How to Beat Your Addiction for Good

You keep saying you want to be rid of it, but nothing works. You need to want it badly enough.

Step 1: Bond in recovery Bond and interact with others in recovery. Join a peer support group or find friends who are doing something about their addictions so that you don’t feel alone.
Step 2: Remove yourself Avoid places where you are likely to come across your vice. Stay away from people and places where you will be reminded of it.
Step 3: Get rest Give yourself rest, relaxation, respect, and stability in every aspect of your life. For self-esteem, start by eating well, exercising, and pacing yourself.
Step 4: Conquer inaction Push yourself to conquer distraction, laziness, and inaction. Attend talks, read books for inspiration, and stay physically active to get reconnected with the world.
TIP: You don’t have to hit bottom to begin recovering.
Step 5: Examine your thought patterns Examine the thought patterns that lead to your addiction, and the denials you attempt. Identify your triggers and eliminate them.
Step 6: Treat this like any sickness Treat withdrawal as you would any sickness and stick it out. You are getting your health and life back and you need to toughen up.
TIP: If you think you’re having detox symptoms, seek medical help right away.
Step 7: Replace the addiction Find something that gives you more pleasure than the addiction. Build a discipline and gratitude around that activity.
FACT: Data from 2002 to 2007 show that 11.9 percent of U.S. children lived with a parent who abused alcohol or drugs.