I've noticed most people who develop a substance abuse problem usually go through the same sorts of struggles. It starts where you think you should slow down your use because it's affecting other things in your day to day life (how you feel, who you're spending time with, so on). If you notice that slowing down is not working as you expected you turn to 'quitting for a while'. Which usually results in you completing a month or week or day even only to reward yourself for doing so with the substance. How long & how many 'quits' did it take you to get to a place where you seriously decided to stop?
A lot, actually. I don't remember the exact number but I used to be a procrastinator before I quit my addictions. I was always saying that tomorrow I would quit drinking/smoking but that was just a "pep talk" with myself before I felt asleep. One day things changed and I was able to quit for real.
A lot. It took me a while to finally quit, specially the alcohol... since it is so easy to get and it was the first thing I saw everytime I came into a store. That didn't help me one bit I have heard this is rather common with some addicts, some people don't go thru this though. My biological dad quit alcohol cold turkey and never drank again, not a drop.
A million. The defeat is always awful and would only fuel my negative habits. Then finally by God good graces I was able to quit fully. You may fail a million times, but when you finally win and get the devil off your back you will feel amazing.
ONE. One day I called my mom and asked her to come over immediately and we flushed everything in my house down the toilet and made plans for me to move and had a friend come stay with me for a few weeks while I went through withdrawals. One crazy day.
I've been trying to beat an addiction for a number of years now. In 2005 I made a huge poster and hung it on a wall. I thought that seeing the reminder each time I woke up in the morning, would force me to stay committed to my decision [to quit]. It didn't work. I'd battle the addiction for a week or maybe two and I'd fall. That translates to over 200 attempts to quit. I haven't managed to beat the addiction yet but I'm trying harder than ever to resist the cravings. Maybe this year, I'll win the "war."
TO be totally honest when I decided to quit, that was it. I never lied to myself as I was not ashamed of what I was doing and I thought that I was young etc so it as my duty to go and get hammered every day. But when I quit, I had hit some serious rock bottom so I made my vow there and then.
Your question really hits the spot! I've been lying to myself all these years, knowing full well what I was doing. One fine morning, I was just so sick of my life. I pledged to never do it again. I remember the first week was a total hell. But I never looked back. I love my life now!
Personally I tried to quit quite a few times before I actually managed to quit properly. I think the first few times was a bit of a half hearted effort, I knew I had to do something about it but wasn't sure exactly what. I think that's probably the case for a lot of people, it's very rare that somebody can just quit and not look back.
@pwarbi that's what you think! But let me tell you, everyone can achieve that feat. It's their attitude they need to change. It's not some esoteric or elusive trait. Everyone has it.
Well of course that's what I think. It's my opinion, just like everybody as an opinion, and they're allowed to voice it. That is what a forum is about, unless I'm mistaken?
@pwarbi No you aren't mistaken my friend. Everyone should have their own opinion and be able to voice it. No matter what it is. Of course, that does not mean your opinion is always right. But, you're certainly entitled to your opinion.