Addiction is not something to ashamed of. It’s not an illness nor is it a sign of your mental weakness, it’s a sinister condition that creeps its way into your life without you even realizing it before it’s too late. Addiction is something you need to recognize, acknowledge, and learn how to overcome. For a gentleman, overcoming addiction can be as simple as introducing a healthy yoga habit or it might require a more calculated approach that requires you to make several positive changes in your life.
However severe your addiction might be, keep in mind that there is nothing a true gentleman can’t overcome when he invests his heart, mind, and soul into achieving an important goal. That said, it’s also important to take the matter seriously, and follow the proper procedure towards complete addiction recovery. Here are the steps you can take today to overcome your addiction for good.
Understanding that you have a problem
First of all, and this might seem like a no-brainer, it’s important that you truly realize you have an addiction. You might think that this is something you would notice right off the bat, but the harsh reality of addiction is that it can oftentimes go unnoticed for years at a time. In fact, you might just be a high-functioning alcoholic, slowly poisoning your body without even realizing it. It might not be apparent right now because you’re feeling great, but the consequences of substance abuse will become obvious in the future.
This is why it’s important to assess whether or not you truly have an addiction problem. Firstly, analyze your consumption habits. Whether you’re drinking, smoking, or consuming cannabis, you need to do so in moderation. But, how much is too much? Where should you draw the line? As a general rule of thumb, you can conclude that an addiction is creeping up on you if you feel the irresistible need to indulge in the substance. Remember, this is not as benign as indulging in chocolate or pastries. If alcohol or any other substance is irresistible to you, you might be becoming addicted.
Deciding to make a positive change
Weak people do not want to change. Weak people do not want help. Weak people are afraid to say no to their addiction. As a gentleman, you are allowed to show your vulnerability to the world, but emotional vulnerability should never be misconstrued as weakness. As a gentleman, you should be strong physically and mentally, a man who holds the reins to his life.
It doesn’t matter if you’re trying to quit smoking, eliminate an alcohol addiction or worse, you need to understand that you have the power and potential to achieve this goal. But you can’t, nor should you try to do it alone. Once you have decided that you need to make a positive change, you need to take control by researching proven rehab methods. Usually, this means you’ll need to talk to a professional.
Don’t try to do it all on your own
There is no shame in letting someone else probe around your mind, and your soul, to discover the root cause of your addiction. There is no shame in letting someone else in, and allowing them to use their experience and expertise to help you overcome your addiction once and for all. The truth is that you stand a much higher chance of experiencing a relapse if you try to beat this all on your own.
And remember, there are numerous ways you can educate yourself on the matter, as nowadays rehab centers are increasingly assuming an educative role in their communities in order to not only treat the symptoms, but influence the mindsets of their clients as well. Use these resources to educate yourself about your addiction, assess all possible rehab options, and find the professional help that is tailored to your needs and your lifestyle.
It takes time and persistence
In the hectic modern world, people want to achieve their goals as quickly as possible. However, keep in mind that achieving important goals in life takes time, persistence, and hard work. No matter if you’re trying to motivate yourself to get to the gym every single day, or if you’re trying to stick to a healthy diet, or even if you’re trying to banish an unhealthy addiction, you can’t expect to do it overnight. Your mind will always try to hold on to what feels familiar, to what it’s used to.
Meaningful change is a difficult process, especially when you’re trying to turn your entire life around. With that said, it’s important to be patient and understand that this process could take up to several months. That’s completely fine, just remain steadfast in your decision to follow through with your treatment, and complement your efforts with other healthy lifestyle changes.
Add healthy habits to your routine every week
Within a healthy body resides a healthy mind. Let this be your mantra every time you feel like crashing on the couch when you could be up and about leading a proactive lifestyle. When you’re trying to make a positive change such as eliminate an addiction, it’s important to maintain a healthy lifestyle overall so that small healthy habits can support this grander goal.
With that in mind, strive to add one healthy habit to your routine every week. You can start with a simple exercise program. Find a training split that fits your schedule, something sustainable that motivates you to push your limits and lead a healthier lifestyle. Next week, eliminate one unhealthy meal from your diet. Substitute it with a home cooked dish containing whole foods and nutritious ingredients. Find healthy habits to fill out your daily schedule, and you should have no problem sticking to your rehab program.
Make a strategy to avoid a relapse
With all of that said, there is always a small chance that you might relapse into your previous condition. You’ll need to make a strong battle plan to ensure this doesn’t happen, and prepare a contingency plan if it does. Be sure to prepare for every scenario to minimize your chances of this happening.
You will need to eliminate all temptation from your surroundings, that’s a given. You shouldn’t think of this as you avoiding the substance altogether, or that you can’t be with it in the same room, it simply means that you’re not ready to stand up to temptation. Over time, though, you will become strong enough to resist every urge, and the presence of the addictive substance will no longer pose any threat. Until then, avoid temptation, stick to the treatment, and seek positive encouragement from likeminded individuals.
Surround yourself with likeminded people
On a final note, understand that you’re not alone in this. There are many support groups out there for every type of addiction that welcome people who seek friendship, compassion, and encouragement. Most importantly, these people have been through the things you’re currently going through.
They understand the process and what it entails, and they can help you not only cope with the withdrawal symptoms, but overcome them more efficiently while enjoying the entire process. Seek these people out, and let them help you on your journey towards lifelong sobriety.
Final thoughts
Addiction is a serious condition that shouldn’t be trivialized or mocked, but rather you need to take it seriously and develop a strategic approach to overcome it once and for all. Follow these steps to pave the road to a healthy and vibrant lifestyle, a life free of unhealthy addictions.
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