well as suggestions for success.

Why Is Quitting So Hard?

Addiction impairs your impulse control and judgment by affecting the frontal cortex of your brain. The brain’s reward system is also changed, such that the remembering of prior pleasures might even if the outcomes are unfavorable, create a need or heightened “hunger” for substances or pleasure activities.

These brain changes might make quitting difficult, but it is crucial to realize that addictions can be treated. Recovery is achievable with the correct approach and resources.

The good news is you can stop, however, it will be a tough journey., however, it will be a difficult journey. Several elements make quitting difficult, including physical, mental, emotional, and biological aspects.   This challenge is why so many people find therapy useful in guiding them through the quitting process. Despite this, many people are able to stop on their own.

Recap

Because addiction involves brain alterations, you may experience symptoms including impulsivity and cravings. These symptoms might make quitting more difficult, but selecting appropriate treatment choices can increase your chances of success. Overcoming Addiction: How to Get Rid of It Forever

Understanding Tolerance

Tolerance and withdrawal are critical components of addiction. People would undoubtedly find it much simpler to quit if they did not acquire tolerance or suffer withdrawal.

Tolerance is a physical as well as a psychological phenomenon. The more you repeat a behavior, the less sensitive it becomes to it, and the more times you must perform it to obtain the same outcome… Alcohol and opiates, for example, operate on certain regions of the brain, causing physical tolerance.

Exciting sensations are produced by behaviors such as sex and gambling, which fade with time. As tolerance builds, you may desire or need to use more of the substance or engage in more of the activity to have the same benefit.

Withdrawal Symptoms

When you quit using a drug or engaging in an activity that you are addicted to, you may suffer withdrawal symptoms. These symptoms are briefly eased when you resume taking the substance or engaging in the action. However, they fade with time and, in many cases, irreversibly when you cease.

Physical Symptoms

When you quit smoking, you are likely to suffer some unpleasant physical withdrawal symptoms. These symptoms might make quitting more difficult. Physical withdrawal symptoms can vary depending on the nature of your addiction, however, they may include:

• Appetite changes
• Feeling unwell
• Muscle aches
• Nausea
• Shaking
• Stomach upset

Physical withdrawal from alcohol and drugs often resolves over a period of days. However, the process is often uncomfortable and can be harmful. If you decide to quit smoking, it is best to have the support of a healthcare professional. There are other drugs that can assist with the physical withdrawal symptoms.

Psychological Symptoms

You may have psychological problems in addition to the painful physical signs of withdrawal. These might include:

• Anxiety
• Craving
• Depression
• Irritability
• Mood changes
• Sleeping difficulties

Discuss any mental and emotional withdrawal symptoms with your doctor, just as you would any physical withdrawal symptoms.

After you’ve gone through withdrawal, there are additional obstacles that make it tough to stay “on the wagon.” According to the (NIDA) Institute, in an addition to the physical withdrawal symptoms typically lasting about a week, psychological withdrawal symptoms can last much longer.

Challenges When Quitting

When your addictive behavior creates friction in your life, it is out of sync with the rest of it. These tensions do not just go away after making the decision to stop and going through the withdrawal process.

People with addictions typically use their addiction to cope with stress. When you resign, you lose that coping mechanism. This is why it is vital to have alternative coping skills in place before quitting.

A therapist can help you with these day-to-day issues. If you do not have healthy coping skills in place, you are likely to have strong urges to return to the addictive behavior “one more time.”

Relationship counseling can help you cope with and prevent conflicts without turning to addictive behavior for comfort and escape.

Ambivalence, or the contradictory feelings of wanting to continue with the addictive behavior but yet wanting to leave, is an element of the addictive process even in the early stages of experimentation.

This issue is typically framed in terms of “good” and “wrong,” particularly when it comes to sexual and illegal behavior. Guilt is understandable in certain instances but not in others.

Guilt and Justification

The discomfort you experience when your behavior doesn’t fit with your own standards of right and wrong can be a The discomfort you feel when your behavior does not conform to your own standards of good and wrong may be a powerful drive to change. However, such sentiments can often work against you, prompting you to explain your actions to yourself and others. This procedure may obstruct the choice to quit.

Some common justifications are:

• Denial: “It’s not a problem.”
• Minimization: “I have already cut down.”
• Comparisons: “Pollution is more dangerous,” “Uncle Ted drinks far more than I do.”
• Defiance: “I’d rather enjoy a limited life and have fun than give up and be frustrated..”
• Rationalization: “I’ve never robbed to support my addiction.,” “Whenever I’ve had a drink, I’m a lot more friendly.”
• Lesser of two evils: “It’s easier if I do it than if I’m terrible to live with.”
• Misinformation: “Cancer doesn’t run in my family,” “It has medicinal uses, so it’s OK,” “Chocolate is the only cure for PMS.”
• Taking behavior out of context: “Polygamy is allowed in several societies..”
• Glorification: “Queen Victoria was known to,” “Popes in the Scriptures had a large number of wives.,” “Jesus consumed alcohol.”

“The all or nothing attitude to sobriety is a tremendous blunder,” says Margaret Seide, MD, a board-certified psychiatrist.

Therapy can assist you in coping with unpleasant sensations as well as unravel the illogical notions that keep you hooked. Quitting smoking is neither easy nor simple, but a solid support group and treatment program will help you when you are ready.

How to Overcome Addiction

Overcoming an addiction is a process that includes making the decision to quit, preparing how to quit, dealing with withdrawal symptoms, and preventing relapse.

When it comes to addiction, you want to make sure you set yourself up for success. That is if you are attempting to avoid alcohol, avoid venues where you know there will be alcohol during the start of your recovery journey. — DR. MARGARET SEIDE

“This may include declining invitations to barbeques or dinner parties,” she continues. “However, bear in mind that there will be more events in your future as you gain more recovery and are more likely to feel confident making judgments that are in terms of expectations.”

Other methods for stopping an addiction include:

• Prepare to quit: Before you stop, consider what you will need to do to overcome your addiction. This might involve removing stressors from your surroundings and seeking social assistance.
• Consider medications to treat addiction:There are medicines that can help you quit drinking or using drugs safely and successfully if you have an addiction. When you decide to quit smoking, talk to your doctor about your alternatives.
• Consider your environment: Remove everything that may remind you of your addiction or provoke a hunger. In certain circumstances, you may need to alter your habits (such as avoiding pubs or restaurants where you used to drink) or social patterns (such as not hanging out with people you used to drink or use drugs with).
• Find distractions: Keeping oneself active might assist you to avoid cravings and relapse temptations. Make a plan for what you’ll do if a craving strikes. You might, for example, go for a stroll, read a book, watch a TV show, or phone a buddy.
• Get support: Inform those close to you of your plans and solicit their support. Knowing that there are individuals in your corner eager to assist you in coping with the hurdles of quitting might make you feel more encouraged when you face problems.

Psychotherapy, in addition to drugs, can be useful in assisting with addiction recovery. One strategy that might help people modify their thinking patterns and gain healthy abilities is cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT).