ADDICTION: CAUSES, DETRIMENTS AND SOLUTIONS - Part 2

This week, we will be concluding on how to overcome the pang of addiction. Before we proceed, I'll like to state that the journey towards complete redemption from addiction is hard, strenous, and very challenging. However, it is not an impossible mission. With divine intervention, parental, friends and family backing and most importantly, self-will, addiction will become an history in your life. If I can be free, you can be free also.

Without further ado, I'll reel out the essential steps needed to be taken to surmount addiction.

Step 1: Admit

The very first step is to admit and accept you have a problem. If you don't do this, that implies the problem does not exist. Convicting yourself
justly will go a long way in helping you to break free from whatever you're addicted to. The guilt and shame that comes with addiction is powerful, and these emotions commonly act as barriers to getting help. Without admitting a problem, it's difficult to commit to treatment - and recovery is nearly impossible without that commitment. It may be hard to give in and admit to not only a drug or alcohol problem, but that the problem is too big to handle alone. However, those who put off this crucial step are more likely to continue abusing substance or things, which only continues the dangerous cycle. Don't let an addiction continue to control your life any longer.

Step 2: Evaluate 

Addiction, as well as many other issues in your life, are chronic, meaning they have been with you for a long time, and likely will be with you in the future. If you attempt to get rid of these issues you will continue to be frustrated because by their very nature they are not going away! So what is the answer? You need to learn to manage these issues in a way that takes the power out of them and relegates them to the backseat. The idea of managing addiction may seem impossible if you believe you are powerless over your addiction, but let me assure you, not only can you learn to manage your addictions just like other chronic medical conditions, you will find that you have a lot of power to do things you never thought possible.

Step 3: Brace Yourself for the Challenge

After admission and evaluation, next is to get ready to wage war against any form of the addiction. I must confess to you, it isn't easy. Nothing good comes easy also. It takes a lot of will, courage and self-denial to overcome addiction. It involves killing the urge and getting rid of temptations that will arise in the course of your redemption. Vow to stay sober no matter the itch for alcohol. Get rid of the source or tool of your addiction - from alcoholic drinks, drugs, gambling, cigarettes, to mobile phones, video games, computer etc. Keep it where you can't easily locate or at best, give it out. Try as much as possible to avoid routes that lead to popular drugs/alcohol joints or video games and casino centres in your 'hood. If you can't, never make a second stop near, at or in front of the place. Failure to do these will bring you a step down from your rehabilitation and before one could say Jack Robinson, you're back to what you denounced.

Step 4: Be Assertive and Proactive

The essence of addiction management is to find a path that limits or eliminates addictive behavior and maximizes opportunities for living life to its fullest. The more you live the life you want, the less desire and need there is for addiction. The best way this can be actualized is to lead a life void of negative influence, especially from friends. Learn to control and suppress to the barest minimum, your love for the addiction. Walk away whenever it seems you're being pushed to go back to your vomit. It's your personal decision, a life changing one so no one has the right to convince or confuse you away from doing the right thing. Avoid gatherings that'll bring up discussions and interests related to your denounced addiction. Get rid or change friends that won't support your newly found way of life.

Finally, engage in activities that will keep your heart, soul and body away from your addiction.

If you find it difficult to undergo steps 1-4 listed above, then I solidly advice you to seek medical attention and go under rehabilitation. Visit a mental health therapist, psychiatrist and most importantly, seek God's intervention for treatment.

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Author: LAMBE OLANREWAJU

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