1. Work With a Counselor
Seeing a counselor is particularly effective for non-physical addictions, such as addictions to gambling, sex, food and the Internet. Addictions that are purely in the mind can be treated with psychological intervention. Find a counselor who specializes in treating addictions and make regular appointments to see him. Depending on the severity of your addiction, treatment could take anywhere from several months to a year or more. During your sessions, your counselor will help you discover the basis for your addiction. You'll realize why you became addicted in the first place, and what role the addiction is playing in your life. With this information, your counselor will teach you how to reduce and then eliminate your psychological dependence on your addiction, and give you the mental tools you need to keep the addiction at bay in the future.
2. See a Doctor
If you're addicted to drugs or alcohol, you may need medical intervention. This is especially true with drug addiction. Your body becomes physically dependent on the drugs you're taking, and it's often not possible to abruptly quit taking the drug you're on. This is especially true of tranquilizers. If you're addicted to a tranquilizer like Xanax or Ativan, the withdrawal symptoms could actually be fatal if you stop using the drug too quickly. By placing yourself under medical supervision, you can get help with the process of gradually reducing your use of your chosen drug in a safe manner. Your doctor may also be able to prescribe something for you to take to help ease the unpleasant symptoms of withdrawal. Once you've tapered off your drug use entirely, you should seek counseling to ensure you don't start using the drug again.
3. Attend Group Meetings
Many people who are addicted or who have been in the past find it helpful to attend group meetings. Group meetings exist for nearly every addiction, and are usually free to join. Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous are some examples of the type of group that addicts join. At your chosen group, you'll get to meet other addicts who share your addiction and hear their stories. You'll also be able to share your own story. Going to regular group meetings allows you to learn from the experiences of others and to learn valuable tools for avoiding temptation in the future.
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