Struggling with addictions is one of the hardest things to manage.  Initially you feel pleasure but over time it becomes a fight just to feel normal.  One often even forgets what normal feels like.  So how does one go about beating addiction?

You need to take responsibility for your addiction.  It belongs to you not to anyone else.  Own it without blaming others.  The fault does not lie at any other persons’ feet nor does it belong to the substance.  It is totally your issue to manage as you are the person who made the choice to use the substance in the first place.  Only you can move away from the addiction.

In 2003 Senator Mitch McConnell introduced a bill that would block people from suing restaurants and food manufacturers for making them fat.  His rationale was that it is important to not blame poor eating habits on someone else.  Senator McConnell seemed to have a good understanding of addiction at least at the level of responsibility.

Children can get away with saying things like: “It wasn’t me” or “It is not my fault”.  Adults need to be mature.  As adults we need to be able to manage our life, take responsibility, fulfill our obligations, and follow through on commitments.  Also we need to deal with whatever consequence may come our way.  Addiction is the opposite of responsibility and if one believes the fault lies outside of self then the addiction will grow.

Stanton Peele states there are a number of qualities that define maturity.  These include:

1. Self-efficacy – belief that you are able to do things
2. Self-acceptance – belief that your life is worthwhile
3. Tolerance – ability to take the good with the bad
4. Responsibility – acceptance that one is the source of ones’ behavior
5. Obligation – belief you have other people counting on you
6. Faith – that life goes on

A large majority of addicts overcome addiction with age.  Having noted that will you just “age out” or will you make the decision to take responsibility for your addiction and begin to manage your life?  The choice lies at your feet.

“In the long run, we shape our lives, and we shape ourselves. The process never ends until we die. And the choices we make are ultimately our own responsibility.”   –  Eleanor Roosevelt