There's a book out there titled, "Capture: Unraveling The Mystery Of Mental Suffering" by Dr. David Kessler. This book addresses mental health and considers some of the most profound questions we face as human beings in regards to addiction. Dr. Kessler looks into the possibilities of the brain healing itself from addictions. It's a theory that the mind can actually be powerful enough to overcome many, if not all and any, addiction.
I actually subscribe to this belief, but mostly because I have used this power of 'mind over matter' before on a few occasions. Most recently, quitting smoking after my heart attack. From my last day in the hospital to the first few visits to my doctor, the question was always asked, "Do you want me to hook you up with some nicotine patches? Gum?" And my reply was always the same, "No. No thanks. I got this."
People always talked about how difficult it is to quit smoking. I look back now and shake my head. I always thought about quitting, but never really tried to quit. The truth is, I didn't want to quit. And quite frankly, I believed, and still believe, that if you do not wish to quit anything, you're probably not going to quit. I'm talking about that inner drive deep inside. If you do not have that deep desire to stop, then you will never be able to stop.
My belief is, if there is something you are doing that you no longer want to do, you can stop with my proven method. Just stop. That's how I quit smoking. I just stopped. I figured, if I don't ever smoke another cigarette, then I would stop smoking. So far, that method has proved to be successful.
What about the cravings? Well, I actually didn't have any cravings that first month. (My last cigarette was September 2, 2014.) But when that second month came rolling in (October) those cravings kicked in big time. I went through a lot of regular gum, Life Savers candy, lollipops, and such but I kept telling myself, "If you smoke even one cigarette, you can't claim to have quit smoking". Just smoking one cigarette would have been cheating and I wasn't gonna cheat on myself.
Then right around the first of November, the start of month three, I drove a friend around in my car and he lit up a smoke and puffed away. That second hand smoke smelled so good and felt so good when I breathed it in that it actually took those mad cravings away. And even to this day, when I get around someone who is smoking, I savor the flavor. Even the slightest craving that may pop up goes away with the smell of second hand smoke.
But I really do miss smoking. When I am ready to die, which might be closer than we think, I will probably light back up again because - I really enjoyed it and I really miss it. You're not going to live forever so I think everyone should light them if you got them. I completely endorse it if you don't have heart disease.
The point is, the only way to break a habit or addiction is to just stop. Period.
Easier said than done, you say? Maybe, but quitting smoking wasn't the only time I had to break an addiction. I also did it when I was in the Navy where my addiction was alcohol. (Or so they told me). I was sent to see the alcohol counselor by my Master Chief. When I showed up in the ship office, they gave me a test. I filled out about half of it before I began criticizing the process. The "alcohol" counselor and I wasn't hitting it off so well. I ended up walking out and turning down the option of AA because within their recovery process, there was a step that included "god" or turning yourself over to "god" as part of the healing. (Give me a break).
I ended up taking a few days of leave that coincided with a three day holiday weekend and with the help of a friend, I just decided not to drink so much anymore. PRESTO! I was cured.
I slipped into a few segments of binge drinking stages afterwards like when I went back to Ohio. A few years after my discharge I went through about a six month splurge of hanging out in the bars. Then again a few years later which lasted for about another 6 or 8 months of constant partying. Then another in and around 2003 to 2005. That was my "goth girl" period. I was dating a lot of goth girls. I was meeting them online and at a few goth bars. I went through my last drinking stage about 2 and a half years before my heart attack (that lasted for about 6-8 months) but had stopping drinking for about 12-18 months before my heart attack. However, for the most part, I kept my drinking in check with the power of the mind.
My other addiction of which I was diagnosed with twice, in 2001 and as recent as 2015, is something they call "sex addiction"? Now, I'm not sure I completely believe such a thing, but let's say this is true, well, they say it breaks up a lot of marriages but I'm not married so .... oh, well.
They also call it a "porn" addiction too, or something. Well gee, I'm a single guy, of course I'm going to look at porn. A lot of porn.
A lot of porn! lol
The last doctor who informed me that I have this "sex" or "porn" addiction I responded by saying, "I promise you doc, I'll take care of it just as soon as I take care of this 'oxygen' addiction I have. And this 'food and water' addiction."
But do I believe in the power of the mind when it comes to healing ones self? Absolutely, I do. If you really want to quit smoking, or drinking (which I do not classify drinking as a disease) or any addiction you might have, if you honestly really want to quit, you can. All you have to do is stop doing what you're doing. That's it. That's all. And substitute it with something else. Maybe another addiction? LMAO Sure, why not?
So maybe Dr. David Kessler is onto something here. Mind over matter. I think it can be done because I am living proof that it has happened and can be done. And if I can do it then anyone can do it. But first, you have to really want to do it. You have to want to quit deep, deep inside. There just comes a time when your body says it has had enough. Listen to that. Listen to your body. And if you want to quit an addiction, just stop doing whatever it is you're doing. Then - and only then - will you be able to quit.
And not a moment sooner.
