Is it possible to break free from all addictions?

[Zweistein]

Isn't it "enough" if we are simply aware of our addictions? Because then we can already "be free": we can decide to stay addicted in that particular moment or we can decide to not follow the addiction's call this time. Either way we are able to make a conscious choice and we can choose not to judge ourselves for whatever we decide.

I mean let's face it - how shall we break free from thinking or from looking at our phones? We would have to go and live in the forest or become a monk meditating all day. Also, if we would break free from our addiction to think, we wouldn't have a reason to rethink our life purposes, lol.

And yes,  I'm posting this because I have an addiction to thinking and because I love Leo's teachings. But I also like to question them ?

[The Don]

Hi.

Of course it's possible to break free from all addictions.

I gave up on sugar.

I gave up on junk food.

I gave up on my Facebook phone app.

I've installed a daily meditation habit. I'm developing my awareness. This makes me more conscious of what's happening in my life.

Awareness alone is curative.

[Solace]

Yes. Addiction is just the tendency to change the way you feel. Once you’re okay with feeling anything, reality can’t touch you with addicitve tendency’s.

Your life purpose is found in your heart which could be as simple as raising a family or spreading love, thoughts don’t contain your life purpose only conditioned illusions you received from your parents and society. 

If you can’t stop an addiction then just really enjoy it. If you eat a cake it it very slowly and savor every bite and feel how your body is reacting to it. That is a good way of stopping it. I prefer just not engaging in it at all and just feeling my emotions that are only here to be loved. That’s why I am free, my last addiction is thought, and even that I just watch with the love of a parent that I always wanted but never had  

Edited May 27, 2018 by Solace

[Zweistein]

These two videos are really eye-opening ;-)

 

[Joseph Maynor]

Absolutely.  I'm going through the process now.  It's absolutely possible.  It helps to have a vision for where you want to get to and to realize that addictions are hindering you from getting there.  With alcohol is as simple as don't buy any.  It doesn't get in your mouth without you putting it in there.  Alcoholism is an easy one because all you gotta do is "don't do".  Nothing could be easier.  It's the mind games and the cravings that you gotta recognize and not fall into rationalizing why it's ok to buy some.  The mind will do some funny things with addictions.  You just gotta put your foot down and say no damit no!  I think total cessation is also a good strategy.  It's a lot easier to quit when you know you can't have any more.  If you're just doing one of those 'I'm quitting for now' things, you'll start back.  You can't 'lukewarm quit', it's gotta be a done deal.  No more.  If you leave the door open, you'll succumb sooner or later.  Some Friday afternoon, to celebrate something, to assuage boredom -- there's always an excuse to drink a beer.  And the mind will do some twisted things to make it seem a-ok to drink in almost any circumstance.  That's why the only sustainable strategy to addictions is total cessation.  Same goes for pot.  You can't lukewarm quit pot.  It's gotta be -- I will never smoke pot again!  You gotta be ready to leave pot forever to sustainably quit -- otherwise it's just a matter of time before you smoke again.  This whole -- I'm gonna cut down -- yeah, that doesn't work.  You can't half-ass quitting something.  You gotta say -- the gig is up.  It's over for good.  I had great times with this -- but, now I realize I gotta let it go for good.  And then you just never buy any more ever again.  It's that simple.  I think one of the worst things the mind does with addictions is convince you that you need the substance to be normal.  You don't.  And it's not until you quit -- ironically -- that you can appreciate that lie.  It's a big lie.  You're gonna be just fine when you quit -- and you're gonna feel better too.  I feel much better.  Sobriety feels really good.  It's just that you gotta be sober for a while to appreciate that.  It's a perspective that you don't have when you're beholden to some addiction.  You're thinking -- man, what am I gonna do without my alcohol, or whatever.  Life is gonna suck!  But actually, what sucks is to have a bunch of addictions running your life.  That really sucks.  You don't really appreciate the guilt that addictions cause either until you're sober.  Addictions cause huge guilt.  You feel guilty and dirty and like a loser.  I know.  It's something that I'm glad to be leaving behind me, all that guilt and frustration.  When you're an addict, you're living with huge amounts of guilt and just plain suffering -- and you know that.  You can perceive it.  It's there in the background.  Nobody wants to be an addict.  It's an assault on your dignity to be one.  And you pay for that.  It takes a toll on your self-esteem and self-image.  You almost feel like a fraud, like you can't function without some crutch or mask.  Nobody would rationally choose to live that kind of life.  It's a shitty life.  And you can see how people destroy their lives and end up homeless and selling their bodies, etc.  Sometimes I wonder what would happen to the homeless population if all drugs suddenly went away.  Would they wake up one morning and go -- I gotta get the hell outta this situation man!  What the hell am I doin'!  

Edited May 27, 2018 by Joseph Maynor

[Zweistein]

You are right @Joseph Maynor. Addictions are the worst of our inner daemons.

 

[M4NTiC0R3X]

If you have been an addict then it will take gobs of discipline to be able to still do it but not abuse it. I know from personal experience and yes there are times when absolutely never again is the right choice (looking at you hard drugs). I know several people including myself who can still have a drink and call it good at that. There are two points in drinking that matter, the first drink or two and somewhere after 15, LOL! If your addiction is controlling your life then it’s time to take a break! Balance is difficult but not impossible. If you like your addiction then don’t cut it off unless it’s completely necessary. You want to take a Sunday and play games all day? Do it, just don’t do it every single week or risk neglecting other aspects. Wanna get stoned? Go camping and take a doobie snack, laugh it up or meditate!! Setup guys night and get wasted with your pals, moderation is key here and being safe! Also being around people who respect you  Awesome post btw Joseph, my younger self could not have described it better.

edit: a question to ask yourself is why are you fulfilling this addiction? If you can answer that: say boredom for an easy answer.. then you need to get un bored in a different way. 

Edited May 29, 2018 by M4NTiC0R3X
Added another thought.

[egoeimai]

@Joseph Maynor coooooooooool!

Thanxxxxx 

[Solace]

@Joseph Maynor Very inspiring. This is my second day going cold turkey on all of my addictions - to chocolate, too much food, spending hours online, spending hours indoors, the addiction to judging even. We can do this! The cravings aren’t that bad when you don exciting things  

Edited May 29, 2018 by Solace