England is full of addicts, whether that’s an addiction to tobacco or alcohol, illegal or legal drugs, or even gambling and prostitution. There is of course also addiction to food (anorexia and bulminia to over-eating). It doesn’t take a genius to realise that all forms of addiction are either an emotional cry for help, or from stifling emotions down, so you don’t have to think about things. For instance, the average alcoholic is usually a sensitive person who starts ‘drinking to forget’ things from the past or present’. If they did not have emotional pain, they wouldn’t need to drink.
Kickass Recovery is a highly-reviewed book for anyone who needs to get (and stay) clean from addiction, so they can live their dreams. Whatever form of addiction you have, this upbeat book is from a man who has been there, and can help you through the dark days, to reach the other side.
In fact, many addicts do get clean – but relapse is the the more common issue. So being clean (and staying that way) has to feel better than being an addict was. This can mean different things to different people. From having a family to a stable income to writing a book or playing in a band. The techniques in this book are simple but profound:
- Finding inspiration that works for you
- Asking for help (even if you don’t want to)
- Practicing gratitute & meditation (even if you think they’re silly)
- Steering clear of people who rain on your parade
This simple and doable book builds confidence and ways that build on each other, until you’re ready to fly solo. Author Billy Manas is a guitarist and writer, who frequently shares his wisdom to addicts at rehabs in jails.
If you’ve got addictions due to past trauma, read The Healing Workbook that includes techniques to use alongside therapy, from a social worker who has done extensive work with trauma survivors.
help for addiction to alcohol
If you’re addicted to the taste of alcohol (or just drink out of habit), consider a few artisan alternatives. There are many botanical drinks these days like Pentire (from the Cornish coast) or Nirvana beers, that are just as good, but with no booze. Leicestershire’s Belvoir Elderflower Cordial is legendary to mix with sparkling water, as the absolutely ideal alternative for a non-boozy white wine spritzer.
help for addiction to drugs
Adfam & FRANK both offer free help for drug addiction. In San Francisco,toilets for homeless people include free sharps boxes, to deposit needles so they don’t get littered. Why not here?
help for addiction to smoking
Allen Carr’s Easyway is an effective method to stop smoking and also has programs to quit alcohol, drugs and over-eating. Allen was a chain smoker who gave up and used his method (basically self-hypnosis to take you back to when you didn’t smoke) to cure millions. His methods are more effective than nicotine patches (which is like ‘giving a little whisky to an alcoholic) but the NHS won’t fund it.
help for addiction to gambling
Gamblers Anonymous is a bit like Alcoholics Anonymous, where you can safely get help for the addiction often only known by ‘the banker and the bookie’. It may help to look up welfare issues for greyhounds and racehorses, rather than just think of gambling in monetary terms. Remember that playing the lottery is also a form of gambling (and a silly one at that). You’re more likely to get killed by lightning on the way to buying your ticket, than to actually win it. Quakers refuse lottery funding, saying it takes advantage of desperate poor people, and in order for someone to win, another person has to lose.
help for eating disorders
Anorexic? Read Strong, Calm & Free, by a woman who almost died as a teenager, down to a few stone. She took up yoga then this led to her eating properly, then she hit the gym to work out. She is now a very healthy balanced yoga teacher, who writes books to help others.
help for addiction to sex
Sex addiction is a modern one for recent times. It helps again to do yoga or something that’s more deep than the celebrity-obsessed fodder on TV, that assumes anyone alone is hopeless and sad. Up your standards and live a life of worth, rather than focus on things not that important.
