For some, one hypnosis session is all that's needed to overcome 20-a-day, or lose weight. All the same, for every quick fix there is at least one relapse. Perhaps this is because there is one crucial element that the majority of therapists miss. This aspect is critical, and, when properly addressed, makes the difference between short term relapse and long term lasting success and freedom.
And here it is...
Any addictive behaviour ? whether it's cigarettes, anger, rage, drugs, fear, violence, depression, indecision, compulsions, or anything else ? is only ever filling in for something else.
Every problem is a solution, in some way.
Only when you realise what your addiction is substituting in your life will you have the insight and power to change it. As you think about your life and its events, what kind of feelings were you missing, say, from your younger days, that your addiction might be trying to replace? Keep those thoughts in mind as I explain further - by example.
Close your eyes and go into one of those situations when you are actually doing the behaviour you want to stop now. Look through your own eyes, hear through those ears, and feel the feelings that go with that experience, now.
Now, in this state, ask yourself ? 1. What BENEFICIAL feelings am I getting from this behaviour, as I'm doing it now? (Feelings of Control/Power/Authority? Relaxation/?Me Time?? Femininity/Manliness? Being Wanted? Feeling Looked-After? Security? Unique-ness/Being Different? Same-ness/Fitting In? Safety?) 2. In what areas of my life am I missing these feelings, that the habit/addiction is filling in for? 3. In what other new - and more productive - ways could I experience these same feelings in my life? 4. Do these better ways ?fit? with the rest of my life? (Keep asking until they do...) 5. Am I willing to commit, NOW, to doing these new things instead of the old behaviour for a trial period, of say, three weeks? (Keep recycling & adding new ideas until you feel a full-body YES!)
So, in a few short paragraphs you've learned just one aspect of my EFT stress relief therapy which will shed light on why you do those things you do, AND you have practical steps to implement and see real change now. Be sure your therapist is aware of these subtle, yet crucial details.
Regardless of the addiction, be it drugs, alcohol, gambling, relationships, etc., a 12-step program is the fundamental tool of many recovery programs. The basic 12 steps that groups' members actively stress are as follows, varying in some degree per addiction recovery program. Note that no particular religion or spiritual affiliation is required. All are welcome and invited.
12-Step Program
1. We admit we are powerless over our addiction - that our lives have become unmanageable
2. We believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity
3. We made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood God
4. We made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves
5. We admitted to God, to ourselves and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs
6. We are entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character
7. We humbly asked God to remove our shortcomings
8. We made a list of all persons we had harmed, and became willing to make amends to them all
9. We made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others
10. We continue to take personal inventory and when we are wrong promptly admit it
11. We seek through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God as we understand God, praying only for knowledge of God's will for us and the power to carry that out
12. Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these steps, we try to carry this message to other addicts, and to practice these principles in all our affairs.
Basically members recite the steps at their meetings. And there may be a presentation or group discussion based upon one particular step that day, with the rest of the event focused on individual needs or issues that are brought up by members, so that each member gets to address his or her top or immediate concerns, seek help and help others to get through, "One day at a time."
OTHER RECOVERY TOOLS
Here are more tools to aid with healing from addictions, listed in no particular order.
Internal Motivators- Many decide to kick their addictions based upon interior motives like love, a sense of achievement, competition, responsibility and a number of other reasons. A love for a child can make some stop the denial process dead in its tracks, allowing recovery to step in. Watching a close friend or relative who is farther along the addictive path of destruction can also be an eye-opener, resulting in some addicts adopting the "I can do it" attitude to kick the habit.
Some simply want their own self-respect back and respect from others. While other addicts prefer better health and a sharper mental state, and decide to overcome their addictions and recover. Regardless of the reasons, internal motivators can be welcome stepping-stones in the path of recovery.
External Motivators - Other motivators along the way are external, like money, work, housing, etc. For example, an addict is generally well aware of the money needed for the continued purchasing of the addictive substances. Someone not used to living in less desirable conditions because income is lacking, may not need much of a jolt of reality other than the first eviction notice, to spur him or her to quit spending hard-earned money on drugs, gambling, porn or cigarettes, etc. And some who may really value their jobs and are striving to maintain good work standards and ethics, may see reality when they are passed over for a promotion or annual raise because of tardiness, sloppiness, mishandling of money, etc., and may seek help to get their work act together promptly.
To help with internal and motivators, addicts and their support people can turn to recovery tools like articles, videos, movies, healing music, speakers and events focused on addiction and recovery. A good place to begin is at your own local library or favourite articlestore.
Online you can search Amazon.com, Barnes and Noble (BN.com) or even your favourite search engine. Type in terms like "addiction recovery" and / or add the addictive substance or behaviour ("gambling recovery" "overcoming cigarette addiction").
Both Robert Thomson & Jonas Smith are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Robert Thomson has sinced written about articles on various topics from Personal Desktop, Finances and Pets. All content copyright 2007 The Stress Clinic. is Scotland's leading EFT Practitioner and helps people with every. Robert Thomson's top article generates over 450000 views. to your Favourites.
Jonas Smith has sinced written about articles on various topics from Food And Drink, Cooking Tips and Food And Drink. Want to find out about and. Jonas Smith's top article generates over 33100 views. to your Favourites.