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Are you looking for a great way to stop an addiction? Addictions can be very stressful and even dangerous depending on the type of person you are. What a lot of people do not realize, is that an expensive professional may not be the answer. This article will show you a few simple steps to conquering almost any addiction.

1) Make Sure You Have a Few Positive Reinforcements.

Quitting a long term habit is hard enough. Not having any support or positive influences makes it extra difficult. If you are trying to quit smoking or stop drinking alcohol, hanging out with friends who smoke or drink is not recommended. Let them know it is nothing personal, but being around them right now is not very beneficial to you. Find new places to go, and new things to do in order to avoid smelling the cigarette smoke or being around the alcohol.

2) Be Sure to Reward Yourself Every Once in a While.

If you have gone a day without smoking or gulping a beer, treat yourself to something healthy. Buy yourself that expensive item you have been looking at for months. If overeating or junk food is not your addiction, buy yourself an ice cream cone, or a banana split! A new electronic or book is also a small but symbolic gift which says you are doing well, and you deserve to be commended. Whatever you do, try not to overdo the rewards or it can really hurt your progression.

3) Try to Find a Healthy Addiction.

If you are going to give up smoking, junk food, or tobacco, there are things you can substitute for them that will make quitting easier. Sugar free gum and candy is the perfect substitute for a cigarette, pipe or cigar. It lacks the nicotine, but serves a specific purpose and seems to help many people. Also, if junk food is your addiction, keep fresh popcorn on hand to pop in a microwave popper without oil. Studies have found that humans get a lot of their craving for food satisfied by eating things that crunch. People quitting alcohol can keep club soda or carbonated flavored drinks on hand. They allow you to drink something, and they are a good alternative at parties.

4) Make Sure You are Doing This for "You" First.

Self motivation is vital for quitting any addiction. Do not start trying to quit an addiction because someone else wants you to do it. You must be at a place where you want to quit for yourself. Without this self motivation, quitting will be significantly harder and end up being very short term. You must find that something deep down inside of you in order to truly get rid of your addiction.

5) Take it One Day at a Time.

This is the one step that most people really hate and often times overlook. You must take your quitting session one day at a time. As with almost anything in life, it takes time. If you rush and fail, not only will you temporarily have "quit", but the chance of you obtaining that addiction again will skyrocket. This is not something that goes away overnight. Be prepared to invest a couple weeks to a few months into this.

Always remember to speak with your doctor before doing following any program. Good luck and be patient for the best chance of fully quitting.