sensibility

[dormant_dragon]

One of the many pieces of advice given to people who are addicted (be it to nicotine, alcohol, or some other substance) is 'don't wait until you're "ready" - just make the decision to quit'. They say there's never a 'right' time to do it, and that waiting for the 'right' time is just putting it off.

As someone with a reasonable amount of experience in this field, I would qualify this advice by saying that it is vitally important to feel ready to quit. Others can tell you until they're blue in the face that you need to give up your addiction, but until you own the decision and step up to it, it is very difficult to achieve success.

You have to not only tell yourself that you will be better off, but you need to be absolutely convinced that the benefits of quitting will outweigh the temporary satisfaction of your next substance hit. It's the conviction that keeps you going.

"If it be now, 'tis not to come; if it be not come, it will be now; if it be not now, yet it will come - the readiness is all."
- Hamlet

Comments

[firvulag.livejournal.com]

indeed, if you don't really want to quit, then it isn't going to be very possible to quit something.

[nightmancyr.livejournal.com]

Of course. As a general rule, it is't so much the person being "ready to quit" as "ready to deal with the issues which caused the addiction in the first place." There is always a reason for it. I've seen it in a few people close to me...a couple of whom will never admit that there are other issues and therefore will never recover. Sad but true.

[grudthak.livejournal.com]

I heard once that as far as stuff like smokes go...

If the peson is particularly strong willed... It is harder for them to quit.

Reason being that each time, they have to overcome thier own willpoer to WANT a smoke...

I know I have tried giving up the fags 3 times (I didnt want to, I was threatened) and I still smoke...

*Shrugs*

[dormant-dragon.livejournal.com]

Sometimes it's the feeling of being pressured into it that makes it harder to give up. It's just an added stress on top of the others you're trying to deal with by drugging yourself anyway.

The fact is, if I still really wanted to smoke and obliterate myself with alcohol on a regular basis, I would still be doing it, regardless of how many people disapproved. I'd just make sure they didn't know about it most of the time. But I am presently enjoying the experience of getting reaquainted with my mind, without having to excavate it from a drunken haze. The nicotine replacement is harder to shake off, but I'll get there eventually.

One of the tricks is not to deny that you want that next cigarette, but to tell yourself that you're not going to have it, and that it's your decision not to have it. That way, you're not lying to yourself - you're making a conscious decision to be strong.

[grudthak.livejournal.com]

Good point, the three forced attempts where basically "Smokes or me" ultimatums. Since we sorted a lot of our relationship issues out, she doesnt push, just occasionally points out when I start smoking heavily again.

insofar as alcohol, I used to be a compulsive binge drinker, the only way i would leave a pub was either broke or unconcious... I went through counselling which dealt more with the stress I was under at the time (In the military at 16 was a big part) and now I only touch the occasional drop. I still dont trust myself to more than one drink, and in some cases I find social events much more entertaining without the beer goggles anyways.

So i take you you are a drug & alcohol counsellor...? I am hoping to study to be a Youth Worker next year and I was thinking of taking bonus units in dealing with dependency's

[dormant-dragon.livejournal.com]

No, not acounsellor - just someone with experience in dealing with addiction on a personal level, and the way with words to express it.

Military at 16?! You have my deepest sympathy...

[grudthak.livejournal.com]

Well at least the Royal Australian Navy even decided it was a bad idea in the end and raised the age limit. Meh, I am not too upset, it only made me half insane...! ;-]