If you've struggled with a gambling addiction or other addiction, you may have said you want to change. You may have even been "trying" to make a change for quite awhile. Addiction counseling can belp you get there, but you need to understand something.
"Trying" is like deciding but not taking action. You rarely experience success. Real change demands action.|Saying you are going to "try" isn't going to get you anywhere. It isn't going to bring the results you're hoping to see. To get real results, you will have to take action.
It's easier and more comfortable to stay where we are Taking action means things will be different from what we are use to. What will it be like when I don't smoke or drink or go shopping when things get hard? It's uncharted territory, isn't it? It's a little scary. But it could also be exciting too.
Deciding to get addiction counseling is a big step when you want to quit an addictive behaviour. An important question to ask is just how much you really want to change. If you rated how motivated you are on a scale of 0-10, with 10 the most, what would your answer be?
Unless you are highly motivated, scoring at least an 8, 9 or 10, your first step needs to be understanding what is keeping you from being truly motivated. When you figure that out, try to build your level of motivation, a little bit at a time. Little improvements are easier, more realistic, and not as frightening as going for a huge change.
Another way to know where you are in the change process is the "Transtheoretical Model of Change". TV's Dr. Oz explains how it works in his article Goal Power in Time Magazine's September 17th issue. A quick recap of this is: 1) Precontemplation: At this stage, you don't realize there is a problem 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: You've made the change 5) Maintenance: New behavior practiced for 6 months. Relapse is still a risk.
If you have an addictive behavior, evaluate where you're at by asking the motivation question and by working through the change model. No judgment. Just notice. Once you've done that, ask yourself: What will I have to think and do in a different way to increase my motivation? Change may be scary, but so are the same old problems over and over.
Regardless of where you are in the process, you don't have to battle this on your own. A certified addiction counselor will enable you to take real steps towards a healthier and happier lifestyle.
Lynn Telford-Sahl is a Certified Addiction Counselor 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. Her Addiction Counseling style is direct, caring, and empowering. She understands knows that humor doesn't change difficult situations, but it can lighten the journey. She's 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 go to Addiction Counselors Modesto.
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