Breaking the Cycle of Addiction

Last week, I gave up nicotine, unexpectedly, in the sense that I didn't plan to quit vaping until I just decided to stop. For a few days prior, I kept hearing a voice in my head whispering detrimental facts about nicotine and I finally listened. Across decades of consuming nicotine, I've heard it all before, but I had to acknowledge that I'm being challenged to truly honor my "Year of Transformation" by breaking this cycle of addiction, which started when I was a young girl and is most certainly the genesis of my struggle with addiction for most of my life. While nothing is promised and I have quit many times in the past, this time feels different. This time, breaking this cycle of addiction feels integral to my spiritual journey.

Addiction can be a significant hurdle for one's spiritual growth. The constant pull of addiction can take a toll on one's physical, mental, and emotional health, making it challenging to maintain focus and clarity in one's spiritual practices. While addiction can take many forms, such as substance abuse, gambling, or even social media addiction, the underlying mechanics remain the same. When we engage in addictive behavior, we often seek to escape from our present reality, whether it be a feeling of emptiness or boredom or a more severe trauma or pain.

In the pursuit of spiritual growth, however, the goal is to be present and fully engaged in the moment. Addiction can be seen as a barrier that prevents us from being present, taking us away from our spiritual path. For example, with my own addiction, sometimes meditation has been a challenge because the craving for nicotine disrupts my attentiveness. Breaking the cycle of addiction is crucial for allowing me to fully engage in my spiritual practices and explore a deeper sense of meaning and purpose in life.

Breaking the cycle of addiction is no easy task. It requires commitment, determination, and support. It is essential to have a strong support system, whether it be friends, family, or a professional therapist or support group. With the support of others, we can learn healthy coping mechanisms, build resilience, and develop a deeper sense of self-awareness. In my own course for quitting, I have put myself in new situations and tried new things as a means (on the surface) to distract myself, but these are actually activities I have been missing because of my addiction. I am no longer unconsciously planning my days or activities around the consumption of nicotine so all these new possibilities now exist in my awareness.

Through breaking the cycle of addiction, we gain a sense of inner peace, allowing us to connect more deeply with ourselves and our spiritual beliefs. As we become more present and engaged in our lives, we begin to recognize the interconnectedness of all things, and our sense of spirituality deepens. As we overcome addiction, we gain a new sense of freedom and empowerment. We begin to see ourselves as capable of overcoming obstacles and achieving our goals. This newfound sense of confidence and self-awareness can translate to other aspects of our lives as well. Now, just a week into this boycott of nicotine, as the smoke finally clears, I am beginning to consider other areas of my life where I need to assess other cycles of addiction or just be better attuned and present in the moment.

If you have been struggling with an addiction, you are not alone. Breaking the cycle of addiction is not easy, but it is worth it for so many reasons! I invite you to consider where you are allowing an addiction to dictate your activities and disrupt your spiritual practices, life goals, or your overall health and wellness. For me, nicotine may always be a core addiction, but as I break this cycle, I will certainly be healthier and happier for it. If I can avoid triggering another cycle for this specific addiction, even better.