how to break an addiction?

hey i’m not sure the title is accurate but i couldn’t think of anything better

basically i’ve been struggling with skin picking for my entire life

it started small

picking some overhangs and scans around my nails at 6

nothing too serious

as years went by it evolved into pretty severe skin picking, where i wasn’t able to go a day without making a lesion

and recently (like in the past year) the habit developed into full blown dermatilomania

i keep on picking to the point where my lesions can’t heal properly

the worst of it is i started picking skin on my heels to the point where i can’t walk properly anymore and when i do it causes me a lot of pain

it catches up to me in the evening when i’m bored

i’ve been advised to “occupy my hands with something” but what nobody seems to get is that it’s something i do absentmindedly i’m not sure what to do anymore

does anyone have similar experience or am i beyond help at this point ?

have a nice day

doctorcrimson,

You break an addiction the same way you do literally anything else. Purpose in life, work ethic, and dedication to pursue your goals.

McSudds_,

Wow thanks I’m cured. Where do you recommend buying bootstraps?

doctorcrimson,

Feels like a pretty weak argument to compare my statement “give your life purpose” to the larger socioeconomic issue of lack of upward mobility of class. I didn’t tell anybody how to get rich quick, I told them how to rationalize an end to self harm.

mriormro,
@mriormro@lemmy.world avatar

This is some of the most hand waving vaguery I’ve ever read. You may as well have said that you break addiction by 'being rad '.

doctorcrimson,

I think I did kind of okay for an explanation on such a complex subject in only 23 words. I guarantee you that a person without all three of those things won’t break an addiction, but also yeah it can’t be any better defined because all three of them are subjective to the person in question. A good work ethic for me is not the same as it is to you, a purpose in life can be anything, and pursuing the goal can have wildly different meaning as well.

dx1,

Recognize your behavioral triggers. Could be anxiety, stress, etc. Try to actively recognize how you’re feeling before you engage in an addictive behavior, and then either do a substitute activity or find ways to (calmly) move your thoughts or feelings to a different place. The key concept is to divert your thinking that produces the addictive behavior.

Just my two cents, not a doctor but have broken an addiction or two.

aslafoo,

thank you for response i’ll try my best to be more “conscious” of my habits hopefully i’ll get myself together and make it

congrats on breaking your addictions! maybe it’s not my place to say it but hell you should be proud of yourself cause this shits hard congrats again and have a great day :)

Kanda,

It may sound stupid, but stop doing it. And then don’t start doing it again.

DagonPie,
@DagonPie@kbin.social avatar

Fuck off

Kanda,

I know, the truth hurts.

DocMcStuffin,
@DocMcStuffin@lemmy.world avatar

I used to bite my nails. All the way down to the quick. Did that for 20 something years. Finally wanted to stop. I did two things. 1. I became very conscience of when I felt like biting them. 2. I painted them which created a disincentive. After about a month or so, I had no desire to bite.

Maybe get some eczema cream or moisturizer to put on those spots you want to pick at? When you catch yourself doing it, substitute another activity? IDK.

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