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Malakadang's Informative Guide, to quitting just about anything!
Recently I have been seeing quite a lot of questions about how to quit (insert whatever) for example smoking. I decided to make a guide not just dedicated to quitting smoking, but how to quit virtually anything, and what makes you so addicted that quitting seems hard.
Before I begin this is my very first guide, so Constructive Criticism is very much appreciated.
Introduction
What makes us so addicted to something that we can't seem to quit?
There are many things that contribute to our addiction, mainly they affect your brain chemistry. I will be covering I think the most critical point; dopamine.
Ok so what is dopamine?
Dopamine is a neurotransmitter which plays a significant role in numerous forms of addiction, eg. Video games, addictive gambling.
Dopamine is believed to be involved in emotional arousal, pleasure, motivation, and the control of voluntary movements. The chemical dopamine is involved in regulating the most fundamental of human activities. For example, higher levels of dopamine in the brain are generally associated with positive emotions.
Interesting Fact!
Tests show on rats that when you hook them up to a button which stimulates their dopamine sensors, they will push them until they starve to death!
Steps to quit something 'Cold Turkey!'
Step 1.
What makes us so addicted to something that we can't seem to quit?
There are many things that contribute to our addiction, mainly they affect your brain chemistry. I will be covering I think the most critical point; dopamine.
Ok so what is dopamine?
Dopamine is a neurotransmitter which plays a significant role in numerous forms of addiction, eg. Video games, addictive gambling.
Dopamine is believed to be involved in emotional arousal, pleasure, motivation, and the control of voluntary movements. The chemical dopamine is involved in regulating the most fundamental of human activities. For example, higher levels of dopamine in the brain are generally associated with positive emotions.
Interesting Fact!
Tests show on rats that when you hook them up to a button which stimulates their dopamine sensors, they will push them until they starve to death!
Steps to quit something 'Cold Turkey!'
Step 1.
Pick a day to quit.
The first step is always the most important, and if you are seriously committed into quitting something this first step MUST be taken no exceptions. Just remember this key quote, "Why put off something that you can do today for tomorrow?"
It's actually rather simple, let's say you want to quit smoking. We'll assume you smoke 7 days a week, smoking lets say 10 cigarettes a day. Now all you'd have to do is simply resist the urge to smoke for 1 day. If you simply cannot do this no matter how hard you try, then this highlights a serious problem; you are completely addicted and this is all the more reason to try and fight the addiction. If you cannot complete the first step, not to worry keep following these steps as they'll aid you.
Step 2.
It's actually rather simple, let's say you want to quit smoking. We'll assume you smoke 7 days a week, smoking lets say 10 cigarettes a day. Now all you'd have to do is simply resist the urge to smoke for 1 day. If you simply cannot do this no matter how hard you try, then this highlights a serious problem; you are completely addicted and this is all the more reason to try and fight the addiction. If you cannot complete the first step, not to worry keep following these steps as they'll aid you.
Step 2.
Seek consolation
Trying to quit something alone is a daunting task, try and get at least 1 person to help you along, a friend, a co worker, a family member. Humans are social creatures, we draw strength from. Just remember, it's not a weakness to seek help when needed; It's a weakness to need help when unwanted. Try to get comfortable in talking to someone about your habit, about how hard it is; extrinsic factors contribute greatly to intrinsic motivation.
A common method accompanied with seeking consolation is 'making a bet.' For example let's say you wanted to quit playing video games. You could bet your parents that If you quit then they'd have to buy you a skateboard. This helps keep you motivated and is a great method in aiding addiction.
Step 3.
A common method accompanied with seeking consolation is 'making a bet.' For example let's say you wanted to quit playing video games. You could bet your parents that If you quit then they'd have to buy you a skateboard. This helps keep you motivated and is a great method in aiding addiction.
Step 3.
Focus on the positive
Focus on the positives, imagine what you could have/do/be without your bad habit! You could make a list of all these things, for example. If you are a compulsive gambler then you could; Save ALOT of money, make a better quality of friends, improve your social life, all these things and many more. I guess the picture above summarizes it all though.
Positive Thinkings = Positive Actions = Positive Habit = Positive Result.
Positive Thinkings = Positive Actions = Positive Habit = Positive Result.
Step 4.
Repeat steps 1-3 If they are successful, gradually increase the amount of days you decide to quit. The beauty of quitting something is that once you are committed, It gets easier! While this process may be slow it gradually speeds up, however I'll reiterate the start is always the hardest. Obviously however addiction is very hard to beat, for very serious addictions a Step 5. is required.
Step 5.
Repeat steps 1-3 If they are successful, gradually increase the amount of days you decide to quit. The beauty of quitting something is that once you are committed, It gets easier! While this process may be slow it gradually speeds up, however I'll reiterate the start is always the hardest. Obviously however addiction is very hard to beat, for very serious addictions a Step 5. is required.
Step 5.
Seek Professional Help.
An addiction does have medical components to it, sometimes no matter how hard you think you've tried its just not enough. Do not ever quit though, while sometimes this may not be an option the best advice if all else fails is this; Seek Professional Help! While you may feel embarrassed to, you shouldn't you should feel proud of yourself. You're one of the few people that has faced their addictions head on, you've tried self help, and it's failed; You should feel anything but ashamed.
Conclusion
To reiterate everything I've said and give you a brief summary of what was said. Quitting anything is hard, however the first step is always the hardest. Just remember the millions of people too ashamed to seek help, you don't want to be one of them. You want to get help even if it's from a family members, you want to know the benefits of successfully beating your addiction and you want to think positively, not negatively. If all else fails seek Professional help, sometimes it's not your fault you cannot beat an addiction sometimes it's just medical and you need to recognize and embrace this; not beat yourself over it.
To reiterate everything I've said and give you a brief summary of what was said. Quitting anything is hard, however the first step is always the hardest. Just remember the millions of people too ashamed to seek help, you don't want to be one of them. You want to get help even if it's from a family members, you want to know the benefits of successfully beating your addiction and you want to think positively, not negatively. If all else fails seek Professional help, sometimes it's not your fault you cannot beat an addiction sometimes it's just medical and you need to recognize and embrace this; not beat yourself over it.
Thank You very much for reading my guide! I hope everyone can take something out of it, and constructive criticism is much appreciated. I will leave just one article for you guys to read if Interested.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Law_of_Attraction
If you liked this guide check out my other guides:
How to train your Dog!
Saving someones life when they're drunk.
Common Dog Breeds + Information!
What you can do with a Command Prompt (CMD)
If you liked this guide check out my other guides:
How to train your Dog!
Saving someones life when they're drunk.
Common Dog Breeds + Information!
What you can do with a Command Prompt (CMD)
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