How to Quit a Habit After a Relapse

It's not a crime to fall off the wagon. Most alcoholics and addicts suffer lapses. As long as you can pick yourself up and climb back onboard, you'll be fine. Here's some help.

Instructions

1. Give yourself a break. It's normal to be disappointed in yourself if you return to a bad habit. Recognizing that you are human and prone to errors in judgment is important. Be disappointed in yourself, but don't dwell on guilt.

2. Quit again. Decide that you will kick the habit once more. You might quit cold turkey or gradually cut back until you quit altogether. Set a deadline for ending the habit. Remember: the further away your quit date, the harder it is to quit. So make the deadline short or go cold turkey.

3. Identify what you were doing when you had a relapse and try to avoid those triggers in future.

4. Get support. Talk to others who are recovering from the same habit or addiction and set up a buddy system with someone you can talk to if you are having a hard time with your habit.

5. Keep a journal. Getting your thoughts on paper can be therapeutic. Write about why you've quit, what you will gain from quitting and the consequences that might happen if you don't overcome your habit. Your notes can give you the motivation to stay away from the addiction.

6. Find a diversion from the habit. This should be something productive, such as doing painting or exercising. The benefit of the diversion is that you can gain something while fighting your habit.

7. Count the money. If your kicking a habit, such as drinking or smoking, has saved you money, put it in a separate savings account or investment fund. This can motivate you to stay clean.

8. Reward yourself for any milestones you achieve. The reward doesn't have to be big, but a small reward can give you the energy to make it over any more hurdles.

Tips & Warnings

• It can take time to quit something. More than one attempt might be necessary. The important thing is that you keep trying until you are successful.

• Avoid spending time with people who do not support your lifestyle change or at places where the habit will tempt you.

• If you are trying to quit drinking, stay away from nightclubs. If you are trying to quit smoking, don't socialize with smokers. If you are trying to stop compulsively eating, do not go to fast food restaurants or all-you-can eat buffets.