7 Effective Ways to Overcome Your Addictions

Addictions can be a significant challenge to overcome, but it is possible to break free from their grip and reclaim your life. As someone who has successfully navigated my own addictions, I want to share with you seven effective strategies that have worked for me.

1. Set a date to begin your journey
   The first step towards overcoming addiction is to set a start date. Without a specific deadline, you may keep procrastinating, and your addiction may continue to control your life. So, choose a date to begin your journey towards recovery, and make it a priority to stick to it.
2. Research and understand the effects
   The transition period from addiction to recovery can be challenging. It is essential to research and understand the effects that you may experience during this time. Knowing what to anticipate will help you prepare for any obstacles and setbacks you may encounter, and enable you to overcome them.
3. Make a list of the positive changes
   Create a list of the positive changes you will experience once you have mastered your addiction. This list will serve as a source of inspiration and motivation, helping you remain focused on your goals. Read the list daily, and add to it as you progress on your journey to recovery.
4. Dis-identify with the false reality
   It is essential to disidentify with the false reality that your addiction is good for you. Recognize the false sense of comfort or relief that your addiction provides and move away from it. For example, if you're addicted to sugar, you might experience a temporary sense of comfort when you eat a large slice of cake, but this is soon followed by a physical crash due to the effects of sugar on your body. By disidentifying with this false sense of reality, you can begin to break free from your addiction.
5. Visualize the positive effects
   Visualization is a powerful tool that can help you overcome your addiction. Visualize the positive effects of mastering your addiction through all your senses. For example, if you're addicted to procrastination, you can visualize yourself being full of energy, motivated, and getting things done efficiently. The more frequently you visualize this, the more likely you are to experience it in real life.
6. Work with positive affirmations and/or positive self-talk
   Positive affirmations and self-talk can help you maintain a positive mindset and stay motivated on your journey to recovery. Encourage and motivate yourself with positive languages, such as "I am strong, I am capable, and I can overcome this addiction." Repeat these affirmations regularly, and believe in yourself.
7. Surround yourself with positive influences
   Surrounding yourself with positive influences can make a significant impact on your journey to recovery. Make friends with people who possess the qualities you aspire to have and stay away from those who feed your addiction or bad habits. This will help you stay focused and motivated toward your goal.

Remember, overcoming addiction is a personal battle, but it's possible with the right tools and mindset. Use these seven strategies together to see positive results and change your life for the better. You can break free from your addiction/s, and reclaim your life.

@2009, Edited 2023 Shamala Tan

Let me know how I can assist you if you have any questions [email protected]

Shamala Tan is an author, spiritual entrepreneur, and healer. Her work focuses on transforming the lives of others on the spiritual, emotional, mental and earthly levels.

One of her success stories as an author is to be featured alongside New York’s bestsellers Sonia Choquette, Robert Allen, Arielle Ford, Marci Shimoff as well as Christine Kloser in the book Pebbles In The Pond.

Shamala’s clients include small business owners, holistic practitioners as well as those seeking to find more significant meaning and value in life. Shamala offers laser coaching to her clients on a one-to-one basis or in a group environment, offline as well as online.