Addiction Recovery: Substituting A Positive Addiction For A Harmful One

You may manage to let go of an addictive behavior, but you'll feel restless, antsy, and uncomfortable. Without a replacement activity, most people either revert to their habit, or find themselves living unhappily without it.

The principle of substituting other activities is widely used by 12 step programs. Instead of being involved with an addiction, the addict becomes involved with a 12 step program. The program generally includes frequent meetings, worldwide social networking options, travel opportunities, and the chance to perform service work.

An addict can become so involved with a 12 step program that there's no time left to indulge the habit. The addict is suddenly living a whole new life which replaces life with the bad habit.

Successful dieters use substitution to lose weight. Instead of overeating, the dieter focuses on good nutrition, healthy eating behaviors, meal planning, and a program of regular exercise. Some diet programs offer regular support groups to provide a social forum where dieters can share progress and exchange tips to stay on track.

With serious addictions, a major lifestyle change is usually required for recovery. But even with common addictions like smoking and social networking on the web, a new activity has to be found to replace the old.

When you give something up, there will be a gap in your life to fill with something. You'll also have excess energy available to use. If you don't find something to do with it, you'll feel very on edge, and the temptation to return to the addiction can become very strong.

People who give up addictions can easily develop new addictions they don't want. A common example is someone who quits smoking, only to gain weight. Unless it's your conscious intent, you'll want to be careful about a substitute addiction developing that's as undesirable as the habit you're giving up.

Awareness of this phenomena can help. If you quit smoking, for example, be aware that you may be tempted to overeat instead and, if you don't want to gain weight, plan ahead to avoid it.

You can plan for recovery from any addiction by implementing a new addiction that involves something you really want in your life. Some people quit smoking by finding something new to do with their hands like knitting, sculpting, or wood working.

Another substitute activity is to get involved in a sport of some kind. You can join a tennis club, form a neighborhood soccer or basketball team, or take up golf. A dieter may become addicted to jogging and to "runner's high."

Some people give up an addiction and use the extra time and energy to work a part-time job, or to put in additional hours at the office. Together with the savings you're likely to see from giving up an addiction like smoking, letting go of a bad habit can be financially as well as personally rewarding.