To what are you addicted? On what are you hooked that you struggle to extricate yourself from? You do know what it is. It does not have to be a textbook description of its character.
What is an addiction?
An addiction is the state of being compulsively committed to a habit or practice or to something that is psychologically or physically habit-forming, as narcotics, to such an extent that its cessation causes severe trauma [Dictionary.com].
You can be addicted to anything whatsoever therefore. You can be hooked on substances like hard drugs--Marijuana, Cocaine, Heroine and more. Your addiction could be alcohol. It could be gambling.
Many of us are addicted to our phones. This has got so terrible that it robs us of the power to do the things we ought to do to move our lives forward. Through our phones we are stuck on social media.
Question is, if you cease from the compulsive habit, would it cause you severe trauma or even any form of trauma? Maybe yes, maybe no. You should not let that thought prevent you from acting your way out of a negative habit you acted your way into. How much personal power of self-discipline can you muster to save yourself? That is the question.
Since you know what an addiction is, and you know the compulsive habit or practice that limits you [which may not have been mentioned here], what is your own addiction? You should be able to tell.
Knowing the character of addiction by definition leaves you with the decision to identify your own addiction though it is not listed or mentioned anywhere. If you know thyself enough, you would figure it out.
Is there a positive side to an addiction? The positive side to an addiction is that it takes away every positive thing from you and pitches you with negativity for as long as you are stuck on it.
I shared these thoughts with an acquaintance who returned to a drinking addiction after ditching it for three months.
He said: Good day papa. I have really been in deep thought the past three days. I relapsed with addiction after three months. I need psychological help. I can't continue like this anymore, please.
I said: Your life is what you make it. You can make it beautiful or ugly. You can make or break it. However you choose to make it is what it will deliver to you.
He said: I try so hard and make so fair...I have little or no help from those who I served so much with a pure heart. Now, my buisness is much more exciting yet overwhelming.The feeling of the unknown my addiction trigger...But like you have told me the truth what I give is what I get or make.Thank you master. I appreciate.
I said: Do not choose to destroy yourself. Choose to live. You are the architect of your being. If you think alcohol is good for you, go on drinking. If you think otherwise, the key is with you, too.
HE said: I have declared war on my demons and must live to manifest the great things I see. I'm still very thankful for this truth.
I said: It is in your hands. You choose what you want to do.
He said: Yes boss.
I said: Your life is in your hands. And everything you need to make it good is within you. Whether you want to do so is entirely left to you.
Look around you. Look at the people you go towards when you give in to addiction. Can they help themselves? Can they help you?
Think of your loved ones who care about you. What is the effect of your addiction on them? Think of your wife.
Imagine your business with your addiction. Then, imagine your business without your addiction. Make the choice. Choose! I cannot make the choice for you. No one can. Only you can.
For your life, you are not only responsible, you shall give account to both yourself and more importantly, your Maker.
Make the choice NOW!
He said: Thanks Boss. I moved immediately.
I said: It is a story you have to tell yourself. What stories do you tell yourself? They are your greatest stories. They are the greatest stories you will ever hear. They are the songs in you. There is no better orchestra or song for your soul and spirit. Choose what songs will be bliss for your body, spirit and soul? Choose!
He said: I choose to kill it once and for all.
I said: It is your choice, sir. And he replied: I know
I added: The benefits are yours. Just as the losses are yours. What about the stigma to those who love you?
How many of us secretly battle addictions that we never share with anyone? I have never met this friend physically. Thank God for social media. We have been on this since the second quarter of the year and he was able to stay clean for three months only to return after about ninety days.
Three months is more than enough to act your way out of a bad habit and act your way into a good one. Scientifically, three months is more than enough. What you have just done is to waste a fortune but again there is hope that it can be done. You have a pattern but don't drive yourself to a point of no return.
As a youth from teenage, I transited from cigarettes to Marijuana and tarried long at the bottle like a fish for many seasons but none of these accompanied me out of college.
What do I call it: Grace, Work, Desire, or what? Importantly it is history. We are not all that fortunate.
It was not as easy either but tough does not mean impossible. In fact, all things are, if possibility finds a place in your being. If you can affix possibility in your thoughts, you are good to go.
Your addiction is yours, but it is not you. You can ditch it by first accepting that it is there but you must never feed it any longer.
Unlearn by a deliberate retracing of your steps away from it. Take one conscious step backward today and repeat it tomorrow. Your addiction is your foe, not your friend.
Seek a safe alternative to your addiction and invest the same resources into it. You may need to separate yourself and change your circle.
Choose to live today. You may not have tomorrow.
