Giving up an addiction can be hard, but it's never impossible if you really want to. And there's help available so that you can stay stopped. One useful approach is Breathing Space's Mindfulness Based Addiction recovery (MBAR), a meditation-based course that helps you become more aware of the habits of thinking that can lead into addictive behaviour. Book now
Being ready to give up an addiction
Many people know that their addiction is doing them no good, but still engage in it. This may go on for a long time before they recognise what's happening. Sometimes it takes a 'crisis' for this to happen - like a relationship breakdown, or financial problems. People may also start find that the substance or behaviour they are dependent on just doesn't work anymore. This can be the moment when someone is ready to seek help to give up his or her addiction.
Withdrawal after giving up an addiction
When giving up an addiction, there can be withdrawal symptoms. If it's a substance being given up - like alcohol, drugs or medication - there can be physical symptoms like aching, trembling, fever, or diarrhoea. If you are severely dependent on some substances such as alcohol, it can be dangerous to stop suddenly. So it is best to seek advice and help from a health professional such as your GP. Alongside this - and when stopping other addictive behaviours - there can be strong emotions like depression, anger, or frustration. The dependency may have been masking these, which is often why someone got addicted in the first place. Giving up an addiction means facing these difficult feelings, but it can help to know that they will subside and change over time.
Help to stay stopped
Once you've given up whatever it is you're addicted to, there is help available to stay stopped from health professionals and other organisations:
Looking after yourself
It can be helpful when you've given up an addiction to replace old habits with new ones. It's about making sure you are looking after your body and mind:
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