Top 10 Ways To Stop An Addiction

by Dennis R. Tesdell, Personal Development and Self-Care Coach

Everyone has a habit and some an “addiction” that they would like to break or quit for health or other reasons. The “bad” habits can be minor such as nail biting, mild overeating, eating junkfood, drinking caffeine beverages, or,they can be severe addictions to alcohol or other “hard” drugs, or to tobacco. This list is intended for most people as an ADJUNCT to getting *professional* or other supportive help from their doctors, substance abuse counselors or therapists, sponsors, family and friends. Always get professional help when trying to quit an alcohol/drug habit, and it’s highly recommended if you are needing to seriously diet or quit smoking tobacco also.

1. Make Sure Positive Reinforcement Is There For You!

Quitting a long-standing habit is hard enough. Not having any support or positive influences makes it doubly difficult. If you are trying to quit smoking or to drink alcohol, hanging out with friends who smoke or drink in your presence is not recommended. TELL your friends and *all* support people what you are trying to work on and quit, and let them know it will be easier for you to quit if you are not tempted by being around the habits or activities you are giving up. Let them know it is not a “personal” judgment of them. Find new places to go, and new things to do if you must, to avoid smelling the smoke or being around the bars and the booze. This is especially important during the first 2-3 weeks of your “self-improvement” program.

2. Give Yourself Frequent Rewards!

Animal trainers have long known that the way to train or retrain an animal to do something is by giving them a small reward when they have done well. This theory works well with humans as well. If you have gone a day without smoking or sipping a beer, or eating any junk food, treat yourself to something healthy. Buy yourself the scarf or shirt you have been looking at for months. If overeating or junk food is not your bad habit/addiction, buy yourself an ice cream cone, frozen yogurt, or a banana split! A new CD or book is also a small but symbolic gift which says you are doing well, and you deserve to be commended! Buy or give yourself whatever” treat” or gift you like. The above are suggested since the treats animals trainers use of fish, dog biscuits and bananas are not very appealing to most humans.

3. Substitute The Old “Bad” Habit For A Healthy New One.

If you are giving up smoking, eating junk food, alcohol, or tobacco, there are things you can substitute for them that will make quitting easier. Sugar free gum and candy in your mouth is a well tested substitute for a cigarette, pipe or cigar. It lacks the nicotine, but it does serve a purpose and seems to help many people. Lollipops worked for the TV series detective “Kojak” as I recall. Also, if junk food is your “bete noire,” keep popcorn (NOT the microwave type that is salted and very oily) on hand to pop in a “hot air” or microwave popper without oil. Studies have found that humans get a lot of their craving for food satisfied by eating things that “crunch.” Obviously there are very high calorie snacks that crunch, but pick some that do not, such as carrot and celery slices (keep on hand in a large bowl of water in the refrigerator so they are all ready to eat). If “rabbit food” does not appeal to you, try the popcorn or be creative. People quitting alcohol can keep club soda or carbonated flavored drinks on hand. They allow you to drink something, and they are a good alternative at parties and when you must be in a bar or lounge.

4. Quit or Change For *Yourself* First, Not For Anyone Else.

Self-motivation is vital to quitting a bad habit or an addiction. Do not start trying to quit a behavior or addiction because your spouse, minister, parents, or friends want you to do it. You *must* be at a place where you want to quit for YOURSELF, because you realize what you are doing is not healthy or is not something you want to continue to do. Without this “self-motivation,” quitting will be harder, and often is not long-term nor permanent. It is fine to quit also for the benefit of your friends and family and job and doctor, etc. AND, you must first really have a “deep down” commitment and desire to quit for *you* and for your own health, self-esteem, emotional balance, and happiness. Use your family and friends who support your efforts to help you and help keep you motivated beyond your own “inner strength” and desire to change.

5. Use PROFESSIONAL Help And A Dependable Support Network!!

Especially if you are addicted to alcohol, to cigarettes, or to drugs, it is important to have a physician who is very knowledgeable about your condition, and who will support you and monitor your health and your progress as time passes during your change and recovery phases. It is important to have a recent physical exam if you have been an alcohol or drug abuser, or if you are severely overweight. This way, the doctor can offer advice on any appropriate dietary supplements, as well as exercise guidelines for your specific situation. In addition, get the help of a support group which specializes in your problem if it is overweight, or substance abuse. They are usually free and can be of good support to you in the early stages of your new “lifestyle change.” Friends, family and clergy are also common sources of support. A therapist or “substance abuse counselor” is also an option. Check your Yellow Pages under “Substance Abuse,” “Hospitals,” “Counselors,” “Therapists,” “Drugs,” “Rehabilitation,” and even the “Red Cross.” Many of these agencies have either free or “sliding scale” support programs available, depending on your situation and the size of your city.

6. Start A Stress Reduction Program When You Begin Your Change.

We have all heard people say they need a drink “to unwind,” or a cigarette “to calm my nerves.” That is simply medical hog wash. Most people know nicotine is a stimulant, and does nothing physiologically to “calm” the smoker down! While alcohol IS a depressant, and the person will feel sedated or “calmer” for a while, after the alcohol is metabolized as sugar, it drops the blood sugar level, and the adrenal glands are stimulated, often making the person edgy or nervous again. Some heavy drinkers often wake in the night a few hours after going to bed, due to hunger (the low blood sugar is making them hungry) or an inability to stay asleep (the adrenal glands have “kicked in” and they have put some adrenaline, cortisol, etc. in the bloodstream, raising the person’s pulse rate and blood pressure). And as we also know, many people say that eating food or certain foods “calms them down” or helps them “feel better” when they are sad or disturbed. It’s time to start reducing the stress and tension by healthy means. The best (and most easily used in any environment) stress and tension control skills to learn are yoga, meditation, self-relaxation or self-hypnosis, and biofeedback. These can all be learned by books, video and audio tapes, or you can go see a trained professional and learn them. They will be useful to you your entire life, and will help you immensely when you get the craving for a cigarette, a drink, or a quart of “Rocky Road.” The time to learn them well enough to get good use from them will vary from 1-4 weeks. The cost can be as low as $10. for a book or audio tape, to $400-500. for a month of professional instruction. Keep in mind the cost of a month of smoking, heavy alcohol consumption, or junk food. DO IT. It is well worth the investment.

7. Don’t Get On The “Guilt Train” During Your Journey To Self-Improvement.

Change, and especially the giving up of severe addictions, is an up and down journey. You will have many good hours, days, and weeks, and you will have times when you are ready to quit and “throw in the towel.” It is RARE for a person to quit a bad habit or an addiction without experiencing these “ups and downs.” If you falter; sneak a “smoke,” buy 3 Snickers bars at the Quick Trip and devour them in the car on the way home, etc. don’t beat yourself up for it later! Guilt is a *non-productive* feeling humans create to handle conflict. Creating guilt will only lower your self esteem, making it harder for you to stay on course. Many behavioral scientists also believe guilt actually makes it *easier* for humans to repeat “bad” behaviors, since they have in a sense “punished” themselves for what they did, and the punishment was not all that bad! Do not accept guilt laid upon you by anyone else either. Forgive yourself. Remind yourself that what you are doing is hard, and that it is for your very best interest, and that changing or dumping a bad habit or addiction is VERY difficult. If you find quitting alcohol is too hard alone without medication, some doctors still will prescribe drugs such as “Antabuse.” Be aware that it will make you *VERY* ill if even the smallest amount of ANY type of alcohol is ingested or enters your bloodstream. This includes such substances as shaving lotion and rubbing alcohol on the skin as well! Try to use this as a last resort.

8. Get Yourself Into A Routine of Physical Exercise.

Depending on the habit or addiction you are working on quitting, you may already be exercising.. Chances are however, if you are a heavy smoker, drinker, or eater, you are not exercising much, if at all. Drinking, smoking, and obesity of course affect the heart and lungs so much that anything very strenuous has the drinker, smoker (often heavy smoking and drinking go hand-in-hand) or obese person huffing and puffing in a short time. First, have your doctor examine you and give you any guidelines regarding the types and the degree of exercise he feels you are ready for to be medically safe. The exercise serves several purposes. The main two are to get your heart and lungs reconditioned if you have been an abuser of alcohol or tobacco or overweight, and to help keep your tension level under control. You will also find that you have a very hard time sipping a scotch, smoking a cigarette, or eating a Big Mac or anything else while you are running, on a treadmill, on a “stair stepper,” in the swimming pool, riding a bike, or “Sweating To The Oldies” at a health club. The trick is to keep your mind on the road ahead, the speedometer, the water, or the various spandex outfits around you. Distraction and stress reduction combined will greatly help to curb any outside thoughts or cravings for most people.

9. Hit “Rock Bottom” *If You Must* To Get Motivated.

Most of the animal kingdom is smarter than humans when it comes to learning lessons or to taking care of themselves. If a fox gets buckshot in his rump trying to sneak into a chicken coup, chances are he will never return. If a young bear cub reaches into a bee hive for honey and gets his nose stung by the angry bees, he’ll learn another way of getting the honey before he tries that again. For some reason, God and the Universal Laws of “Lesson Learning 101” for humans is many times more difficult. Humans often need to get “hit in the head by a brick,” “run over by a truck,” or almost die, before they figure out it is time to evaluate their lifestyle or habits! If it takes a doctor saying he sees a “suspicious spot” on your lung X-ray, or a “large mass” in your colon or on your liver for you to decide this is perhaps your final “wakeup call” to change a harmful habit or addiction, pay attention! You can start to work on your life ANY time. *Hopefully*, you can do it before any serious damage has been done by your habits or addictions. If not, do what the doctors recommend, and all of these hints will still be of great benefit to you in how you recover or feel.

10. Pace Yourself, Depending On Your Particular Situation.

Do not gauge your progress or lack of same based on other people’s experiences, what you read, see on television, etc. You are unique, both in your body and mind. Everyone heals and recovers and changes at different rates and in different ways. Don’t be fooled by the ads for “quick and easy” weight loss by liquid diets, pills, herbs, or machines. It takes a combination of *many* things,some named above, to really successfully lose weight. The same is true of addictions to tobacco. Do not think that a magic “patch” or chewing gum is going to help you quit quickly and forever. Without the motivation, the exercise, the stress control, and the other things mentioned, you will probably be using tobacco within a few weeks or months. This is documented by scientific studies. The same is true of alcohol or drug addictions and withdrawals. One needs to use a muti-disciplinary treatment program to ease off and quit and to stay away from any bad habit or addiction. Have your doctor, your therapist, your counselor or coach, and your family support you, and as long as you are making progress, even if it seems inordinately slow to you, you are on track and will do much better perhaps than those who lost 5-7 pounds a week (never suggested by experts) or who quit smoking or drinking or drugs “cold turkey.” When in doubt, ask your support and professional team for guidance, and if necessary, ask for encouragement! It takes guts to quit a bad habit or addiction. Allow yourself to feel good about your decision to do it. When you have done it, celebrate life and give youself a BIG gift of some kind!

Herbal Remedies

Malnutrition is often coupled with addiction problems and compounds the symptoms of cravings and withdrawal. Herbs can rectify these imbalances.

Astragalus Strengthens the natural defenses of the body. Can involve the immune system, cardiovascular system and glands from all other systems. Provides energy to fight fatigue, increases metabolism. Good for colds, flu and immune deficiency symptoms. The belief that astragalus can strengthen immunity has a partial basis in Chinese tradition. It was the Chinese who first developed astragalus. Astragalus should be for use while you’re healthy, for the purpose of preventing future illnesses. The root of the herb is used. Extracts of astragalus have been found to stimulate parts of the immune system in humans.

Bee Pollen – has been used to build up the immune system to to fight colds and to counteract depression. Bee pollen has also been used internally to increase anti-allergenic properties to enhance the immune system against allergies to pollen. Bee Pollen is used in the fight against addictions because it helps support and strengthen the immune system. Locally grown bee pollen is best.

Burdock Root – Burdock root contains high amounts of inulin and mucilage. This may explain its soothing effects on the gastrointestinal tract. Bitter constituents in the root may also explain the traditional use of burdock to improve digestion. It also contains polyacetylenes that have been shown to have antimicrobial activity.

Dandelion – Dandelion is a natural diuretic that increases urine production by promoting the excretion of salts and water from the kidney. Dandelion may be used for a wide range of conditions requiring mild diuretic treatment such as addictions, poor digestion, liver disorders, and high blood pressure.

Garlic – One of the oldest recorded culinary spices, garlic (Allium sativum) is mentioned as a food in the Bible, and is known to have been part of the diet of Egyptian workers as long ago as 2600 BC. It is the dominant flavour in much of Mediterranean cuisine, but is also a more subtle addition to many Asian dishes. But alongside its popularity in food, garlic has a long history of medicinal use and a traditional history that has gained increasing recognition from science. Garlic preparations have long been used to relieve the congestion of colds and hayfever. 

Herbal Combinations and Formulas

 Herbal tinctures are concentrated liquid extracts of the medicinal properties of herbs. Tinctures represent one of many different ways to prepare and use herbs. The terms tincture and extract are often used interchangeably. Bhake the tincture bottle well. As a dietary supplement, place 1 to 3 droppers (under the tongue, or in juice or water as needed, 2-3 times a day.

Blood Purifier – Pau D’ Arco, Red Clover, Yellow Dock, Burdock, Sarsaparilla, Dandelion, Cascara Sagada & Buckthorn.

BreathEasy Tincture – Lobelia, Pleurisy, Marshmallow, Mullien, Coltsfoot, Licorice.

Circulation Support Tincture – Hawthorn berries, Ginger, Angelica, Bayberry Bark, Hyssop, Prickley Ash bark, Cloves, Cayenne.

Ginseng Energy Tincture – American, Korean, Siberian & Tienchi Ginseng.

Headache Support Tincture – White Willow Bark, Feverfew, Chamomille, Pepermint, Scullcap, Catnip, Fenugreek.

Immunity Tincture – Astragalus, Pau D’Arco, Suma, Dandelion root, Oatstraw, Kelp.

Infection Tincture – Astragalus, Pau D’Arco, Suma, Dandelion root, Oatstraw, Kelp.

Mood Support Tincture – St. Johns Wort, Chamomille, Schizandra, Oatstraw, Avena Sativa.

Nerve Strength Tincture – Oatstraw, Black Cohosh, Scullcap, Avena Sativa, Pleurisy root, Catnip, Lobelia. 

Aromatherapy Remedies

Aromatherapy can help by controlling your addictions. People who do try to stop an addictive behavior such as smoking or binge eating, often find themselves over indulging in cigarettes or overeating. One reason is habit. They are used to doing something with their hands and mouth, so they eat. Or they could be battling the misery of nicotine withdrawal with the nurturing pleasure of food. Regardless of the excuse, this lack of control often leads to many health problems. Helpful, are essential oils such as Bergamot, Fennel and Patchouli because, together, they can help suppress addictive behavior.

An addiction is a physical or psychological craving or need for a habit-forming substance or chemical compound. Most drugs and even some tasks can be addictive, such as exercising, working, eating or dieting.

Addictions can also be linked to nutritional deficiencies. The physical dependence causes symptoms of withdrawal and the psychological dependence causes intense cravings. To improve your chance to succeed in kicking a bad habit, use essential oil such as :

Chamomile (Roman) – Chamomile’s medicinal properties range from skin inflammations to lightening hair to treating digestive problems. As a mild sedative, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial, it improves digestion by relaxing the muscles throughout the gastrointestinal system and it can induce an overall sense of calm and well-being.

Clary sage – Clary sage essential oil has a strong, nutty aroma. The essential oil Clary sage it used for its antidepressant, antiseptic, deodorant, digestive and sedative properties. Clary sage with its regenerative properties is commonly used for the skin in today’s aromatherapy. It is used for premature balding to stimulate hair growth. It is used to control greasy hair and dandruff. It is also used in dream therapy; it helps you to remember the dreams by being able to dream more clearly and helps with the memory of dreams. It is also recommended for stress therapy, it helps reduce the feeling of stress. Clary sage is also used for the reproductive system, some herbalists prescribe Clary sage mixtures for couples experiencing difficulty-conceiving children. It is also used for both premenstrual syndrome and menstrual pain. Clary sage can be used as a natural muscle relaxer, relieving muscle spasms, backaches, and stiffness of the joints and muscle cramps.

Bergamot – Bergamot is uplifting sweet with a fruity fragrance. Helpful for depression. Refreshes a room. Avoid sunbathing and sunbeds when using this oil.

Jasmine – Jasmine is a bold, sweet scent. Jasmine is the greatest aphrodisiac of all. These night blooming flowers are picked at their height to bring out one of the most sexy scents. Associated throughout history with the compassionate Goddess of the Moon, Jasmine, grown along the Nile in ancient Egypt, is represented Isis, the Egyptian Mother Goddess who held the secrets of fertility, magic and healing.

Lavender – Lavender is often called the universal oil, because you can use it for so many things. It is analgesic, anti-coagulant, anti-convulsive, anti-depressant, anti-fungal, anti-infectious, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, anti-spasmodic, anti-toxic, cardio tonic, and is a sedative. It has a very balancing effect on the body, emotions, mind and spirit. It may help acne, allergies, arthritis, asthma, boils, bronchitis, and is excellent for burns of any type. It has been used for cramps, dandruff, depression, diaper rashes, earaches, eczema, fainting, flatulence, hair loss, headaches, high blood pressure, indigestion, insect bites and repellent, infection, flu, insomnia, laryngitis, helps to detoxify the lymphatic system, migraines, nausea, nervous tension. PMS, psoriasis, rashes, helps to prevent scarring, sprains, stress, stretch marks, sunstroke, throat infections, tuberculosis, typhoid fever, thrush, water retention, and wounds. 

Lemon essential oil uplifts the spirit, boost your mood and alleviates anxiety by helping the body produce an alkalizing effect, promoting detoxification of the liver kidneys, and reducing dehydration. Diffuse a 10-15 drops of lemon oil into the air with a room diffuser, inhale through a vaporizer or personal essential oil diffuser, or rub a few drops of the oil on palms and inhale to invigorate the body and mind and enhance your mood.

Andrew’s Aroma Remedy Blends: ~ 3 times a day, morning, noon and night, utilize these blends of essential oils:

Angel’s Mist Addiction Massage Essential Oil Remedy Blend

Angel’s Mist Addiction Compress Essential Oil Remedy Blend

Angel’s Mist Addiction Bath Essential Oil Remedy Blend 

Nutritional Advise

Malnutrition is often coupled with addiction problems and compounds the symptoms of cravings and withdrawal. Supplements can rectify these imbalances. Addicts often lack the B vitamins that are essential for calming the nerves, combating stress and helping to control cravings. Vitamin C is an excellent supplement during  withdrawal, and combats the effects of toxins on the body. This vitamin also eases the symptoms of withdrawal, reducing anxiety and improving rest and appetite.

Vitamin E has also proven beneficial in reducing the side-effects experienced during withdrawal. Both vitamins C and E help the body to detoxify and are antioxidants which protect the body from free-radical damage.

Magnesium is particularly useful for treating addictions where irritability and cramps occur, since this mineral soothes cramps and calms the nervous system.

Green food supplements are excellent in assisting recovery from drug and alcohol addictions. Chlorophyll and Alfalfa detoxify the blood and provide numerous essential nutrients, including protein and many minerals.

The essential fatty acids available in cold pressed Evening primrose oil and fish oils are essential for the body and are needed as a balance, particularly for the nervous system. Bee pollen is also used in addictions as a nourishing food, to provide the body with energy and reduce cravings.

Glutamine, an amino acid, is also known as “nature’s brain food.” Supplementing with glutamine improves mental capacities, helps speed the healing of ulcers, alleviates fatigue and the craving for sugar. It also detoxifies ammonia in the brain and is very effective in the treatment of hypoglycemia.

To provide additional support against free-radical damage, the antioxidants, Vitamin A, Selenium and Zinc are also recommended in either a men’s multi-vitamin or women’s multi-vitamin.

By supporting and rebuilding the liver, pancreas and adrenal glands, the taste for alcohol, tobacco, caffeine and other drug cravings will eventually subside. Herbs that nourish, strengthen and build the nervous system also provide lasting results.

• Single herbs of dandelion, nettle, Siberian ginseng, goldenseal, licorice root, cayenne, skullcap, lobelia and valerian assist body functions. Use these plants to make a herbal tea and drink three times daily.
• Take mood support to wean off smoking.
• Chaparral takes LSD out of the system and detoxifies the body of all impurities.

Water is essential in any healing process. Distilled water is the best. 6-8 eight ounces glasses per day. Drink plenty of water to flush your body of toxins that smoking creates. When you get a craving, drink water until the craving subsides. The up side to all that water is you will have skin that will “glow”!! 

By eating alkaline foods, this minimize withdrawal symptoms and maximizes the ability to stay free of nicotine. The best alkalizers are vegetables and the worst are meat and alcohol but, vegetable juices are more potent. Carrot juice has been established as the best rapid alkalizer, partly because it is processed efficiently by the body, and partly because it can generally be consumed in large quantities without unpleasant or harmful effects.

A cup of carrot juice a day or even 2 times a week reduces your risk for lung cancer, sometimes by half, depending on the person. Other vegetable juices for addiction include celery, cucumber, lettuce, & cabbage. Sunflower seeds contain compounds that mimic some of the effects of nicotine and can offer smokers some of the gratification they seek. Sunflower seeds contain most of the B vitamins, vitamin E, and essential fatty acids. Every time you feel the desire to smoke, it is suggested that you go through the process of breaking seeds open and popping them into your mouth to munch on until the desire subsides. 

Traditional Chinese Medicine

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is the oldest, continually practiced, and professionally administered health care system in the world. It is a documented medical system spanning over 2,500 years based on comprehensive philosophies, rational theories, clinically tested and empirically verified by over 100 generations of highly educated practitioners.

Chinese Medicine is a total system of internal medicine, which is comprised of a diagnostic procedure based on signs, symptoms and treatment styles including acupuncture, herbal medicine, exercise, diet and meditation. It’s foundation is based on the principles of balance; the interdependent relationship of Yin and Yang. Through this balance, health is achieved and maintained.

Chinese Medicine takes a unique approach to addictions! Diet, exercise and good quality sleep are the proponents of betting addiction.

Acupuncture is used primarily to strengthen the endocrine, boost the immune system and helps the body to cope with cravings, withdrawal and the emotional stress.

Herbal medicine is an important component for working at the root of the problem. The theory behind this is simple. When stimulating the immune system, the body becomes more able to work on its own to help improve energy, strengthen the other systems of the body and help on a functional level in order to beat the particular addiction.

The N.A.D.A Protocol is simple, yet quite effective. Drug, alcohol and tobacco addictions are major problems that affect tens of millions of people worldwide. The addition of acupuncture into the treatment for addiction seems to be very beneficial, and almost the single ingredient that helps the protocol succeed.

In 1972 a neurosurgeon in Hong Kong, H.L. Wen, discovered that acupuncture could relieve symptoms and cravings associated with drug withdrawal. Because of its effectiveness in relieving symptoms as well as preventing relapses, his discovery gained more and more popularity and was used in hospitals and detox centers throughout the US. 1985 an official protocol was developed and the National Acupuncture Detoxification Association (NADA) was formed. The protocol involved using five specific acupuncture points on the ear. In August of 2000, Yale University School of Internal Medicine conducted research further demonstrating the effectiveness of the NADA protocol for cocaine, heroin and methadone addiction.

Visit Your TCM practitioner for a proper diagnosis and treatment. 

Ayurveda

The principle medical system of India is known as Ayurveda and is over 5,000 years old. This “Science of Life” is considered the art of living in harmony with nature. Developed from the ancient text of The Vedas, Ayurveda views the human body as a “homunculus” of our cosmic Universe, regulated by the balance between three primordial humours, call Dosha.

Your dosha are your Ayurveda mind and body type. There are three doshas in Ayurveda: Vata, Pitta, and Kapha. We each have all three of the doshas in our physiology, just in different proportions, so your dosha is unique and personal; it is like your fingerprint.

Herbs and lifestyle changes are chosen to fit an individual’s primary psycho-physiological constitutional dosha:
Vata, which controls movement
Pitta, which rules metabolism
Kapha, which controls structure. 

Ayurvedic treatments also include Yoga Nidra (a form of meditation) and breath meditation to create harmony, balance and union. By allowing yourself to connect with your inner source of relaxation, it restores a natural balance, preventing you from becoming a victim of stress. 

This dismantling or pre-programmed self-image, alleviates phobias, addictions and fear-creating conflict.  Spirit, represents our core self or values, and the energy body through which our persona manifests. When we release the blockages and purify the body, we are connected to an invisible presence, or oneness.   

Emotional Aspect:

There is an emotional aspect to every illness. Often times, it is the emotional thoughts or “excess emotions” that will lead to illness. The following therapies are utilized for calming the mind, help with stress relief and focuses on our mental powers over any situation. The ability to balance your emotional, mental, physical and spiritual self are exceptional tools on your healing journey.  Here are some suggestions:

Emotional Diary

Make an Emotional Recovery Diary

1. For two weeks, make notations whenever you have a mood swing, emotional upheaval or change in energy (such as hyperactivity or lethargy).

2. Note the date and time of the event.

3. Note what actions you take to bring yourself back to balance. Do you sit down and do yoga, stretch, meditate. Do you binge eat, have a drink or do other actions revolving around food?

4. If you react with ___________, what do you do? Find comfort in?

5. Note the reaction accept it and then ALLOW yourself to move on and move past it. Write the truth in your journal.

6. The Emotional Recovery Diary is NOT a judgement tool. It is a way for you to go back to it, AFTER a week is done and look at habits you may not even realize you are doing in response to change.

7. After committing to two weeks of journaling, take a look at the overall process. Was it somehow helpful to you? In retrospect, did you gain valuable information from it?

8. If so, consider writing in it for another week.

9. You can use this diary to write down “positive progress” as well. Did you make any changes after your first two weeks?

10. Your Emotional Recovery Diary can just be the tool you need to take you to a new plateau of understanding your emotional connection to addictions and how you can actually take control and do something about it! 

Crystal Reference

Amethyst or amethyst powder is a mineral consisting chiefly of silicon dioxide. Amethyst has been known as the “great detoxer” for centuries. Minerals in amethyst provide purification and detoxification functions. It is the stone for addiction, addictive thoughts and detoxification. 

Aventurine is known for good luck and bringing money, it is the stone for gamblers. It encourage balance within your behavior and is used as a meditation tool or touch stone for realizing limits!

Lapis Lazuli is a deep blue stone used for centuries for obtaining wisdom of the ages. It is a sage stone that shows us how we can balance and regulate our lives by applying the principles of look, listen and linger.  Allowing the power of observation to take precedence over action.

Clear Quartz is a highly regarded stone which resonates with our own body energy and helps one to “see clearer” in their action and behavior. It brings a sense of clear thinking and the ability to bring calm and peace of mind.

Rose Quartz is a stone of love and self-love. It represents beauty and kindness, Resonates with a gentle heart energy, it soothes a frustrated mind and allows us to find peace within ourselves with an extra helping of self-love and awareness.

Ruby is a deep red stone of love and devotion. It is the honoring of ourselves so that we can show a devotion and love to others. It is a stone of truth and fidelity, grounding and protection. Use ruby as a connection between heart and a grounded mindset. 

As a healing tool, crystals have been used for meditation, stress relief, massage and energy work. Crystals offer an additional way to balance energy, amplify both energy and thought, bring clarity in thinking, and harmony and alignment with our own energy systems.

The Complete Chakra Kit  stimulates the seven main energy sources which govern all the major organs and psychologically alters and clears the body’s energy in order to allow healing to take place. A great stress relieving meditation tool!

Peacefulmind Remedy Bags are our fantastic prescription remedies for a multi-layered approach to treating specific disorders. These very special bags are a plan of care for treating problems such as arthritis, anxiety, stress or pain – just to name a few.  These bags features 3 of the crystals for treating a disorder, a sample herbal remedy, a meditation, an essential oil blend and acu-point self-massage techniques. Also with great tips and remedies for recovery. Choose from over 80 disorders.