After living with this addiction and the effects it has had on your life, deciding to change is a huge step. Perhaps you've "tried" to quit before. Unfortunately, just saying you want to isn't does not guarantee success with addiction counseling.
To "try" is like deciding but not really taking action. You rarely experience success. Real change involves action.|Saying you'll "try" isn't going to get you anywhere. It isn't going to get you the results you want. To get real results, you have got to take action.
It's a lot easier to stay where we are, in a familiar place. Taking action means things will be different from what we are use to. What will it be like when I don't light up, have a drink or turn to binge eating when I'm stressed or upset? Things will be different, but how? That can be frightening, but it can also be exhilirating.
When you begin counseling for an addiction, you may plan to stop the addictive habit that's causing problems. But the question is, How motivated are you? From 1-10, where 10 is the most motivated you can be, just how motivated are you to make a change?
If you find you aren't highly motivated, in the range of 8 to 10, you should start by trying to find out what is preventing you from being truly motivated. When you figure that out, work on building your motivation, a little bit at a time. Small improvements are easier to do and less scary as a big change.
Another way to know where you are in the change process is the "Transtheoretical Model of Change". TV's Dr. Oz explains this model in his article Goal Power in Time Magazine's September 17th issue. You can read the entire process in that article, but basically the process is this: 1) Precontemplation: You don't know the problem exists 2) Contemplation: You're thinking about the pros and cons of change 3) Preparation: At this stage, you are almost ready and start talking about it 4) Action: Now you've made the change 5) Maintenance: You've changed your behaviour for at least six months. Slips still a risk.
If you're struggling with an addiction and want to make a change, think about where you are at in the process by asking how motivated you are and where you see yourself in the Transtheoretical Model of Change described above. Please don't judge yourself. Instead, just stop and take note of where you are. Reflect on the changes you are able to make in how you think and the steps you might take to boost your motivation. Of course, changing how you think and react can be scary. But the truth is, living with the same addiction day in and day out can be scary too.
No matter where you are right now, you don't have to struggle with this by yourself. Working with a certified addiction counselor will make it easier to take real steps towards a life that is healthier and happier.
Lynn Telford-Sahl is a Certified Addiction Counselor in private practice in Modesto, CA. She has an M.A. in Psychology with a Holistic Specialization and has over 20 years experience helping clients with addictive issues and challenges with alcohol, drugs, food, gambling or overspending and debt issues. Lynn's Addiction Counseling style is direct, caring, and empowering. She believes knows that humor doesn't change difficult situations, but it can lighten the journey. She is the author of two books: Intentional JOY: How To Turn Stress, Fear & Addition into Freedom and The Greatest Change of All. For a free phone consultation, please visit Addiction Counselors Modesto.
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