Addictions

[Lixus]

How can I overcome an addiction? Any advice you have? Anything can help me

[Hidden]

Different addictions need different approaches. So being able to advise something specific depends on the addiction, how much of your mental health is going untreated while under going your addiction (as in you need a multi therapeutic approach).

[Lixus in reply to Hidden]

I'm not sure if my mental illness has something to be with my addiction, It can get my addiction worse but it's not the main reason why I'm an addict

I have therapy for my anxiety but I've never talked about my addiction

[Hidden in reply to Lixus]

Behavioral addiction (if this is what you have) most certainly involve compulsion, leads to higher levels of anxiety, some depression may be involved, etc. I’m n my opinion mental health is likely involved even with substance addiction as well. I won’t divulge any personal experiences here, but will say stable mental health usually doesn’t result in compulsion, lack of self control, etc.

This said, I don’t have to know what this is, but I think you need to address this with your therapist. He/she can also point you to an appropriate rehabilitation and behavioral program for your particular addiction.

[Lixus in reply to Hidden]

No, I don't have that, on the mental part of me I just have ocd, social anxiety and tics which can be from Tourette's or another type or tics disorder (I have to bring it up next therapy)

About the addiction is something that society see very weird/with a lot of judgment and I dont feel into talking specifically about it but thank you so much for your answer, maybe someday I will be able to speak about it with my therapist... I don't know...

[Sasical]

Hi

I'm a recovered addict, I went to a treatment facility for 3 months and after that followed therapy as an outpatient.

If you really want to give up there is plenty of help out there...A.A. or N.A. or other groups.

Group therapy is the best way to treat addiction. As addicts we lie a lot, so when we do one on one therapy, especially when the therapist is not an addict, it's very easy to lie to them and ourselves, whereas in a group of addicts it's very difficult to lie and that is what makes you move forward.

Stopping the substance is relatively easy, it's changing attitudes/lifestyle that is difficult but also essential in order to stay clean and sober.

As every recovered addict will tell you giving up is the best decision ever. Not easy but soooo worth it!

For now just take that first step of asking for help. Good luck x

[Lixus in reply to Sasical]

Thanks for the reply,

Is hard for me sharing this with anyone, is not a drug addiction and it is seen with judgment by the society... I've never talked about it and at least for now I don't think I'm capable of talking about the exact thing with anyone I know

What A.A//N.A means?

[LilyAnnepuppy in reply to Lixus]

AA is Alcoholics Anonymous and NA is Narcotics Anonymous.

I have the disease of alcoholism and go to AA. But there is also Gamblers Anonymous, Sex Anonymous, Overeaters Anonymous, Emotions Anonymous. So if you addiction falls in those categories you’re fortunate because there’s a free program for that. Google any of them to try and find a meeting near you.

[Lixus in reply to LilyAnnepuppy]

Thank you so much for the info, I really appreciate it

[Sasical in reply to Lixus]

When you go to any of these groups you do not feel embarassed to speak because everyone is in the same boat and that in itself helps a lot because it sets you free of the shame. You are never judged.

[Hidden]

Thanks. ❤️ But because he says he does not have a behavioral addiction, my experience would not be helpful at all.

[Lixus in reply to Hidden]

No problem though, thank both for answer