How to Quit an Addiction

You've recognized you have a problem—that your addictive behavior is affecting other parts of
your life—and you want to know how to quit an addiction. The chances are that you didn't
expect to become addicted when you started. You may have thought you were just having fun
and could quit at any time. Many people who develop addictions are surprised at how difficult
they find their first attempt at quitting, and end up wondering, Why can't I quit? The good news
is that you can quit, although it is a complicated process. There are many factors, physical,
mental, and emotional, that make quitting difficult. This is why so many people find treatment
helpful to guide them through the complex process of quitting – although many people are
successful quitting on their own. Understanding why quitting is so difficult can help you see that
everyone overcoming an addiction goes through the same process to some extent. It is not that
you are especially weak-willed or that you are failing any more than anyone else. When you find
yourself thinking, feeling, or acting in a particular way that goes against your decision to quit,
you can be more compassionate with yourself, and keep trying.

Tolerance: Tolerance and withdrawal are key symptoms of addiction. They are strongly
interconnected and are the main processes that got you addicted in the first place. If people didn't
develop tolerance and withdrawal, they would probably find it a lot easier to quit. Tolerance is a
physical and psychological process. When you experience an addictive substance or behavior the
first time, it may be overwhelming, unpleasant even, or it may be mild and pleasurable. If the
effect feels strong, you may feel there is no danger of you wanting to overdo it. If it is mild, it
may seem harmless and innocent. The more times the behavior is repeated, the less sensitivity
you have to it, and the more you need to get the same effect. Drugs, such as alcohol and opiates,
work on specific parts of the brain, creating physical tolerance. Behaviors, such as sex and
gambling, produce feelings of excitement that get less intense over time. As tolerance develops,
you may want to do more of the drug or behavior to get the same effect.

Withdrawal: As you become addicted, you may experience withdrawal when you aren't able
to do the addictive behavior. Physical withdrawal symptoms may occur, such as shaking, feeling
unwell, stomach upsets, and/or psychological withdrawals symptoms, such as feeling anxious
and depressed. These are easily fixed by more of the addictive substance or behavior. Physical
withdrawal from alcohol and drugs can be overcome quite quickly, although it tends to be quite
unpleasant and it can be dangerous. If you decide to quit, it is best done under medical
supervision. Discuss physical withdrawal with your doctor for the best way to approach this.
Once you have been through withdrawal, there are deeper psychological processes that make it
difficult to stay "on the wagon."

Guilt and Justification: The discomfort of these feelings of guilt when your behavior
doesn't fit with your own standards of right and wrong can be a strong motivator to make
changes. Sometimes it can work against you, causing you to justify your behavior to yourself and
other people. This can get in the way of the decision to quit.
  Denial: "It's not a problem."
 Demurring or minimization: "I have already cut down."
 Diversion: "Pollution is more dangerous." "Uncle Ted drinks far more than I do."
 Defiance: "I would rather live a shorter life and be happy than quit and be miserable."
 Idealization: "I am way more sociable when I've had a drink."
 Rationalization: "I've never stolen to finance my habit," "I've never hit a woman."
 Lesser of two evils: "Better I do it than I be impossible to live with."
 Misinformation: "Cancer doesn't run in my family." "It has medicinal uses, so it's OK."
"Chocolate is the only cure for PMS."
 Taking behavior out of context: "In some cultures, polygamy is acceptable."
 Glorification: "Queen Victoria used to…" "Patriarchs in the Old Testament had many
wives." "Jesus drank wine."

How Can You Quit?

Therapy can help you to cope with uncomfortable feelings and help you unravel the irrational
thoughts that keep you addicted. Quitting is not easy or straightforward, but a good treatment
program will help you achieve it when you are ready. Although treatment will make the process
of quitting easier, it is not essential – many people quit addictions on their own or use self-help
resources.