Self Empowering Addiction Treatment

The Self Empowering approach helps to deal and cope with cravings and emotions related to addiction and increase confidence. The addiction could be with any number of things such as drugs, alcohol, food, gambling, sex, etc. There are 3 facts about cravings: 1. A craving is time limited and will go away. 2. When you stop using altogether the cravings as a group will go away typically after about 90 days and sometimes as early as a week. 3. A craving in itself does not force you to do anything and you do have a choice. Knowing these 3 facts and practicing it will give you confidence and self empowerment that cravings don't control or harm you. Cravings are the 2nd point of the 4 point system to the Self Empowering Approach. The 3rd point is managing emotions. If the emotion is anxiety, we need to examine the anxiety by looking at what is the fear. When someone thinks they are in danger they might have a drink to deal with it in the short term. Doing a rational analysis of fears can gain ways to cope with anxiety, and the desire to drink shouldn't be as powerful. So part of the self empowering approach is trying to create a capacity to cope with cravings and the negative emotions to prevent it. Thereby the craving won't arise in the first place and it can be dealt with quickly.

President, Smart Recovery, Pyrysys, Psychology Group. Founder of Practical Recovery. Tom Horvath is a Psychologist who has specialiezed in addiction for about 25 years

[givemegracebumps]

Great stuff, thank you for this sharing. I also find that not only waiting for the craving to pass but to WATCH it. To not be afraid to really go into it and feel it, to not resist or fight the feeling in any way.I have found this extremely helpful as firstly it puts u back in the drivers seat, secondly..it does nt take long for the feeling to be transmuted by the light of your attention and the love of your giving it a space to be non judgementally heard... into peace.

[Ranchcreekrecovery]

This is really helpful. People with addiction can get help from people who are willing to aid them. 

[emilysesma]

Hi Tom! All your work is such GOOD. Love and thanks for your heart and commitment forever...it's with me every day! ~ Emily

[HeartRawArt]

I agree I don't get the powerlessness thing. I mean it is good to remember the addiction is powerful but is believing it is more powerful than you or me really going to help, whether it is true or not???

[garydunning]

here in UK they put u on methadone an start reducing 1mg every 2 weeks.I want to go to some kind of meetings but not sure best type to attend?...help plse.