Submitted by Xylanthius in addiction

I have a history of substance abuse, and I survived.

Being vegan and eating enough has helped me a lot on this journey. It's not the only thing that has helped me, but it has helped me a lot with the brain and emotional stuff.

I'm still working on myself, but I survived.

It's been a little over a year since I broke my contract with Satan.

I made it. :-)

I don't do a 12 step program, but I am familiar with the concepts of those programs, and why they do work for some people. However, I have created my own recovery program that works. :-)

9

Comments

You must log in or register to comment.

An_Old_Big_Tree wrote

That's great.

People here might be interested to hear about your recovery program.

4

Xylanthius OP wrote

It has to do with the psychology of habit. The whole reason why 12 step programs are proven to work is that they are based on the psychology of habit and creating new rituals. There is a trigger or cue, the response, and then the reward. There is one more aspect of why 12 step programs are proven to work, and it has to do with belief. When we see someone else doing something we believe we can, too. This is especially powerful in group settings and even more powerful if the nature of your addiction was social. For example: Drinking at a bar. My addiction was not very social, but I did benefit from learning about others succeed in recovery. I didn't, however, go to meetings, and my rituals and habit replacements are different than the 12 steps model.

It's much more challenging to quit something that permanently messes with the way we produce dopamine like the white stuff or opiates. With time and good health practices as well as mindfulness and proper habit therapy practices it can be overcome with patience.

Addiction is powerful because it is a play on how we produce dopamine because of certain cues and triggers. If we don't give in we feel really bad. If we are addicted to the big drugs it messes with that natural survival mechanism our species have adapted in order to survive.

Habit therapy works with the way we respond to triggers, as well as replacing destructive habits with healthy habits. Merely quitting is not effective. You have to replace the habit with another habit.

While a lot of research has gone into the topic of habit therapy, I don't think it is well known because it seems like capitalism relies on our obsession compulsive lack of control and dependency on dopamine fixes. I think consumerism plays on these habit-forming tendencies. Not only that, drugs are such a big market in this country.

We can all create our own recovery programs. The 12 step programs are based on the psychology of habit.

Groups are important when it comes to facilitating any kind of change whether it be internal or external/social change. The internet has brought this phenomenon to a whole new level. It's exciting the kinds of rapid change and awakening we are experiencing on this planet right now because of our ability to witness fellow rebels all over the world. It's cool that this website is around.

3

Fossidarity wrote (edited )

Congratulations! Beating an addiction requires a tremendous amount of self-discipline.

Can you elaborate more on your recovery program and what you were addicted to and how it influenced your life (if you feel okay with sharing those personal things)?

2

sand wrote

yes! congrats Xylanthius!

2

kore wrote

here's to you

i just threw away all my bud and paraphernalia and gave away my beer

I feel good, I feel empowered

1