Quitting a Habit

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I am going to go 'cold turkey' on a habit that's gotten out of my control. Initially it was a coping mechanism, but if I'm honest it's become the opposite of that, to the point where I can't think straight or about anything else when I don't have it. I have tried to quit before and it didn't work. Nonetheless I am trying to have a more positive outlook that this time I can do it.

It is expensive, it is socially unacceptable, it is harmful if not outright dangerous, and it is damaging my already fragile mental health. My family hate it and pretend not to know I'm still doing it.

But the reasons above are not my motivation. I knew all of them to be true from the start and it never stopped me. My motivation is that if I stop now, I may never have to tell anyone what it actually is. I'm sure there are people I could tell who would have a similar experience, or who wouldn't judge me, but I don't want to take my chances. I like it here.

I am making this public because I tried to do it privately before and my system just collapsed under desperation and shame. I added a tickbox in my daily diary that said : WEAK? Y/N [], and I had to answer 'Y' most every time . I don't think that was the right way to do it, to degrade myself right off the bat.

So, this thread is for me to keep myself on track. If anybody has any comments or advice on kicking addictions, because that's what this is, please share.

A few things come to mind that have helped this "Reader and Righter".

First the D's

Drink water
Delay
Do something else.

You have so much in that brain of yours. You're a person with a great amount of knowledge, and a great amount of aesthetic sense.

I don't know what the "habit" is---but I would say you should absolutely be dogmatic about stamping it out.

Don't get yourself into a philosophical dialogue with yourself over whether the "habit" is somehow justified because you have a "right" to it---and don't just maintain the "habit" for the sake of iconoclasm.

2nd thoughts


Add instead of subtract.
Tap fingers on table instead of with pen.

Get an Accountability partner
Record data which you are doing.

Set a stop date

^^ Thanks both

Ah but this is what I do best lol, I could talk philosophy with myself forever !
No, you are right, I need to just say 'no.' and stick to it. It will be very hard, but with perseverance I have to hope it will get easier. I feel I am doing a disservice to myself by doing something so stupid; but then stupid implies it is a logical decision, when in fact I believe it's more of an emotional one.

No can do, in real life terms . WP is an accountability partner of sorts though, it is public at least and I like to come here, so that should motivate me to stay on track.



I am going to ask myself to abstain for a week. If I can do that, I can do more. I have to believe I can do more.

Re stop date.

One day might be another possibility.
I know someone that set there watch to buzz every hour.
He would then do some exercise and note another hour "clean".

i tried giving up on WP.
Didn't work.
It's just an illusion of accountability.

You need a stronger motivation than 'some strangers on the internet may not like me.'

I have a twelfth day recurring relapse.

@OP
Depending on what you're doing, I would seek out a local drugs team near you since you're from the UK. They provide help and free advice that's actually helpful and give you some guidance. Please see your GP and ask them for a drugs team advisor.

I've helped people come off heroin and cocaine addiction before and it was hard work, but I got them there in the end very carefully. Heroin was the worst though because it's basically a trap.

If you need any help and advice or just want to rant about it feel free to message me, I'm very understanding with this and not judgemental about it.

Good luck.

My motivation is stronger than just accountability to WP. It has to be or I'm screwed.

My main motivation is if I stop now, then I can properly stop. If I don't stop now, there will be repercussions I can't undo, even if I quit in the future.

I'll be careful though

^^^Lunella it's not drug-related, I appreciate the advice though so thank you.

Ah okay, you said habit and usually when people say habit over here they mean it's drugs related so it was a misunderstanding. No problem though sweetheart, good luck with whatever it is, my offer still stands regardless.

^ Yeah sorry, my own fault for being cryptic .

is there any way you can make it impossible to obtain?
That helped me kick it.

* Sorry I sound ret*d.
Having a slo-pro day.

Relapse can be a learning tool.
If I fall on ice from my car to my house, I don't go back to the car -
I use what I learned and adapt.

I have worked with addictions of many kinds , for 25+ years. Those included street people to those people who have streets named after their families.

I do use that role on line including WP.

I wish, I've tried that before but I always find a way.
The only time I ever managed was the first month of uni when my loan didn't come through and had 82p/day at my disposal. But then I got a job and I relapsed pretty hard .

*And you don't sound ret*d at all, you sound helpful and wise.

I don't even have control of my own money now.
Sad, but true.

I couldn't buy a fix even if I wanted to.