What can you do to stop an addiction?

Multi-pronged : If we knew a simple answer to your question, there would be a lot less suffering in the world. There are many different aspects to addiction-notably biologic, psychologic and social. Because of this, there should be many different elements to a recovery program. Because dealing with addiction can be challenging, it is best to not do it alone. Call your doctor, a friend...Join a support group.

Addiction: Life-style changes. Seek support from recovered addicts & family. Believe in yourself.

Treatment/Support: Agree with my colleagues. Also, find someone who specializes in addictions, to help you design a plan to deal with urges, stress, find out triggers, and the big "why?" question. Additionally, stopping addiction might bring you a sense of loss -- with all the emotions a sense of loss carries and it needs to be worked through. It's a lot of work, but doable. Good luck!

Delay gratification: If addiction is continuing something despite harmful effects on self/loved ones (eg food, substances, games, etc...), there is conflict b/w short term pleasure vs what we care about long term. Motivation to delay gratification through cravings over and over may come from focus on why we want to stop, and understanding that each time we give in to a craving we get farther from what we really want.

Answer "Why?" First?: I'd 1st want to understand why you have this addiction. I'd want to know what pleasure(s) it gives you & what purpose(s) it has served in your life. I'd want to know why you are considering doing what's usually the very hard work required to overcome this addiction... To retrain your brain, change habits. I'd want to know how you plan to fill whatever void stopping it may create.

Recovery program: For any addiction, you need help from your physician, often also an addiction medicine doctor, and a support group that works with the substance or behavior you're using addictively. If the addiction medicine doctor is not a psychiatrist, you also need a psychiatric evaluation so that any conditions complicating your recovery can be treated. Bottom line: don't do it alone, and you don't have to!

Get help.: Addiction is a medical disorder that left untreated can become a chronic problem or cause death. You are wanting to quit so you are the kind of person i enjoy helping. Call a substance abuse counselor or an addiction psychiatrist. The good news is addiction is very treatable. I am happy you are seeking help.Take care.

To stop addiction...: One must come to terms with what addiction does for a person (positive) rather than what it does to a person (negative). Often, it's only the negative or the obvious consequences that people focus on regarding their addiction. But, if we recognize that the addiction serves to provide soothing, security, relief, self-regulating emotions, etc.., then perhaps a path to positive change may open up.