Let me begin by saying that I am not a licensed psychiatrist, psychologist or therapist. Instead, I am simply someone who has struggled with addictions of my own and have found some helpful insights and handles that I want to pass along to you. So, if you are in need of professional help, please by all means go get it. If on the other hand, you are simply looking for some coaching and mentoring, then read on. Addictive behavior is complex. It involves a wide array of dynamics that must be understood and dealt with if you are to break free from its clutches. Lasting victory seldom comes quickly or easily. Yet, the good news is that there is no addiction you cannot overcome. If you are committed to moving out of addiction and into true freedom, everything you need to get there is within your grasp. First of all, let's give some definition to addiction. It can be anything that controls your thoughts and behavior. This might include the more common forms of addiction such as substance abuse, pornography, eating disorders, lust, lying, stealing, gossip, etc. Yet, it might include such behavior as being critical of others or yourself, allowing fear to keep you from living the life you want, imagining that the worst scenario is going to happen to you, etc. In other words, addiction is the inability to think and do what you want because your thinking and behaving have become pre-programmed for automatic response based on broken patterns formed in the past. Now, let's discuss what it is going to take for you to get free and stay that way. Fundamentally, it takes determination, commitment, accountability, transparency and a teachable spirit. Facilitating change takes a degree of desperation. If we aren't desperate enough, change just takes too much effort to attain and sustain. When our level of desperation reaches critical mass, we find the courage to face our giants and charge them head on. You also need determination and commitment to walk out the process through all the circumstances of life. Inspiration will only get you through the easy times. When the difficult days come for a visit, you need staying power. This is where you need the commitment to keep the ground you win and give nothing back to your enemy. In times of weakness, the motivation to keep the ground you've won will come from others. For one, God is on your side and He is routing for your freedom. He isn't going to do it all for you. But, He is committed to working in partnership with you. God is willing and ready to come to your aid if you are willing to do your part and let Him do His. Because addiction is secretive in nature, you also need the help of others around us. If you don't have friends you trust enough to entrust with your secret addictions, it's time to find some real friends. When it comes to dealing with areas of weaknesses your best weapon is those around you. These are people you call for help in the tough times. These are people who love you enough to be confrontational with you. They will hold you accountable for becoming the person you are capable of being. When you blow it, they will give you a hug, followed by a shift kick in the butt. These are the people who believe in you when you don't believe in yourself. If you try to do it alone, failure isn't far off the horizon. With the help of such committed friends, success will be yours. Being grounded, teachable and transparent are keys to success. So, are you up for the journey? If so, let's get started... 
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