# How to recover from an addiction

Before anything, accept you have a [substance](addiction-substances.md) abuse problem.

You will *not* get out of your [addiction](addiction.md) by yourself:

- That substance gave you [satisfaction](mind-feelings-happiness-perma.md) and [meaning](meaning.md), so something else must fill that void.
  - If you choose another substance, you're simply swapping out one mental poison for another.
- Thus, the only "substance" that's safe is a supportive community of [friends](people-friends.md) and the release and personal relationship with [God](theology-god.md).

Find a healthy community that supports your new lifestyle:

- If your friends abuse the same substance as you, your [habits](habits.md) won't change because they will sabotage any effective changes.
- Besides recovery groups, you can also find healthy support through [friendships](people-friends.md) you find through [clubs](groups-member.md) and [church](church.md).

One of the reasons addictions are so difficult to kill is because of the comparative dopamine rush.

- Even when you know it's dangerous, the chemical rush from a temporary high is simply higher than anything more [meaningful](meaning.md).
- The only way to offset this compulsion is through a more focused reason than simply self-gratification.

Be careful about addiction-hopping.

- Most addicts will jump through various substances and seek approval for halting one of those substances.
- Going sober requires stopping *all* [substances](addiction-substances.md) at once.
- Further, most *substance recovery groups* are filled with addicts devouring alcohol and smoking while they brag that they overcame alcoholism.