Addiction and Recovery
Overcoming Addiction: You Have Hope
By Holly Wilson
Apr 19, 2008

Addiction is a devastating condition that no one wants to find themselves dealing with. Who says as a child that when they grow up they want to be an addict?

It sneaks up on you before you know it and can wreak havoc on your life and that of your loved ones. It can seem hopeless when you are in the depths of the disease but I'm here to prove to you it's not.

You can overcome your addiction.

You are not doomed to an unhealthy life and believe it or not, addiction can be put in remission.

Scientific evidence has been developed that supports the whole mind and body connection. What your mind thinks and believes can have a major impact on your body.

It makes sense since the brain controls every action that happens in our bodies, negative emotions and thoughts can be very destructive to our overall health.

If you are struggling with addiction and have been to treatment centers or AA meetings that focus on the 12 step notion that addiction is an incurable disease you may have lost your hope.

It's intimidating and devastating to be told you have a disease with no chance for a cure. Why try to fight something if you have no chance of beating it?

Many dependent individuals find themselves relapsing and losing their hope and self esteem because they believe the disease is stronger then them.

That's not true. Every invention, electronic device, life saving operation and trip to the moon was developed in someone's mind with an idea.

Someone believed it was possible and worked until they came up with the solution. It all starts with an idea and a desire.

That's a simple form of motivation but it can be applied to overcoming addiction too. If you are addicted to drugs, alcohol or even nicotine you can put it in remission. The first step is finding the desire to quit and then believing you can quit.

Many treatment centers only focus on the drugs or alcohol when the majority of addicted individuals are using these substances to cope with underlying issues. Once you uncover the reasons you use drugs or alcohol as your medication you can then begin to heal from your addiction.

This can be a difficult task but it's possible.

It all starts with you and a desire for a better life. Don't let anyone tell you that your addiction is incurable and hopeless.

That will only set your brain up for failure. Retrain your brain and open up a new hope of possibilities.