Addiction Home Remedies

If you've just quit smoking, the last thing you need is an evening at a smoke-filled party.

"A lot of people who make the commitment to quit doing something find themselves sitting at home all the time," says Peter A. DeMaria Jr., M.D.

Some people wean themselves from addictions by initially smoking 10 fewer cigarettes each day, for example, or gambling once a week instead of every night.

It's difficult for most people to recognize that they have an addiction.

Anyone who curtails addictive substances or behaviors will go through a withdrawal period.

One way to distract yourself from cravings is to think about something—anything—at high speed. Count ceiling tiles as quickly as you can. Try reading book titles backward.

Avoidance is helpful in the early stages of fighting addictions, but no one can avoid all sources of temptation indefinitely. You can, however, develop substitute habits.

Addictions are grounded in habits, which means people sometimes indulge without really thinking about what they're doing.

It's not enough merely to give up unhealthy behaviors.

Nearly everyone who struggles with addictions slips on occasion. Expect it, says Dr. Horvath. Don't get discouraged, and don't give up."When slips happen, ask yourself why they happened.