Replacing addictions with more addictions

[dystopia]

I can never get rid of my addictive tendency, entirely. I replaced nicotine with candy and beer with sparkling water and soda (not the harmful kind but Zevia which is 0 cal and sweetened with stevia).

I still really miss doing those things and joining a gym has also helped distract me. I have also developed other hobbies. I tend to eat a lot more bread, too. Without replacements and distractions, I don't know how I would have gotten over drinking and smoking.

Has anyone succeeded in curbing addictions, entirely? Like, really succeeded. How?

Edited February 7, 2016 by shouldnt

[Leo Gura]

Sure, it's definitely doable.

You're already on the path. Just keep doing more of the same and eventually your addictions will become more and more positive. It can sometimes take months and years though, so be patient.

If you really want to drop habits for good, the secret is not to try to forcefully change them, but to mindfully observe yourself acting like a mindless chimp while engaging in the habit. Try smoking an pack of cigarettes while being constantly focused on how they are making you feel and how they are damaging your body and making you feel addicted. Don't go unconscious. As soon as you go unconscious the process stops working.

Start to apply LOTS more consciousness to your bad habits as you do them. Pay much more attention to how these habits are robbing you of a great life. At some point, the mind will just drop the habit cold, without you having to force yourself to resist.

[MIARIVEL]

The way I stopped smoking was two things:

1) As Leo said I developed more consciousness every time I had a cigarette, (I had it programmed in my mind) that it was the only thing that calms me down after a stressful situation or a bad day or just to have an excuse to have a break at work. However, developing consciousness wasn't easy but the more I became aware, I kept asking to myself 'what are you doing to yourself? your ruining your body for what? where is this going to get you Mia?

2) I started to replace smoking with drinking (although I always had my drinking under control) but then I was doing the same with drinking, why am I drinking? what is this doing for me? Every time I was angry, stressed, frustrated, I replaced these bad habits with good ones, I started going for a walk and listening to feel good music and I would walk and listen to music till I was in a better mind frame and state again. I then decided to start a business and I knew nothing about business so I dedicated my life to doing what I love and learning all I can. Because what I do now means everything to me, I don't have time to think about having a ciggie or feeling the need to just drink whenever I get stressed. I usually take short exercise breaks if I get stressed now, I do some squats or some push ups and this usually shifts my mind really quick. 

So when you are thinking about replacements and distractions, make a list of other ways you can have better replacements and distractions that will serve you.

For e.g. every afternoon when I come home from work, I always needed to eat chocolate or a packet of chips to curb my afternoon cravings and now I have replaced that with making healthy smoothies, and did my research on all the different kinds of healthy smoothies i can make and what healthy ingredients I can put in them. Im addicted to making smoothies now for an afternoon snack and I even lost weight from this. I actually had a lot more energy to keep working through the night and studying.

Hope this helped a bit.

[A way to Actualize]

 

I am so excited to introduce this video to you. He talks on that addictions replace other addictions, and he gives an easy way to get rid of it. He is enlightened. It gave me so much results that I feel the need to post this.