THE STORY OF HELEN
Helen who was the only child of her parents was nine years of age when her uncle took her on a hiking trip, he gave her only a sip of alcoholic drink, she liked the taste and yearned for more. As time rolled on, she would visit her friend after school, Kate who lives in the neighborhood, whose father was an alcoholic would always oblige Helen by giving her tiny drizzles of alcohol. Helen was always grateful for a generous sip and yearned for more. As Helen grew up, the taste of the first alcohol she had became stronger and her thirst for it superseded the fear of its consequence. Alcohol became a closer companion to her than her parents. By the time Helen was in college, she could no longer control the stream of strong alcoholic content into her system. From just a sip, to a gulp and now she is drown. This strong addiction morphed into several other complications like heroine and cocaine intake. She had failed several times in college and life had never been more terrifying for Helen than the point when she realized that solace could only be found in drugs and alcohol.
Just like Helen, a lot of people are saddled with several complicated issues of which they are addicted to. Truth is, a large percentage of those people who have had to grapple with addiction hate the fact that they are in such a helpless situation. Some face a lot of stigmatization by others like Helen who was rather known as one who was generally and sexually immoral. Some others go into depression and isolation, and before long, suicide becomes the only way of escape.
WHO IS AN ADDICT?
A lot of people assume that addictions only occur to people who frequently abuse substances, so they think that engaging occasionally in substance abuse is a safe way to avoid addiction. They also believe that addiction only occurs in people who are weak-willed, or in people who have family members that also struggle with addiction. However, the reality is that anyone can develop an addiction, no matter how many times he’s used the substance, and no matter if he has a family history of addiction or not. Many substances, especially illegal ones like heroin, cocaine and methamphetamine, can cause people to develop an addiction after a single use. And, even some legal substances, such as cigarettes and alcohol, have the potential for addiction after only a few uses.
Your addiction could be heroine, cocaine, smoking, alcohol, caffeine, porn, masturbation, gambling, same sex attraction..... the list is endless. Keep reading as I take you through a couple of steps that will help you break free.
THE WAY OUT OF ADDICTION
Helen knew she had to stop. Her "breaks" could only last 2 days before that alcohol and drugs withdraw set in. Horrible pain behind her eyes, irritability, confusion, muscle aches.
But if you are like Helen today and you are tired of struggling with addiction and want to BREAK FREE, I assure you that you are on your way out of it. It could be slowly, but definite.
- The first rule of breaking free is admitting that you have a problem, and it is not easy. Now it's time to make a plan for quitting, seek help, and prepare yourself for obstacles you'll surely encounter.
2.Take out a pen and a piece of paper and brainstorm a list that includes all the negative effects you've experienced since your addiction started. Also write down all the harmful effects of your addiction. I know it is not easy and doesn't feel good, but this step will help your resolve a great deal. After writing them down, paste the paper where you can always see it. Having a regular eye contact with it is a great way to go.
- Now that you've detailed all the negative effects of your addiction, think about how much your life will improve once you've kicked the habit. Create a picture of your life post-addiction. How do you want it to look? Write down all the positive things that comes with a life void of drugs and alcohol and paste it where you can also have a frequent eye contact with it.
4.Seek personal and professional support. It might not seem like it now, but you're going to need all the support you can get during your journey to overcome addiction. Because so many people battle addictions, there are many wonderful institutions in place that serve as support systems, helping you stay motivated, providing tips for success, and encouraging you to try again if you have a false start. Do not be ashamed to tell someone you trust can help you.
5.Identify your triggers and stay away. Everyone has a certain set of triggers that make them automatically want to indulge their habits. For example, if you're struggling with an alcohol addiction, you might find it difficult to attend a certain restaurant or bar without feeling a strong urge to drink. If you're addicted to gambling, passing a casino on the way home from work might make you feel compelled to stop. Knowing your triggers will help you face them down when the time comes to quit.Stay away from the people, places and things that make you want to go back to your old habits. If it means quitting your relationship, please do. (it is your life we are talking about here)
- Start cutting down on your addictive habits. Instead of quitting immediately which I do not advise, 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.
7.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.
Whenever there is a relapse, do not let it end your journey. Start all over again after every relapse, but I assure you that it will never be as difficult resisting it as the first time. Don't let guilt and shame take over if you slip up. You're trying your best, you are getting better and all you can do is keep at it.
Words of affirmation is magical. One of the most important steps to quicken the journey to overcoming addiction is by using mouth. Your words have creative power and you can either create or kill with your words. Don't take this for granted. Every morning, when you wake up, confess only positive things about yourself and how you have overcome addiction. Use words like "drug addiction is a thing of the past, I no longer have the urge inside of me" "porn addiction is dead in me, I hate it so much". Words are powerful and you can use it to your advantage.
Celebrate your accomplishments. 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.
FINAL NOTE: These were the steps that helped Helen BREAK FREE from alcoholic and drug addiction. Helen is a free woman today and she goes all over the world helping and educating ladies who are in similar dilemma that she had been in. Addiction is real and if not tackled on time, the end result is rather destructive and disastrous. You are not alone If you have the same struggle. I have been there and I have beaten addiction to death through this methods. Thank you for reading and I'd love to hear your testimony of how you have also beaten addiction.
Remain blessed.
Sammy Joe
Creative Director,
Sincraft Creative Media