Types Of Addictions - Addiction Treatment - Herbs for Addiction

A complete and useful manual at your disposal about all types of addictions: drugs, tobacco, alcohol, gambling, work, and sex.

Are you someone who knocks down a few drinks after a hard day at work? Do you consider yourself an alcoholic, or someone who drinks occasionally? Are you someone who raids the refrigerator after a breakup with a boyfriend or girlfriend? Are you one of the millions of people who sit behind the television for hours at a time, as well as surf the internet without end? Would you consider these behaviors harmless habits, or addictions?

Most people are addicted to something. It might not be alcohol, cigarettes, food, sex, or drugs, but it is something. You find something that you like and it makes you feel good to the point that you want it repeatedly. Before you become aware of what is happening to you – you become addicted to the point that you need it as a mechanism to cope with certain aspects of your life.

Many of us tend to think of addictions in the extreme form. For example, the drug addicts who would sell his own mother for the next fix, or the gambler who steals everything from his family to hit the black jack table. Nevertheless, millions of people have smaller addictions that never make it to the front page. They do not think of long-term consequences that can result from them abusing substances that they crave on a regular basis that makes them feel good temporarily.

Types of addictions

If you are someone who feels that you may be addicted to something, whether, it be cigarettes, drugs, gambling, alcohol, food, the internet, television, or anything else; you might want to take a long look in the mirror and tell yourself it is time to change. Take the time to ask yourself if the addiction is causing you more trouble than it is making you feel good. Is the addiction causing a rift between you and loved ones? If the answer is yes, then it is time to change.

Addiction treatment

List the good and the bad of your addiction. Most people with an addiction find it difficult to admit they have a problem. One of the most effective ways to see for yourself that you have a problem is to write down the pros and cons of you addiction.

Slow down or stop completely. Some addicts are able to slow down their addictive behaviors. For example, if you smoke three packs a day – make it a point of duty to smoke only one-a-day until eventually you are able to quit. However, there are addicts who can stop and quit cold turkey.

Try to get away from cravings. Many addicts fail to quit because they fail to get away from the cravings. If you know you have a weakness for alcohol, then you should not be hanging out in clubs or bars. It would also be wise to stay away from friends and family who may be indulging in the substance that you are addicted. Give it a month or two; the brain takes one month to forget about a bad habit. A word to the wise; do not go back to the substance that you were addicted to after being off for a month. It would be harder to quit the second time around.

Keep yourself busy to avoid falling victim to cravings. If you are trying to unload an addiction, the worst thing you can do is stay locked up at home. There are plenty of things to do while you are trying to overcome an addiction. Exercise, hobbies, or other activities that keep your mind and body active are a great way to keep your mind off your addiction.

Switch bad behaviors to good ones. Quitting anything that you have formed a habit for is very hard. No one said it would be easy. However, if you are sitting at home on a Friday night, and you have an urge to smoke; reach for a stick of gum. Hence, you have just switched a bad behavior for a good one. Try this technique with anything that you are addicted. For example, instead of reaching for a beer reach for a soda. If you are addicted to television – turn it off and reach for a magazine.

Herbs for addiction - alcohol addiction

Passionflower – This plant is a sedative, which makes abstinence more bearable.
Radish – Increases bile production; reduces toxicity and congestion of the liver.
Milk Thistle – Regenerates hepatic cells; reduces liver toxicity

Herbs for addiction – tobacco addiction

Carrot – Speeds up nicotine elimination; regenerates respiratory mucosa.
Garlic – Detoxifying, promotes elimination of retained mucous, stops smoking urge.
Licorice – Helps overcome the urge to smoke, regenerates respiratory mucosa after giving up smoking.
Lungwort – Counteracts the negative tobacco effects.

Sugar addiction

Many people are addicted to sugar, it may seem ridiculous, but sugar can be very addictive – as addictive as alcohol in some cases. The good thing about being addicted to sugar is that it is easily substituted for healthier options. The sugar we use today is white sugar, which is the worst thing you can use as a sweetener. It is void of all nutrients and minerals that whole sugar contains. White sugar is processed and should not be used. If you must use sugar try to find brown sugar, or use alternative sweeteners like, honey, maple syrup (my favorite), and dried fruits, which can all be used in place of white sugar.

Coffee addiction - caffeine addiction

Most people do not see coffee as an addiction but it fits the mold just as perfectly as the other substances we mentioned. Coffee contains caffeine, which is an addictive substance. There are people who cannot function without a cup of coffee in the morning. The best cure for coffee addiction is to STOP using it. There are plenty substitutes that you can use to help wean you off coffee.

When to call a doctor for an addiction

People who are addicted to drug, alcohol, or other addictions often insist that their actions are normal. No matter what type of ruination is around them they still refuse to acknowledge that they may have a problem.

If friends and family members are consistently trying to tell you that you may have a problem, listen to them. Take some time to look at your behavior and your actions. If you do not like what you are seeing, try to get help for their sake. If you do not care enough about yourself to get help, then do it for the ones who love you. Remember, friends and family members will see things in your behavior that you might not.

Try your best to remedy the situation on your own. If possible, try to stop the abusive behavior by cutting back. The people that care about you will be glad to assist you with your problem. However, if for some reason you cannot overcome your addiction even after you have tried everything, then it is time to get professional help.