New Strategies for the New Year: Resolving to break an addiction? Help from Harvard Medi...(eers or both. Your own doctor a communit...),Health

Date:12/18/2008

eers, or both. Your own doctor, a community mental health center, or a local substance abuse treatment center are good places to start.
2.   Set a quit date. It might be helpful to choose a meaningful date like a special event, birthday, or anniversary.
3.   Change your environment. Remove any reminders of your addiction from your home and workplace. For example, separate from those who would encourage you to be involved with the substance or behavior. If you are trying to quit drinking, get rid of any alcohol, bottle openers, wine glasses, and corkscrews. If you’re trying to quit gambling, remove reminders of your gambling, such as playing cards, scratch tickets, or poker chips. Also, don’t let other people use or bring reminders of the substance or behavior into your home.
4.   Learn new skills and activities. Instead of giving in to an urge to use, come up with alternative activities, such as going for a walk, to keep you busy until the urge passes. Be prepared to deal with things that trigger your cravings, such as being in an environment where others are using.
5.   Review your past attempts at quitting. Think about what worked and what did not. Think of what might have contributed to relapse and change accordingly.
6.   Create a support network. Talk to your family, friends, and co-workers and ask for their encouragement and support. Also, consider talking to your health care provider about the method of quitting that is best for you. There may be medications that can ease the process for you, and increase your chances of success.
Overcoming Addiction: Paths toward recovery is available for $18 from Harvard Health Publications, the publishing division of Harvard Medical School. Order it online at www.health.harvard.edu/ADD or by calling 877–649&nd
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