Youre Addicted to You: Why Its So Hard to Change - And What You Can Do about It

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A linear progression through the stages is not the norm. Individuals tend to move back and forth through the stages, re-cycling through them until the change becomes fully established.

Altering our behavior takes time — and it often involves backtracking

As we come to gain knowledge behind the meaning and function of each stage we may gain a further understanding of where we stand in regards to our own progress. By identifying where we are in the process we can then shape and guide our goals to assist us in moving from one stage to the next. As you read through the following stages of change, I encourage you to consider what stage you may be in and what actions you might take to progress to the next.

The first stage of change is one in which individuals may be aware of the behavioral change they desire; however, they have no conscious intention of altering, changing, or stopping their behavior. Often times this may be due to a lack of insight or full awareness into their problems. One may also find themselves in this stage due to numerous unsuccessful attempts to change that have led them to give up trying.

Addiction - when you just can't stop

For example; a mother who begins to notice that drinking wine every night while cooking dinner may be a problem after her child continually mentions it to her. In order to progress through this stage it is essential to instill motivation towards change within.

This can be done through educating oneself on the behavioral change that is up for debate. Say, by researching what moderate versus problematic alcohol consumption looks like. Looking at the positive outcomes of changing or continuing your behavior, as well as how your behavior may conflict with your personal goals or values can also prove to be helpful. Individuals often move past this stage once their perception of the advantages of change is more substantially developed.

The contemplation stage of change is characterized by having further insight and awareness into the behavior that is up for debate.

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At this stage an individual acknowledges that they have a problem and begins an internal debate about pursuing change. This can be the most difficult and frustrating stage of change, as it entails a high level of uncertainty. A substantial amount of time may be spent in this stage because many people may not find themselves ready to commit to making a change.

They may remain in this stage, perhaps feeling stuck as they go back and forth between measuring the benefits and costs of behavioral change. Conduct a thorough analysis of the advantages and disadvantages of continuing with the proposed behavior or moving forward with behavioral change. The most helpful way to do this is may be by actually sitting down with a pen and paper and writing your thoughts out. Behavior Up for Debate: Stress relief, smoke breaks, social aspect. Not good for my health , expensive, smell , fiance upset with me. Save money, improve health, improve relationships, won't smell bad.

Will miss the social aspect, might miss having the outlet for stress relief. In addition, examine the potential obstacles that may get in the way of change and work to identify ways in which you may overcome them. This is something that can be more easily analyzed after completing your costs and benefits analysis, as you may be aware of some of the things that you see as advantages that may pose as obstacles.

For example; if you know that you use smoking as a stress relief a potential obstacle could be not having an alternative solution. Therefore, identifying ways in which you could relieve stress in a healthier way, such as exercise, could be beneficial. Individuals progress to the preparation stage of change upon committing to the intention to change in the immediate future. The advantages of making said change have been established as outweighing the costs that they might incur. It is at this stage that one may begin to actually take or experiment with small steps towards change, typically within the period of one month.

For example; someone who would like to eat healthier may purchase a nutritious eating cookbook or an individual struggling with anger issues may look into possibilities for professional help. What makes or breaks whether an individual progresses through this stage to the next is their commitment to exploring, planning and insuring.

Think through all the possible avenues towards change, explore how you will achieve the change that you desire. Individuals may benefit from drawing up contracts with themselves, setting specific measurable goals, and detailing how they will accomplish the task at hand. Gastro - a tummy bug Glandular fever Go find out - about allergies Go find out!

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Addiction - when you just can't stop drugs; addiction; compulsive; behaviours; smoking; alcohol; inhalants; glue; sniffing; legal; illegal; eating; disorders; exercise; Contents What is addiction? Types of addiction What can be addictive? Signs of addiction If someone you care about is suffering from an addiction What can you do to help?

What kids say Dr Kim says What is addiction? Types of addiction There are two types of addiction. What can be addictive?

People can become addicted to a wide range of things. But people can also become addicted to behaviours, which take over their lives Compulsive behaviours can include: Signs of addiction If someone you care about is showing several of these signs, then they could be suffering from an addiction and need help If someone you care about is suffering from an addiction Tell that person that you care about them and are worried about what they are doing.

Tell someone you trust about it. Do some research on whatever they are using or doing and show them or tell them what you have found. Think about your trusted adults and talk to them until something is done. Encourage them to be more active and join in with others. Keep yourself safe by: What can you do to help?

You cannot really help someone who has an addiction. That person has to help himself or herself. What kids say "My mum and dad split up because of alcohol". Knowing your triggers will help you face them down when the time comes to quit. Stress is often a trigger for all kinds of addictions. Certain situations, like parties or other social gatherings, might act as triggers.

Certain individuals can be triggers. Start ramping down your addictive habit. Instead of quitting immediately, start by decreasing your use. For most people, this makes it easier to quit.

Indulge less frequently, and gradually continue reducing it as your day to quit for good approaches. Get your environment ready. Remove reminders of your addiction from your home, car and workplace.

Get rid of all the objects that goes along with the habit, as well as other items that remind you of the habit. Fill your refrigerator with wholesome food. Treat yourself to a few good books or DVDs provided they don't contain content that could act as a trigger. Place candles and other aesthetically pleasing items around the house. You might want to try redecorating your bedroom, rearranging the furniture, or just buying a few new throw pillows.

Changing your environment will give you the feeling of having a fresh start. Stop the addictive behavior as planned. When the big day arrives, keep your promise to yourself and quit. Those first few days are going to be hard. Keep yourself busy and stay positive. You're on your way to an addiction-free life. If you need distractions, try exercising, taking up a new hobby, cooking, or hanging out with friends. Joining a new club, sports team, or other kind of community group will help you make new friends and start a new chapter of your life in which addiction is not a part of.

Positive social interactions can stimulate the release of neurochemicals which elicit feelings of happiness and satisfaction without the need for drugs. Exercise releases endorphin chemicals like the ones released in addiction, which is why sometimes you'll hear the term "runner's high". Keep clear of your triggers. Stay away from the people, places and things that make you want to go back to your old habits. You might need to construct a completely new routine for a while until the edge wears off a bit. Don't give in to rationalizations.

The physical and mental pain of addiction withdrawal is real, and you'll likely start telling yourself it's okay to take up the habit again. Don't listen to the voice telling you to start back up and don't give up on yourself when it feels hard. Every bit of pain will be worth it in the end.

Common rationalizations include the idea that "it's a free country" or "we all have to die sometime. Go back to your list of reasons for quitting to remember why you're doing this. Think about why quitting is more important than staying addicted.

Visit support groups and your therapist each time you feel in danger of relapsing. Don't let a relapse be the end of your journey. Everyone slips up from time to time. That doesn't mean you should give in and return to your addictive habits in a full-blown relapse. If you have a slip up, go back over what happened and determine what changes you can make if it happens again.

Then get back on your feet and start again. It takes time for new habits to fully kick in. Keep a plan in place rather than giving up. Don't let guilt and shame take over if you slip up. You're trying your best, and all you can do is keep at it. Do something nice for yourself when you meet the goals you've made, no matter how small. Kicking an addiction is incredibly tough work, and you deserve to be rewarded. It is a common addiction.

It is often used as a way to distract from negative emotions. Not Helpful 2 Helpful Try a self-help book and join a support group. Become aware of the emotions that this action is covering up as well. The more conscious and aware you can become about the purpose of your addiction, the better.

Not Helpful 0 Helpful 2. It is actually one of the biggest addictions since the birth of the internet. Not Helpful 32 Helpful When you think about porn or sex, simply close your laptop or turn off whatever device you are on. It will get easier as time goes by. Not Helpful 44 Helpful How do I stop my porn addiction? It's getting so bad and I give in easily. It's like I do it one day, I don't the next, then I do it again.

The Likely Cause of Addiction Has Been Discovered, and It Is Not What You Think | HuffPost

I know what this can be like, and it's really, really hard. But I know you can do it. Just one day, get determined and don't do it! If you don't do it, then celebrate.

The Likely Cause of Addiction Has Been Discovered, and It Is Not What You Think

Eat nice food, go out into town, anything that seems better than porn. Your brain will value that celebration over the porn, and you will start to stop. Not Helpful 0 Helpful There are various reasons depending on what you read, so it's suggested that you do some wide-ranging reading on this field. However, some of the most common reasons cited include a person's internal chemistry some may be more prone to addiction than others , loneliness no support crew, only detractors and a sense of initial empowerment and freedom from pain the pain may be physical or mental and include being ill or feeling helpless.

It's a good idea to read more as this is a complex topic that no tiny answer could ever hope to satisfy. Not Helpful 13 Helpful Make or print a calendar and for every day you don't masturbate, cross that day out and move on to the next day. Not Helpful 14 Helpful What can I do if I can't ask my parents because I don't want them to get involved? Ask the person to be a "sponsor" of sorts. Not Helpful 9 Helpful

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