Quitting an Addiction

Twelve Steps

Twelve-step programs have long been an important part of the recovery process and the basis for many recovery programs. Developed over 65 years ago by a small group of alcoholics, the AA program provides simple tools for living based on a set of spiritual principles and a reliance on the fellowship of men and women who share their experience and offer support as part of a lifelong process of recovery. This approach has since been adapted for the treatment of many other addictions...
These are the original Twelve Steps as published by Alcoholics Anonymous:^[10]

1. We admitted we were powerless over alcohol - that our lives had become unmanageable.
2. Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.
3. Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood Him.
4. Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves.
5. Admitted to God, to ourselves, and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs.
6. Were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character.
7. Humbly asked Him to remove our shortcomings.
8. Made a list of all persons we had harmed, and became willing to make amends to them all.
9. Made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others.
10. Continued to take personal inventory, and when we were wrong, promptly admitted it.
11. Sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God as we understood Him, praying only for knowledge of His will for us and the power to carry that out.
12. Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these steps, we tried to carry this message to alcoholics, and to practice these principles in all our affairs.

 I know my topic doesn't include dealing with Alcohol at all, but I find it amazing and very interesting that the 12 step program that was created by AA  over 65 years ago is so versatile and really can help guide any type of addict away from their addiction and into a sober life. Here is a list some other ways you can help minimize obsessive thoughts and addictive behaviors.

1.  Journal your thoughts. Get them out on paper instead of keeping them in your head. After you are done writing, throw the paper away.
2.  Memorize scripture. When thoughts pop into your head STOP worrying about it. STOP obsessing about it...and quote a verse or two that would encourage you in the way that you want.
3.  Talk to your spouse. The thoughts you have to share might be hard for your spouse to hear, but keeping them to your self not good, it's feeding your worry. Open all lines of communication with your spouse.
4.  Create a play list with positive songs that help get your thinking turned around.
5.  Pray.