Stop Without Developing New Addiction

You can overcome the discomfort of withdrawal in a relatively short period of time and make the experience positive. Or you can suffer in withdrawal. The pain can go on for months - and you will most likely return to the addictive behavior rather than continue in pain. The difference between a positive, successful withdrawal and a painful, unsuccessful one is in the approach you take.

Behavior modification is an attempt to redirect addictive activity into a preferred activity. The redirection is accomplished in two ways:

1. Substituting a preferred substance or activity for the addictive one.
2. Avoiding addictive situations by redirecting yourself away from them.

Here's a short review of some substitutions recommended by conventional, licensed therapy, the Twelve Step program and just about every addiction counselor.

Smokers are told to chew carrots instead of smoke cigarettes.

Overeaters are told to pig out on lettuce instead of chocolate cake.

Alcoholics are told to suck on sweet candy and drink lots of coffee and/or sodas instead of drinking alcohol.

Drug addicts are switched from illegal drugs to legal ones.

Sexually addicted people are told to have sex with their partner instead of using porn, masturbating, or going to a prostitute.

Substitutions and avoidances *create* anxiety, tension, stress and depression in withdrawal because:

If you substitute food, you will live with the stress and tension of gaining weight.

If you avoid your friends or family, you might become depressed as your mind concludes, "In order to stop acting addictively, I'm required to avoid my friends and family."

If you try avoiding job stress, your mind will conclude, "It's impossible for me to do my job normally and stop acting addictively." The result: more tension and stress.

If you use your partner as a sexually addictive substitute, it will be at the cost of the honesty and intimacy you need in the relationship. In time, you will feel stressed and depressed about using her as a replacement for porn/masturbation, fantasies or as a stand-in for a prostitute.

If you try to keep extra busy, you will be afraid to rest. Without relaxation your tension increases and it could negatively affect your health.