How can I break my addiction?

Published January 18, 2011

Question by ailurophilic: How can I break my addiction?
I have an addiction. I’ve had it for a long long time. 5 years ago was the first time I tried to break it, and I actually did it all on my own with no help. But a few months later, I started using again like I never stopped. And continued for years. I would try to stop every now and then over the years, but the effort would die after a week of failures each time. This past spring I started trying to break the addiction again and had been weaning myself off and doing very well, with some serious efforts starting in June. In July, I found my efforts starting to plateau. I was using less, but I had not stopped. I made many many efforts since then to quit completely, failing each time. I’m still at the same level I was in July, though thankfully not as bad as before.

I feel like an epic failure. I hate myself for being so weak, letting this addiction control me. I’ve been with an online support group since the end of July and they have given me a ton of support, but still nothing has changed.

How can I finally break my addiction? I can’t live like this anymore, but I’m so lost I don’t know what to do….
I’d rather not mention the substance. But it’s not illegal or dangerous (in the short term anyway) or anything.

My family can’t know, I wouldn’t be able to bear that. Only a few of my friends know, and I regret telling even them.

And I would like to avoid a counselor. I know that’s the best way but everyone I know whose seen a counselor for this has either not bee “sick enough for help” or the counselor only made it worse. And I’m not talking just a handful of people. Lots.

Guess I’m doomed to be addicted with all these limits lol

Best answer:

Answer by ra-ra-random
please see a counsellor
online support will only give you limited help

let your family know of your problem and ask them for help in breaking the addiction

Do some exercise and yoga everyday, yoga especially is supposed to be very useful

Know better? Leave your own answer in the comments!