3 ways to change your thinking to help you beat an addiction – how your thoughts can help you to stop being addicted.
The concept behind beating an addiction is simple; you stop taking drugs or drinking and the negative consequences stop happening.
It’s an easy formula, but being able to follow it through is incredibly difficult and different for everyone.
Surprisingly though, it is much more of a mental battle than it is a physical one, and so changing your thoughts and beliefs can be a huge step in the right direction on the path to living the happy life you deserve.
3 changes to the way you think that could help you beat your addiction
- Who is talking? You or your addiction?
The idea of the ‘Addiction Voice Recognition Technique’ is relatively new and is a commercial trademark of Jack Trimpey.
But for a lot of people, it’s a theory that brings a clarity to the battle with their addiction.
It works like this…
You separate your own rational and constructive thoughts from the chatter and distraction of your addiction’s voice. It is your addictive voice that plays tricks on the real you, and is the source of powerful denial, deceit and cravings.
For example, ‘well I’ve got to take cocaine tonight to make sure I’m on good form and don’t ruin everyone else’s night’ or, ‘I’ve only spent £250 this month on it but they must have spent about a grand so I can go ahead and treat myself’. That is your addictive voice talking – it is not you.
Learn to identify it and then separate it, and it could go a long way to helping your recovery.
- It isn’t your fault you’re an addict…but it is up to you to fix it
Addictions are nearly always not the fault of the addict.
Whether it’s suppressing feelings or memories, filling voids in your life, or having spent too much time in an environment where it was almost unavoidable developing a dependency happens over time and happens for a reason.
So, it is not your fault you now find yourself dependent. But it is your responsibility to sort it.
You can get the help you need and deserve, and there are lots of people that want to help you. However, that help will only ever work when you accept the responsibility of recovery.
Recovered addicts will often highlight this moment of realisation as the key point in their battle with addiction.
‘I learned to shut my mouth and listen’ – Duncan Swan, former client and recovered alcoholic.
- Cravings are not real
For many people, labelling cravings as thoughts and not as feelings stops them seeming as real and as powerful. It is your thoughts, often triggered by the addictive voice in #1, which create ‘cravings’.
It’s easier to keep allowing yourself to drink or use if you are telling yourself, it’s a physical necessity, rather than a want or wish*.
It may not be easy to change your thinking to help you beat an addiction. If you feel you need additional help with your drinking or drug use, take a look at our services and get in touch today for a call back from our friendly, discreet and experienced professionals.
*for heavy users/drinkers, suddenly stopping can have negative health implications. Seek medical advice before ceasing completely. The NHS has lots of information and advice for anyone confronting their addiction.
