Getting out of addiction is not impossible. It happens everyday. However, this is not to imply it won't be a challenge. Today's lifestyles are full of work related stresses. It is not unusual to observe addictions and other stress induced behaviors which have become commonplace in our societies.

When it comes to addictions related to drugs and food, breaking free requires more than just the idea that freedom is possible.

With a goal of breaking free from food addictions like sweets, one can just go cold turkey which is considered the most ideal way. However, you can still eat sweets but just enjoy them in moderation.

The problem is the seemingly easy solutions don't always have a Plan B. Plan B comes in handy when your first attempt at cold turkey is less than successful.

Sometimes it will be hard to get off your addiction to sweets or caffeine or other food items. Drug addictions are always problematic, however the issues are nearly identical to those of less psychologically additive substances.

Starting out on the right path will greatly improve your chances at being successful at breaking away from your addictions.

Here are some step by step practices that can make a difference:

1. Ask yourself if the end result of your addiction is serving your best interests. Take time to think about all areas of your life that are feeling the impact of your habits.
2. You must find a way to accept that your addiction is not healthy. It is normal for your conscious mind to generate rationalizations for why it's ok for you to do what you are addicted to. The reality is that your addiction is not healthy and could result in an untimely death.
3. Understand that you want to change in ways that put you back in control of your life. Let's use a dieting example to illustrate the point. It's a documented fact that diets don't work 98% of the time. A better approach to healthy eating would be to avoid foods that trigger binge eating. Salty foods like nuts, potato chips, and dozens of others promote feelings of hunger. By eliminating trigger foods you can ensure greater success with your eating habits...without dieting. Look for triggers for smoking or other addictions and eliminate triggering imputs.
4. Gather a support team. This can be done by joining an online forum or an offline support group that focuses on addiction. Caring and experienced recovering addicts are proven to make a difference for those who are able to reach out for help. These groups rigorously maintain the privacy of their members so there's no downside to reaching out and joining the group. No one will know.
5. Celebrate your victory. Plan your plan and work your plan and include the date you will accomplish your victory over addiction. While the recovery period will flow through the remainder of your lifetime, your celebration will mark the beginning of a new and vibrant path for your life.

Above all else it is important to have a basic understanding of behavior modification. Behaviors that are rewarded are repeated. Behaviors that are not rewarded become extinct. Here's where it gets complicated so pay attention.

It is not unusual for the reward that causes the behavior to repeat to be very subtle. For example, if a relationship partner does not nag the addicted partner about an addiction related behavior, the lack of pressure to change is the reward that keeps the behavior in play.

Behavior Modification Rule #2.

Living beings live with two major drives. Foremost is the avoidance of pain. Second to this is the pursuit of pleasure. Therein lies the secret to long term addiction. Mastering one's choices is the secret to the extintion of addiction and addictive behaviors.

You must be able to accept, understand and recognize that addiction is a circular path, most often leading to the destruction of the life that is caught in its snare.

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