How to Curb Alcohol, Cigarette & Drug Use

Quitting, cutting down or "curbing" a bad habit is never easy. When a habit turns into addiction, it can cause havoc on your personal, family and work life. Curbing the habit or addiction of drug use, drinking alcohol or smoking cigarettes may require multiple attempts before one is successful. With determination, knowledge and at times, the help of an addiction specialist, you will increase your chances of cutting down or quitting altogether.

Things You'll Need

• Doctor or addiction specialist
• Workout gear
• Bathtub
• Gum
• Books on addiction

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Instructions

• 1

  See an addiction specialist. They will help you to assess the severity of your habit, discuss the health risks involved and refer you to a doctor or rehab center, if necessary.

• 2

  Tell your family and friends that you are trying to cut down on your cigarette, alcohol or drug use. At first, you may feel embarrassed or ashamed to admit your faults to your loved ones. But more than likely, the people close to you will be concerned and offer you support.

• 3

  Seek a support group. Groups like Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous consist mostly of people trying to quit alcohol and drugs entirely. Even if you feel like you don't suffer from an "addiction," or don't want to quit entirely, the support and information from these groups may help you put your substance use into perspective.

• 4

  Surround yourself with people who don't share your habit. This may feel extremely difficult when most of your friends use alcohol, drugs and cigarettes. You can still be their friends, but remember that meeting new people who enjoy other activities can't hurt either.

• 5

  Focus on a new habit by exercising regularly. Join a gym or take up running. Exercising releases endorphins, which are naturally occurring substances in the body that help "calm the brain." Endorphins can significantly help to improve your mood. Exercising may also help you to take your mind off smoking, drinking and taking drugs.

• 6

  Distract yourself. When you feel an urge coming on, try to wait 15 minutes before giving in. Take a walk, call a friend or take a bath (or a cold shower). If you feel the urge to light up, you may find that chewing gum helps, as it gives your mouth something else to do other than smoke.

• 7

  Do your research. Read as many books and articles as you can on the dangers of cigarettes, alcohol and drugs, especially books that focus on addiction. You will learn more about the short- and long-term damages these substances cause. Discovering how detrimental these substances can be for your body may make them less desirable.