- Overcoming Addiction: Rewards
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- There is an interesting relationship between addictive behaviour and reward
- systems. Many people focus on addictions as a way to escape reality, rewarding themselves with false happiness like drug induced highs, drunken binges and gambling sprees. Overtime their choices will have a negative effect on their health and lifestyle..
However, when unhealthy rewards are replaced with healthier ones, during - recovery and healing, it is often possible to repair much of the damage. E.g. saving money and treating yourself, rather than gambling or drinking it away. To achieve this requires planning, a process which can itself be somewhat stressful.
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- Below are a few steps to help you implement a positive reward system, to replace negative addictive behaviour.
1. Begin by keeping a notebook or journal listing rewards you would like to have. Start with something you think is totally unobtainable if you like. But start somewhere. Write down your thoughts / feelings and take responsibility for your actions and behaviours as you pursue your dreams. -
2. Research your ideas and find out what it would take to put them into action and make them reality. Do you need more money? A better education? etc. Whatever it is that you’ll need, write it down. Where necessary seek additional information from books, the web etc.
3. Seek help from close relatives and trusted friends.
4. Follow your dream, hold on tight when the going gets tough, which it evitable will.
5. Help others along the way.
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