24 Feb Quitting Addiction
Change can be challenging. When trying to get over an addiction to drugs, alcohol or a behaviour, research confirms having a guide is a useful strategy. The following steps can help you move toward your recovery goals. To optimize your success, try implementing all 5 steps.
- Set a quit date. Choose a meaningful date such as a special event, birthday or anniversary.
- Change your environment. Try to remove reminders of the addiction-related substance or behaviour from your home, and prevent other people from doing so as well. For example, if you are trying to quit drinking, remove any alcohol, bottle openers, wine glasses and corkscrews.
- Distract yourself. If you feel an urge to use, flip the switch and busy yourself until the urge passes. Prepare a list of activities you can draw from such as going for a walk, calling a friend or family member…
- Review your past quitting attempts. What worked, what didn’t? Think about what may have contributed to your relapse and consider what you need to do to not repeat that pattern.
- Have a support network.Talk to your family and friends and ask for their encouragement and support. Let them know you are quitting. If they use your object of addiction, ask them not to do so in front of you. Also, you might want to consider talking to your health care provider about the method of quitting that is best for you. Meditation and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy are useful strategies for dealing with underlying issues related to self-worth and stress, utilizing these tools may increase your chance of success.
Feel free to reach out if you need support finding an effective path to recovery. Naturopathic medicine is based on individualizing health through a focused, efficient means that address the underlying cause of dis-ease to ultimately help people gain more healthy years doing what they love in their personal and professional lives.
I treat patients locally at my Naturopathic practice in Vancouver, B.C.
To honoring your health potential!
Licensed Naturopathic Physician, Menopause Clinician, Acupuncturist, Author, and Health Educator